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Nate Duffett highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 5/23/19, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
There are nine games on the schedule today, with a lot of elite pitching and not much in the way of hitting. We will attempt to find some value, but there's not a whole lot of offense that I am too high on. We see Fanduel being split into an early slate and main slate, but the main slate is a strange two-game set. Due to the smaller main slate, there will be picks included from the all-day slate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/23/2019. The 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 @Roto_Nate.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Stephen Strasburg: WSH at NYM ($11,000)
Strasburg has been rolling since the middle of April, striking out 62 batters while issuing nine walks and holding hitters to a .189 batting average. He has also had success against the Mets already this season, going 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in a pair of starts against New York this year. As per usual, the Mets have gone downhill after a hot start to the season. They are in the bottom third of the league in hitting with a .230/.305/.368 slash line in the past 30 days.
Jon Lester: CHC vs PHI ($8,500)
Lester struggled in a 5-2 loss to the Nationals on Saturday night. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings and gave up five runs, the first time this season the veteran has given up more than two. His ERA jumped from 1.16 to 2.09. When a player's ERA is boosted this much by one outlier of a start, I have no trouble going back to him against a statistically worse team in the Phillies. The Phillies come in at the middle of the pack in the league with a .313 wOBA against left-handed hitting. Don't be afraid to go back to Lester in this matchup.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Brandon Belt: 1B, SF vs ATL ($2,900)
We have an example early here where we may have to go outside of our comfort zone to find value on this slate. Usually, I avoid any batters who are playing at Oracle Park, especially when they play on one of the worst hitting teams in the league. However, Belt has shown success against right-handed pitching, boasting a .381 wOBA and .287 ISO. He faces Kevin Gausman who comes into this game with a 2-3 record and 4.31 ERA, so it isn't crazy for the Giants to outhit their season averages in this matchup.
Eric Sogard: 2B, TOR vs BOS ($3,100)
Sogard still has a stranglehold on the leadoff spot in the Blue Jays order, and his fantasy value looks even more appetizing now that he has the hot-hitting Vlad Guerrero Jr. looming behind him in the two-hole. The Red Sox shouldn't sleep on Sogard either with his .386 wOBA and .216 ISO. They will send Ryan Weber to the mound for his first start with the organization, so it remains to be seen how he handles the starters role. He has a career 4.63 ERA in eight starts with his previous three clubs.
Giovanny Urshela: 3B, NYY at BAL ($2,900)
It's no secret that Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres are the go-to picks right now for the Yankees since it seems like all they can do is hit home runs against the Baltimore Orioles. If you can fit those guys in your lineup then go ahead and lock it in, but I will insert a more contrarian name here for your consideration. Urshela has been raking as well against right-handed pitching since his debut with the Yankees, coming in with a .383 wOBA and 45.8% Hard Contact Rate. They face off with Dylan Bundy and his 4.66 ERA, so it seems like it should be a great day for the Yankee bats once again.
Ronny Rodriguez: SS, DET vs MIA ($3,200)
Trevor Richards is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA on the road this season. The Tigers are yet another team that I usually have no interest in rostering, but I also feel strongly about Richards not being a good pitcher, so I don't mind inserting a Tiger here. Rodriguez boasts a .353 wOBA and .316 ISO, and he feels like a good bet to get some traction against Richards here in this matchup.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Austin Meadows: OF, TB at CLE ($4,300)
Adam Plutko had an easy outing in his first start of the year against the Orioles, but I don't think he will have as good of a matchup in this one. One of the tougher matchups for him will be against Meadows, who has a .456 wOBA and 50% Hard Contact Rate so far against right-handed pitching. He has shown no signs of rust since returning from injury on May 10, posting a .313/.421/.625 slash line with three home runs in those 10 games.
Ronald Acuna Jr.: OF, ATL at SF ($4,200)
It is two-straight starts for Madison Bumgarner now that I have highlighted a right-handed hitter against him. Until he can improve his 4.21 ERA, I will continue to have no fear of going against Bumgarner. Acuna has hit three home runs over his past four games, so he is coming in hot. Even Oracle Park couldn't contain his power, as he knocked two out of the park in the opening game of the series on Monday night. Bumgarner has allowed four home runs over his past three starts, so it feels like a matchup where something is going to give for Acuna.
