Welcome to the MLB DFS Playbook for May 9! The 10-game main slate features some great starting pitching like Shohei Ohtani, George Kirby and Logan Webb, but we also have a number of struggling hurlers, so finding the right mix of hitters is going to be paramount to, not just your success, but staying within a reasonable budget. DFS value plays will be important today and we also have the check the MLB weather report as we do have some rain in the forecast which could cut the numbers of games from which to choose. 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 9

MLB Weather Updates

CHW/KC – There is a storm in the area that could move in closer and drop some rain throughout the game. We’ll have to check in closer to game-time but delays are possible, as is a potential postponement.

SD/MIN – Not a lot of rain, but enough early which could cause some delays to start and/or shorten the outings of both starting pitchers

DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts

It feels like a more balanced approach to building your lineup is what is needed today. Hitting the pitchers is typically the key, especially on DraftKings, because we have a couple of good high-priced options but will need to dig deep for our second starter if we are going to want some of the more expensive bats out there. Also, keep in mind, based on the match-ups, the middle infield positions don’t really have an abundance of quality options, so you may want to start there and see how things open up for you at the other positions.

Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers

Top Options for Strikeouts

Best Odds for a Win

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

Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

He’s the most expensive pitcher on the slate and for good reason as Ohtani is not only a major talent, but also someone who I will use no matter what the match-up. While most fear the Houston Astros, we will focus on their shortcomings such as the sixth-worst wOBA against righthanded pitching (.291), their lack of true power, as evidenced by a .116 ISO, a 24-percent strikeout rate and the fact that they’ve averaged just three runs per game over their last six. 

Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants

Against righties, the Nationals don’t strike out much (<20-percent vs RHP), but they also don’t hit them very well which puts Webb near the top of our list of pitchers we’d pay up for tonight. They have a .288 wOBA with a .096 ISO against them and with Patrick Corbin on the mound, Webb is also a nice favorite for a win. 

Andrew Heaney, Texas Rangers

While I may not be the biggest Heaney fan out there, this match-up against the Mariners, even opposite George Kirby, is a favorable one for those who need a pay-down at pitcher, but don’t want to invest in the bottom of the barrel. Seattle ranks dead-last in wOBA (.272) and wRC+ (74) against southpaws and they are fanning at a 27.7-percent clip. Securing the win could be tough for GPP tournaments, but we should get enough strikeouts to help make up for it. If playing on FanDuel, we should be in line for a quality start as well.

 

  

Recommended DFS Hitters

Highest Expected Run Totals 

Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups

Anthony Rizzo, 1B New York Yankees

Rizzo comes in at a fantastic price today and makes for a very strong option at first base which should help keep a balanced lineup and allow you to pay up further at other positions. His .358 wOBA should give him the upper-hand against a tomato can like Drew Rucinski and once the Yankees chase him from the game, Rizzo gets that weak Oakland bullpen.

Luis Arraez, 2B Miami Marlins

Bating .414 on the season puts Arraez in line with winning another batting title, but we also like his current 11-game hit streak he puts on the line against Arizona rookie Brandon Pfaadt. Arraez is crushing righthanded pitching to the tune of a .447 wOBA and 1.042 OPS. Any scoring done by the Marlins today, Arraez should be right in the middle of it.

Willy Adames, SS Milwaukee Brewers

The shortstop position doesn’t look great today, which means we may just have to pay up for Adames and build him into a Brewers stack. He’s hitting righthanded pitching very well this season, but more importantly, Noah Syndergaard is struggling big-time. He’s allowed 10 earned runs over his last two starts (9.1 innings) and has given up five home runs over his last five starts.

Lars Nootbaar, OF St. Louis Cardinals

Nootbaar is seeing the ball extremely well right now and his price tag is certainly going to help in our lineup construction. He may not have gotten a hit yesterday, but he walked twice and stole a base as a follow-up to his four-game hit streak that resulted in 10 hits with three RBI and another steal.

Sam Hilliard, OF Atlanta Braves

Depending on how the Braves set their lineup today, Hilliard could be a fantastic pay-down and the reason you can get a Braves stack working, albeit the wrap-around stack. The lefty-swinging Hilliard and his .358 wOBA against righties (.826 OPS) will face Nick Pivetta who has been getting creamed by lefty hitters al season. Obviously, we’d like to see him hit higher in the order, but his usual spot batting ninth should help us on the overall roster construction.

 

 

 

Player Pool

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Stacks

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