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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 15th, 2019. Austyn Varney's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have 13 games on the slate tonight, split into two pretty even slates. There are plenty of pitching options to decipher through, with just as many bad pitchers to take advantage of. There are a ton of bats to pay up for, but we have to be careful with these prices on DraftKings. Let's dive in at each position!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/15/19. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
Be sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today's slate. 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 @VarneyDFS.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS vs. COL - $8,200
Justin Verlander is the most expensive option on the board and it’s because he’s super safe. He’s the best fastball command pitcher in baseball and faces a team that struggles against righties. However, Eduardo Rodriguez is way too cheap here. He draws the Rockies away from Coors and into Fenway Park. Away from home they rank 27th in all of baseball against lefties. Rodriguez is also a reverse splits pitcher, so he is tougher towards righties than lefties. His price is yet to rise and he’s shown how capable of a pitcher he is in his last three starts. The price is too solid to pass up on the main slate.
Jake Odorizzi, MIN vs. LAA - $8,200
If you’re playing earlier in the day, Jake Odorizzi is a great pick. While there are three guys priced higher, we prefer Odorizzi's value and matchup. Greinke is consistent enough, but Odorizzi has a great arsenal when fully effective and a better matchup. He faces off with a Angels team that is good vs righties, but can go quiet at the plate as a team. He’s striking out 9+ batters per 9 innings and hasn’t show any signs of that being a fluke. He’s also a bit cheaper than you’d expect with his recent performance, winning five straight and going six+ innings in most.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Gary Sanchez, NYY (vs. BAL - David Hess) - $5,300
Catcher is always a rough position on DraftKings. If you’re looking for the best raw play, it’s Gary Sanchez. David Hess is expected to start game one and he’s just not equipped to face this lineup. Hess has allowed a .350 combined wOBA to both sides of the plate since the start of ‘18 and has a huge problem with the long ball (32 in 110 innings). The Yankees are expected to put up 5+ runs and you have to think Sanchez plays a huge part. His price is up there, but let’s just hope that keeps him lesser owned.
1B - Ji-Man Choi, TB (@ MIA - Jose Urena) - $4,200
Ji-Man Choi is far from exciting to roster, though he has picked up his power punch over the last couple weeks. He is, however, consistent, and part of an offense that regularly puts up runs. He rarely strikes out and has an eye that irks opposing arms. He’s affordable on DK and gives you salary to work with at other positions while maintaining upside throughout. Jose Urena has struggled against left-handers (.361 wOBA) and these Rays have been taking advantage of poor righties all season long. Tonight should be no different.
2B - Brian Dozier, MIA (vs. Wilmer Font) - $2,900
Even with Dozier struggling at the plate, he’s going to bring power upside on nightly basis. He has 5 dingers on the year and has been swinging his bat a little better of late. The Nats face off with Wilmer Font, who’s one of the more underwhelming pitchers of the slate. The Nats aren’t a team with all that much offensive pop, but Dozier has a lot of upside and is extremely cheap for one of the weaker positions of the slate.
3B - Vladimir Guerrero Jr., TOR (@ SFG - Shaun Anderson) - $3,700
I’m doubling down on Vlad Jr. tonight. I was all in last night and it paid off with two homers. He’s going to go on a hot streak and we’re going to see a ton of success in the coming week or two. Tonight, he’ll face off with a guy that was forced to be called up from AAA. We know what Vlad does to AAA pitching. Shaun Anderson posted a 4.58 ERA in the minors and doesn’t profile to be any better than a three of four starter in the rotation. Guerrero Jr. is a free swinger and this guy is going to be trying to get strikes over in his debut. The price is too friendly here if we think he hits another one out.
SS - Carlos Correa, HOU (@ DET - Greg Soto / Matt Hall) - $4,800
We haven’t touched on the Astros up to this point, but the whole lineup is in play. They’re all swinging a hot bat right now and get to face off with another bad lefty. Greg Soto is a career minor leaguer and he hasn’t done anything to prove his major league worth. He’s struck out nine batters per nine innings, but walks nearly seven. Carlos Correa has held a .350 wOBA on the young season and is looking to have his best hitting campaign yet. Correa should be the most expensive shortstop on the entire day and anything cheaper is a discount. This is my favorite lineup on the slate.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
George Springer, HOU (@ DET - Greg Soto / Matt Hall) - $5,800
It’s hard to go anywhere else at the top with how George Springer is seeing the ball. 11 hits and three homers in his last four games. He gets to face another lefty in Greg Soto, and he’s just as bad, if not worse than Ryan Carpenter. Springer hs held a .400+ wOBA against lefties since the start of 2018 and is one of the five best fantasy hitters in the game. Springer is a threat to hit another home run tonight and I’m scared to leave him off of any team. He’s expensive, but well worth it.
Max Kepler, MIN (vs. LAA) - $4,000
If you like Odorizzi, you’re going to want correlation with some of this Twins offense. Kepler does just that in the leadoff spot. They’re facing off with Trevor Cahill, who’s susceptible against both righties and lefties (.356 combined wOBA). He’s fallen off a cliff this season and the Twins should be able to produce. Kepler figure to be in the leadoff hole and offers up a ton of power and safety at an affordable tag. Kepler is going to be overlooked by many and could easily hit two home runs in any game.
Kyle Schwarber, CHC (@ CIN) - $3,600
This Cubs lineup is extremely dangerous in Great American Ballpark. Sonny Gray is actually a pitcher I kind of believe in, but no pitcher can escape the Cubs in a hitter-friendly park. Schwarber has a.370 wOBA against righties and is going to be hitting with runners on-base. His price is way low on DraftKings and I don't think he ends up very popular. Rizzo and Baez are also going to be under owned and make for a great stack on this slate with all the attention elsewhere. Good luck today!
