MLB DFS Value Plays May 29: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Today’s MLB DFS coverage is for the 6-game main slate that starts at 1:05 pm ET, the same slate on both DraftKings and FanDeul. We do not have Coors Field on the slate, so you don’t have to worry about that when setting lineups. Starting pitching is headlined by Nathan Eovaldi and Sonny Gray, but it falls off quickly after that. We don’t have any mlb weather concerns today, which always makes for a more enjoyable experience. Henry is on the playbook today, make sure to give that a read, and don’t forget to check out the MLB Lineups page, Vegas Odds, and all of our MLB DFS Tools. Let’s dive into some of my favorite value options of the day and some we can fit into our cash and tournament lineups!
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Pitching on this slate is ROUGH, especially after the top guys. Finding a SP2 is not a fun game today.
J.P. France, Houston Astros (DraftKings: $7,600)
France has pitched very well thus far, scoring at least 18.3 dk points in three of his first four starts (the other outing being an abysmal -6.4 total). He carries a 3.43 ERA into this game, but his strikeout rate leaves something to be desired as he has 18 Ks across 21 innings. The Twins are a fine matchup though, and France could pitch well once again.
Mike Mayers, Kansas City Royals (DraftKings: $5,400)
Mayers is supposed to be the primary pitcher today for the Royals and he has pitched well thus far. He has a 2.46 ERA and 11 Ks across through 7.1 innings. He scored 20.3 dk points his last time out by holding the Tigers to one run across 4.2 innings of work while striking out 8. He is extremely cheap, but has a tough matchup. I would consider this more of a dart throw and hope for the best, if trying to get some big bats in your lineup to pair with someone like Eovaldi.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Edouard Julien, 2B, Minnesota Twins (DraftKings: $2,900 / FanDuel: $2,500)
I wrote up Julien yesterday in here and he disappointed, but this slate is very limited on options. I really don’t actually love Julien today all that much, but he’s one of the best options below 3K today. He has flashed enough power thus far with four home runs in 16 games and he has 16 total R/RBI in that span.
Royce Lewis, SS, Minnesota Twins (DraftKings: $2,000 / FanDuel: $2,000)
I know, I know, a second Twins bat after I just recommended France as a pitching option against them. Again, this slate is very limited in options, and Lewis will be a very chalk play today in my opinion at the minimum price tag. He is set to make his season debut and is one the top prospects in the game. He looked great with the Twins last year, hitting .300 with two bombs in 12 games of action. He has looked strong in his rehab assignment this season too, hitting .333 with four bombs and four steals in 10 games.
Drew Waters, OF, Kansas City Royals (DraftKings: $2,400 / FanDuel: $2,000)
Another player I wrote up in here yesterday, but he got the day off. I still like him for the same reasons today at this price and in this matchup. I think he provides a little pop and a little speed, making him kind of a dynamic player for someone so cheap. He faces Adam Wainwright, who has been very bad this season thus far with a 6.33 ERA and 1.59 WHIP through four starts.
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Player News
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that Zach Eflin (lat) is likely to return and start Sunday against the Angels
It was assumed that Eflin would be back this weekend, but now we have a concrete date. The 31-year-old may not be at full strength after throwing fewer than 60 pitches in his rehab start, but the Orioles feel confident enough to have the right-hander back on the bump for the series finale against the Angels.
Riley Greene is not in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Thursday.
Greene will get a break and likely return to the lineup for the second game of the twin-billing. Zach McKinstry will get the start in left field while Greene rests.
Yu Darvish (elbow) is facing live hitters on Thursday.
Darvish has been throwing bullpen sessions and traveled to the team’s complex in Arizona to face live hitters on Thursday. It will be his first time facing live batters since a spring training appearance on March 13th. He will likely need a few sessions like this before the Padres can map out a rehab appearance timeline for him.
Adael Amador is starting at second base and batting ninth for the Rockies on Thursday.
Amador has now started three of the last four games at second base for the Rockies. He’s gone just 7-for-43 this season with 15 strikeouts in 16 games. He’s just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to adjust to the MLB level, but he doesn’t need to be on redraft radars right now.
Jackson Holliday is playing second base and batting second for the Orioles on Thursday against the Twins.
With Cedric Mullins sitting out on Thursday, Gunnar Henderson will bat lead off, and Holliday will jump up from sixth in the order to second. Holliday is riding a hot streak right now, and the Orioles are taking advantage. This is likely just a one-game sample with no Mullins or Adley Rutschman in the lineup, but Rutschman has been struggling, so perhaps it could become a more permanent spot in the lineup for Holliday moving forward.
Endy Rodriguez (finger) had his splint removed this week.
Rodriguez suffered a lacerated right index finger on April 14th. Now that he is out of his splint, he “is playing catch and doing a slightly modified swing.” Once he can progress to taking full swings, we’ll have a better sense of the timeline for his return.