Wednesday brings split-slate MLB action, with the first game set locking at 1:05 p.m. ET, followed by a seven-game featured slate that begins at 7:07 p.m. ET on DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo. Before you build lineups, several Stokastic tools can help identify daily MLB DFS Top Stacks, key pitchers and MLB DFS picks. Let’s dig into the player projections and popularity for DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo lineups, including RHP Hunter Brown and the Arizona power bats.
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers and Top Stacks
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers
Main Slate Primary Pitching Target: RHP Hunter Brown vs. Minnesota Twins — 4.1 implied runs
First Pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $10,000 | FanDuel $10,500 | Yahoo $45
Over 10 starts for Houston this season, RHP Hunter Brown has put together some impressive outings. Overall, he is 5-1 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 57.2 innings. Minnesota is dealing with injuries to Jorge Polanco, Trevor Larnach and Nick Gordon. Additionally, Carlos Correa and Max Kepler have missed time as well. Alex Kirilloff and Royce Lewis have been promoted to The Show, but both are still finding their way against MLB pitching. In a fun twist, Joey Gallo is batting leadoff, but that also means his 36.8% strikeout rate should see at least five plate appearances, which is a bonus for pitchers.
Main Slate Secondary Pitching Target: LHP James Paxton vs. Cincinnati Reds — 4.7 implied runs
First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $8,500 | FanDuel $9,500 | Yahoo $32
Tonight there are a few intriguing SP2s, with RHP George Kirby just missing out being featured in this space to former Mariner LHP James Paxton. The Big Maple is currently healthy, though considering tonight will be his 141st career start, despite debuting all the way back in 2013, that is a tenuous status.
The 34-year-old is far from a spring chicken, and even though he has made only nine starts over the last four seasons, he is currently stretched out, with 87, 107 and 59 pitches in his three appearances. Though he was pulled after three innings and 59 pitches in his last start, that was due to the Angels getting to him early for five runs and not injury related. Cincinnati will be rolling out a righty-laden lineup; there are strikeouts available.
In addition to Kirby, RHP Alek Manoah has been struggling, but with his falling salary on DraftKings ($6,900) and Yahoo ($34), he is squarely in play against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. RHP Clarke Schmidt is in the mix as well and can be paired with Kirby for the late-slate contests where two starting pitchers are needed.
Early Slate Pitching Target: RHP Dane Dunning at Detroit Tigers — 4.2 implied runs
First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $7,500 | FanDuel $8,400 | Yahoo $38
This afternoon RHP Dane Dunning will be taking the mound in Detroit to face the Tigers. For those into narratives, he is being activated from the paternity list, so, of course, that should be worth some imaginary bonus points. All kidding aside, Dunning has had a solid season, spending April working out of the bullpen before joining the rotation in early May. Across four starts this month, Dunning has 22.2 innings, 15 strikeouts, no home runs allowed, a pristine 1.59 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Though the Tigers are seeing some offensive improvement, they are still the worst team in the league against right-handed pitching, and outfielder Riley Greene is now day-to-day after leaving Tuesday’s game early with a leg issue. The salary and matchup have Dunning grading out as the best SP2 on DraftKings and Yahoo, plus with a reasonable chance at a quality start, the 28-year-old is in play on FanDuel as well, which awards bonus points for that milestone.
For this slate, SP1s include RHP Mitch Keller and LHP Alex Wood squaring off in San Francisco, LHP Jared Shuster in Oakland against the Athletics and RHP Zach Eflin in Chicago taking on the Cubs.
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MLB DFS Picks: Top Stacks
Main Slate Target: Red Sox vs. RHP Luke Weaver — 6.0 implied runs
First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET
In five of his seven starts this season, RHP Luke Weaver has allowed at least four runs, along with 2.1 home runs per nine innings. While he does have nearly a strikeout per frame, that is the only good news for Cincinnati fans. Over the last three seasons, the nomadic pitcher has cobbled together 139.1 innings as a starter and a reliever for three different organizations. During this stretch he has a 5.17 ERA while allowing plenty of power.
Boston has been one of the best offenses in the league, even with Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez now on the West Coast. Rafael Devers and Justin Turner are both projecting as outstanding options in DFS and in the home run market. This duo boasts ISOs of .244 and .152, respectively, against righties over the last season and change. Though that is not overly exciting for Turner, the 37-year-old has a long track record of success against same-handed hurlers.
Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran and Tristan Casas can be used to round out full stacks. Enmanuel Valdez is the punt du jour on DraftKings ($3,000) and FanDuel ($2,700).
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Late Slate Target: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. RHP Dinelson Lamet — 4.5 implied runs
First Pitch: 9:40 p.m. ET
Tonight the Rockies will be rolling out the dregs of their bullpen, with RHP Dinelson Lamet slated to be the first pitcher on the bump. Lamet is a failed starter who has worked out of the bullpen for the last three seasons, with dreadful results. In his last three outings this year, he has allowed eight runs in 1.2 combined innings. Lefty Brent Suter has not pitched since Saturday, so he will be the lone rested southpaw, with the remaining pitchers likely to be right-handed.
The Diamondbacks have plenty of power, and this season they have a .178 ISO against right-handed hurlers. Corbin Carroll (.275 ISO), Pavin Smith (.178 ISO), Christian Walker (.217 ISO) and Ketel Marte (.165 ISO) are the core four to target in all formats tonight. Lourdes Gurriel and Josh Rojas are fine differentiation options. Outfielder Jake McCarthy is back from his Triple-A reset after regaining his confidence, and the speedster had four stolen bases in his last two games. He is a hidden gem on all slates, with his favorable salary on DraftKings ($3,000) and FanDuel ($2,600).
Early Slate Target: Texas Rangers at LHP Joey Wentz — 5.1 implied runs
First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. ET
All we need to know is that, on five different occasions this season, LHP Joey Wentz allowed at least five earned runs. Across 42.2 innings, he has ceded nine home runs and 16 total extra-base hits. Texas has one of the most high-powered offenses in the league, and we should be loading up on Rangers for the early slate today.
Outfielder Bubba Thompson is at the bottom of the order, but with his near-minimum salary across the DFS sites, he is a great way to cost-average down with Rangers stacks. The top seven are also in play, and the preferred order of preference — including salary, projection fantasy production and positional eligibility — is Adolis Garcia, Nate Low, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Marcus Semien, Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras.
Final Thoughts for Wednesday, May 31 | MLB DFS Picks
There is a potential for light showers in Chicago, though it does not appear that either venue will be dramatically impacted based on the current Windy City forecast.
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