Welcome to the MLB DFS Playbook for May 23! We’ve got quite the cross-section of players tonight, so whether you are playing cash games or GPP tournaments, there are a number of different angles to take. The main slate is loaded up with some really nice pitching, but with Coors Field on the slate, we’re going to have to find our value picks for today in more than just paying down at catcher. So let’s get to it, and, as always, let me remind you, as you move through today’s DFS Playbook, be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, take in the daily MLB projections, follow the MLB DFS Ownership projections and maybe even take our MLB DFS Lineup Generator for a spin. With so much knowledge at your fingertips, it’s going to be tough to not see green no matter if you’re playing cash games or GPP tournaments. 

MLB DFS Playbook: May 23

MLB Weather Updates

No weather concerns

DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts

A slate with Coors Field in play always makes it tough to navigate. We are going to want to get some exposure, but we definitely don’t want to overdo it, especially with very few value plays on the mound. In fact, I am probably going to be spending some decent money on starters which means, not only do I have to find proper value bats, but I am going to have to seek out some cheaper Marlins and Rockies to get that Coors exposure. I am not in love with what we are looking at for second and third base options so we may have to spend up there to feel good about it. But let’s start with the pitching.

 

 

Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers

Top Options for Strikeouts

Best Odds for a Win

Bullpens Most Likely to Blow Your Starters’ Win & Boost Your Stacks

Side Note: Most overused bullpens in the last week are the Dodgers (34.1 IP), Rays (32.1), Giants (30.2) and Royals (27.2)

Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves

While there is some risk that comes with paying up for Strider, if I’m throwing around this kind of money at pitching, it’s going to be for him, just slightly over Cole. The Dodgers have been swinging the bats well recently and have solid numbers against right-handers, but matching up their 22.7-percent strikeout rate against Strider’s 21-percent swinging-strike rate allows me to lean towards the pitching side of this match-up. 

Sonny Gray, Minnesota Twins

If you don’t want to pay the premium for Strider or Cole – and I don’t blame you at all for it – then Gray against the Giants is where I would live. In fact, as I build my lineups, I am more likely to have Gray as my pay-up than I am Strider. The Giants may have won six of their last seven games and have a .332 road wOBA, but they also strike out a ton. They have a 26.2-percent K-rate on the road this season and over their last seven days, they not only have a weak .274 wOBA, but it comes with a 26.6-percent strikeout rate and a 0.82 ISO. 

Eduardo Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers

The Kansas City Royals offense has been a hot mess all year and while they’ve hit lefties reasonably well, they are 2-8 over their last 10 and are sitting on a .247 wOBA with a 27.3-percent K-rate. It’s probably the lowest I’ll pay for a starter tonight as the cheaper pitchers are a lot more worrisome. Rodriguez should rebound nicely from his last start and continue this breakout performance we are witnessing.

 

 

Recommended DFS Hitters

Highest Expected Run Totals 

Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups

Eric Haase, C Detroit Tigers

I’d like to be a little thrifty with my catcher so I’m happy to use either Detroit backstop against lefty Daniel Lynch. Rogers actually hits lefties better, but Haase is stronger defensively, calls a better game and should be able to produce at a high level. Be sure to check out our MLB Lineups page before finalizing your lineup. UPDATED: Getting word now that righty Mike Mayers has been called up instead of Daniel Lynch, so I'm likely out on the Tigers now, except for Haase

Anthony Rizzo, 1B New York Yankees

Full disclosure, I am eyeballing Spencer Torkelson in GPP tournaments for a potential Detroit mini-stack but I certainly feel confident in Rizzo against righty Kyle Bradish and will probably lock him into most, if not all of my cash game lineups. He’s crushing lefties with a .405 average, but with 10 of his 11 home runs coming against righties, I’m expecting him to do some damage tonight.

Eugenio Suarez, 3B Seattle Mariners

Third base is a tough position tonight as I am not enamored with too many options. You can spend up for Rafael Devers, but I’m looking for more mid-tier pricing with some power upside, especially for my GPP lineups. That certainly points toward Suarez against Luis Medina who is allowing right-handed hitters to post a .389 wOBA. Not to mention four of the five homers he’s allowed have come from right-handed bats.

Jon Berti, SS Miami Marlins

We’d like to get some Coors Field exposure tonight and using Berti can help us without having to spend an arm and a leg. He’s sitting on an .891 OPS with a .390 wOBA against southpaws this season and should be in the leadoff spot tonight against Austin Gomber.

Esteury Ruiz, OF Oakland Athletics

It’s bad enough I’m looking at multiple Tigers but now I’m throwing in a player from Oakland? Yeesh! But Ruiz has a .866 OPS and .382 wOBA against lefthanded pitching this year and should also be in the leadoff spot tonight against the always hittable Marco Gonzales.

Jorge Soler, OF Miami Marlins

He’s on the cover in that silly hat for a reason. Soler has a mammoth .646 wOBA against lefties this season and that comes with an even more impressive 1.638 OPS against them. He’s going yard at least once and if anyone has double-dong potential tonight, it’s Soler in Colorado.

Jarren Duran, OF Boston Red Sox

He was heating up for a bit but recently went cold with no hits on his last three games. But I love these Red Sox bats tonight against Griffin Canning and there are a few places you can get a nice mini-stack in. Depending on how the lineup is presented tonight, Duran and his .409 wOBA against righties, can stack with Devers or you could even go for a Alex Verdugo/Masataka Yoshida min-stack atop the order as well. Lets see how the lineup looks when it comes in.

 

MLB DFS Livestream May 23

Come check out Jonathan Impemba and James Grande @ 5 pm ET as they break down the MLB DFS main slate on the Bettor Sports Network!

Player Pool

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Stacks

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