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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 16th, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Thursday brings us another 10 game slate, but frustratingly once again with a split, and weirdly with one game (BAL @ CLE) missing off both slates entirely. The "main" slate starts at 6.40 pm and contains five games. There is also an earlier four game "featured" slate, but with the bigger prizes and more games on the later slate that is the one we will focus on.
There are no overwhelming favorites on the late slate, with the Reds the largest favorites of the day at -125. The biggest totals of the day come in the games in Atlanta and Seattle, so expect to see a couple of names from both of those games appearing below. The lowest total of the day is in San Diego, and on a slate with questionable pitching both of those options are in play today.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/16/19. 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 @benrolfe15.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Trevor Williams, PIT (@ SD) - $8,300 (Late)
This is a gut feel as much as anything. Luis Castillo is definitely an option, but the Cubs have the ability to cause any pitcher damage. Therefore, I would rather go for two cheaper options and then bulk out my hitting, especially in GPP. Williams has been solid this season, mostly keeping opponents to three or less earned runs, generally pitching six or more innings and bringing four plus strikeouts to the party. There have of course been blips but the overall picture is solid. The Padre are one of the more inconsistent teams in the majors, ranking 24th, 27th and 23rd in batting average, OBP and runs respectively. They do have the ability to deal some damage, as demonstrated by them currently sitting sixth in home runs. However, in a park that favors pitchers, with currently predicted helpful weather conditions, I am going to back Williams to have success in this one.
Eric Lauer, SD (vs. PIT) - $6,800 (Late)
Picking two pitchers going against each other is not ideal but this slate is pushing me to consider it. Lauer is a scary proposition, as he currently sits with a 5.75 ERA on the season. However, prior to the last outing in Colorado he had given up just two earned runs in each of the last three outings. Additionally, he should provide you a solid five innings, with the likelihood of five or six strikeouts. Those numbers will not blow you away but they would be a nice return on this cost. The Pirates are also a team who have had trouble offensively this season. They currently rank 28th in both runs and home runs, as well as 25th in slugging percentage. They have shown some signs of life lately, but in San Diego, with those potentially useful weather conditions for pitching, Lauer should be able to have a nice day.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Omar Narvaez, SEA (vs. MIN) - $4,500
A tough slate for catchers and therefore I am not going to over think this. Instead I am just going to take Narvaez, who has six home runs against right-handed pitchers, helping him to a .206 ISO and a .378 wOBA.
1B - Daniel Vogelbach, SEA (vs.MIN) - $4,800
This is going to feel too much money to pay for Vogelbach but right now he is making it hard to ignore him. That is especially the case against right-handed pitchers, where he has a .370 ISO and a .434 wOBA.
2B - Daniel Descalso, STL (@ STL) - $3,300
This is simply about having a cheaper option on the slate and trying to take advantage of that park. Descalso's numbers are not amazing when right-handed pitchers are on the mound, and this is a tough one as well. However, this price and that park offering a 1.22 HR park factor for left-handed hitters is enough to make me gamble on the cheaper option here.
3B - Eugenio Suarez, CIN (vs. CHC) - $4,900
With just two left-handed pitchers on the late slate Thursday there is not many opportunities to take advantage. However, Suarez does provide one of those opportunities. Against left-handed pitchers this season, Suarez has four home runs with a .419 ISO and a .442 wOBA.
SS - Jorge Polanco, MIN (@ SEA) - $5,000
Staying on the expensive side of hitting brings me to Polanco. This season Polanco has been really strong against right-handed pitchers, hitting seven home runs and owning a .314 ISO with a .447 wOBA.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Franmil Reyes, SD (vs. PIT) - $4,200
Any time a right-handed pitcher is on the mound then Reyes is in play. The young righty has tremendous power numbers against right-handed pitchers, with 11 home runs, a .327 ISO and a .358 wOBA.
Nick Markakis, ATL (vs. STL) - $3,900
Markakis is backing up his superb 2018 in wonderful style, especially against right-handed pitchers. This season, Markakis has hit all four of his home runs with right-handers on the mound, giving him a .200 ISO and a .392 wOBA against them.
Max Kepler, MIN (@ SEA) - $3,900
Kepler is another outfielder who offers tremendous value at this price. The left-handed slugger has seven home runs against right-handed pitchers with a .248 ISO and a .348 wOBA.
