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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 18th, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Saturday brings us a full day of baseball, with 15 games covering close to 12 full hours. Those games split into two slates for DFS purposes, with two games missing from the slate altogether. There is a six game slate which kicks off at 4.05 pm, before a seven game slate at 7.15 pm. Both slates have equal monetary distribution associated with them so you will find picks for both slates below.
In terms of the lines, the Phillies are the biggest favorites on the early slate, with the Angels taking that crown on the late slate. However, there are enough question marks of either the pitchers or the matchups in those games to make the starting pitchers in those games questionable calls. In terms of totals there should be plenty of DFS interest in the game between the Cardinals and Rangers in Texas, as well as the Astros and Red Sox in Boston.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/18/19. 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
Walker Buehler, LAD (@ CIN) - $9,900 (Early)
It was a touch choice for ace on this slate. I am yet to be completely convince by Matt Boyd, and there are question marks surrounding Steven Matz in his return from injury. Matz has the best matchup of the three, but Buehler also have a pretty solid matchup. The Reds have been extremely hit-or-miss this season, and rank in the bottom third of the league in batting average, runs and slugging percentage. As for Buehler, he is coming off the back of a seven strikeout, seven innngs shutout performance against the Nationals.
John Means, BAL (@ CLE) - $7,500 (Early)
Means has been sneakily solid this season, giving up more than one earned run just once this season. His strikeout upside is limited, but he has pitched 13 combined innings in his last two outings. As an added bonus he faces a slow starting Indians team, who rank 25th in runs, 26th in home runs and 29th in slugging percentage.
Jon Lester, CHC (@ WAS) - $9,200 (Late)
Lester has been immense this season, allowing a total of five earned runs this season. He has not given up a run in his last 19 2/3 innings, striking out 20 in the process. The 18 combined hits and walks in the last two outings does concern me a little, but the Nationals have had their issues this season. They rank 19th in batting average and runs scored as well 22nd in slugging percentage.
Nick Margevicius, SD (vs. PIT) - $6,900 (Late)
This is a real risk because Margevicius has had some rough outings this season. Twice he has allowed five earned runs in a single outing, but there have also been good outings mixed in among the bad. Strikeouts are an issue, but against an offense which ranks 25th in slugging as well as 28th in runs and home runs, he has the chance to put up solid numbers.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Roberto Perez, CLE (vs. BAL) - $3,700 (Early)
This is serving as a hedge in case Means struggles in Cleveland. Perez has been superb against left-handed pitchers this season, with a .391 batting average, a .391 ISO and a .524 wOBA.
C - Willson Contreras, CHC (@ WAS) - $4,500 (Late)
Contreras is having a wonderful bounce back season. The Cubs catcher has been especially good against rght-handed pitchers, with a .344 batting average, .323 ISO and a .456 wOBA.
1B - Rhys Hoskins, PHI (vs. COL) - $5,000 (Early)
Hoskins has been good this season, against both right- and left-handed pitchers. However, his nine home runs against righties really catches the eye, as does the .285 ISO and .392 wOBA.
1B/3B - Hunter Dozier, KC (@ LAA) - $4,100 (Late)
Dozier's numbers have been fantastic against right-handed pitchers this season. The right-handed slugger has a eight home runs, a .342 batting average, a .342 ISO and a .453 wOBA.
2B - Starlin Castro, MIA (vs. NYM) - $2,700 (Early)
Castro has never really been the same since leaving New York, but this start offers some upside at a really budget-friendly price. Against left-handed pitchers this season, Castro has a .375 batting average, .175 ISO and .391 wOBA.
2B - Tommy La Stella, LAA (vs. KC) - $4,700 (Late)
La Stella is having a career year in 2019, with 11 home runs to his name. 10 of those home runs have come off right-handed pitchers, and his numbers against righties look very good, .337 batting average, .327 ISO and .442 wOBA.
3B - Matt Chapman, OAK (@ DET) - $4,000 (Early)
It has been a mixed season for Chapman, and his performances against left-handed pitchers highlights that perfectly. Despite only having a .231 battign average with lefties on the mound, he has five home runs, a .436 ISO and a .416 wOBA.
3B - Evan Longoria, SF (@ ARI) - $4,000 (Late)
The days of relying on Longoria for fantasy are long gone, but his performances against right-handed pitchers offer some reason for hope. This season Longoria has five home runs against righties, with four of them coming on the road, to give him a .341 ISO and .403 wOBA against right-handed pitchers on the road.
SS - Paul DeJong, DET (@ MIN) - $4,900 (Early)
DeJong is another hitter having a massive bounce back season that you should ride as much as you can. Those performances have been especially good against right-handed pitchers, with six home runs, a .211 ISO and a .397 wOBA. Now in a hitter friendly park against a young pitcher, DeJong has the opportunity to provide a monster return.
SS - Manny Machado, SD (vs. PIT) - $4,400 (Late)
This pick is relying on Machado doing damage early on Saturday, as Steven Brault should only go three or innings before handing over to the rest of the staff. Machado has good numbers against left-handed pitchers this season, with a .385 batting average, six home runs, a .692 ISO and a .610 wOBA. If you want to save some cash here then Nick Ahmed makes for an interesting option at $3,400.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Joey Gallo, TEX (@ HOU) - $5,700 (Early)
Gallo is ridiculously expensive but his power is worth paying for. Gallo has 10 home runs this season against right-handed pitchers, along with a .278 batting average, .402 ISO, .448 wOBA and a 179 wRC+.
Stephen Piscotty, OAK (@ DET) - $3,700 (Early)
It has not been a great season for Piscotty, but his numbers against left-handed pitchers are pretty impressive. When lefties are on the mound, Piscotty has a .370 batting average, .283 ISO and .439 wOBA.
Jordan Luplow, CLE (vs. BAL) - $4,200 (Early)
Luplow already has his career high for home runs in a single season, with four. That damage has been done against left-handed pitchers, against whom he has hit all four home runs, giving him an incredible .500 ISO and a .494 wOBA. Additionally, all four of those home runs have come in the first 17 games of this month, so his form is red hot right now.
Ketel Marte, ARI (vs. SF) - $4,400 (Late)
It breaks my heart to pick against Madison Bumgarner but he is not the pitcher he once was. Additionally, Marte has been really impressive against left-handed pitchers, with five home runs, a .322 batting average, .305 ISO and a .409 wOBA.
Juan Soto, WAS (vs. CHC) - $4,000 (Late)
Coming off injury has meant that this is really nice value for Soto on this slate. Soto has struggled this season, but he has hit three home runs, giving him a .262 ISO and a .339 wOBA, against left-handed pitchers
Jorge Soler, KC (@ LAA) - $3,700 (Late)
Soler has demonstrated plenty of power against right-handed pitchers this season. 8-of-10 of his home runs have come off righties, giving him a .270 ISO and a .349 wOBA.
