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JB highlights the top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 5/29/16. These are the top value and sleeper plays for your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups.
Happy Clayton Kershaw Day, RotoBallers! We have the usual full slate of baseball today, with 14 of the games being finished by the time your bed hits the pillow tonight, followed by a Dodgers-Mets prime time match-up. Great news so far on the weather front, as I currently see no issues for any of today's games. The Cubs are the largest favorites today, while the battle in Coors between the Rockies and Giants has the highest predicted run total. Now that we're all caught up, let's get rowdy.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/29/16. 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 versus Martin Perez
Over the last seven days, the Pirates have the highest scoring offense in the league. While they are near the bottom in runs scored against LHP this season, they oddly have the fourth highest OPS at the same time. Two days ago they scored six runs in only 4.2 innings against a much higher caliber southpaw, Cole Hamels. Today they face Martin Perez, who despite having a 3.13 ERA, owns a much less impressive 4.96 SIERA.
Texas Rangers versus Francisco Liriano
High scoring game alert! On the other side of the diamond, the Rangers own the second most runs and the eighth highest OPS against LHP this season. After an excellent start on opening day, Liriano has been very inconsistent in 2016. Over his last three starts he has allowed eight runs to the Cubs in 4.2 IP, only struck out four Braves in 7 IP, and walked five Diamondbacks in 5.2 IP. For the season, he owns an uncharacteristic 5.17 FIP, and 5.16 BB/9.
Boston Red Sox versus R.A. Dickey
Number one offense in the league meets the familiar neighborhood knuckle baller. Moving on.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Clayton Kershaw, LAD ($13,900)
With great power, comes steep DFS prices. Kershaw boasts an unbelievable 1.40 FIP this season, with an even more unbelievable 19.00 K/BB ratio. The guy has more wins than issued walks on the season for goodness sake. He is the best pitcher in the game and today is facing off against an offense that ranks 26th in runs scored against LHP. A little more than two weeks ago, Kershaw hurled a complete game shutout against the Mets, striking out 13. Pay up!
Nathan Eovaldi, NYY ($9,800)
Eovaldi's ERA is a bit inflated due to a HR/FB% that is double his career average, resulting in a respectable 3.33 xFIP. According to PITCHf/x, Eovaldi's fastball is being thrown at a career high speed in 2016, which could explain the career high strikeout and swing-and-miss numbers. Today he squares off with a Rays offense that ranks 28th in runs scored and 26th in strikeouts against RHP. The shellacking of Michael Pineda yesterday might scare others away from using Eovaldi today, which should keep his usage percentages down.
Nick Tropeano, LAA ($8,200)
Tropeano has pitched very well in his last two outings. In 13.2 combined innings, he allowed only one run and struck out 10. The most important stat from these two games is only three walks issued, which is great progress considering his 4.11 BB/9 this season. The strikeouts on the other hand are no issue for the 25 year old, as his 12.6 SwStr% is top 10 in the league among qualified starters. If he can continue to be stingy with the free passes today, that strikeout ability will rack up plenty of fantasy points against the Astros, who have struck out more times than any other team versus RHP in 2016.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Brian McCann, NYY ($3,300)
McCann loves hitting RHP, against whom he has hit five HR with a .360 OBP this season. He especially loves facing Jake Odorizzi. In 23 career PA against the Rays starter, BMac is hitting .600/.652/1.300 with three HR. The Yankees are a top ten offense over the last seven days, and Odorizzi owned a 5.40 ERA in four starts against them in 2015.
First Base (1B)
Adrian Gonzalez, LAD ($3,500)
Gonzalez is coming off a big night in which he hit his fifth HR and seventh double of the season. Today he squares off against Big Fat Bartolo Colon, who he has tormented over the years. In 28 career PA versus Colon, Gonzalez is hitting .464 with three HR. Look for the momentum from yesterday to carry on over to the prime time game tonight for the Dodgers offense.
Second Base (2B)
Chase Utley, LAD ($4,200)
Look, another Dodgers hitter who killed it last night and has enjoyed solid success against Colon throughout his career. Utley had quite a game yesterday, hitting two HR with five RBI, and played a role in Noah Syndergaard being ejected. Over the last seven days, he is hitting .368 with a .435 OBP. Lifetime against Colon, he is 10-20 with a HR.
Shortstop (SS)
Marcus Semien, OAK ($3,100)
Semien is only hitting .222 on the season, which keeps his prices low, but still has shown legit power with 10 long balls. Today the Athletics do battle with Mike Pelfrey, who is the owner of a miserable 5.55 ERA and 1.81 WHIP. Semien is 2-5 with a HR lifetime against Pelfrey, and has a strong probability of going yard again today.
Third Base (3B)
Manny Machado, BAL ($5,500)
That price hurts my heart, but Machado is worth every penny today. Over the last seven days, he is slashing a .389/.560/.722 line. Against RHP this season, he is hitting .329 and tied for the league lead with 12 HR. Today the unlucky opposing pitcher is Michael Clevinger, who brings along an 8.71 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and three HR in 10.1 innings this season.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Jose Bautista, TOR ($4,000)
4 G's is a fantastic price for Joey Bats today. He is hitting .313/.389/.563 over the last seven days, and has gotten to know David Price very well over the years. In 61 career PA against the lefty, Bautista is boasting a .346/.426/.712 slash with five bombs.
Gerardo Parra, COL ($3,600)
Despite playing in Coors Field today, Parra's usage percentages should remain fairly low due to Johnny Cueto's success this season. Parra is hitting a healthy .321 at home in his first season with the Rockies, and has accrued a .344 BA with two HR in 35 career PA against Cueto.
Marcell Ozuna, MIA ($3,900)
With a hit and a walk yesterday, Ozuna's on-base streak now sits at 34 games. Over his last six games, he owns a jaw-dropping .542/.577/.833 line with four doubles and a HR. Julio Teheran has a sexy 2.57 ERA on the season, but his uglier 3.92 xFIP suggests he has been a little lucky, especially with his HR/FB%. Look for the Marlins to test that luck today, and for Ozuna to continue his streak.
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