MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/2019

Thursday’s seven-game evening slate in DFS has the potential for plenty of offense despite the limited schedule. While quality pitching options aren’t quite as bountiful, there are still a few who could provide a stellar stat line. Let’s break down some of the best players to target for your entry. 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

Hyun-Jin Ryu vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $11,200

After blowing a big lead in the ninth inning Wednesday, the Mets find themselves in a tough spot to bounce back against Ryu. While he’s not the biggest name in the Dodgers’ rotation, Ryu has stormed out of the gate with a 2.82 xFIP and a 0.83 WHIP. He only issued 1.6 BB/9 last year and has been even better this season by issuing 0.6 BB/9. He’s also allowed only six home runs across 65.1 innings. Add in the Mets missing a few of their key hitters and this points to a favorable spot to deploy Ryu in DFS.

Mike Minor vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Globe Life Park at Arlington
FanDuel = $9,200
DraftKings = $10,300

The problem with this limited slate is the cheaper pitching options are really bad. Not only have most of them struggled, but several of them are faced with extremely tough matchups. If you don’t want to pay up for Ryu, you can at least save a few bucks with Minor, although he’s certainly not cheap. Never much of a strikeout pitcher, he’d made significant strides in that department this season with a 25.5 percent strikeout rate. He’s also been extremely consistent, allowing two runs or fewer in eight of his 11 starts.

CATCHER

Roberto Perez vs. Manny Banuelos, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,700

After torching the Red Sox for 14 runs Wednesday, the Indians have an excellent chance to keep things rolling against Banuelos. He’s already faced them twice this season, allowing 10 runs and five home runs across 8.1 innings. Perez provides significant salary relief and has a 152 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this season, making him a risk potentially worth taking at catcher.

Others to consider: Russell Martin

FIRST BASE

Ronald Guzman vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,000

Guzman is one of those all-or-nothing power options who is really only worth considering in tournament play. He has a .317 wOBA to go along with a 30.5 percent strikeout rate, but he’s posted a .294 ISO. As we continue to hunt for cheaper options with upside, he might be worth taking a chance on at home against Junis, who has allowed 1.5 HR/9 for his career.

Others to consider: Josh Bell and Carlos Santana

SECOND BASE

Enrique Hernandez vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,700

Expect the Dodgers to be a popular stack against Vargas, who has struggled once again with a 5.81 xFIP and a 1.57 WHIP. Hernandez is one of their right-handed bats that stands out, especially with him recording a .375 wOBA versus lefties this season. His price on FanDuel isn’t overly cheap, but he could be one of the better cheaper options to target on DraftKings.

Others to consider: Adam Frazier and Rougned Odor

THIRD BASE

Jose Ramirez vs. Manny Banuelos, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings =$3,900

Talk about a disastrous season for Ramirez. He finally has his batting average above .200 after hitting 10-for-32 (.313) over his last nine games. His BABIP has somewhat done him in at .235, so don’t be surprised to see him finish with significantly better numbers than he has right now. He doesn’t come this cheap too often, leaving this as a prime opportunity to pounce on against Banuelos.

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Justin Turner

SHORTSTOP

Francisco Lindor vs. Manny Banuelos, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,800

After missing the start of the season due to injury, Lindor is still looking for his power stroke. His ISO checks in at just .183 and he’s definitely in jeopardy of hitting fewer than 30 home runs in a season for the first time since 2016. With that being said, he still doesn’t strike out much and has a .346 wOBA. If you’re rolling with an Indians stack, make sure Lindor is a part of it.

Others to consider: Elvis Andrus and Orlando Arcia

OUTFIELD

Shin-Soo Choo vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,300

We have two splits leaning heavily in Choo’s favor for this game. First, he has a .409 wOBA at home this season. Second, he has a .412 wOBA versus right-handed pitchers. He’s one of the top targets to pursue for a Rangers stack, especially if Joey Gallo is forced to sit out again due to his sore wrist.

Oscar Mercado vs. Manny Banuelos, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,100

Badly needing a jolt for their lineup, the Indians decided to call up one of their more highly-regarded prospects in Mercado. He hasn’t let them down, recording a .381 wOBA to go along with just a 17 percent strikeout rate. He’s known for his speed after swiping 14 bases across 30 games at Triple-A, although he has only two in 12 games since being recalled. Since he won’t cost much on either site, he could provide excellent value.

Chris Taylor vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,400

When a lefty is on the mound, Taylor is usually in the lineup. He’s thrived against southpaws again this season with a .351 wOBA. Although his overall numbers aren’t great, he does have at least two hits in three of the last four games that he has started. If you want to pay up at starting pitcher, adding him to your entry could provide key savings.

Others to consider: Cody Bellinger and Nomar Mazara

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.