MLB DFS: DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (5/18/24) - Today's Top Lineups

May 18, 2024

The top MLB DFS daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel, DraftKings on May 18, 2024. Mike Marteny's MLB DFS sleepers picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

It's almost an even split on our MLB Saturday. The early slate features six games while both main slates have seven games. We will concentrate on the large main slate. Besides, we don't have to worry about the Rockies on this one, and all parks are fantasy-neutral.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on Saturday, May 18, 2024, with the slate starting at 7:10 p.m. EDT. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.

You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential. Good luck, RotoBallers!

DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Seth Lugo vs. OAK ($9K DraftKings; $10.3K FanDuel)

Is this where we're at now? Is Seth Lugo an ace? He has looked the part this year. Lugo is 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA, a microscopic 0.96 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings. He struck out 12 Angels in his last start, so that will drive ownership up. So will Oakland's six-game losing streak in which they have scored just 10 combined runs. They have only scored six runs combined in the last five games. That's what the Royals scored last night in one night. So yes...Lugo is the ace on this slate.

Top 15 pitchers in quality starts so far this season.

Remember when Seth Lugo was a reliever for the Mets 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/M1kmskPFpI

— Eric 🐍 (@slimeaction) May 16, 2024

Bryce Elder vs. SD ($7.5K DraftKings; $7.6K FanDuel)

Elder got destroyed by the Dodgers two starts ago. That is bringing down his season-long numbers. Elder has a 1.50 ERA in two home starts. The Padres have only scored 14 runs in their last seven games combined. Elder doesn't pile up the strikeouts, making him a bit tougher to punt on FD. However, he's a solid SP2 on DraftKings if you spent a lot of money on hitters.

Also consider: Zac Gallen vs. DET, Kutter Crawford at STL

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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Mookie Betts – SS/2B, LAD vs. Graham Ashcraft ($6K DK; $4.8K FD)

Ashcraft is allowing a ton of hard contact this year and most of it is coming against his cutter. Five of his seven homers allowed are off the cutter. Mookie is hitting .500 against cutters on the season so far with a .750 slugging percentage. In a game full of bad matchups for Ashcraft, this is the worst.

Luis Rengifo – 2B/3B, LAA vs. Jose Urena ($4K DK; $2.8K FD)

That price on FD makes Rengifo one of the best bargains on the slate there. Rengifo has an eight-game hitting streak going. Both of his home runs on the season have come during that streak with five RBI, six runs scored, and three steals. He's on fire right now and he homered off of Urena in his only game against him. What could possibly go wrong?

Abraham Toro – 2B, OAK vs. Seth Lugo ($3.8K DK; $2.8K FD)

There are hot streaks, then there's Abraham Toro. Most host streaks last a week, maybe two if you're lucky. Toro's has lasted 21 games so far. In that span, he's hitting .400 with two homers, nine RBI, 15 runs scored, and a stolen base just because he can. I liked Toro when his price was lower, but he has hit just about everyone during his hot streak. This is a good way to get different in a large-field GPP.

Also consider: Jake Bauers, Vinnie Pasquantino, Bobby Witt Jr. 

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Adolis Garcia - OF, TEX vs. Patrick Sandoval ($5.6K DK; $3.8K FD)

Garcia's slump appears to be over. He has homered in two of the last three games. Sandoval has had success with his changeup this year, but he's still allowing a lot of hard contact, specifically against his slider. Garcia had a .530 SLG against sliders last year, sitting at .556 this year. Adolis hits all of Sandoval's offerings well and is historically better against lefties.

Homers in back-to-back games for Adolis García!

He's got 10 on the year 💣 pic.twitter.com/McJZKaHHwc

— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2024

Kevin Pillar – OF, LAA vs. Jose Urena ($3.5K DK; $2.7K FD)

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Pillar was brought in to platoon with youngster Mickey Moniak, but Pillar's hot-hitting has displaced Moniak. Pillar is hitting .484 in his last eight games with three homers, 14 RBI, and four steals. On top of that, he has started against three righties in that span. The platoon is over, at least for the near future.

Willie Calhoun – OF, LAA vs. Jose Urena ($3.3K DK; $2.8K FD)

The Angels are punishing right-handed pitching lately and they are still really cheap. Cheap enough that you can stack Angels and use whichever pitchers you want. Pillar's ability to hit righties definitely helps, but Calhoun might even be hotter than Pillar. He has seven hits -- a full week for most players -- in the last two games alone. Calhoun has no power to speak of, but we can't ignore a hot streak like this.

Also consider: Shohei Ohtani, Christian Yelich, Jarren Duran

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

1. Angels vs. Jose Urena

• Favorite Plays: Luis Rengifo, Kevin Pillar, Willie Calhoun, Zach Neto

2. Dodgers vs. Graham Ashcraft

• Favorite Plays: Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy

3. Rangers vs. Patrick Sandoval

• Favorite Plays: Adolis Garcia, Nathaniel Lowe, Marcus Semien, Leody Taveras