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Early Slate - DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (5/3/23): Today's Top MLB DFS Lineups

Mookie Betts - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

The top early daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on May 3, 2023. Mike's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

There is a four-game matinee on getaway day this week. The bad news is that neither site has the major league debut of Arizona's top prospect, Brandon Pfaadt. That's an epic fail for BOTH sites...and something that could temper interest in an otherwise intriguing early slate.

This article contains my picks for the four-game early slate on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, which locks at 2:05 PM ET. Well...it's a five-game slate on FanDuel. Once again, FanDuel upstages DraftKings (I know...I'm still getting used to it, too) and adds the early makeup game to the docket from yesterday between the Mets and Tigers. Thanks, FanDuel, because that game has the best pitcher of the matinees in it!

The lineup picks will range from some elite high-priced players to mid-priced options and value plays. I'll give you a few of my top pitching options and then some infielders, outfielders, and teams to stack. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups.

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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Framber Valdez, HOU vs. SF ($10,500 DK, $10,800 FD)

Yes, I'm nervous about paying this much for Valdez against a lineup full of right-handed hitters. However, just because they are right-handed doesn't mean that they are inherently good. While righties have hit Framber much better in his career, 2023 has him starting the year with some reverse splits going on. Lefties have fared much better against Valdez so far in 2023 with a .391 average compared to .222 against righties. Stack 'em up, Giants! I think Framber can mow them down!

Now that the Framber love is over, I am playing the early slate on FD just so I can use Joey Lucchesi. This is a dream matchup for him and he only costs $8,300. He is far and away the best pitcher on FanDuel regardless of price.

Gavin Stone, LAD vs. PHI ($5,000 DK, $7,000 FD)

Another day, another high-profile pitcher (or two) making his major league debut. This is not a great spot for Stone, but it shouldn't be all that bad either. I doubt the Phillies use Bryce Harper in a day game after a night game fresh off of injury and it's not like the Philly offense is setting the world afire anyway. They have only scored a shade over three runs per game in the last week. Considering Stone's last two AAA starts (one run allowed, 15K in 9.2 innings), I have no issues running him on either site with the price this low.

Others to consider: Andrew Heaney ($7,500 DK, $8,200 FD) vs. ARI

Want more MLB DFS tools and content? Our MLB Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Slack Chatrooms, where members can chat with our MLB analysts. Check out this recent big win from RotoBaller's Jon Anderson on DraftKings - join in on the winning!

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Freddie Freeman - 1B, LAD vs. PHI ($4,700 DK, $3,600 FD)

Freeman knows Nola well from his days in the National League East. He has hit him well, too. Freeman is 15-for-66 with three doubles and two homers off of Nola, not to mention the eight walks. Nola is starting to right the ship after a tough April, but Freeman is one of the guys that has always managed some success against him. Nola is still light on the strikeouts (28 in 36.1 innings) and high on fly balls (37 in six starts). That's not a recipe you want against this team.

Mookie Betts - OF/2B (FD) and OF/SS (DK), LAD vs. PHI ($5,200 DK, $3,700 FD)

Okay, I'm not really picking on Nola. Just with the two guys that have hit him well. Mookie is 4-for-13 lifetime against Nola with three of those hits going for extra bases, including two homers. Mookie has already feasted on Philly pitching with six hits, a homer, and six RBIs in the first two games of the series. The price is a little steep, but the position eligibility is a huge plus.

Nick Senzel - OF/3B (DK) and OF/2B/3B (FD), CIN at SD ($2,700 DK, $3,200 FD)

Senzel's five-game hitting streak came to a halt against Snellzilla last night, but I'm not scared of Seth Lugo. Are you? Senzel is more of a DK-only play for me at this ridiculously low price. The eligibility on FD is nice, but it's not worth that price hike. Even with last night's donut, Senzel is averaging 15 DraftKings points per game in the last week. I'll buy that for a dollar (...or 2,700 of them)!

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Juan Soto - OF, SD vs. CIN ($5,100 DK, $3,400 FD)

Soto has only faced Luis Cessa twice in his career. He homered off of him both times. Soto had a miserable April, but the games in Mexico City seemed to get him going. Soto has seven hits, including a homer and five RBIs, in the last four games alone. The hot streak followed him back to San Diego, and I'm buying in against a pitcher that still has nightmares about Soto from last year.

Mitch Haniger - OF, SF at HOU ($3,700 DK, $3,200 FD)

Since Haniger began the season on the IL, most people either forgot that he was no longer in Seattle or forgot about him entirely. He is 6-for-20 with a pair of homers and five RBIs since his activation from the IL. Sure, both of those homers were in Mexico City in a park that makes Coors Field look like Marlins Park, but hey...baby steps. Haniger is a respectable 3-for-11 with a pair of walks against Framber Valdez from his days in Seattle. If you're going after Framber, start with Haniger. This is a low price for what he is capable of.

Henry Ramos - OF, CIN at SD ($2,500 DK, $2,500 FD)

Ramos has cooled off a bit after a hot start since being called up. That can be expected. However, he's a switch-hitter, meaning that he won't get a ton of days off. Not with Wil Myers and the like struggling behind him. The 32-year-old likely has a short leash, but he is still hitting .310 in eight games this season. I like him as a punt to afford all that offensive bling highlighted earlier in the piece.

 

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

San Diego Padres vs. Luis Cessa

Cessa has an abhorrent 9.55 ERA in five starts this year (and he's STILL more expensive than Gavin Stone...okay, DK...). As if that's not enough, peep these past stats for the Padres against Cessa.

Manny Machado and Soto are musts here. I also like Xander Bogaerts. Even though he hasn't homered off of Cessa yet, those Statcast stats look pretty tasty. I definitely don't mind Tatis either if you're running Stone and have the extra cash to pay up. If Trent Grisham is batting at or near the top of the order, I like him as a value play. If not, that exit velocity for Nelson Cruz looks nice. Don't be afraid to get creative. There's no reason to think that Cessa won't get punished again.

Also consider: Texas Rangers vs. Ryne Nelson



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cedric Coward

"100% Cleared" for Basketball Activities
Trevor Megill

Unlikely to Return Until Playoffs
Brandon Woodruff

Goes on 15-Day Injured List With Lat Strain
Brock Purdy

49ers Rule Brock Purdy Out For Week 3
CJ Abrams

Out With Jammed Shoulder on Sunday
Wyatt Langford

Back in Lineup on Sunday
Charlie Morton

Designated for Assignment
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Expected To Play In Week 3
J.J. McCarthy

Targeting Week 7 Return
Xavier Legette

Inactive for Week 3
Emeka Egbuka

Cleared to Suit Up
Tucker Kraft

Active for Week 3
Jauan Jennings

Ruled Out in Week 3
Joe Flacco

Browns Considered Starting Dillon Gabriel Over Joe Flacco in Week 3
Ryan Blaney

the Favorite to Win at New Hampshire
Joey Logano

Wins Pole, Is Confident Heading Into New Hampshire Race
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell The No-Brainer DFS Pick at New Hampshire?
Brock Purdy

in Line to Return in Week 4
Denny Hamlin

Always Strong at New Hampshire
Mike Trout

Hits 400th Career Home Run
William Byron

has Never Finished in the Top 10 at New Hampshire
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Could Contend at New Hampshire This Weekend
Jayden Daniels

Avoids MCL Sprain
Austin Cindric

Has Potential at New Hampshire
Emeka Egbuka

Could be Limited on Sunday
Kyle Larson

a Strong DFS Option, Inconsistency Gives Reason to Doubt him
Chase Elliott

Recent Speed Downturn Could Continue at Loudon
Chase Briscoe

Looks Slower at Loudon Than in the Round of 16
Tyler Reddick

Possibly Distracted by Contract Costs
Ross Chastain

Qualifying Results Improving as his Race Results Decline
Chris Buescher

has Shown Mediocre Pace This Season and at Loudon
Brad Keselowski

Consistent Loudon Speed Makes Him an Excellent DFS Option
Carson Hocevar

Strong Qualifying Run May Be a Reason to Stay Away from Carson Hocevar
Shane Van Gisbergen

a Shaky DFS Option
Ty Gibbs

Will Probably Be an Afterthought With All Three Teammates Still in the Playoffs
Kyle Busch

Likely to Finish Better and Run Worse at Loudon
Ryan Preece

Modified Experience Could Help Ryan Preece at Loudon
AJ Allmendinger

Has a Bad Loudon Record but Was Fast in Practice
Michael McDowell

Earns Best Qualifying Run at Loudon, but Not a Strong DFS Option
D'Andre Swift

Will Play Through Injury On Sunday
Quinshon Judkins

To Start Against Packers
Emeka Egbuka

To Play With No Restrictions
Chris Godwin

Nearing Return
CFB

Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time
William Contreras

Exits With Hand Injury, X-Rays Negative
Cal Raleigh

Breaks Mariners Single-Season Home Run Record
Giancarlo Stanton

Belts 450th Career Home Run
CFB

Thomas Castellanos OK After Injury Scare
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Upgraded to Probable for Saturday's Tilt Against Missouri
Will Smith

Dealing with Fractured Hand
Jaccob Slavin

Remains Sidelined Saturday
Max Domi

Expected to Practice Sunday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Sits Out Practice
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Goes to Injured List
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Added to the Injury Report, Questionable With Illness
D'Andre Swift

Expected to Play Sunday
Tylor Megill

Likely to Require Tommy John Surgery
CFB

Behren Morton Ruled Out vs. Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Exits with Possible Concussion
Tucker Kraft

Likely To Play In Week 3
Emeka Egbuka

Expected to Play in Week 3
Tyler Warren

Off Injury Report, Will Play Against Titans
Xavier Worthy

Ruled Out for Week 3
Stuart Skinner

Determined to Improve After Shedding Weight
Jeremy Lauzon

Dealing With an Injury
Jack Eichel

Returns to Practice
Wyatt Langford

Day-to-Day With Side Tightness
Bryan Woo

Exits With Pectoral Tightness on Friday
Alec Bohm

Phillies Reinstate Alec Bohm on Friday
Matt Coronato

Matthew Coronato Expected to Make a Big Impact This Season
Johnathan Kovacevic

Out Indefinitely
Kevin Hayes

to Be Re-Evaluated in About a Month
Evgeni Malkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
UTA

Alex Kerfoot Out Week-to-Week
Zeev Buium

Misses Practice With Upper-Body Injury
Artemi Panarin

Sustains Lower-Body Injury in Training Camp
Yordan Alvarez

Astros Put Yordan Alvarez on Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Kyle Finnegan

Set to Return on Friday
Isaac Paredes

to Return on Friday
Yuri Collins

Headed to Brooklyn
Charlotte Hornets

Hornets Sign Keyontae Johnson
Dennis Smith Jr.

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Mavericks
Tyler Herro

Undergoing Foot/Ankle Surgery
William Eklund

Back at 100 Percent in Training Camp
Macklin Celebrini

Battling an Illness
Kevin Hayes

Evaluated for Upper-Body Injury
Zach Hyman

Out Until November
Stefan Noesen

Nursing a Groin Injury
Laurent Brossoit

Out Long-Term After Hip Surgery
Pierre Engvall

Out for 2-3 Weeks
Kirill Kaprizov

Focused on Having a Good Season
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Upgraded to Probable for Saturday's Tilt Against Missouri
Clayton Kershaw

Will Retire at the End of the Season
Malcolm Brogdon

Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon Both Staying with the Knicks?
Detroit Pistons

Charles Bediako Agrees to a Training Camp Deal with Detroit
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery, Uncertain for Training Camp
Charlotte Hornets

DaQuan Jeffries Waived by the Hornets
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Questionable For Saturday
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
Brooklyn Nets

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP