MLB DFS Playbook May 20: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel
Published: May 20, 2023
We got some afternoon baseball here on a Saturday with nine…err…eight games on today's slate! We've had the Guardians vs Mets game already postponed and while there is weather on the east coast, this was the only game we had any concerns about. The rest of the slate is jam packed with top tier matchups for us to target including a juicy stack over in Cincinnati that we will be looking to build around today. Be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, with the daily MLB projections, MLB DFS rostership projections, and our MLB DFS Lineup Generator when building those lineups today to help you decide which players you should be targeting!
MLB DFS Playbook: May 20
MLB Weather Updates
Guardians vs Mets have been PPD for today's slate.
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
We love these lefty pitchers on the mound today given the number of teams we love stacking against southpaws. On the flip side we also have a few teams that can't hit lefties that draw the same matchup. Stacks are the name of the game when it comes to DFS lineup construction and while the top tier teams are expensive there is enough value on today's board to get the lineups we want to build around.
Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers
Top Options for Strikeouts
Best Odds for a Win
- Hunter Brown vs Oakland Atheltics
- Logan Webb vs Miami Marlins
- Jon Gray vs Colorado Rockies
- Zach Eflin vs Milwaukee Brewers
- See More
Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups
Hunter Brown, Houston Astros
I mean, if I was ever proven wrong last night about Brandon Bielak last night how can we not go to a pitcher who is actually good in Hunter Brown today in the same matchup? Brown has a solid 25.1% strikeout rate on the season and the A's just can't hit right-handed pitching, boasting the highest strikeout rate at 26.0% while ranking 25th in wOBA and 27th in slugging percentage.
Jon Gray, Texas Rangers
Another offense that struggles against right-handed pitching, especially when on the road is the Colorado Rockies. On the season, on the road, the Rockies rank 24th in wOBA and 25th in slugging percentage with a 23.8% strikeout rate. Gray's strikeout numbers are at a career low, and that is certainly a bit concerning, but he has 13 strikeout over his last 15 innings so if we can get something close to that ratio tonight then he has some great upside in this spot.
Patrick Corbin, Washington Nationals
Yes, I know. I know, ok? We've spent a lot of time here crapping on Patrick Corbin and for a good reason, the man has been absolutely abysmal for the last couple of seasons BUT if you don't adapt to change then you get left behind and on a slate where there is minimal pitching value we sometimes have to do things we didn't think we would ever end up doing and today that thing is suggesting that MAYBE Patrick Corbin could be in play today. Against left-handed pitching this season the Tigers rank 25th in wOBA, 21st in ISO, 23rd in slugging and 24th in batting average with the sixth highest strikeout percentage.
Patrick Corbin has thrown a quality start in five of his last six games. The issue is the win equity and the inconsistent strikeout totals. He had just 10 fantasy points in his last outing which he got the win and allowed only two runs over six innings because he had one strikeout. The start before he also had 10 fantasy points with nearly an identical stat line but didn't get the win. If he gets a win today with another quality start and 3-4 strikeouts we could be looking at 15-17 fantasy points which is more than enough at his price tag.
Recommended DFS Hitters
Highest Expected Run Totals
- New York Yankees vs Luke Weaver
- Tampa Bay Rays vs Eric Lauer
- Houston Astros vs JP Sears
- Pittsburgh Pirates vs Brandon Pfaadt
- Cincinnati Reds vs Jhony Brito
- See More
Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups
Anthony Rizzo, 1B New York Yankees
Rizzo is on fire right now, hitting .325 with an OPS of 1.061 over the last 10 games. He homered yesterday and the Yankees have one of the highest implied team run totals on the board today. We love this stack, and while expensive, you can make it work today given the other value.
Isaac Paredes, 3B Tampa Bay Rays
If not stacking the Yankees today you should be looking to play the Rays against Eric Lauer. Righties are absolutely smashing Lauer this season and Paredes is licking his chops seeing a lefty on the mound. Against southpaws this season Paredes is hitting .344 with a .500 slugging percentage and an OPS of .917.
Jack Suwinski, OF Pittsburgh Pirates
I don't mind being contrarian today and stacking the Pirates but if you want my one-off home run call of the day then I am rolling with Suwinski who is a big time power hitter that hits only right-handed pitching. On the season Suwinski owns a .565 slugging percentage and an OPS of .949 against right-handed pitching with all seven of his homers coming off righties. His matchup today is rookie Brandon Pfaadt who is allowing lefties to hit .345 with a .759 slugging percentage and a .497 wOBA.
Player Pool
$ Tier | {{pos.alias}} |
---|---|
{{tier.name}} | {{ pos[i-1].player.team.name }} {{ pos[i-1].player.name }} {{getValue(system,pos[i-1].player) | money}} {{pos[i-1].player.name}} {{getValue(system,pos[i-1].player) | money}} |
Stacks
{{stack.team.name}} | {{player.name}} |
DraftKings | {{player.fantasy.price.value[8]}}- |
Fanduel | {{player.fantasy.price.value[6]}}- |