Merrill Kelly Chalkboard Fantasy MLB Picks Today, 5/24
Who doesn’t love a 16-game MLB slate here on a Saturday. We certainly do. Why? Because that means we have plenty of chances to build that Chalkboard Fantasy bankroll with our MLB DFS pick’em picks!
With the Orioles and Red Sox trying again to get that doubleheader in, we get an extra game to play around with. We also have some hitting havens available as there are games in Great American, Coors Field and also Sutter Health Park. Runs galore. We do also have some strong pitching option out there so we’ll also explore strikeouts and earned runs. Let’s dive in and see which MLB pick ‘em options are best for today.
Chalkboard Fantasy Picks for Saturday, May 24: MLB DFS Projections
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Merrill Kelly Chalkboard Fantasy MLB Pick: More Than 1.5 Strikeouts (1.10x)
ANCHOR PICK – You have to love the extra push Chalkboard gives us with these anchor picks. The multipliers are obviously low, but if you’re just looking to build your bankroll, this is a great way to start. The righthanded Kelly is facing the Cardinals who hit righties well and are only striking out 18.5-percent of the time, but Kelly has thrown at least two strikeouts in every start since April 3. Doesn’t matter how else he fares against St. Louis, we just want two strikeouts. Should be easy to land.
Paul Goldschmidt Chalkboard Fantasy MLB Pick: More Than 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBI (1.59x)
Time to attack Coors Field and we’ll do it with Goldschmidt who is facing lefthander Kyle Freeland in a match-up the Yankees should dominate. While Goldy is batting just .258 (8-for-31) in his career against Freeland, the resurgent season has us locking him in for today’s action. He’s absolutely mashing with a .657 wOBA against lefties this season which matches up beautifully with the .376 wOBA Freeland is allowing to righthanded batters. Should be a solid pick and one that helps us build the bankroll.
Total Multiplier: 1.75x
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Player News
Braves designated RHP Jesse Chavez for assignment.
The Braves needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the addition of Dane Dunning on Thursday, and with Chavez getting the boot it’s possible that Dunning could report directly to the big league club. Chavez, 41, has posted a 9.00 ERA, 2.38 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio across eight innings for the Braves this season. It’s possible they could once again bring him back on a minor league deal if he passed through waivers unclaimed.
Rangers acquired RHP José Ruiz and cash considerations from the Braves for RHP Dane Dunning.
The 30-year-old hurler had fallen out of favor with the Braves after posting an unsightly 8.82 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio across 16 1/3 frames in 18 appearances out of the team’s bullpen. He’s got a live arm though and could benefit from a change of scenery. He’ll report to Triple-A Round Rock to begin his Rangers’ career.
Braves acquired RHP Dane Dunning from the Rangers for RHP José Ruiz and cash considerations.
Dunning had been optioned back to Triple-A Round Rock by the Rangers just before the All-Star break while Ruiz had been removed from the Braves’ 40-man roster in late June, so this is a swap of two intriguing arms who could benefit from a change of scenery. Given the Braves’ list of injured starting pitchers, it shouldn’t take Dunning long to get a real look there, making him a potentially intriguing option in deeper mixed leagues.
Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo confirmed Thursday evening that Brandon Pfaadt will start Friday’s second half opener against the Cardinals.
He’ll be followed in the Diamondbacks’ rotation by Ryne Nelson and Merrill Kelly. Zac Gallen will then start Monday’s series opener against the Astros with Eduardo Rodriguez pitching in the second game. Pfaadt finished an inconsistent first half with a 9-6 record, 5.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and an 84/23 K/BB ratio over 99 1/3 innings in 19 starts.
Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo said Thursday that Eugenio Suárez (hand) is fine and expected to play in Friday’s second half opener against the Cardinals.
The 33-year-old slugger was drilled in the left hand by a pitch from Shane Smith during the eighth inning of Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, but fortunately he was able to avoid any fractures and simply came away with a contusion. Look for Suárez to be in the Diamondbacks’ lineup when the season resumes on Friday evening.
Diamondbacks’ skipper Torey Lovullo told reporters on Thursday that right-hander Shelby Miller has begun a throwing program.
That’s definitely encouraging to hear, as the last update the D’Backs’ manager gave to reporters was that Miller was heading to see Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion. He’s not out of the woods just yet, but it sounds like the team is optimistic that the 34-year-old hurler could make it back to help out their bullpen at some point in the coming weeks.