RADIO
The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 23rd, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
This Thursday slate is absolutely bizarre. There are 10 games in total, but four of them start between 12 and 1 pm, and there is only one game after 7 pm. That means a strange split of the slates on DraftKings. There is a six-game slate beginning at 12:10 pm, with a two-game slate beginning at 6:10 pm. The bulk of the money is centered around the early slate so let's focus there.
The Yankees are the biggest favorites on the early slate as they finish their series in Baltimore. That is fairly unsurprising given the way the two teams have played this season. However, it also leaves you needing to pay up for Masahiro Tanaka, which always leaves me a little nervous.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/23/19. 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.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Masahiro Tanaka, NYY (@ BAL) - $9,300
Backing Tanaka always makes me nervous but he is currently on a good run of form. In his last three starts, he has allowed three earned runs, while striking out 17 in 19 1/3 innings. Pitching in Camden Yards is not ideal but the Orioles offense does not have much teeth to it. They also have the ability to strikeout a lot, and some good pitchers have had very strong days against them recently. Hopefully, Tanaka can be next on the list.
Antonio Senzatela, COL (@ PIT) - $6,400
This is a really tough matchup against Jordan Lyles and the Pirates. However, the key is the performance of Senzatela on the road this season. In four road games, he has allowed just seven earned runs in 22 innings. Strikeouts are a limitation and he does have issues going deeper than six innings, so there is a limit on the upside he can provide. However, the Pirates offense has struggled at times this season, ranking 28th in runs and home runs as well as 25th in slugging.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Stats correct prior to the start of games on 05/22/19
C - Yan Gomes, WSH (@ NYM) - $3,200
I always look to save money at catcher and Gomes gives me the opportunity to here. This season he has a .444 wOBA and a 178 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers.
1B - Rhys Hoskins, PHI (@ CHC) - $4,500
Hoskins is having a strong season generally and is actually an option that you can use in any given game when the price is right. Against left-handed pitchers this season he has a .390 wOBA and a .220 ISO.
2B - Brian Dozier, WSH (@ NYM) - $3,600
Dozier does not have pretty numbers as a whole this season, but he has had success against left-handed pitchers. In just 34 PA he has two home runs, a .276 ISO and a .450 wOBA, with lefties on the mound.
3B - Anthony Rendon, WSH (@ NYM) - $5,700
Getting both Dozier and Gomes in my lineup allows me to go expensive and complete a stack with the ever impressive Rendon. On the season Rendon has nine home runs, but three of those have come in just 33 PA against left-handed pitchers. In fact, against lefties, he owns a .520 wOBA, .462 ISO with a 229 wRC+.
SS - Jean Segura, PHI (@ CHC) - $4,700
Jon Lester has allowed an average of nine hits per game the last three times on the mound and gave up five earned against the Nationals last week. Therefore, I am not shying away from Segura, who has a .470 wOBA and a .393 ISO against left-handed pitchers this season.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Clint Frazier, NYY (@ BAL) - $4,500
It has been a good season for Frazier with right-handed pitchers on the mound. Against righties, he has seven home runs, a .253 ISO and a .344 wOBA. He is also hitting in one of the more hitter-friendly parks in the majors, which always adds to the appeal.
Raimel Tapia, COL (@ PIT) - $4,400
I do not like picking against Jordan Lyles who has been wonderful this season, but Tapia's numbers make him worth it. In general, Tapia has been performing extremely well and has a .362 wOBA and .268 ISO against right-handed pitchers this season.
Curtis Granderson, MIA (@ DET) - $3,400
This pick is another gut feel and it is about the value. While Granderson is yet to hit a home run off left-handed pitchers he does have four doubles, a .273 batting average, and .325 wOBA. It is not an exciting pick but of the cheaper options Granderson stands out to me.
