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With just two early games and nine late, we'll spend our time looking at the main slate for Thursday's action. We have a few top notch pitchers to deal with, and some pretty mediocre options behind them.
As the weather heats up, we'll begin to see more runs on a regular basis. The key, however, is to pinpoint where those runs will come from. Remember to check the Vegas lines to confirm our predictions, but let's see if we can find some value on offense for Thursday's MLB DraftKings slate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/19/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on DraftKings.
DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Mike Foltynewicz
Folty is known for pitching decently for a stretch and then blowing up for eight or so runs. The Pirates are coming off a huge offensive let down on Wednesday, so it seems like a perfect storm for this lineup on Thursday. I love Gregory Polanco on FanDuel, but he's pricey on DraftKings. John Jaso makes sense in the leadoff spot. Matt Joyce makes for an interesting play if he's starting, and Jung Ho Kang is on a power tear right now.
Oakland Athletics vs. Ivan Nova
It's tough to ignore the hottest offense in baseball right now. Danny Valencia, Khris Davis, and Marcus Semien are leading the A's in a power surge for the ages. I love all three on Thursday against the youngster Nova, and someone like Josh Reddick or Billy Burns could be a fourth addition to balance out the HR or bust approach.
Also consider Cincinnati Reds vs. Josh Tomlin, Cleveland Indians vs. Tim Adleman
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Jeff Samardzija, SF at SD - $11,800
The Shark gets the best matchup on the board tonight, and while he hasn't been invincible so far this year, we have seen flashes of his upside. Samardzija should be able to follow Johnny Cueto's success in shutting down whatever this thing is that San Diego calls an offense and compile some good innings with a win.
Matt Harvey, NYM vs. WAS - $9,700
Harvey is a tournament play for Thursday. The Nationals offense is tough to predict at this point in the year, but they've had their share of stinkers. We know Harvey can rack up strikeouts, but he hasn't been able to have good outings consistently yet in 2016. The upside is there, but Harvey's struggles limit him to a GPP only play.
Michael Wacha, STL vs. COL - $7,200
Fitting in both Chris Sale and Samardzija into a lineup makes for some poor hitter combinations. With that being said, I like Wacha as a sleeper on Thursday. Colorado is considerably worse on the road, and Wacha always seems to pitch best at home. He's had some ups and downs in this early season, but if Wacha can keep the ball in the yard he should be in for a good outing Thursday.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Yan Gomes, CLE at CIN - $3,800
Gomes is a red hot power hitter traveling to a hitter's park against a poor pitcher in Tim Adleman. Lock him in if you have the funds.
Kurt Suzuki, MIN vs. TOR - $2,400
Suzuki becomes the cheaper option at catcher. He's more of an OBP hitter, but that's OK for his price point. Marco Estrada lets up plenty of contact, and Suzuki is the perfect poor man's Yadier Molina for your DK team.
First Base (1B)
Joey Votto, CIN vs. CLE - $4,000
Here's to hoping that Votto is amidst a huge rebound. Josh Tomlin is no match for the slugger when he's on, and a double and a line out last night lead me to believe that he's close. Use Votto before his price skyrockets again.
John Jaso, PIT vs. ATL - $3,500
Jaso has done pretty well as the Pirates new leadoff man, and Thursday's opportunity for the Bucs against Folty should provide the first baseman with plenty of at bats. A three-hit day is very possible for Jaso.
Second Base (2B)
Jason Kipnis, CLE at CIN - $4,900
I likely won't be paying up here, but I can see the argument plainly. Kipnis is red hot, and the Indians get a sweet matchup with Adleman in Great American Ball Park.
Gordon Beckham, ATL at PIT - $2,700
Beckham had a pinch hit RBI double last night, and that extended his recent hot hitting stretch. He'll likely start on Thursday and make for a great punt option at second base, a position that is fairly weak to begin with.
Shortstop (SS)
Marcus Semien, OAK vs. NYY - $3,300
I won't be paying up at shortstop either when there is a very fairly priced Semien ripe for the picking. He's limiting strikeouts and the power upside is real. Take advantage of this price.
Third Base (3B)
Jung Ho Kang, PIT vs. ATL - $3,600
Big power surge, offense has great matchup, a ton of RBI chances, yadda yadda yadda.
Danny Valencia, OAK vs. NYY - $3,800
I keep going back and forth with these two, because they're really one in the same right now. Take your pick or follow your stack here.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Adam Eaton, CWS vs. HOU - $4,600
Eaton is currently showing his ability to be the most consistent hitter in baseball. His price reflects his hot streak, but the power upside is there, and Collin McHugh is not intimidating in the slightest.
Matt Joyce, PIT vs. ATL - $3,400
If Joyce is starting in the middle of the Pirates order again, this is a great price. He's been barreling up balls well early in the year, and should have no problem here.
Jayson Werth, WAS at NYM - $3,200
The matchup with Harvey isn't great, but this price is too low for a two hitter who just notched two hits and three walks last night. Werth is a fine GPP play.
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