MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/23/2019

We have an odd slate in the majors Thursday with only two games starting after 6 PM EST. Keeping that in mind, let’s break down the early DFS slate that encompasses six games. 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

Matthew Boyd vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $10,300

Boyd stands out as one of the best options for this limited slate. He’s been one of the few bright spots for the Tigers, recording a 3.59 xFIP and a 1.01 WHIP across 10 starts. He’s also increased his strikeout rate to 29.9 percent, which is almost nine percentage points higher than his career mark. The Marlins are off to a historically poor start offensively, so look for Boyd to have another excellent outing.

Trevor Richards vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings =$7,500

If you want to take a chance on a cheap pitcher, you might as well attack another weak offense. If it weren’t for how bad the Marlins have been, the Tigers would be last in the league in many offensive categories. That brings Richards into play despite his 5.56 xFIP. He’s actually had plenty of valuable performances, allowing three runs or fewer in six of his nine starts. Don’t count on him for many strikeouts, but he might be worth a shot in tournament play.

CATCHER

Austin Romine vs. Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,100
DraftKings =$3,300

I’m operating under the assumption that Gary Sanchez will sit out this early start time after playing Wednesday night. If he is in the lineup, he’s obviously a strong play based on how hot he is right now. If he doesn’t take the field, Romine could also provide value at a much cheaper price considering Bundy has a 4.93 xFIP and has allowed 11 home runs across 46.1 innings.

Others to consider: Yan Gomes

FIRST BASE

Josh Bell vs. Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,800

There are few hitters in the league as hot as Bell is right now. Over his last 17 games, he’s 27-for-67 (.403) with nine home runs and five doubles. He also recorded 23 RBI over that stretch, giving him 45 for the season, overall. His career-high is 90 RBI in a season, so he is well on pace to shatter that mark. Senzatela doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal based on his career 17.5 percent strikeout rate, making Bell a great option.

Others to consider: Luke Voit and Howie Kendrick

SECOND BASE

Michael Chavis vs. Clayton Richard, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,400

After playing just 20 total games at Triple-A during his minor league career, Chavis was called up to the majors when the Red Sox were dealing with injuries to their infield. He looks here to stay based on his .405 wOBA. He’s already slugged 10 home runs to go along with 25 RBI on just 28 games. Richard is being activated off the IL to either start or pitch the bulk of the innings after an opener, which makes Chavis very appealing considering Richard’s career 1.42 WHIP.

Others to consider: D.J. LeMahieu and Adam Frazier

THIRD BASE

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. vs. Ryan Weber, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Guerrero’s slow start is officially in his rearview mirror. One of the games most highly thought of prospects is living up to the hype, hitting 14-for-38 (.368) with five home runs across his last 10 games. He also has five walks compared to just four strikeouts during that stretch. Weber had a 4.78 xFIP at Triple-A this year, so don’t expect him to be the one to slow down Guerrero.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Gio Urshela

SHORTSTOP

Gleyber Torres vs. Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,400

The numbers that Torres has put up against the Orioles are out of this world. He’s crushed them this season, hitting 20-for-43 (.465) with 10 home runs across 11 games. With how poorly Bundy has pitched, fading Torres doesn’t seem like a sound strategy given the limited slate.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Freddy Galvis

OUTFIELD

Mookie Betts vs. Clayton Richard, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,100

If you’re going to attack this matchup against Richard, Betts has to be included in Red Sox stack. He has the highest upside on the team and is 10-for-29 (.345) with a home run and two doubles over his last seven games. He also has a career .380 wOBA versus left-handed pitching.

Brett Gardner vs. Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,500

Gardner is having a strange season. He has a career-high .214 ISO with his strikeout rate checking in at a career-low 12.2 percent. He’s only hitting .226, but some of that has to do with his .221 BABIP. While his groundball rate has remained close to his career mark, he’s hitting fewer line drives and more fly balls, which is likely the reason for his increased power numbers. With Bundy’s propensity for giving up home runs, Gardner is a good mid-tier priced Yankee to consider.

Raimel Tapia vs. Jordan Lyles, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings =$4,400

Attacking Lyles might not seem like a good idea based on his 1.97 ERA. However, his xFIP stands at 3.93, so he hasn’t been that dominant. He’s also allowed a wOBA against lefties that is 125 points higher than his wOBA against righties. While Tapia’s price on DraftKings isn’t very appealing, he’s a cheap option to maybe take a chance on in tournament play on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Aaron Hicks and Billy McKinney

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.