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DraftKings Lineup Picks & Sleepers (5/21/17): MLB DFS Advice

Troy Klauder's DraftKings analysis and advice. The top MLB DFS lineup picks on for 5/21/17, as well as a couple of sleepers for daily fantasy baseball rosters.

This Sunday has a full slate of games, so it's time to build some lineups. With several different contests being offered on DraftKings, you'll have lots of different lineup options. For our purposes, the following picks have been made for contests running all day. 

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/21/17. 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 hit me up on Twitter @TroyKlauder.

Happy New Year! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code NEW. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Matt Cain (RHP)

Going against Giants starer Matt Cain, the Cardinals are an excellent lineup to stack on Sunday. The 32-year-old is struggling to stay afloat in the Giants rotation with a poor 17.3% K% and an even worse 10.8% BB%. Cain's 6.42 DRA displays just how bad he really is, and the Cards are looking to have a field day against him. Jedd Gyorko, who bats cleanup and has a .977 OPS, is an outstanding play at just $4,000. Matt Carpenter and Aledmys Diaz should also get in on the action, while the hot-hitting Tommy Pham is a bargain opportunity at $3,500. Any Cardinals hitter who is in the lineup on Sunday against Cain is worth your time to consider in your lineup.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Kyle Freeland (LHP)

The Reds have quietly had an explosive offense so far this season, with a .331 team wOBA on the year. Some fantasy owners may think that Rockies starter Kyle Freeland should only be targeted when he's pitching at Coors Field, but Great American Ballpark is an outstanding offensive environment as well. Freeland has been pretty awful if you dive into his peripherals, as he's got a 14.7% K% and an 11.2% BB%. Leading off for the Reds, Billy Hamilton has a shot at a terrific day, as well as Adam Duvall and Zack Cozart. As usual, Joey Votto makes for a top elite play, and Devin Mesoraco at $3,000 is a great catcher option. Since he's got a 3.13 ERA and is on the road, many fantasy players will avoid targeting Freeland, making him a superb contrarian target.


DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings

Aaron Nola, PHI @ PIT - $8,300

Aaron Nola is making his return from the disabled list on Sunday to face the Pirates, and he comes at a great value on DraftKings. Nola's 4.50 ERA through his three starts isn't great, but his 21.7% K% shows the potential he has. Nola's 3.10 FIP is far more indicative of his true talent level, as Nola is a fantastic pitcher when he's healthy. It's always risky to start a guy in his first time out coming off of the disabled list, but after a successful rehab start, he should be able to make it through a full workload. He gets one of the best matchups you can ask for in the Pirates, who are 28th in wOBA against right-handers with their .291 wOBA, and are without Gregory Polanco. The start is also at PNC Park, a great spot for pitchers. For this low of a price, you can't miss out on Nola.

Zack Godley, ARI @ SD - $7,800

Diamondbacks starter Zack Godley has come out of nowhere to pitch quite well this season, putting up a 1.93 ERA in his three starts with an impressive 26.4% K%. His success should continue against the Padres, a team with a .295 wOBA versus righties, putting them at 26th in the league. After three home starts in one of the toughest parks in the league on pitchers, Godley finally gets to enjoy a road trip to Petco Park, where pitchers flourish. As it's only been three starts, DraftKings has yet to catch up on Godley's price, keeping him at just $7,800, which is incredible value for how he's pitched this year and who he will be facing on Sunday. Take advantage!

 

DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings

Catcher (C)

J.T. Realmuto, MIA @ LAD - $3,400

He's not a very exciting play, but Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto is a nice option at catcher on Sunday against Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy has gotten bombed in his last two starts, giving up 10 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings. Realmuto has an above-average 110 wRC+, which is especially impressive for a catcher. He's got one of the highest floors you can ask for out of a catcher and comes in at a cheap price, so consider him in your lineups.

First Base (1B)

Eric Hosmer, KC @ MIN - $3,800

Eric Hosmer enters Sunday scorching hot, with a 1.005 OPS in his last 15 games. He's made some real improvements this year, cutting his K% down to 13.8% and upping his OBP to a strong .362. Hosmer gets a cakewalk of a matchup on Sunday against Phil Hughes, who has a 5.23 ERA. Even with these factors, Hosmer's still coming in at an inexpensive $3,800.

Second Base (2B)

Jose Ramirez, CLE @ HOU - $3,800

In contrast to Hosmer, Jose Ramirez is coming into Sunday's game mired in a deep slump. However, even with his poor performance in the last few weeks, Ramirez still has remarkably good numbers on the season, with a 129 wRC+ that's actually an improvement over his 2016 season. Ramirez's bat falling ice cold might actually be a good thing for fantasy owners, as his depressed price makes him a wonderful player to target. He gets to face Joe Musgrove of the Astros, who has struggled mightily with his 4.57 ERA. Buy low on Ramirez and enjoy the benefits when he turns it back on.

Shortstop (SS)

Elvis Andrus, TEX @ DET - $3,700

While it's been a pretty normal season for Elvis Andrus from a "real-life" standpoint, the Rangers shortstop is having a standout fantasy season with five homers and seven steals. Andrus has hit lefties much better than righties throughout his career, and he gets his guy in Tigers pitcher Matt Boyd, a lefty with a 5.18 ERA this season. Andrus normally bats third against left-handers and should have a productive day on Sunday.

Third Base (3B)

Eduardo Nunez, SF @ STL - $3,700

Eduardo Nunez has been running wild in the last week with four steals, and going berserk at the plate with a 1.105 OPS. He faces off against the washed-up Adam Wainwright on Sunday, a 35-year-old with a 5.31 ERA. Since his price has yet to adjust on DraftKings, Nunez is a great play at $3,700.

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings

Keon Broxton, MIL @ CHC - $3,500

Keon Broxton has been lit over the past two weeks, posting an .865 OPS with two homers and four steals. Sure, Jake Arrieta is a bit of a scary matchup, but that's just going to scare off other fantasy players. Arrieta has a 5.44 ERA and it wouldn't be surprising to see his struggles continue against a tough Brewers lineup. Grab Neon Keon for some power/speed upside in your lineups.

Steven Souza Jr., TB vs. NYY - $3,600

If any hitter needs to break out of a slump, facing CC Sabathia is always a great remedy. Souza still has good numbers on the year, with a 122 wRC+, and he has more than doubled his walk rate to 13.3%. Sabathia, his opposition, has a 4.93 ERA, and shouldn't be much trouble for Souza. Earlier in the year, it would have been hard to imagine Souza being this cheap, so cash in while you can.

Melky Cabrera, CHW @ SEA - $3,800

Batting out of the White Sox two-hole, Melky Cabrera is a quality play on Sunday against Mariners starter Chase De Jong. De Jong has been absolute garbage in his 24 1/3 major league innings, posting a 7.40 ERA with as many walks as he has strikeouts. Melk-man will get lots of run and RBI opportunities out of the second spot in the Chicago lineup.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

P.J. Washington

is Ruled Out for Thursday's Contest
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is Returning on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Darius Garland

to Play on Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Active Thursday
Coby White

to Play with Minutes Limit on Thursday
Ace Bailey

Sidelined on Thursday
Kevin Huerter

Won't Play on Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play on Thursday
Brandon Miller

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available on Thursday
Kevin Love

Available For Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday
Jamie Drysdale

Unavailable Against Maple Leafs
Bobby Brink

Sits Out Thursday
Simon Nemec

Back for Devils Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs
Troy Terry

Misses Thursday's Game
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres
Brad Marchand

Out Thursday
Ace Bailey

Considered Questionable Versus Dallas
Evgeni Malkin

Set to Return Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Thursday
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Play Thursday
Alex Lyon

to Miss at Least One More Week
Mason Marchment

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday
J.T. Miller

Likely to Return Thursday
Adam Henrique

Out Through Olympic Break
Dean Wade

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Questionable for Thursday
P.J. Washington

Doubtful Thursday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Questionable Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Available Thursday
Corey Kispert

Hawks Land Corey Kispert
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Ty Dellandrea

Ruled Out Wednesday
Adam Erne

Misses Wednesday's Action
Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas Won't Play Wednesday
Anze Kopitar

Out Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
Devon Toews

to Miss at Least Two Weeks
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
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Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker

RANKINGS

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