MLB DFS: Targets for 5/6

We’re back to a full slate of games for today’s MLB DFS targets, with the exception of Wrigley Field’s day game between the Cubs and Nationals.  Also, don’t forget to click the link at the end of the article to listen to the midweek 60 Feet 6 Inches podcast with Kyle and Damian!

Pitchers

Madison Bumgarner (SF vs. COL)

Moneyline: -200

Over/Under: 7

FanDuel: $11,700/DraftKings: $10,900

There are a lot of low run totals tonight and this game is one of them.  After last night’s slugfest, Bumgarner will look to quiet the Rockies’ bats, especially their left-handed hitters.  With Noah Syndergaard being the most expensive pitcher on DraftKings by a large margin, Bumgarner may be where you go if you don’t want to spend up.

Zack Greinke (ARI @ ATL)

Moneyline: -153

Over/Under: 7

FanDuel: $10,800/DraftKings: $10,100

Greinke hasn’t been sharp this season but he may not need to be against the Braves.  Atlanta has scored the least runs this season in the league, along with the least home runs.  Even if Greinke allows runners on base, he can still keep them in check.

Marcus Stroman (TOR vs. LAD)

Moneyline: 131

Over/Under: 8

FanDuel: $8,100/DraftKings: $9,200

This will be the first time Stroman is facing the Dodgers and that’s what I like about this matchup.  As a team, the Dodgers are striking out 21% of the time and are second to last in the league in home runs.  Even with Rogers Centre being a hitter’s park, Stroman has the opportunity to dominate the Dodgers if he’s on his game.

Other pitchers to consider: Noah Syndergaard (NYM @ SD), Rich Hill (OAK @ BAL), and Danny Salazar (CLE vs. KC).

Catchers

Buster Posey (SF vs. COL)

FanDuel: $3,800/DraftKings: $3,800

Posey is priced up on both sites but if you want to pay for catcher, he is the way to go.  We don’t have the platoon here, but opposing pitcher, Chad Bettis, has slight reverse splits in favor of right-handed hitters with a higher K/9, BABIP, wOBA, and slugging percentage against them than left-handed bats.

Carlos Ruiz

FanDuel: $2,800/DraftKings: $3,400

Ruiz might be more of an off the radar pick today if he gets the start.  Right-handed bats have success against Wei-Yin Chen so Ruiz may be what you need to be contrarian.

Other catchers to consider: Victor Martinez (DET vs. TEX), and Jonathan Lucroy (MIL @ CIN).

First base

Joey Votto (CIN vs. MIL)

FanDuel: $3,500/DraftKings: $4,500

The Brewers are sending right-hander, Tyler Cravy to the mound tonight against the Reds.  With the game at Great American Ball Park, a Reds stack is tempting.  With a run total of 8 1/2, there are fantasy point opportunities and Votto is a nice target.

Edwin Encarnacion (TOR vs. LAD)

FanDuel: $3,500/DraftKings: $4,000

Encarnacion is heating up so keep rostering him.  I wasn’t sure of what we would see out of Kenta Maeda to start the season, but we have now seen that he can be hit.  If the Blue Jays are clicking on all cylinders, they are dangerous.

Other first basemen to consider: Byung-ho Park (MIN @ CWS), Paul Goldschmidt (ARI @ ATL), and Chris Carter (MIL @ CIN).

Second base

Jose Altuve (HOU vs. SEA)

FanDuel: $4,300/DraftKings: $5,200

Altuve has been playing out of his mind and while we expected him to be great, the power numbers are unprecedented.  It’s really hard not to consider him as a play at the position every game until he starts cooling off.

Robinson Cano (SEA @ HOU)

FanDuel: $3,900/DraftKings: $5,100

Cano has also been really good at the position. He is a nice pivot off of Altuve if you want to save a little on FanDuel or to differentiate your lineup.  The matchup against Doug Fister is favorable for Cano as well.

Other second basemen to consider: Kelby Tomlinson (SF vs. COL), Jason Kipnis (CLE vs. KC), and Ian Kinsler (DET vs. TEX).

Third base

David Wright (NYM @ SD)

FanDuel: $3,000/DraftKings: $4,700

Wright is significantly better with the platoon, and opposing pitcher, Drew Pomeranz‘s splits are much worse against right-handed batters so this looks to be a good matchup for Wright.  He is the most expensive third baseman on DraftKings.  Unless you’re going to use him there in a tournament, FanDuel is probably where you’re rostering him.

Nick Castellanos (DET vs. TEX)

FanDuel: $3,300/DraftKings: $3,700

Castellanos against a southpaw is always worth a look.  He flashes power upside, and there are RBI opportunities while hitting in the middle of the Tigers batting order.  Castellanos is a nice pivot off of pricier options at the position.

Other third basemen to consider: Josh Donaldson (TOR vs. LAD), and Todd Frazier (CWS vs. MIN).

Shortstop

Francisco Lindor (CLE vs. KC)

FanDuel: $3,700/DraftKings: $4,000

Switch-hitting Lindor, has a nice matchup today against Yordano Ventura.  At a position that was once lacking in power, you can throw Lindor into a list of shortstops who can provide power potential at the position.  Ventura hasn’t been consistent and overall, his velocity has been decreasing.  Lindor and other Cleveland bats have a change to get runs across the board against Ventura if he’s erratic.

Trevor Story

FanDuel: $4,000/DraftKings: $3,500

Story has been coming down to earth a little bit, but the power is still showing itself.  He’s at a more comfortable price on DraftKings, and probably a tournament play on FanDuel with his potential of getting a home run off of Bumgarner.

Other shortstops to consider: Corey Seager (LAD @ TOR), and Brad Miller (TB @ LAA).

Outfield

Giancarlo Stanton (MIA vs. PHI)

FanDuel: $4,900/DraftKings: $4,500

There a few high-priced outfielders to target today and Stanton is one of them for his power.  Opposing pitcher, Vincent Velasquez has been pitching well so far this season, but regression could be on its way.  The Marlins have a pesky lineup and could certainly score some fantasy points against the Phillies.

Colby Rasmus (HOU vs. SEA)

FanDuel: $2,900/DraftKings: $3,400

Rasmus had the night off but should be back in the lineup tonight.  Opposing pitcher, Taijuan Walker has had a couple of strong starts this season, but the Astros bats are coming out of their slump and I always like Rasmus for the home run potential.

Mike Trout (LAA vs. TB)

FanDuel; $5,100/DraftKings; $4,900

Trout’s bat is starting to heat up and will be facing Chris Archer tonight.  Although Archer has been pitching better since his slow start to the season, this is the first game of their cross-country road trip and it could be assumed that he may not be as sharp off the mound.

Other outfielders to consider: David Peralta (ARI @ ATL), Justin Upton (DET vs. TEX), Melky Cabrera (CWS vs. MIN), and Stephen Piscotty (STL vs. PIT).

Thank you for reading, and good luck with your picks!

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