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Although the MLB schedule shows a nine-game slate on Monday, we will only get to partake in eight of those matchups for DFS purposes. The ATL/CHC game has a 2:20pm (EST) start time and is excluded from the DK docket.
From the games we do get to choose from, there are three matchups with an over/under of at least nine total runs. Also, we only have one team who is favored with odds greater than -160 (Cleveland is -215). Vegas had to make some tough decisions on Monday, and so will we, as there are five games with the favorited team having -140 odds or lower.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/14/18. 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
Carlos Carrasco, CLE (@ DET) - $12,200
It’s a tough call on who to choose between the top two pitchers in price on Monday. Patrick Corbin is the most expensive option, but I prefer Carrasco. This season, Carrasco is 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 29 innings of work on the road. Plus, he already faced Detroit on April 11th: 9 IP, 1 ER, 6 K. In 2017, Carrasco was 4-1 with a 1.82 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 39.2 innings against the Tigers (six starts). Finally, in his last three outings on the road, Carrasco has allowed only three total earned runs and struck out 28 batters.
Tyler Anderson, COL (@ SD) - $7,500
Once you lock in your expensive SP for Monday, you need to decided which cheaper option to plug in to your lineup. One of my favorites is Anderson. Let me rephrase that, any inexpensive starting pitcher facing the Padres is one of my favorites. This season, San Diego is 28th in runs scored (151 runs in 41 games) and second in team strikeouts (407). Anderson already faced the Padres twice this year. He has a combined 1.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts with only two earned runs in 12 innings against San Diego.
Sal Romano, CIN (@ SF) - $5,300
I typically don’t target underdogs as my DFS starting pitchers, but the low-risk/high-reward for Romano is too good to pass up. He’s allowed no more than two earned runs in five consecutive appearances for the Reds. As for Romano’s opponent, the Giants are 25th in runs scored (156 runs in 40 games), third in strikeouts (385), and 26th in team wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.300). All are positive signs for Romano, who struck out seven batters in his last appearance (vs. NYM).
DraftKings Infielders
C - Salvador Perez, KC (vs. TB) - $3,800
Two “Sal’s” in one article? That’s a first, for me. Perez punishes left-handed pitchers. Since 2017, he has a .233 ISO against lefties. He also has three extra-base hits in the past four games. The TB/KC matchup has one of the highest over/unders of the slate (nine total runs) and the Royals are slight favorites. Ryan Yarbrough had a rough outing in his last start, allowing five earned runs to Atlanta. The Braves have the second-best team wOBA against lefties (.364). While the Royals only have the 16th best wOBA (.324) versus southpaws, they still have some hitters who can do some damage against left-handed pitchers. Perez is one of those batters. More to come from this game.
1B - C.J. Cron, TB (@ KC) - $3,600
The TB/KC showdown on ESPN might not seem like an exciting game to watch, but with all the DFS implications in the lineups, this could be a good one. Both teams are facing left-handed pitchers. I already wrote about Perez for Kansas City. Now, let’s look at the hitter with the best ISO for Tampa Bay. Cron’s .260 ISO against lefties leads the way for the Rays. Also, he’s 9-for-23 (.391) with one double and one home run in the past week. Cron has collected four multi-hit performances in his last five games, too.
2B - Jose Pirela, SD (vs. COL) - $3,100
Another hot hitter to watch for on Monday is Pirela. In the past week, he’s 10-for-26 (.385) with three doubles and three walks. Pirela has also produced a five-game hitting streak. He leads the Padres with a .213 ISO against left-handed pitchers, too. This season, he is 13-for-45 (.289) with four doubles and one triple against left-handed pitchers.
3B - Daniel Robertson, TB (@ KC) - $3,400
Unlike the previously mentioned suggestions, Robertson has been cold in the past week. He’s 2-for-20 (.100) with seven strikeouts in the month of May. However, he still has a .213 ISO against left-handed pitchers since 2017. Robertson, and the Rays, face Eric Skoglund on Monday. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in five of the past six starts in 2018. Skoglund will have trouble against Tampa Bay, too. The Rays are eighth in the league with a .341 team wOBA against southpaws this season.
SS - Trevor Story, COL (@ SD) - $4,700
Enough with the middle-of-the-road priced options. Time to spend some faux salary. Story has been smoking the ball lately. He’s 7-for-20 (.350) with two doubles, two triples, and three home runs in the past seven days. Story is mainly successful against lefties. This season, he’s 16-for-53 (.302) with five home runs against southpaws and has a .371 ISO (since 2017) against them.
DraftKings Outfielders
Jorge Soler, KC (vs. TB) - $4,100
One final bat from the TB/KC matchup on Monday comes from the outfield. Soler has the power in the past week. He’s 12-for-25 (.480) with three doubles and one home run (three walks) in the last seven days. Against lefties, he’s 16-for-41 (.390) with six doubles and three home runs this season. Soler leads the Royals with a .286 ISO against southpaws and should be the anchor in your TB/KC showdown stack.
Steve Souza Jr., ARI (vs. MIL) - $3,800
The month has not been kind to Souza. He’s 3-for-25 (.120) in May, with zero extra-base hits. However, Souza continues to lead the Diamondbacks with a .239 ISO against left-handed pitchers. Yes, he even has a higher ISO than Paul Goldschmidt (.234). Arizona has one of the highest implied run totals in the Monday slate and selecting Souza is a great way to get a portion of that lineup.
Ryan Braun, MIL (@ ARI) - $3,700
I understand that Patrick Corbin is a talented pitcher and Braun is having a rough week at the plate (2-for-18), but this price tag is just too low for a hitter with Braun’s ability. He leads the Brewers with a .260 ISO against left-handed pitchers. I’ll take a flier on a hitter who could send one over the wall on Monday.
