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Andy's top DraftKings and FanDuel MLB DFS picks for today, Sunday, 5/18/25. His favorite daily fantasy baseball lineup sleepers and value picks for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have an action-packed Sunday slate featuring several of the sport's young aces, such as Spencer Schwellenbach of the Atlanta Braves and Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. On the hitting side, we have several favorable matchups to target, including the red-hot Cubs, who will look to complete the sweep over the White Sox.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/18/2025. I'll focus most of my picks on the main slate starting at 1:05 p.m. EDT on both sites. The lineup picks will showcase elite players, 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 always essential.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Shane Baz - TB vs. MIA ($8.3K DK; $8.8K FD)
After looking like a breakout pitcher in his first three starts, Shane Baz has taken a big step back, posting a 7.88 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP over his last 24 innings. However, the young right-hander is poised to return to form in a favorable matchup against the Marlins.
This season, the Marins have posted the third-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. Baz should be in a prime position to return to the double-digit punchout upside he flashed earlier this season.
Shane Baz, K'ing the Side in the 5th.
10Ks thru 5. pic.twitter.com/opuv9A8XrA
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 15, 2025
Spencer Schwellenbach - ATL vs. BOS ($8.9K DK; $9K FD)
Spencer Schwellenbach has looked brilliant at times during his sophomore season, but has also had a handful of blow-up starts. Through his first nine starts, Schwellenbach allowed two or fewer runs in six. However, he has allowed six runs in two.
This afternoon, he will look for another strong outing against the Boston Red Sox, who have posted the fourth-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season.
Colin Rea - CWS vs. CHC ($7.2K DK; $8.3K FD)
My other pitcher to target this afternoon is Colin Rea of the Chicago Cubs. Rea has begun to have a permanent role in the starting rotation with both Justin Steele (elbow) and Shota Imanaga (hamstring) on the injured list. Over his last four starts (22 2/3 innings), Rea has held a solid 3.18 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP.
While he has yet to flash high strikeout upside, facing the White Sox, who have posted the seventh-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching, should put him in a great position to post his best start of the young season.
Also Consider: Freddy Peralta - MIN vs. MIL ($9.7K DK; $9.7K FD), Paul Skenes - PIT vs. PHI ($9.9K DK; $10.3K FD)
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Dansby Swanson, SS - CWS vs. CHC ($4.3K DK; $3.3K FD)
Dansby Swanson launched his 10th home run of the 2025 campaign on Saturday afternoon and will look to stay hot this afternoon, facing Jonathan Cannon of the White Sox. Entering Saturday, Swanson began finding his footing in the box, posting a stellar .364/.450/.606 line with two doubles and two long balls.
This afternoon, he will face Cannon, who relies on his cutter. When facing cutters from right-handers, Swanson has generated an elite .699 xSLG, which is the second-highest mark on the team among Cubs who have seen this pitch more than 50 times (more on the other player later).
Dansby Swanson takes a trip to the bleachers for his 10th home run of the season #RivalryWeekend pic.twitter.com/q1S3iwx83X
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2025
Bo Bichette, SS - DET vs. TOR ($3.6K DK; $3K FD)
Bo Bichette has been one of the hottest hitters in the sport and is an excellent target this afternoon, facing Detroit right-hander Jackson Jobe. Jobe's fastball (his second-most-used pitch) has generated a hefty .466 xSLG and a .408 xwOBA. When facing fastballs from righties, Bichette has generated an impressive .594 xSLG.
Entering Saturday, Bichette has been swinging a hot bat, posting a .407/.484/.889 slash line over his last seven contests.
Yandy Diaz, 1B/3B on DraftKings, 1B on FanDuel - TB vs. MIA ($3.8K DK; $3K FD)
Entering Saturday, Yandy Diaz was in the midst of a slump, but he should be in a good position to snap this skid on Sunday. Over his last eight games, Diaz has held an underwhelming .219 AVG with two home runs.
This afternoon, he will face Cal Quantrill, who has struggled to command his fastball. When facing fastballs from righties this season, Diaz has generated an impressive .691 xSLG.
Also Consider: Michael Busch - 1B ($4.9K DK; $3K FD), Matt McLain- 2B on DraftKings, (2B/SS on FanDuel) ($4.7K DK; $3.1 FD), Addison Barger - 3B on DraftKings, (3B/OF on FanDuel) ($2.7K DK; $2.5K FD)
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Josh Lowe, OF - TB vs. MIA ($4.2K DK; $3.3K FD)
Josh Lowe missed the majority of the start of the campaign with an oblique injury he suffered on Opening Day. However, Lowe was cleared to return earlier this week. Over his first two games since returning, Lowe has gone 4-for-9 at the plate with a long ball.
Like his teammate Diaz, Lowe has also found success when facing fastballs from right-handed pitchers. When facing this pitch, Lowe has generated a 1.689 xSLG.
Pete Crow-Armstrong - CWS vs. CHC ($5K DK; $3.9K FD)
The former top prospect has had an incredible weekend and has begun to establish himself as one of the top center fielders in the show. Entering Saturday's game, Crow-Armstrong held a .367/.394/.700 line with three home runs and 10 RBI over his last eight games. On Saturday, he stayed hot, posting two hits and bringing in two runs.
When facing cutters from right-handed pitching (Cannon's most-used pitch), Crow-Armstrong has generated an incredible .954 xSLG.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is a freak!
He's the fastest kid alive! #RivalryWeekend pic.twitter.com/AoHNmQu45I
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2025
Will Benson - CLE vs. CIN ($3.3K DK; $2.6K FD)
Will Benson has enjoyed a strong week at the plate. Entering Saturday, Benson posted a .389/.476/.833 slash line with two doubles and two long balls over his last six contests. This afternoon, he should be in a prime position to say hot, facing Luis L. Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians.
Ortiz's primary pitch, his fastball, has generated a .521 xSLG. Benson has generated a stellar 1.081 xSLG and a .630 xwOBA when facing fastballs from right-handed pitching.
Also Consider: Austin Hays - OF ($5K DK; $3.3K FD), Riley Greene - OF ($4.6K DK; $3.4K FD), Alec Burleson - OF on DraftKings, (OF/1B on FanDuel) ($3.3K DK; $2.3K FD)
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cal Quantrill (MIA)
Quantrill has posted a high 7.00 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP across his first 36 innings this season. Under the hood, he sits in the sixth and fourth percentiles in xERA and xBA. Quantrill has generated a 44.6% hard-hit rate and an 11.6% barrel rate, which place him in the 27th and 16th percentiles, respectively.
His four-seamer (21.6% usage, second-most used pitch) has generated a hefty .960 xSLG and a .503 xwOBA.
Top stack: J. Lowe, Diaz, B. Lowe, Aranda
Chicago Cubs vs. Jonathan Cannon (CWS)
Cannon enters this matchup with a modest 3.60 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP across his first 50 innings. However, he has generated a 3.99 xERA and a .255 xBA, which suggests he should see some regression.
His primary pitch, his cutter, has generated a hefty .510 xSLG, which is much higher than the .378 SLG it currently carries.
Top stack: Crow-Armstrong, Swanson, Kelly, Busch
Cincinnati Reds vs. Luis L. Ortiz (CLE)
While Ortiz has shown flashes of high strikeout upside this season (26.1% K rate), his batted-ball metrics are not ideal. He currently sits in the 15th percentile in xERA and 35th percentile in xBA.
As stated above, his fastball has generated a high .521 xSLG, which should put the Cincinnati bats in a great position to be productive at the plate this afternoon.
Top stack: Benson, Hays, McLain, Wynns
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