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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on May 29th, 2019. Austyn Varney's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a few early games that we'll be ignoring, but focusing on a fun nine game main slate. We have a bonafide ace in Blake Snell and plenty of gas-can pitchers to pick on. We also have the dynamic of a game in Coors Field, which always shakes things up a bit in tournaments. Let's dive head first into each position and see what we come up with!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/29/19. 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, contact me on Twitter @VarneyDFS.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Blake Snell - TB vs. TOR ($11,300)
There are a lot of pricey options at pitcher, but Blake Snell stands out. He’s backed up the 18’ Cy Young season quite nicely and is looking to defend his throne. He’s upped his K rate (36.5%), lowered his xFIP (2.58), and doesn’t show any signs of regression. He faces off with a subpar Blue Jays lineup at home in pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. Snell is expensive, but he’s far safer than the field and can defend his price.
Walker Buehler - LAD vs. NYM ($9,600)
If Snell is too expensive or you think the Blue Jays get to him for some reason, Walker Buehler is the second biggest favorite of the day. The Mets offense got lucky with a grand slam last night, but weren’t very effective otherwise. They rank 19th in wOBA on the road and strikeout 26% of the time. Walker Buehler has gone six + innings in four straight starts and is starting to look like the pitcher we should expect. A -190 favorite and a reasonable price tag makes Buehler an elite SP1 or 2.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Brian McCann - ATL vs. WAS ($3,900)
Catcher is never pretty. Especially without Gary Sanchez in the board. However, Anibal Sanchez is being released from the DL today and is expected to start. We’ll dive in deeper to Sanchez later, but just know he’s been pitiful against both lefties and righties so far. His velocity is all but gone and these Braves bats shouldn’t have trouble putting two or three balls in the stands. McCann isn’t the hitter he once was, but a .340 wOBA and great power is still there against righties. He’s affordable on DraftKings and has plenty of upside.
1B - Rhys Hoskins - PHI vs. STL ($4,900)
The Phillies are actually expected to put up five + runs tonight, so I see no issue stacking these guys up. Genesis Cabrera is as bad as it gets for the Cardinals, making his major league debut. So far in the minors, Cabrera has posted a 4.31 BB/9 and a 6.35 xFIP. He’s walked over four batters for two years now, so it’s not some fluke. The Phillies are going to do damage to this weak lefty and Hoskins is the number one threat. He’s held a .431 wOBA to southpaws and can hit two homers in any given game.
2B - Nicky Lopez - KC @ CWS ($3,600)
Nicky Lopez is still affordable as we let him make his needed adjustments. He’s a big prospect and will be a big part of this offense for the rest of this season. While a switch-hitter, he hits righties much better and also has way more SB upside. Reynaldo Lopez is great about once every five starts, but holds a .331 wOBA otherwise. The Royals May not be an explosive offense, but they nickel and dime you to death and Nicky Lopez will be right in the heart of it all.
3B - Nolan Arenado - COL vs. ARI ($5,600)
I know Arenado is insanely expensive, but that’s why I’ve been recommending a few guys that may help you save. Arenado has been swinging the best bat of his career, totaling 16 hits and four home runs over the last eight games. He now faces another lefty in Coors Field. Robbie Ray is a great strikeout pitcher, but he relies on throwing perfect pitches and he does have long ball issues. The Rockies are projected for about six runs and you can take any of them. Arenado is the head of the snake and tough to ignore if you have the funds.
SS - Jonathan Villar - BAL vs. DET ($4,900)
Ryan Carpenter has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball this season. The Tigers have now decided he’ll pitch on short rest. He’s found a way to give up 14 runs and five home runs in just 14 innings of work. It’s hard to be that bad and maintain your role. The Orioles have an expected total close to five, and sit as the third highest on the slate. Villar is a versatile hitter and I expect him to be involved in a. Few run-scoring plays. He also has home run upside and is affordable against a gas can pitcher and bullpen.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
OF - Ronald Acuna Jr. - ATL vs. WAS ($5,000)
Ronald Acuna Jr. is going to be one of the best bats in baseball for a long time. He’s protected by some other great hitters and can hit against both lefties and righties. Tonight, the Braves draw the 0-6 Anibal Sanchez. Fresh off the IL, Sanchez and his .350+ combined wOBA will go through the Braves gauntlet twice if lucky. Acuna is my pick for home run of the night!
OF - Juan Soto - WAS @ ATL ($5,000)
The Nationals have their own young superstar in Juan Soto. He’s very similar to Acuna, actually, as he can hit both lefties and righties and doesn’t have the typical holes a young hitter does. He of course hits from the opposite side of the plate, and hits for a bit more average. He’s sported a .391 combined wOBA on the season and is hitting the back hard 34% of the time. Kevin Gausman isn’t a gas can, but he’s held a .341 wOBA vs left-handers and has always had an home run issue. Juan Soto and Acuna will be dueling across the diamond and my lineups hope both come through.
OF - Keon Broxton - BAL vs. DET ($3,900)
Keon Broxton is a guy I love to target in fantasy. He has power and speed, while always being cheap. The Orioles seem to like him a lot more than the Mets did and he's seemed to jump Stevie Wilkerson for good. The Orioles now face off against one of the worst pitchers around in Ryan Carpenter. When the orioles are projected for five runs, you know something is wrong. Carpenter has been utterly terrible against both sides of the plate and doesn't have any type of bullpen to back him up. There's a ton of options in the outfield, but Broxton is cheap and part of an offense that has a ton of individual and team upside.
