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Jorge Pucks highlights the top FanDuel and DraftKings MLB DFS lineup picks for the "Early" slate on 5/20/21, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Hello there, MLB DFS grinders! It's Thursday, and that means we have yet another split slate of MLB games today with four games in the afternoon and four games on the main evening slate.
While most of our MLB DFS coverage here at RotoBaller is geared towards the main slate, I wanted to give you some of my favorite pitchers and bats for these early games. I'll highlight my favorite pitching options here first and then give you some hitters at each price tier to consider as well as my favorite teams to stack up AND some sample lineups for both sites!
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel and DraftKings early slate at 12:35 PM on 5/20/2021. Be sure to also check out all the MLB player news, including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also check out today's MLB DFS lineup picks for the main slate here, and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. Let's get to it!
MLB DFS Pitchers
Tyler Mahle vs. SF ($9,900 FD, $9,200 DK)
Mahle is the highest-priced pitcher on both sites and he looks to be in good form over his last couple of starts. In his two most recent outings, he has gone for 12 innings while striking out 11 batters and only allowing three total runs. The Giants have struggled against right-handed pitchers this season as they have a team batting average of .221 and lead the major leagues with 323 strikeouts against right-handed pitchers this season.
Domingo German at TEX ($9,000 FD, $8,000 DK)
The pricing on German is interesting as he is all the way up on FD at $9,000 but looks to be a better value over on DK as he is just $8,000. German has been in really good form as he has achieved a quality start in four of his last five starts and has accrued six strikeouts per game in five straight starts. The Rangers as a team are batting .239 against right-handed pitchers this season and have struck out against this handedness 283 times which is the 11th highest total in the league.
Others to consider: Johnny Cueto vs. Cincinnati, Dane Dunning vs. New York
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MLB DFS "Bats Worth Paying For"
Trey Mancini – 1B/OF, TB @ BAL ($3,800 FD, $5,100 DK)
Mancini is listed at two different positions but he is someone that should be considered regardless of the position eligibility. Mancini has been swinging a hot bat as he is coming off of a double-dong performance against Tampa last night where he went 4-5 with two home runs, five RBIs, and two runs. He draws a solid matchup against the savvy veteran Rich Hill who throws two pitches primarily to righties. Mancini leads Baltimore with a .254 ISO against lefties and has a 42.55 hard-hit percentage against this handedness so rostering him could be the move especially if you have the salary to squeeze him into your lineups.
Trea Turner – SS, WSH @ CHC ($4,400 FD, $5,800 DK)
While the pricing remains high on Turner, he is worth spending up for. He has recorded multi-hit performances in four of his last six games played and has fared well against righties as he is batting .310 against them with seven home runs. Turner is a threat both at the plate and on the basepaths as he has stolen base potential but has also scored a run in three straight games. Turner has an ISO of .333+ against both the fastball and sinker that Williams throws so if he could see that pitch, there's a good chance he could turn on one.
Juan Soto – OF, WSH @ CHC ($4,000 FD, $5,500 DK)
Soto has been fantastic against right-handed pitchers this season as he is batting .314 against that handedness this year while also having a .276 ISO which is the highest ISO on the team. Williams has gotten roughed up by lefty batters this season and Soto profiles well against his two primary pitches (fastball and changeup) as he throws them for a combined 70% of the time with Soto having a .388+ XwOBA and a .200+ ISO against both pitches.
MLB DFS Values
Ji-Man Choi – 1B, TBR @ BAL ($3,300 FD, $3,400 DK)
FD was ahead of the curve with Choi's pricing while DK decided to keep him as an extreme value on this slate. If Choi cracks the lineup for the Rays, he could make for a great value play in all formats. Choi has appeared recently in three games but has done very well as he is 6-10 with one home run while scoring double-digit fantasy points in all three appearances. Choi profiles well against Kremer as he sports an XwOBA against the three primary pitches that he throws to lefty batters (fastball, cutter, knuckle-curve) while having an ISO above .189 against all three pitch types.
Ian Happ – 2B/ OF, vs. WSH ($2,800 FD, $3,600 DK)
Happ is at a great price point on both sites and Happ could be showing signs of breaking out of a slump. He has hit a home run in three of his last six games and has also recorded a hit in six of his last seven games played. Happ is a switch-hitter and Ross throws his sinker over 40% of the time which Happ profiles well against as he has a .640 XwOBA and a .405 ISO against that pitch type.
Austin Meadows – OF, TBR @ BAL ($3,300 FD, $4,000 DK)
Meadows is at a solid price point on both sites for this four-game early slate and has recorded five hits over his last 13 at-bats. Meadows has been a much better hitter against righties this season when compared to lefties as he has eight home runs on the season and leads the Rays with 28 hits against this handedness.
Also Consider: Joc Pederson vs. Ross, Brandon Lowe vs. Kremer
MLB DFS Hitter Stacks
Washington Nationals vs. Trevor Williams
The Nationals look to be one of the more enticing teams to consider stacking on this early slate. Trevor Williams has gotten roughed up early on this season as he is sporting a 6.27 ERA and lefty batters are hitting .348 against him. The Nationals have some big-time lefty batters in Juan Soto, Kyle Schwarber, and Josh Bell so they should be considered alongside Trea Turner and even Josh Harrison for your Washington stacks.
Chicago Cubs vs. Joe Ross
Ross is always a pitcher that carries a high ERA and this year, it's not much different as he has a 5.80 through seven starts and also has a 2.02 HR/9 rate which is very high. He offers up a .180+ ISO to both sides of the plate and only has a 10% swinging strike rate while batters are making contact 76% of the time. The Cubs could be getting a big power bat back in the lineup with Anthony Rizzo potentially returning, so focusing on the top of this order would be one of the best places to start.
Other stacks: TB Rays vs. Dean Kremer, BAL vs Rich Hill
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