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Every team is in action Friday, so there will be plenty of options to choose from. There are no afternoon games, so it's a standard evening slate of contests being offered on DraftKings. As always, finding the sleepers and picking the right starting pitchers will be the key to success Friday.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/12/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.
You can read our FanDuel and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @barryleonardjr.
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
Washington Nationals vs. Nick Pivetta (RHP)
This one is a no-brainer as far as lineup stacks go for Friday. Rookie Nick Pivetta faced the Washington Nationals in his last start on May 5 and was beat up for four runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Two Nationals -- Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman -- went deep off of the right-hander. Both lefties and righties have fared well against Pivetta this season, so stack as many Nationals as possible.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Matt Harvey (RHP)
Matt Harvey is fresh off his suspension by the team and in the middle of a rough stretch, having given up six runs in each of his last six starts. Friday won't be an easy task, as eh will go up against the tough lineup of the Milwaukee Brewers. Lefties Travis Shaw and Eric Thames should be a part of any lineup stack, as should righty Ryan Braun. Harvey is struggling, so take advantage.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Tanner Roark - WAS vs. PHI, $8,800
Tanner Roark picked up a no-decision his last time, but pitched a very solid game against Philadelphia. He'll get to go against those same Phillies Friday. His last time out he three six shutout innings and posted five strikeouts. Despite not getting the win, he still earned 20.5 fantasy points. Roark has been strong this season, registering a record of 3-1 with an ERA of 3.46.
Matt Garza - MIL vs. NYM, $7,700
Matt Garza got a late start on his season thanks to an injury, but he's looked sharp in his return from the DL. In three starts the veteran righty is 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA. He has allowed just one run in two of his three starts and is coming off a game in which he allowed a run and struck out four in seven innings of work against the Pirates. He gets a favorable matchup with the Mets tonight, but watch out for a long ball from Jay Bruce, who is 12-for-33 with three home runs lifetime against Garza. Other than Bruce, Garza has fared well when facing current New York hitters.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Yasmani Grandal - LAD at COL, $4,500
Yasmani Grandal makes for an excellent catcher target Friday, as he's hit .500 in the past week and gets the added benefit of facing off against righty Tyler Chatwood. Grandal, a switch-hitter, has had most of his success this season hitting from the left side. His average as a lefty is .324, compared to just .114 from the right side.
First Base (1B)
Edwin Encarnacion - CLE vs. MIN, $4,400
The Cleveland Indians have to be a bit upset about the lack of production from new addition Edwin Encarnacion. He's been struggling to start the year and already has 42 strikeouts. However, he's heated up lately, hitting .368 over the last week. Playing in Encarnacion's favor Friday is the fact that he's 8-for-26 (.308) lifetime with three home runs against opposing starter Ervin Santana.
Second Base (2B)
Daniel Murphy - WAS vs. PHI, $5,200
Daniel Murphy is the best and most expensive second baseman on the board Friday. Murphy has a .331 average this year and six home runs. He'll mach up Friday with righty Nick Pivetta. the left-handed Murphy has a .348 average and five home runs. Look for Murphy to continue his solid play Friday and rack up the fantasy points.
Shortstop (SS)
Zack Cozart - CIN at SF , $3,500
Zack Cozart often gets overlooked in daily lineups because he doesn't put up flashy numbers. However, his production is solid, hitting over .300 and slugging over .500 for the year. He enters Friday with an eight-game hit streak after collecting two doubles Thursday. Cozart will face off again with Johnny Cueto -- whom he homered off of last week. Don't sleep on the production and the value you'll get Friday from Cozart.
Third Base (3B)
Justin Turner - LAD at COL, $5,100
Justin Turner hasn't shown the power that helped hit a career-high 27 home runs a season ago, as he has just one at the time. However, despite the lack of power, Turner is hitting over .350 -- we over his career average. Turner has average around eight fantasy points this season and gets a boost Friday by playing at Coors Field.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Mark Trumbo - BAL at KC, $3,900
Mark Trumbo is struggling in the batting average department this season, but he power is still there. He's heated up lately, hitting .379 with two home runs over the last seven days. The risk for a goose egg is always there when taking Trumbo for a daily lineup, but the potential for a home run makes him worth it. Friday he'll get a favorable matchup with left-hander Danny Duffy.
Eddie Rosario - MIN at CLE, $3,500
If you're looking for a sleeper Friday don't overlook Minnesota's Eddie Rosario. The outfielder typically carries a low ownership number, yet still puts up solid production. He isn't much of a threat for to hit many homers, but gets on base by hitting at a good clip. The left-handed Rosario has hit nearly .300 and has all three of his home runs off of right-handed pitching, so Friday's matchup with Josh Tomlin is a favorable one.
Aaron Hicks - NYY vs HOU, $3,300
Aaron Hicks has been overshadowed by the performance of fellow outfielder Aaron Judge, but don't sleep on Hicks. He has hit .455 over the last week and has quietly put up solid production. For the year he is hitting .338 with six long balls. Friday he will be going up against right-hander Lance McCullers, which is a very favorable matchup. Hicks, a switch-hitter, has crushed righties this season to the tune of .364 with four home runs.
DFS Hitters to Avoid on DraftKings
Charlie Blackmon - COL vs. LAD, $4,800
Charlie Blackmon has been one of the top fantasy outfielders this year, particularly when playing at home. However, save the cap space Friday and fade Blackmon. He will be facing Clayton Kershaw, arguably the toughest pitcher in baseball. Blackmon is just 9-for-39 lifetime against the Los Angeles ace. A rick-taker will still select Blackmon Friday based on his recent production, but the smart play is to spend his high price tag elsewhere.
Evan Longoria - TB at BOS, $3,900
Evan Longoria faces a tough matchup Friday with Rick Porcello and needs to be avoided. Longoria is 11-for-47 with 13 strikeouts when facing off with Porcello. Longoria has been struggling this season already, hitting just .234. That, coupled with the poor history against the opposing starter, makes Longoria one to forget Friday.
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