MLB DFS: Targets for 5/19

There are a couple of day games, but MLB DFS Targets will be covering games on the main slate.

Pitchers

Chris Sale (CWS vs. HOU)

Moneyline: -179

Over/Under: 7 1/2

FanDuel: $12,100/DraftKings: $13,800

Sale is an early front runner for the AL Cy Young Award and he has a chance to improve upon that against the Astros. Sale hasn’t been racking up the strikeouts like we’re used to, but the Astros this season have the highest K-rate of 25.7%, which helps Sale’s cause.

Jeff Samardzija (SF @ SD)

Moneyline: -140

Over/Under: 7

FanDuel: $9,900/DraftKings: $11,800

The Giants pitchers are on a roll right now, so why not continue that with Samardzija? The Padres have the second highest K-rate of 25.3% and aren’t good against right-handed pitchers. This game has one of the lowest run totals at seven, and it can be safe to assume that Samardzija can keep the Padres under control.

Other pitchers to consider: Jon Gray (COL @ STL), Stephen Strasburg (WAS @ NYM), and Matt Harvey (NYM vs. WAS).

Catchers

Stephen Vogt (OAK vs. NYY)

FanDuel: $2,300/DraftKings: $3,100

Catcher was a hard position to figure out for me on this slate. Vogt, at home against Ivan Nova is a target I like because of the matchup and price. If you’re paying up for pitching, salary relief at the catcher position can help with that.

Trevor Brown (SF @ SD)

FanDuel: $2,300/DraftKings: $3,000

If Buster Posey gets the night off or plays at first, Brown could be a low cost target too, but more for tournament lineups because he usually bats lower in the order.

Other catchers to consider: Yan Gomes (CLE @ CIN), and Yasmani Grandal (LAD @ LAA).

First base

Joey Votto (CIN vs. CLE)

FanDuel: $3,600/DraftKings: $4,000

This game has the highest run total of 8 1/2. Votto’s matchup with Josh Tomlin is a good one with the platoon and playing at home. The Reds have shown that they can score runs and fantasy points and I can see Votto leading the way tonight.

John Jaso (PIT vs. ATL)

FanDuel: $3,100/DraftKings: $3,500

Jaso typically bats first in the order and has the platoon against Mike Foltynewicz tonight. Taking his price into consideration, DraftKings looks to be the site you want to roster him. Foltynewicz is struggling a lot more against left-handed bats this season by allowing a .421 wOBA, .667 slugging percentage, and .364 BABIP.

Other first basemen to consider: Byung-ho Park (MIN vs. TOR), Edwin Encarnacion (TOR @ MIN), and Carlos Santana (CLE @ CIN).

Second base

Jason Kipnis (CLE @ CIN)

FanDuel: $3,600/DraftKings: $4,900

For me, Kipnis is the top target at the position. There should be runs scored in this game and opposing pitcher, Tim Adleman, whose splits are a lot worse against left-handed bats. Kipnis and others in the lineup with the platoon should fare well in this hitter’s park.

Joe Panik (SF @ SD)

FanDuel: $3,200/DraftKings: $3,600

Panik is an under-the-radar target for tonight because he’s at a price where most will look to spend up or down. Batting high in the order, Panik and other Giants have a chance for success against James Shields.

Other second basemen to consider: Chase Utley (LAD @ LAA).

Third base

Danny Valencia (OAK vs. NYY)

FanDuel: $3,100/DraftKings: $3,800

Valencia has been swinging a hot bat and that can continue against Ivan Nova. Nova’s splits are similar between both handedness so the platoon isn’t necessary when rostering against him. Valencia has started hitting home runs all of a sudden, with six of them in the last six games.

Todd Frazier (CWS vs. HOU)

FanDuel: $4,200/DraftKings: $4,700

Frazier has picked it up after having a slow start to the season and his matchup against Collin McHugh should be taken into consideration. For the season, McHugh has given up home runs in five our of eight starts, and four or more runs in five starts as well.

Other third basemen to consider: Justin Turner (LAD @ LAA), and Jorge Polanco (MIN vs. TOR).

Shortstop

Brandon Crawford (SF @ SD)

FanDuel: $3,300/DraftKings: $3,600

I like the Giants’ middle infield today, and his price will probably be the factor in your decision to roster him. Crawford’s slugging percentage and ISO are better against right-handed pitchers and there is a lot of space to hit extra base hits at Petco, and he can also has enough pop in his bat to get you a home run too.

Troy Tulowitzki (TOR @ MIN)

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

One of the more frustrating hitters to even think about, Tulowitzki keeps popping up on my radar but rarely does he live up to the expectations. He has been putting together more multi-hit games but still not getting any walks and racking up the strikeouts. Tulowitzki doesn’t have much history against Ervin Santana, but that might be a good thing if you want to give it a shot in tournaments.

Other shortstops to consider: Eduardo Nunez (MIN vs. TOR), and Corey Seager (LAD @ LAA).

Outfield

Carlos Gonzalez (COL @ STL)

FanDuel: $3,100/DraftKings: $3,700

For his price on FanDuel, Gonzalez is an outfielder to target if you need to save a little. For the season, opposing pitcher, Michael Wacha, has been giving up 1.72 HR/9, .492 slugging percentage, and. 342 wOBA to left-handed hitters.

Adam Duvall (CIN vs. CLE)

FanDuel: $3,700/DraftKings: $3,800

Duvall has been getting the playing time lately and he has serious power. His price has risen quickly, but with a low floor, he’s a tournament play in what should be the highest scoring game of the day.

Gregory Polanco (PIT vs. ATL)

FanDuel: $3,900/DraftKings: $5,200

As mentioned with John Jaso, left-handed bats against Foltynewicz have success and he’s been hitting higher in the order with Jung Ho Kang back from the DL. Would you believe me if I told you that Polanco is the second highest priced outfielder on DraftKings? Only Mike Trout has a higher price on the site so this play is more reasonable on FanDuel.

Other outfielders to consider: Matt Joyce (PIT vs. ATL), and Oswaldo Arcia (MIN vs. TOR).

Results from 5/18 targets:

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

For more help winning your fantasy baseball league check out Fake Pigskin’s 60 Feet 6 Inches podcast on iTunes and Stitcher

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