RADIO
Austyn Varney highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 5/21/19, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Tonight's main slate starts at 7:05pm eastern and covers 14 games. There's also an all day slate starting at 6:05pm eastern that includes one extra early game.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/21/2019. These picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
We also provide DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me on Twitter @varneydfs.
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
SP - Justin Verlander, HOU vs CHW ($12,000)
We have a ton of pitchers to look at on this slate, but Verlander certainly stands out. The White Sox are bad against righties, striking out 26% of the time and making up for it with a measly .315 team wOBA. Verlander is a top 5 arm in baseball and he hasn’t slowed this year. He’s still striking out 10+ batters per nine innings and has held both righties and lefties to a sub .250 wOBA. The Astros are the biggest favorites of the night and it’s not close. Verlander is a no-brainer cash game option and the top play overall.
SP - Spencer Turnbull, DET vs MIA ($8,600)
If you’re wanting to save some funds at pitcher, Spencer Turnbull and the Tigers are facing off with the worst lineup in baseball. The Marlins not only rank 30th against righties (wOBA), but it’s by a huge margin. They’re one of the worst hitting teams in the least twenty seasons and we should be targeting them as often as possible. Turnbull is certainly volatile, but he strikes out 11+ righties per nine, so should be fine at his price even if he gives up a run or three. Caleb Smith May dominate the Tigers as well and this could be a low-scoring affair, but I think Turnbull holds his own. If you’re looking for safety, Caleb Smith will give you that for an extra 2k.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
1B - Dan Vogelbach, SEA at TEX ($3,800)
Vogelbach is still affordable and there’s really no excuse for it. He has 13 homers on the season and is sporting a .443 wOBA against righties. The Mariners go into Arlington and face off with Lance Lynn, who holds a 4.75 xFIP against lefties and has a big HR problem. Arlington is a huge upgrade from Seattle for power and Vogelbach will look to add number 14 to the books tonight. He’s affordable and has as much HR upside as anyone.
2B - Wilmer Flores, ARI at SD ($2,700)
Matt Strahm is not a bad pitcher by any means, but his 4.16 xFIP is telling us that he’s been lucky so far. Wilmer Flores is a monster against left-handers and will be hitting in the three hole at just $2,700. In what’s been his worst year of the last three, Flores is still sporting a .364 wOBA with two homers. The Diamondbacks offense is solid and you have to figure Flores gets involved. At the incredible cheap price tag, I don’t see a batter way to go at a weaker position in second base.
3B - Miguel Sano, MIN at LAA ($3,300)
Since coming back just five games ago, Miguel Sano has hit 2 home runs and is seeing the ball nicely. He’s going to fit in quite well with a lineup that’s really just missing a power bat. Sano and the Twins face off with Trevor Cahill, who’s probably the worst pitcher on the entire slate. He’s not only allowed a .341 combined wOBA, but 6 ER+ in two of his last three. The Twins beat Cahill up just four days ago and the Angels will send him back out to the wolves. Sano is the top play at third base and it’s not close when you see the price.
SS - Gleyber Torres, NYY at BAL ($3,600)
Torres is swinging the hottest bat on the Yankees, hitting safely 16 times in the last nine games. Gleyber has stepped it up for an injured Yankees team that needs the line drives and hard contact. We haven’t touched on the Yankees yet, but they’re firmly in play with David Hess on the mound and the Orioles bullpen backing him up. Torres will have a couple RBI opportunities throughout and I have a sneaky suspicion that he won’t disappoint.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
OF - Christian Yelich, MIL vs CIN ($4,700)
Moving onto the outfield, Christian Yelich will be our expensive bat. He seems to either hit a home run or get 3 hits against everyone, and it really just comes down to limiting damage. Sonny Gray has struggled mightily against lefties, holding a .347 wOBA since ‘18. Yelich on the other hand, has posted a .435 wOBA against right-handers. Pure domination. If you can afford him while still loving the rest of your lineup, there’s no better place to go.
OF - Eddie Rosario, MIN at LAA ($4,200)
If you need to save a couple hundred, Eddie Rosario is my choice. He’s a guy who will be in every lineup of mine, as I think he clobbers Trevor Cahill. Cahill can’t strike anyone out and has trouble finding a put away pitch. As for Rosario, he’s u stoppable when putting the ball in play. He drives it for power and often has ducks on the pond. The Twins are our favorite offense of the night and Rosario is their best outfielder. Kepler and Cave are in play too if they find the lineup.
OF - Kyle Schwarber, PHI vs CHI ($2,700)
If you want to save some funds, Kyle Schwarber should be hitting leadoff for the Cubs against Zach Eflin. Eflin, who struggles against lefties, (.354 wOBA) should struggle with this potent Cubs lineup. Schwarber gives you great exposure for cheap and at a position where you’re not missing out on anything. He not only has individual HR upside, but also has rally upside if the Cubs get going as a squad. The Phillies bullpen is good, but got worn out yesterday and may have some holes in it. Schwarber is a great discounted piece and deserves consideration in cash games and tournaments.
