FanDuel DFS – MLB Lineup Picks, Sleepers & Advice for 5/18/15

May 18, 2015

Kevin Luchansky analyzes some MLB DFS lineup picks & sleepers for 5/18/15 on FanDuel fantasy baseball daily leagues. His DFS advice and value picks help you win on FanDuel.

For the first time this season, today's slate truly feels like slim pickins. Only 14 teams take the field today, and with six of the seven games taking place at night.

I'm going to ignore the one day game to help make building a roster a less time sensitive thing. I figured you'd understand.

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s Premium DFS Lineup Picks & Tools help you get an edge for your FanDuel lineups with exclusive access to DFS tools and expert lineup picks. Also our DFS batters vs. pitchers tool helps you analyze today’s matchups and make optimal lineup decisions. 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Target for FanDuel

It doesn't take an analyst or expert to point out that Matt Harvey ($10,600) is probably the best option on the board today. He certainly makes for the best cash game option, but it's important to consider he'll probably be the most played option, too. The same goes for Corey Kluber ($9,600) and Chris Sale ($10,000), who just so happen to be facing off against one another. I'm actually going to shy away from those two for a few reasons, namely the fact that I don't particularly feel great about one aces chances of grabbing a win when facing another team's ace, and secondly because I feel the Sox lineup is starting to click.

John Lackey - SP - Cardinals ($8,100)

Okay, so I know I shied away from the Kluber-Sale matchup because of the whole "this pitcher's counterpart is the team's ace" but Lackey is a good choice for a few reasons. First off, he has the better offense backing him, which also makes for point #2: he's facing off against the weaker offense. And they aren't just the weaker offense, they're a weak offense. Anemic, even. The Mets are slugging .347 this season against right-handed pitching, the third worst percentage in all of the majors. Lackey has only allowed four earned runs in his last 19+ innings and opponents are hitting .216 and slugging .268 against him in May. He's a pretty damn good option today.

Drew Pomeranz - SP - Athletics ($6,400)

This one isn't a full endorsement of Pomeranz, but I couldn't leave him out of the conversation, either. Not when he's available for that cheap and not when he's facing an Astros offense that struggles against left-handed pitching. Astros hitters are striking out in more than 23% of their at-bats versus lefties and their team OBP is .301, 24th in the majors. There is certainly a lot of risk attached to this pick, but the upside is too great to ignore. You can build an incredibly potent offense are Pomeranz and if any of today's aces slip up, you can be sitting pretty.

DFS Offense to Target for Stacking for FanDuel

Phillies LHB versus Jordan Lyles

It feels surreal just typing that out. Yes, I strongly suggest stacking Phillies' left-handed batters today. Yes, it will be a popular stack. No, it's not just because the team is playing in Coors Field, but anyone who says that didn't factor into their selection/suggestion is a bold-faced liar. Simply put, the Phillies offense features a lot of left-handed hitters, they face off against a so-so right-handed pitcher in Lyles that has struggled against lefties (.290 batting average, .427 OBP) and there just aren't many quality stacking options tonight. I'm targeting Ryan Howard ($3,400), Grady Sizemore ($2,700) and possibly Domonic Brown ($2,300) and Chase Utley ($3,000). Those last two guys will depend on the Phillies lineup configuration.

DFS Infielders to Target for FanDuel

Victor Martinez - C - Tigers ($3,300)

The switch-hitting catcher returns to the lineup today and should return to his normal slot as well. He's priced appropriately and should handle the left-handed Kyle Lobstein handily, as he is hitting .462 against LHP this season.

Adam LaRoche - 1B - White Sox ($3,000)

I certainly think Ryan Howard is the best option on the first baseman board today, but if you are seeking other options, LaRoche is a good one. Sure, he faces Corey Kluber, but if you're going to slot a Kluber opponent in your lineup, make sure it's a left-handed hitting one in a home run friendly park. LaRoche checks both of those boxes tonight.

Dee Gordon - 2B - Marlins ($3,900)

I thought Gordon would be the highest priced second baseman today and was pleasantly surprised to see him at just $3,900, with Jason Kipnis and Jose Altuve priced higher. Gordon is not only one of the hottest hitters in baseball, he owns a .520 slugging percentage over the past two weeks. I don't expect him to leave the yard, but I like him for doubles, steals and runs today.

Aaron Hill - 2B - Dbacks ($3,000)

I suppose if you are using the likes of Sale, Kluber or Harvey today, your infielder budget is pretty tight. Hill makes for a nice play as he's heating up, slugging .767 over the past two weeks and facing Dan Haren, who is quite prone to giving up the long ball.

Aramis Ramirez - 3B - Brewers ($2,900)

An amazing price point for a right-handed hitter facing a left-handed pitcher in a very, very home run friendly ballpark. And he's cheap, too.

Marcus Semien - SS - Athletics ($3,400)

A pretty weak number of strong options at shortstop, especially if Troy Tulowitzki is held out of the lineup again. I think Semien is your best bet for a productive guy, facing a rookie left-handed pitcher and Semien is hot over the last two weeks, hitting three home runs and slugging .647.

Chris Owings - SS - Diamondbacks ($3,300)

The post wouldn't be complete without one lineup suggestion based on batter versus pitcher data, right? Owings owns a .643 batting average against Haren dating back to 2008, and he's also hitting .395 overall in the past two weeks.

DFS Outfielders to Target for FanDuel

Curtis Granderson - OF - Mets ($3,100)

Curtis has really started to produce after a quiet to start the season. He owns a .491 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching and also has a .308 lifetime average against Lackey.

Ben Revere - OF - Phillies ($3,000)

Revere could be used as part of a Phillies stack but also plays nicely in cash games. The speedster is hitting .271 against right-handed pitching with six doubles and two triples. If he can find the gap at Coors Field, you'll find him standing at third base.

Josh Reddick - OF - Athletics ($3,900)

Reddick should be hitting higher in the order today facing a right-handed pitcher in McCullers, who just so happens to be making his first major league start. A veteran hitter with good patience like Reddick should handle him just fine tonight.

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