MLB DFS: Targets for 5/20

All 15 games are in play for tonight’s MLB DFS Targets. Even with all of these games, it looks like matchups and pricing will make it a little tough to put together a roster you love.

Pitchers

Jake Arrieta (CHC @ SF)

Moneyline: -188

Over/Under: 7

FanDuel: $12,200/DraftKings: $12,800

Arrieta is clearly the top target at the position, but is he for DFS? He will be hard to roster with his price and high-priced bats you may want. In his last start, Arrieta struck out 11 Pirates batters, which is a season high and the first time he’s reached double digit strikeouts. The Giants’ strikeout rate is the second best, but the Pirates are eighth best so a high number of strikeouts are possible.

Aaron Nola (PHI vs. ATL)

Moneyline: -178

Over/Under: 7

FanDuel: $9,000/DraftKings: $11,000

Nola is really priced up on DraftKings because of his matchup against the Braves.  For the season, he has reverse splits. If the Braves load up with left-handed hitters, it might not be a bad thing. Nola’s pitched seven innings in majority of his starts and is averaging 7.25 strikeouts per start while allowing just one walk in his last four starts.

Other pitchers to consider: Jose Quintana (CWS vs. KC), Gerrit Cole (PIT vs. COL), and Scott Kazmir (LAD @ SD).

Catchers

Brian McCann (NYY @ OAK)

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

McCann has been a decent hitter in games at the Oakland Coliseum, but it sure isn’t Yankee Stadium. He hasn’t faced Sonny Gray much, but with the platoon and Gray’s performance this season, McCann can take advantage of any mistakes he makes.

Jason Castro (HOU vs. TEX)

FanDuel: $3,100/DraftKings: $3,200

Castro had a great game last night, you can roster him for being in a better ball park than McCann for the (almost) same price. The Astros are going up against Colby Lewis, who allows for a lot of contact and is a fly ball pitcher. I think the Astros will be a popular stack tonight.

Other catchers to consider: Russell Martin (TOR @ MIN), and Evan Gattis (HOU vs. TEX).

First base

Mike Napoli (CLE @ BOS)

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

Napoli going back to Boston in his “revenge game” has me intrigued, and even more so because the Indians are facing his former teammate, Clay Buchholz. Narrative Street is fueling this target more than the statistics so Napoli would be a tournament play for me.

Lucas Duda (NYM vs. MIL)

FanDuel: $3,000/DraftKings: $4,100

Duda against Wily Peralta is a matchup I really like. Peralta leaves much to be desired and other left-handed bats on the Mets should have success here in this game, even though Citi Field is not a hitter’s park.

Other first basemen to consider: David Ortiz (BOS vs. CLE), Joey Votto (CIN vs. SEA), and Byung-ho Park (MIN vs. TOR).

Second base

Robinson Cano (SEA @ CIN)

FanDuel: $4,100/DraftKings: $5,400

Cano has been excellent this season, which is a nice turnaround from last year’s numbers. The Mariners are going into the Great American Ball Park which is a positive park shift for them, and a team you can stack, or play Cano as a stand alone in your lineup.

Brett Lawrie (CWS vs. KC)

FanDuel: $2,900/DraftKings: $3,600

Lawrie is an interesting option and probably not an obvious one at the position. The White Sox are facing Dillon Gee at home and he hasn’t been pitching deep into games.

Other second basemen to consider: Neil Walker (NYM vs. MIL), Ben Zobrist (CHC @ SF), and Jose Altuve (HOU vs. TEX).

Third base

Kris Bryant (CHC @ SF)

FanDuel: $4,400/DraftKings: $4,400 (outfield eligible)

With Jake Peavy on the mound, there is a possibility of runs being scored, even in this pitcher’s park. The bats for the Cubs have been quiet, but with Bryant being a pretty good hitter against right-handed pitchers, you can look to roster him if you have the salary to spend.

Shortstop

Francisco Lindor (CLE @ BOS)

FanDuel: $3,700/DraftKings: $4,100

With one the highest run total of the night at nine, Lindor and the Indians should be able to rack up fantasy points against Buchholz. If you don’t want to pay up for other shortstops, Lindor is a solid target at his price.

Brad Miller (TB @ DET)

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

Miller’s bat is coming around and the Rays as a team having been scoring more runs as of late. For some salary relief, you could roster Miller who has been productive while batting near the top of the order.

Other shortstops to consider: Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM vs. MIL).

Outfielders

Gregory Polanco (PIT vs. COL)

FanDuel: $3,900/DraftKings: $5,000

Polanco is expensive again on DraftKings but for good reason. If you can pay the price, you can ride his hot streak. It’s an easier salary to stomach on FanDuel, where you may want to pay up for pitching or other hitters.

Trayce Thompson (LAD @ SD)

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

I’m gravitating more towards Thompson over Enrique Hernandez against southpaws if I’m deciding between the two. We’ve already seen Thompson’s power upside and against opposing pitcher, Christian Friedrich, the probability of a home run is not unreasonable.

Adam Eaton (CWS vs. KC)

FanDuel: $4,100/DraftKings: $5,000

Eaton has been quietly having a great season and his price reflects that tonight in combination with the matchup against Gee. The White Sox are a stackable team tonight, with Gee not pitching out of the sixth inning in his starts this season. This could turn into a bullpen game and the Royals’ bullpen hasn’t been as solid as it once was.

Other outfielders to consider: Stephen Piscotty (STL vs. ARI), Mike Trout (LAA vs. BAL), and Jay Bruce (CIN vs. SEA).

Results from 5/19 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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