MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/22/2019

Wednesday’s evening slate of action will be highlighted by an excellent pitching matchup between Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom. They aren’t the only stud pitchers set to take the mound, either. Let’s discuss some of the best hitting and pitching option across the price scale. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our MLB Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

Gerrit Cole vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $11,700
DraftKings = $12,000

After being dominated by Justin Verlander on Tuesday, the White Sox now have to face Cole. Talk about a rough two-game stretch. Cole is putting together another dominant campaign, recording a 2.32 xFIP and a 38.3 percent strikeout rate across his first 10 starts. The White Sox air tied for the fifth-most strikeouts (451) in the league, so expect them to have a hard time generating offense in this contest.

Max Fried vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Oracle Park
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,500

While they aren’t as bad as the Marlins, seeking out pitchers against the Giants’ anemic lineup is usually a sound strategy. Entering this contest, the Giants have scored the fourth-fewest runs (180) and recorded the third-lowest OPS (.654) across baseball. Fried has a 3.27 xFIP and a 1.13 WHIP through his first 11 outings and has done a great job of limiting home runs, allowing just 12 in 110 innings during his brief major league career.

CATCHER

Gary Sanchez vs. Dan Straily, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,500

It’s hard to spend this much on a catcher, but can we really fade Sanchez at this point? He’s homered in back-to-back games, giving him eight in just nine games versus the Orioles this season. He’ll face another underwhelming Orioles starter in Straily who has allowed 10 home runs in 30.2 innings. It’s not easy to homer in three straight games, but that seems like a viable possibility with Sanchez.

Others to consider: Yadier Molina

FIRST BASE

Yuli Gurriel vs. Ivan Nova, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900

The Yankees are going to be a popular stack against Straily. Right up there with them on the ownership leaderboard should be the Astros against Nova. His 4.79 xFIP isn’t nearly as bad as his 7.42 ERA, but allowing 10 home runs in 47.1 innings isn’t helpful. Gurriel is one of the more cost-effective Astros to consider, especially since he has hit 21-for-64 (.328) with three home runs and three doubles over his last 16 games.

Others to consider: Luke Voit and Mitch Moreland

SECOND BASE

Aledmys Diaz vs. Ivan Nova, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,500

After missing three games due to a hamstring injury, Diaz returned Tuesday to hit record two hits. He’s stepped up in a big way with Jose Altuve (hamstring) out, hitting 10-for-23 (.435) with three home runs across his last seven games. With how poorly Nova has pitched, Diaz has an excellent opportunity to continue his recent run of success.

Others to consider: D.J. LeMahieu and Jonathan Schoop

THIRD BASE

Rafael Devers vs. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,900

After starting out the season by failing to hit a home run in his first 32 games, Devers has become one of the Red Sox most dangerous hitters of late. Not only is he 22-for-64 (.344) over his last 15 games, but he also has five home runs and three doubles during that stretch. Sanchez dealt with a blister issue in his last start and has recorded a 1.51 WHIP, making Devers a very appealing option.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

SHORTSTOP

Gleyber Torres vs. Dan Straily, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,300

Torres has been just as hot against the Orioles as Sanchez has, hitting 18-for-38 (.474) with eight home runs against them this season. While his numbers against them are obviously impressive, his overall numbers have shown improvement compared to his rookie campaign, including his strikeout rate decreasing by nearly five percentage points. The Yankees have themselves another special hitter here.

Others to consider: Jorge Polanco and Carlos Correa

OUTFIELD

Aaron Hicks vs. Dan Straily, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

The oft-injured Hicks has been on the IL for the majority of the season after signing to a long term extension during the offseason. He’s found his way on base four times across his 10 plate appearances in this series against the Orioles and has at least one hit in three of his last four games, overall. With his 132 wRC+ versus right-handed pitchers last year, he’s a great option for a Yankees stack.

Max Kepler vs. Matt Harvey, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,100

As appealing as stacking either the Yankees and Astros is, don’t forget about the Twins. They’ve been one of the best offensive teams in the league and have a prime matchup against Harvey and his 4.72 xFIP. He hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in six of his nine starts and isn’t an overpowering force based on his 17 percent strikeout rate. Kepler’s career wOBA against right-handed pitchers is 70 points higher than it is against lefties, so this is a matchup to exploit.

Jake Marisnick vs. Ivan Nova, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,900

Marisnick made this list yesterday and recorded two walks and a run scored. With George Springer (back) not expected to return until the weekend, Marisnick should once again be in the starting lineup. He’s too pricey on DraftKings, but he’s one of the top cheap outfielders to target on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Cody Bellinger and Nicholas Castellanos

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.