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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 11, 2018. Adam Meyer's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We’re ignoring the interleague game in Chicago between the White Sox and Cubs, because of the 2:20pm (EST) start. Sorry, Chicago fans. However, we still have a 14-game Friday slate.
While all the odds aren’t fully listed (waiting on SP from Milwaukee and Oakland), I can confirm that two matchups will have an over/under of at least nine total runs: TB/BAL and MIL/COL. From a pitcher’s aspect, four teams are favored with odds of at least -180: Houston, Cleveland, Washington, and Boston. You know those pitchers will be expensive, too.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/11/18. 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 @CharlieSideHstl.
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DraftKings Starting Pitchers
Trevor Bauer, CLE (vs. KC) - $11,300
This ticket is loaded with top tier talent at the starting pitcher position. When the slate is stacked, I tend to lean towards the bargain of the group. Bauer is the bargain for Friday. He’s $1,100 cheaper than the pitcher right above (Chris Sale) him and $2,000 less than the most expensive option (Max Scherzer). Yet, Bauer has the ability to produce just as many DK points as either option listed ahead of him. Bauer has struck out at least eight batters in three consecutive starts and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs during that span, either. He already faced this Royals lineup on April 7th, too: 8 IP, 1 ER, and 7 K. Let’s hope for a copy/paste performance on Friday from Bauer.
Luke Weaver, STL (@ SD) - $7,900
The ERA isn’t ideal (5.60). Weaver has allowed at least four earned runs in four consecutive appearances. However, his opponent makes all the difference. San Diego is 26th in runs scored (143 runs in 38 games) and second in team strikeouts (380). The Padres are also 29th in team wOBA (.290) against right-handed pitchers this season.
Matt Koch, ARI (vs. WSH) - $4,400
I get that the win probability is low (Scherzer is the opposing pitcher) and Koch’s strikeout total isn’t outstanding (17 strikeouts in 25.1 innings this year), but his price tag is just too low. There are 34 hitters who are more expensive than Koch. This Arizona starter hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his four outings this season. If you want any of the starting pitchers in the top four of salaries, pair them with Koch and you can afford $4,037 per player (with Scherzer) to $4,287 per player (with Bauer).
DraftKings Infielders
C - Mike Zunino, SEA (@ DET) - $3,400
When you think of lefty-killers on Seattle, normally, Nelson Cruz is the first hitter who comes to mind. If you know your fantasy baseball, you might also think of Mitch Haniger. However, Zunino is the player who leads the Mariners in ISO against left-handed pitchers (.252) since 2017. He’s also tallied at least 16 DK points in two of the past four games.
1B - Cody Bellinger, LAD (vs. CIN) - $4,300
Matt Harvey will make his Reds debut on Friday and the Dodgers will be in the opposing dugout for that occasion. Harvey allowed five earned runs in his last MLB outing. He hasn’t thrown more than 39 pitches in his last four appearances. Bellinger leads the Dodgers with a .297 ISO against right-handed pitchers. He’s also tallied at least two hits in two of the past four games. This season, Bellinger is batting .314 (27-for-86) with four doubles, two triples, and three home runs against righties.
2B - Gleyber Torres, NYY (vs. OAK) - $3,900
Torres is on a tear. He’s compiled a hit in nine of the last 10 games and is 7-for-19 (.368) with two home runs in the past week. As I write this, the scheduled starter for Oakland has yet to be announced. With Trevor Cahill on the DL, signs are pointing towards Kendall Graveman as the probable pitcher on Friday. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in each of his six starts in 2018. Torres is crushing both lefties and righties, so the pitcher makes no difference to him.
3B - Alex Bregman, HOU (vs. TEX) - $3,700
Bregman is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak for Houston. He’s even produced four extra-base hits in the past four games. Bregman has the second-best ISO on the team against left-handed pitchers (.220) and he’ll face Cole Hamels on Friday. The Astros have one of the highest implied run totals of the slate. Adding a couple bats from their lineup should be a wise idea.
SS - Francisco Lindor, CLE (vs. KC) - $5,400
No hitter is hotter than Lindor right now and his price tag reflects that statement. He has an eleven-game hitting streak and is 13-for-33 (.394) with four doubles and five home runs in the past week. Lindor has launched three homers in the last four games and he’s been somewhat successful against Jason Hammel: 7-for-21 (.333) with one double and one home run. Cleveland is projected to crush Kansas City and Lindor could be the linchpin of the operation.
DraftKings Outfielders
Charlie Blackmon, COL (vs. MIL) - $5,500
Selecting players from a Coors Field game is expensive, but almost always worth it. Looking through Blackmon’s numbers, I’m shocked about a couple things. First, of his 11 home runs this season, only one has come from Coors Field. In fact, Blackmon is batting .231 at home and .305 on the road. Also, he’s struggling against righties. This season, Blackmon is batting .253 against right-handed pitchers (.326 vs. lefties). However, when a game has a high over/under, and you can afford to add a power-bat from the favored lineup, you do it.
Nelson Cruz, SEA (@ DET) - $4,200
I already mentioned that people know about Cruz’s ability to crush lefties during my write-up for Zunino. So, let’s expound upon that topic. From 2015-2017, Cruz compiled a .298 AVG against lefties. Since 2017, he has a .217 ISO against southpaws. Seattle is a solid favorite (-140) in a game with one of the highest over/unders (nine total runs). That combination is in favor of Cruz and the Mariners’ hitters.
Aaron Altherr, PHI (vs. NYM) - $3,600
Now, for the bargain of the outfield player pool. The Phillies will face lefty Steven Matz on Friday. Other than Hoskins (.324 ISO), the only other Philadelphia hitter worth choosing is Altherr. His .282 ISO is the second-highest on the team. Altherr is also finding ways to get on base. In the past three games, he’s walked four times. All of those contributions will be needed to get the victory in your DK contest on Friday.
