.png)
The DFS Playbook PRO is finally here!! It has been years in the making but we’ve finally built the most robust, convenient and winning daily fantasy sports tool ever. The DFS Playbook PRO for MLB features specialized hitting & pitching coaches, optimal daily lineups, daily fantasy baseball rankings, daily projections, access to our brand new Stats City tool, a live DFS scoreboard to track your players and SO MUCH MORE!! If you want to win at daily fantasy baseball isn’t it about time that you GO PRO?
BONUS: If you create a new account with our boys at Fantasy Aces, you will receive two MONTHS FREE of the DFS Playbook PRO! Just follow the link and the directions to redeem the free two month offer!!
As I explain in the daily fantasy baseball rankings today, I am as excited about today as I have been about any slate in DFS this season. I am always confident in the numbers we generate with the Playbook, but today we have a tremendous blend of super hot players with tremendously valuable value plays. This combination doesn't happen very often and there is no guarantee it all goes according to plan, but its definitely something to be motivated by tonight.
The key to it all is getting these mid-line pitchers to support the bats this evening. I am going to roll out Matt Harvey in most of my cash games as he should have success against the awful Phillies lineup. The reasoning behind Gio Gonzalez is that he strikes out over a batter per inning, is at home, is a heavy favorite and the Nationals lineup matches up very well against Braves starter Eric Stults. Jimmy Nelson is a risky play for sure but his price is low and the Cubs have been extrodinarily lucky with their balls put in play (.329) this season. Nelson's indicators are much better than his record (1-2) & ERA (4.03) suggest. I am throwing in Aaron Sanchez as the fifth option tonight as mostly a tournament play. I never include five starters but Sanchez is in a situation where his price is crazy low and my stack of the night is the Blue Jays against Wade Freaking Miley (actual name).
As always, I'll be adding some value plays throughout the day and keep a watch over the lineups as they come out.
Here is the DFS MLB Playbook for Friday May 8th:
| PLAYER | POS | TEAM | OPP | ACES | FANDUEL | DRAFTKINGS | BREAKDOWN |
| Matt Harvey | SP | NYM | PHI | 7,950 | 10,600 | 11,000 | Phils have low BB% & high K% |
| Gio Gonzalez | SP | WSH | ATL | 6,750 | 8,900 | 9,500 | More indictment of Stults Vs Nats lineup |
| Jimmy Nelson | SP | MIL | CHI | 6,250 | 6,700 | 6,200 | Cubs good luck meets Nelson's bad |
| David Price | SP | DET | KC | 7,500 | 10,900 | 10,400 | Great option but KC is tough matchup |
| Aaron Sanchez | SP | TOR | BOS | 4,850 | 6,400 | 5,800 | Extreme value, Jays will kill Miley tonight |
| Yasmani Grandal | C | LA | COL | 4,750 | 3,200 | 4,100 | 12-17 (.706) 3HR, 10 RBI in last 5 games |
| Russell Martin | C | TOR | BOS | 5,250 | 3,900 | 4,800 | .723 wOBA & 4 HR over last 6 games |
| Wilson Ramos | C | WSH | ATL | 4,600 | 2,800 | 4,100 | .497 wOBA in last 5 & better Vs LHP |
| Anthony Rizzo | 1B | CHI | MIL | 5,750 | 4,600 | 5,300 | .391/.462/.957 3 HR in last 26 PA |
| Edwin Encarnacion | 1B | TOR | BOS | 5,200 | 3,700 | 4,900 | Discounted price in sweet matchup |
| Kennys Vargas | 1B | MIN | CLE | 4,350 | 2,600 | 3,900 | Hitting .412 in last 4 games, value |
| Robinson Cano | 2B | SEA | OAK | 5,100 | 3,400 | 4,100 | Discounted price & starting to get hot |
| Aaron Hill | 3B | ARI | SD | 4,400 | 2,900 | 3,600 | 10-35 (.286) 3 HR Vs Shields |
| Dee Gordon | 2B | MIA | SF | 5,650 | 3,800 | 4,500 | The guy is hitting .437 on the SEASON! |
| Josh Donaldson | 3B | TOR | BOS | 5,650 | 3,600 | 4,400 | .293/.375/.576 career Vs LHP |
| Yasmany Tomas | 3B | ARI | SD | 3,650 | 3,000 | 4,000 | 6-11 (.545) 4 R 3 RBI in last 2 games |
| Trevor Plouffe | 3B | MIN | CLE | 4,750 | 2,900 | 4,100 | .364/.462/.636 in last 7 games |
| Ian Desmond | SS | WSH | ATL | 4,550 | 3,000 | 4,200 | Deflated $, great power & speed combo |
| Andrelton Simmons | SS | ATL | WSH | 4,750 | 3,000 | 4,000 | 6-18 2HR Vs Gio; .594 wOBA in last 6 gms |
| Jhonny Peralta | SS | STL | PIT | 4,950 | 2,800 | 3,600 | 15-46 (.326) 2 HR Vs Liriano |
| Brad Miller | SS | SEA | OAK | 4,050 | 2,200 | 3,200 | VALUE PLAY, hitting 2nd tonight |
| Michael Brantley | OF | CLE | MIN | 5,350 | 4,200 | 5,500 | .435/.556/.826 w/ 0 K's in last 7 games |
| Juan Lagares | OF | NYM | PHI | 4,500 | 2,300 | 3,300 | 11-25 (.440) Vs Hamels |
| Jacoby Ellsbury | OF | NYY | BAL | 5,250 | 4,400 | 5,200 | .445 wOBA in last 6 games |
| Preston Tucker | OF | HOU | LAA | N/A | 3,000 | 2,000 | .320/.378/.650 10 HR & 32 RBI in minors |
| Jose Bautista | OF | TOR | BOS | 5,500 | 4,800 | 4,900 | Blue Jays going to roll on Wade Miley |
| Anthony Gose | OF | DET | KC | 4,500 | 3,100 | 3,100 | Value, hits leadoff Vs RHP |
| Carlos Peguero | OF | TEX | TB | 3,350 | 2,900 | 3,000 | .621 wOBA & 3 HR in last 6 games |
| Jayson Werth | OF | WSH | ATL | 4,550 | 2,900 | 4,400 | Crushes LHP |
Player News
Rangers signed RHP Cory Abbott to a minor league contract.
Abbott had a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings for los Tecos de los Dos Laredos in the Mexican Independent League, striking out 15 batters and walking eight in an extremely hitter-friendly environment. He’s the third player signed out of the Mexican Independent League this week, with the Rangers also signing Robert Dugger and the Dodgers signing Nick Senzel. Abbott figures to join the starting rotation for Triple-A Round Rock.
Yordan Alvarez (hand) was diagnosed with a muscle strain on the top of his right hand.
The injury was previously reported as “inflammation,” but now we know that the inflammation is the result of a strain. Astros manager Joe Espada said the diagnosis was “good news,” and the team still hopes Alvarez will have a minimum stint on the IL, but he’ll obviously need to wait for the strained muscle or tendon to heal, which might take more than a week depending on the severity of the strain.
Royals signed RHP Stephen Nogosek to a minor league contract.
The 30-year-old last appeared in an MLB game for the Mets back in 2023. He was in the Nationals organization last season, but was released in May after posting a 9.77 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. He has a 5.02 career ERA in 57 1/3 MLB innings and figures to serve as organizational depth for the Royals’ bullpen.
Nick Senzel is playing third base and batting fifth for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old was signed out of the Mexican Independent League after hitting .591/.654/1.136 in 26 plate appearances with three home runs and 10 RBI. He’ll likely serve as a utility player in Triple-A and be a fallback option for the Dodgers at multiple spots in the field.
Christian Koss is starting at second base and batting ninth for the Giants on Wednesday against the Cubs.
After Koss was on the bench on Tuesday, he’ll be right back in the lineup on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has gone 7-for-37 so far this season with 11 strikeouts and is not an option in fantasy leagues.
Brice Turang is not in the starting lineup for the Brewers on Wednesday against the Astros.
The Brewers are facing left-hander Framber Valdez, so they are opting to go with a more right-handed-heavy lineup with Vinny Capra at third base and Caleb Durbin shifting to second base. However, Turang had started against a left-hander on Sunday, and the Brewers had Turang on the bench on Monday, so he has now sat out two of the last three games. It’s likely nothing to worry about, but is just interesting to note.