X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (5/20/18): MLB DFS Lineups

We’ve got an 11 game featured slate this Sunday, and it is dominated by NL East pitchers. Four of the five highest priced pitchers on this slate play for teams in the NL East. Sorry Wei-Yin Chen, we don’t want to play you today. But we do want to build our lineup around two of these NL East hurlers, as there is little security in the middle and lower tier pitchers.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/20/18. 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 @ElliottBaasBB.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code WIN! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

DraftKings Starting Pitchers

P - Noah Syndergaard, NYM (vs. ARI) - $10,200

Stephen Strasburg ($13,400 vs. LAD) is the most expensive pitcher on the slate, but at over $3,000 cheaper Syndergaard is a much better value. Thor gets to take on the Diamonbacks, who have just a .285 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. They rank 28th in the league by that metric, ahead of just the Padres and Marlins. Arizona may have just gotten Jake Lamb back, but they’ve lost A.J. Pollock and Steven Souza Jr. over the past week, so it’s one step forward and two steps back for their offense. Syndergaard is still pitching like an ace with a 10.63 K/9 and 2.72 FIP on the season. If he were facing the Marlins or Padres Syndergaard’s price would be near Strasburg’s, but since the Diamondbacks have a good record he has been priced favorably in this matchup. That record is the result of Arizona’s pitching, but Syndergaard likely won’t be locked in a pitcher’s duel as the Diamondbacks send Clay Buchholz to the hill against him.

P - Julio Teheran, ATL (vs. MIA) - $9,100

Speaking of pitchers facing the Marlins, Julio Teheran is in a great spot against them at home Sunday. The Marlins have the worst wOBA in baseball against righties. Teheran struggled a bit last time out, but he has been largely reliable this season. He’s put up a quality start in five of his last seven starts, which has resulted in an average of 17.4 DraftKings points during that span. His swinging strike rate has rebounded and while he’s still allowing 1.47 HR/9, that weakness is neutralized by Miami’s .109 ISO against right-handed pitching this season, lowest in the majors.

 

DraftKings Infielders

C – Devin Mesoraco, NYM (vs. ARI) - $2,900

Clay Buchholz will make a valiant return to the majors on Sunday. He was last seen pitching for the Phillies, where he put up a 12.27 ERA in two starts last season. Buchholz was picked off the scrap heap from Kansas City and put up a 5.40 ERA in two starts at Triple-A Reno for the Diamondbacks. Mesoraco has hit for more power since coming to the Mets with two home runs and a .333 ISO since being traded to New York.

1B – Matt Olson, OAK (@ TOR) - $3,800

Olson has begun to heat up with three home runs and a 1.317 OPS this past week. He’ll face Toronto righty Joe Biagini, who has a 6.05 ERA and 1.31 HR/9 as a starter during his big league career. Oakland hitters are in good spot on Sunday and Matt Olson makes for a great value at first base.

2B – Asdrubal Cabrera, NYM (vs. ARI) - $3,200

Cabrera is off to a great start this season with six home runs and a .376 wOBA, and the switch-hitter has done most of the damage against righties. He has a .399 wOBA and .248 ISO against right-handed pitching this season. Going against Clay Buchholz, this price seems too good to be true.

3B – Mike Moustakas, KC (vs. NYY) - $4,300

This would be even better if the game were in Yankee Stadium, but Kauffman Stadium is just fine for Moustakas against Sonny Gray. Moustakas has a .267 ISO and .934 OPS at home this season. It’s no secret that Sonny Gray has been awful. He has 6.39 ERA, 5.14 FIP, and 1.33 K/BB ratio on the year.

SS – Jose Peraza, CIN (vs. CHC) - $3,000

Peraza has been moved up to the leadoff spot for the Reds, and is always a threat on the base paths when he gets on. Cubs’ starter Kyle Hendricks has secretly been bad this season. He has a 4.60 FIP, 1.6 HR/9, and 18.7% strikeout rate on the year. Base stealers are also successful against Hendricks 73% of the time, 10% above the league average this season.

 

DraftKings Outfielders

OF – Giancarlo Stanton, NYY (@ KC) - $5,100

Stanton’s April struggles are long behind him. He’s hitting .333 with five home runs and a 1.158 OPS in May. Kauffman is no Yankee Stadium, but Stanton has the kind of power that plays anywhere and opposing starter Eric Skoglund coughs up runs like phlegm. Skoglund has a 6.79 ERA, 4.47 ERA, and 1.08 HR/9 for his career.

OF – Joey Gallo, TEX (@ CWS) - $4,000

Gallo gets a tasty matchup against Lucas Giolito, who has the dubious distinction of being the only qualified starter with more walks than strikeouts. Gallo loves to walk, but he loves to hit home runs even more. Giolito would be happy to oblige, since he has a 1.59 HR/9 over his career. The Rangers make for a good stack against Giolito, but since they are missing so many key pieces it’s a little tough to trust them in cash. Gallo is a good play by himself in either cash or GPP. He’s about as likely to hit a homer as anyone in baseball.

OF – Khris Davis, OAK (@ TOR) - $4,400

Davis is another batter that is a good bet to homer on any given night, and those chances are even greater against Joe Biagini. Davis also gets a positive park shift going from Oakland to Toronto. The A's are another team that are stack-able against Biagini, but Davis is fine on his own due to the power upside.

MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Connor McDavid

Aiming for More Goals
Shedeur Sanders

Unlikely to Play in 2025
NJ

Luke Glendening Signs Tryout Deal With Devils
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Leaves Early on Saturday After Fouling Ball Off his Knee
Dylan Harper

Hoping to be Ready for the Opener Versus Dallas
Christian McCaffrey

RapSheet: Signs Pointing Towards Christian McCaffrey Playing in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Signs Fully Guaranteed Deal with Cleveland
EDM

Derek Ryan Retires From Hockey
Connor Zary

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Flames
Carey Price

Canadiens Trade Carey Price to Sharks
Quentin Johnston

Scores Twice in Brazil
Justin Herbert

Spectacular in Win Over Chiefs
Marquise Brown

Sees Absurd Target Share Friday
Bobby Witt Jr.

Dealing With Back Spasms
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early on Friday
Xavier Worthy

Injures Shoulder Early in Brazil, Questionable to Return
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Placed on Injured List With Quad Strain
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched on Friday With Back Tightness
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Play in Season Opener
Christian McCaffrey

Listed as Questionable for Season Opener With Calf Issue
Tyreek Hill

Cleared for Week 1
Rasmus Hojgaard

Finishes Tied For Second at Omega European Masters
Tyrrell Hatton

Finishes Tied for 32nd at LIV Indianapolis
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Fifth at Omega European Masters
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied For Second in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Xander Schauffele

Finishes 42nd in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched From Friday's Start for Undisclosed Reasons
Christian Kirk

Ruled Out for Week 1
Shohei Ohtani

Returning to the Mound on Friday
Kyle Finnegan

Lands on Injured List With Adductor Strain
Aaron Judge

Returns to Right Field on Friday
De'Von Achane

Without Injury Designation Heading Into Week 1
Christian McCaffrey

Seen Working on Side Field During Friday's Practice
Malik Nabers

Cleared to Play on Sunday
Willson Contreras

' Suspension Reduced, to Start Serving it on Friday
Kodai Senga

Mets Send Kodai Senga to Triple-A to Get Right
Chris Godwin

Officially Ruled Out for Week 1
Malik Nabers

' Reps Limited Friday Due to "Tight" Back
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card
Axel Sola

Alex Sola Set To Make His UFC Debut
Saquon Barkley

Scores Touchdown in Low-Yardage Outing
Jalen Hurts

Rushes for Two Touchdowns on Thursday
Javonte Williams

Salvages Inefficient Outing With Two Touchdowns
CeeDee Lamb

110-Yard Game Marred by Four Drops
Will Shipley

Questionable to Return on Thursday Night
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Expected to Return on Friday
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Exits With Knee Contusions
Will Smith

Unlikely to Play This Weekend
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch on Monday
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Brandon Sproat

to Start for Mets on Sunday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP