MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/7/2019
Tuesday’s 13-game main evening slate in DFS brings a nice mix of choices. There are not only a few pitchers at various price points who could provide value, but there are also some stacks that could pay off in a big way. Here are some of the options that stand out as having favorable matchups. 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
Jose Berrios vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $10,700
DraftKings = $10,400
This is not the potent Blue Jays’ lineup of yesteryear with Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion mashing home runs. They have struggled offensively this season, posting the fourth-lowest OPS (.659) and striking out the fifth-most times (343) in the league. This is a great spot for Berrios, who has been the anchor of the Twins’ rotation with a 0.97 WHIP and a 25.1 percent strikeout rate, to shine.
Jon Lester vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $9,000
Speaking of matchups to exploit, it’s usually a sound strategy to start whoever is opposing the Marlins. Not only have they scored the fewest runs (97) in the league, but they’ve scored 12 fewer runs than the next closest team despite playing three more games. Their league-low .603 OPS is also 24 points lower than the next closest team. No need to overthink this one, roll with Lester if you don’t want to pay up for Berrios.
CATCHER
Jonathan Lucroy vs. Daniel Norris, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,700
The Angels don’t have a ton of imposing bats outside of Mike Trout, but this is a favorable spot for them to be successful against Norris and his career 1.45 WHIP. Targeting Lucroy could be a wise move based on the savings he could provide for your entry. He hit two home runs against the Astros on Sunday and now has three long balls over his last four games. He’s also posted what would be a career-low 9.5 percent strikeout rate in the early going.
Others to consider: Buster Posey
FIRST BASE
Mitch Moreland vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,800
While going after the Marlins lineup is a sound pitching strategy, attacking the Orioles rotation is the way to go with hitters. Hess has followed up his 5.51 xFIP last year with a 5.78 xFIP through his first seven appearances. He’s allowed a career .349 wOBA versus left-handed hitters, making Moreland a prime target.
Others to consider: Josh Bell and Nate Lowe
SECOND BASE
Joe Panik vs. Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900
On the surface, Panik doesn’t look like someone to target with his .259 wOBA. However, he’s been somewhat unlucky based on his .221 BABIP and he is currently on a seven-game hitting streak. He also receives the benefit of playing this game in hitter-friendly Coors Field, so he could provide value at his cheap price on both sites.
Others to consider: Michael Chavis and Jonathan Villar
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,000
Even though Bregman finally failed to hit a home run Monday, he still managed a hit and a walk with the Astros winning 6-4. Now he’ll get a chance to face the left-handed Duffy, which is a matchup that is in Bregman’s favor considering his career 150 wRC+ versus lefties. After Duffy allowed a 1.49 WHIP last year, Bregman could do plenty of damage in this contest.
Others to consider: Matt Chapman and Howie Kendrick
SHORTSTOP
Carlos Correa vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800
Correa checks in as one of the hottest hitters in the league, going 22-for-66 (.333) with six home runs and five doubles during his current 16-game hitting streak. With so many other potent bats around him, he’s also amassed 14 RBI and 10 runs scored during that stretch. Add in his career .370 wOBA against lefties and he’s a hitter to build your lineup around.
Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Elvis Andrus
OUTFIELD
Mookie Betts vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,400
If you’re going with a Red Sox stack, Betts has to be in it. He’s recorded at least two hits in seven of his last 11 games to help lift his wOBA to .370 after a quiet start to the season. He’s off to a slow start in the power department with just six home runs, but Hess has allowed 2.0 HR/9 for his career, so don’t be surprised if Betts goes deep in this contest.
Steven Duggar vs. Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,300
The Giants badly need someone in their lineup to step up, so they have to be pleased with the way Duggar is swinging the bat of late. He’s 11-for-23 (.478) with just a 12 percent strikeout rate across his last seven games. Senzatela allowed a 1.68 WHIP at home last season, leaving Duggar with a favorable opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
Jesse Winker vs. Mike Fiers, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,300
After getting off to a horribly slow start, Winker has rebounded to hit 16-for-47 (.340) with three home runs and five doubles across his last 13 games. He still has just a .231 BABIP overall, so expect his numbers to continue to rise as his luck improves. With his career .393 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, he’s a great option against Fiers and his 1.49 WHIP.
Others to consider: Andrew Benintendi and Jake Marisnick
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.