We've got eight games split between six different slates today, including an all day slate starting at 12:35 eastern and an odd start time at 6pm for the featured slate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/23/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @TroyKlauder.
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DraftKings Starting Pitchers
Rick Porcello - SP, at TB ($11,000)
Porcello is looking better than ever this year - with even better peripherals than his Cy Young season. He's rocking a 24.4% K-rate with a tidy 4.3% walk-rate and a 2.81 FIP. His 3.15 Deserved Run Average is also the best mark he's held in his career. He's facing the Rays in a great pitcher's ballpark and has a loaded lineup behind him to get a win. Porcello is pitching like an ace but is priced lower than one, so it's a great opportunity to pounce on a discount.
Luis Castillo - SP, vs PIT ($7,800)
Castillo's numbers on the year still look ugly, but Castillo has been pitching much better as of late, looking like the Castillo that garnered a ton of hype entering the season. He's still at a cheap price despite striking out 19 batters in his last 16 1/3 innings with a 2.70 ERA. Castillo is still a bit risky, but his upside is worth a shot in GPP contests.
DraftKings Infielders
Devin Mesoraco - C, at MIL ($3,600)
It's worth taking a flier on Mesoraco's power in Milwaukee, one of the best hitting environments in baseball. Opposing starter Zach Davies has a 1.32 HR/9 and a 4.24 ERA, giving Mesoraco an even better opportunity. There are slim pickings at catcher today outside of Mesoraco.
Justin Smoak - 1B, vs LAA ($4,000)
Smoak is always worth considering when he's at home in a fantastic hitter's park, and he's facing off against Nick Tropeano, owner of a 4.99 FIP. Smoak has an .863 OPS in the last 15 days and can drive in some runs as the Blue Jays three hitter.
Jonathan Schoop - 2B, at CWS ($3,600)
It's odd to see Schoop at such a low price - while he's struggled this year, he also gets a pass as he's missed some time due to injury. Schoop still has a ton of power potential (32 HR, 105 RBI last year) and gets one of the easiest pitchers to hit on today's slate in Lucas Giolito.
Zack Cozart - 3B, at TOR ($3,400)
Toronto starter Marco Estrada has been an absolute mess this season, posting a 5.23 FIP through nine starts, so the Angels are a team I'm looking to stack. Cozart is the perfect bat to pair with a more expensive Angels hitter, as he should cash in on some runs and RBIs if the entire lineup has a big day.
Marcus Semien - SS, vs SEA ($3,900)
Semien is a solid five-category contributor at shortstop, so there's plenty of different ways he can score you some fantasy points on Thursday. Regardless of whether the A's bat him first or second, he'll be in a great spot to score runs against Felix Hernandez.
DraftKings Outfielders
Adam Duvall - OF, vs PIT ($3,700)
Duvall's numbers look bad on the season, but there's likely going to be some positive regression, as he's got just a .192 BABIP and is actually walking at a career-high 11.9%. He's a good buy low candidate playing at home in one of the easiest parks to hit a home run in.
Nelson Cruz - OF, at OAK ($4,000)
It's time for Cruz to break out of his slump against Josh Lucas, a 27-year-old making his first career start for the Athletics. Even in a down year, Cruz is still producing power numbers, as he's got seven home runs.