RADIO
Welcome to the weekend RotoBallers. We have a full 15 games today, per usual. DraftKings has split them up into an eight game early slate featuring Max Scherzer and the best stacking options, and a seven game main slate. Weather could have an impact for four of todays games. KC-MIN, MIL-CHC, and SFG-STL all have rain chances forecasted above 50% around game time. TEX-DET is free of precipitation, but instead has 15 mph winds blowing in forecasted. Keep all those in mind when setting your lineups today, and be sure to check the radars before the contests kick-off.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/20/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.
You can read our FanDuel and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @RowdyRotoJB.
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
The Nationals are easily the stack of the day against Bartolo Colon, but their prices are just redonkulous so we'll look at two cheaper options.
Seattle Mariners vs. Mike Pelfrey (RHP)
Over the last 14 days, Pelfrey is sporting a 5.76 SIERA, which is actually even worse than Bartolo Colon. He has also offered up 2.89 HR/9, and today squares off against the 10th ranked offense in OPS versus right handed pitchers. Nelson Cruz and Jean Segura don't come cheap, but Kyle Seager, Ben Gamel, and Taylor Motter lower the average price of this stack to a reasonable cost.
Oakland Athletics vs. Drew Pomeranz (LHP)
Over the last 14 days, Drew Pomeranz has been far from stellar. He owns an even worse SIERA than Mike Pelfrey at 5.99, and is allowing a 41.7 hard hit percentage to go along with a 2.57 HR/9. This is easily my favorite GPP stack for today, as the Athletics will fly under the radar as they do every day. I love Ryon Healy and Khris Davis, and will even be willing to utilize Trevor Plouffe and Adam Rosales thanks to their splits versus southpaws.
Also Consider: Cleveland Indians vs Mike Fiers (RHP)
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Max Scherzer, WSH at ATL ($12,600)
Yes its a hefty price, but considering Vine Velasquez and Jeff Samardzija are both in the 9,000 territory, Mad Max is more than worth the cost. On the road this year, Scherzer owns a 2.12 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 34 K in 29 2/3 innings. As for Atlanta, they were a sneaky offense against RHP....that was prior to the devastating injury to Freddie Freeman however. Now they look much weaker, got shutdown by Marcus Stroman two nights ago, and own the 21st most strikeouts against RHP. I don't believe in anything being absolute in this world, but if you don't think Scherzer gets the win over Bartolo Colon today, you are the rowdiest of them all- and we should be friends.
Zack Wheeler, NYM vs. LAA ($8,000)
My hometown boy, representing East Paulding High School! 30157, how 'bout it?! Alright, now that I got that out of my system, Zack is in a good position today facing the Halos at home. The Angels rank 24th in OPS with the 20th most strikeouts against RHP in 2017. Zack has shut down right handed hitters, holding them to a .214 BA and a measly .286 SLG which will hopefully carry him past Mike Trout and Albert Pujols two or three times. The rest will feel the wrath of his 8.2 K/9, and hand him the W on a silver platter as the Mets pummel Alex Meyer. Wheelin' and dealin!
Also Consider: Ian Kennedy, KCR at MIN ($8,400); Carlos Martinez, STL vs SFG ($11,100)
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Yadier Molina, STL vs. SFG ($3,500)
Yadi doesn't have much juice left in the tank, but he is still one of the most talented backstops in the league. He has hit much better at Busch Stadium today, hitting .278, and happens to own some sexy BvP stats against Jeff Samardzija. In 24 career AB versus the Shark from Notre Dame, Yadi has 11 hits with a double. Like I said, the chances for XBH are nearly vanished from this bat, but you can't find a higher floor for your cash game lines at the catcher position.
Also Consider: J.T. Realmuto, MIA at LAD ($3,400)
First Base (1B)
Ryon Healy, OAK vs BOS ($3,300)
I don't know what it is, but I am officially obsessed with Ryon Healy, aka Evan Longoria Jr. His slash line isn't something to celebrate, but the underlying numbers show this guy is due for a power outbreak. Over the last 14 days he owns a top 10 Hard%, and today faces Drew Pomeranz who is allowing a 41.7 Hard% and dragging around a 5.99 SIERA over the last two weeks. Against southpaws this year, Healy is smashing to the tune of .389/.421/.750 with three bombs. This might be the best $/HR probability ratio of the day.
Also Consider: Edwin Encarnacion, CLE at HOU ($3,800)
Second Base (2B)
Jose Ramirez, CLE at HOU ($3,800)
I wasn't planning on using Ramirez today, but I also wasn't expecting his price to be under 4K. JRam owns a .903 OPS with five HR against RHP this season but has not fared well on the road. Luckily for him and the Tribe, he squares off against Mike Fiers today who has allowed a 42.4 Hard%, 45.5 FB%, and a 3.38 HR/9 over the last two weeks. It could become a HR derby in Houston today, and 3,800 ain't bad for a big piece of the pie.
Also Consider: Jonathan Schoop, BAL vs TOR ($3,800)
Shortstop (SS)
Francisco Lindor, CLE at HOU ($4,500)
Not a huge fan of the shortstop position today in terms of value, so I'm sticking with another LHB in the Cleveland infield here. Seven of his nine HR this season have come off RHP, and five of those nine have been hit on the road. As I stated previously, Mike Fiers is offering up taters.
Also Consider: Xander Bogaerts, BOS at OAK ($4,100)
Third Base (3B)
Kyle Seager, SEA vs CWS ($3,800)
I give you...the Mike Pelfrey effect. Seager might only have four HR and a sub-.250 BA for the season, but half of those HR have come in the last seven days. I love the price and I love the match-up.
Also consider: Anthony Rendon, WSH at ATL ($4,100)
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Hunter Renfroe, SDP vs ARI ($3,500)
The rookie is barely hitting over the Mendoza line for the season, but against LHP he is slashing .300/.404/.525. Today the Pads face off against Robbie Ray who despite having the ability to miss bats with the best of them, has been allowing a TON of hard hit fly balls over the last two weeks. If Renfroe makes contact today, he will be leaving the yard.
Bradley Zimmer, CLE at HOU ($3,400)
I guess I should have just mentioned the entire Cleveland offense in my stacks portion, huh? Oh well. Zimmer has played in three games since his call-up, and already has a HR and a double. He has lived around the .200 ISO mark during his minor league career, and also has some serious wheels which stole 44 bases in 2015 and 38 last year. This is a lot of pop and speed for only 3,400.
Marcell Ozuna, MIA at LAD ($3,700)
I understand the Marlins are as cold as ice right now, and Julio Urias is a highly touted prospect. But Ozuna is hitting .333 with a .967 OPS against southpaws this season, and has hit 11 bombs overall. Also, Urias got knocked around in his last start and has as many walks as he does strikeouts for the year. Great price tag for Ozuna today.
Also Consider: Giancarlo Stanton, MIA at LAD ($4,300); Kyle Schwarber, CHC vs MIL ($4,300)
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