We have a full slate of games this Wednesday, May 27th, with 11 early games on tap. This means there are plenty of options should you enter an early-only league but high profile aces will be available all day. Let's get to it.
My goal with these DFS picks, as always, is to try to choose players who will outperform their expectations. These players can be high-cost players, or they can be sleepers, but we are always looking for players that have a chance to return the greatest value on FanDuel.
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Offenses to Consider Stacking for FanDuel
Pittsburgh Pirates (vs MIA - Brad Hand)
Brad Hand is making the spot start for Miami in this matinee outing that I expect the Pirates win easily. Multiple Pirates have had success this year vs LHP, including Starling Marte ($3,800), Jung-ho Kang ($2,900), and Francisco Cervelli ($2,800). The only downside is you can only use three if you use Gerrit Cole ($10,000).
Cleveland Indians (vs Tex - Colby Lewis)
The fun that was Colby Lewis' start to 2015 has come to an abrupt end lately, as he's given up five runs in each of the past two outings. One of those was versus Cleveland at home, and I expect the results to be similar today in Cleveland. The Indians are a heavy favorite in this game (-161) and with Vegas tapping this at the highest O/U (9), I expect a big outing from the Tribe. Feel free to stack Jason Kipnis ($4,700), Michael Brantley ($4,500), Brandon Moss ($3,400), and David Murphy ($2,400).
Additional lineups to consider: Toronto Jays ; Chicago Sox ; Cincinnati Reds
Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Gerrit Cole - PIT, SP ($10,000)
I mentioned Cole earlier but he is by far my favorite play of the day. Cole struck out 10 his last time out and is traditionally dominant in day games and at home. I'm in.
Zack Greinke - LAD, SP ($9,900)
If you make a late-night squad, Greinke is the way to go. He hasn't given up more than one run in four straight outings, he's the heaviest favorite of the day (-225), and he's only $1,000 more than the next best late night option (Lynn). Fit him into your lineup.
Noah Syndergaard - NYM, SP ($7,700)
Thor makes for a great value play considering his ability to rack up Ks along with his probability to pull out the win, as the Mets are -170 favorites vs Philly.
Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Wilson Ramos - WAS, C ($3,000)
This one is more of a game theory pick. I expect a high scoring outing at Wrigley and combined with Ramos .351 AVG vs LHP I'll take a chance he's in on the action.
Francisco Cervelli - PIT, C ($2,800)
I mentioned him previously but I wanted to reiterate my interest. He's been hot at the plate lately and is hitting .409 vs LHP and .371 in day games. NOTE: Not playing today. Replacement - Michael McKendry ($2,500).
Prince Fielder - TEX, 1B ($4,400)
I know this article is supposed to be about uncovering value picks, but sometimes you just have to ride the hot hand. Fielder is on absolute fire and he'll be on my squad today; he's hitting .460 in day games so far.
Mike Napoli - BOS, 1B ($3,400)
Here's another player heating up lately. Suprisingly not as many people have been playing him in daily leagues I've entered than I anticipated, so there's a chance you can steal points from the competition with Napoli. He's got 2 HR in 14 ABs vs Hughes and Vegas expects a high scoring game (O/U 9).
Dustin Pedroia - BOS, 2B ($2,900)
Pedroia has enjoyed facing Hughes in his career; he's hit 3 HR in 27 ABs to go along with a .407 AVG. Combine that with his .377 AVG in day games and you have a solid play.
Howie Kendrick - LAD, 2B ($2,900)
Kendrick is starting to wake up at the plate and is batting .333 vs LHP with Alex Wood on the mound. For the record I'm taking Laser Show over Howie but will hedge in a few leagues.
Josh Donaldson - TOR, 3B ($3,900)
Similar to Fielder, I have to play Donaldson until he cools off. Yes it will limit you, but with his ownership up to 70% last night in some leagues if he goes off you can't afford to not have him. Plus he's hitting .354 at home this year.
Trevor Plouffe - MIN, 3B ($2,900)
Plouffe has three straight multi-hit games with six RBI in his past five games. I expect him to continue his streakiness today.
Jung-ho Kang - PIT, SS ($2,900)
As mentioned before, Kang loves his lefties (.381) and he loves playing at home (.340).
Xander Bogaerts - BOS , SS ($2,500)
Bogaerts is hitting .370 in the past week and has had a small sample size of success vs Pelfrey (2-for-6).
Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Michael Brantley - CLE, OF ($4,500)
Brantley is 5-for-14 with three XBH including a HR versus Colby Lewis and has been playing much better at home.
Josh Reddick - OAK, OF ($3,600)
Reddick is killing it at home this season (.431) and has been mashing RHP (.356/.424/.627). To top it all off, he's 3-for-4 lifetime vs Alfredo Simon. NOTE: Alfredo Simon (bereavement) has been scratched and replaced by Kyle Ryan (L). Still like the matchup but would rather upgrade to Starling Marte ($3,800).
Hunter Pence - SF, OF ($3,000)
Pence has been on fire since coming off the DL, with a.303 AVG and 8 RBIs in the past 7 days. Surprisingly his price tag hasn't reflected that. He's an excellent mid-range option today.
Alexander Guerrero - LAD, OF ($2,900)
The Juan Uribe trade has to be motivation for Guerrero to lock down an everyday role and I think it starts today. He's batting .304 with a .609 SLG vs LHP so I'm buying.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6PM on 5/27
Leave your question and come back at 6pm when Max answers everything. For our regular MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat, click here.
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