Today’s huge MLB DFS main slate offers several value options, and here we’ll evaluate each game and spotlight the players to target for daily fantasy lineups. Let’s dive into some of the prospective MLB DFS value picks.
MLB DFS Value and Advice | May 5
Boston Red Sox (Chris Sale) at Philadelphia Phillies (Zack Wheeler)
Two pitchers stand out in this game as potential options. Zack Wheeler has been excellent this season, striking out 29.3% of hitters and posting a 2.54 FIP. Meanwhile, Chris Sale has had some issues with allowing home runs but has still managed to strike out 26.1% of hitters and comes at an affordable price of $7,500 on DraftKings.
Minnesota Twins (Bailey Ober) at Cleveland Guardians (Peyton Battenfield)
This game doesn’t offer a lot of excitement, but the Twins stack could be an interesting play. They’re ranked sixth in the Top Stacks Tool with a 6.3% chance of being the top stack and just 5.7% aggregate ownership.
Colorado Rockies (Antonio Senzatela) at New York Mets (Kodai Senga)
Despite struggling this season, rookie Kodai Senga offers GPP potential at just 9.5% projected ownership and a 19.4% chance of being a top-2 pitcher, according to the Top Pitchers Tool. His 27.4% strikeout percentage and favorable matchup against the Rockies outside of Coors Field make him worth considering. The Mets are also fifth in Top Stacks percentage.
Baltimore Orioles (Dean Kremer) at Atlanta Braves (Max Fried)
This game is all about the Braves. Max Fried is one of the top pitching options on the slate, and the Braves are one of the best stacks. Dean Kremer has allowed a .304 xISO to lefties and a .228 xISO to righties this season.
Oakland Athletics (Kyle Muller) at Kansas City Royals (Brad Keller)
Despite being ranked fourth and first in Top Stack percentage, respectively, Oakland and Kansas City aren’t offering the strongest pitching options in Kyle Muller and Brad Keller. However, both teams offer value options that allow for paying up to get pitching or a strong secondary stack.
Detroit Tigers (Matt Boyd) at St. Louis Cardinals (Jordan Montgomery)
Jordan Montgomery is a good pitcher with a favorable matchup, making him a good option for lineups. He pitches to contact more than one would like in MLB DFS, but he still has a reasonable 21.3% strikeout rate. Boyd has allowed a .186 xISO to right-handed hitters this season.
Texas Rangers (Dane Dunning) at Los Angeles Angels (Tyler Anderson)
Tyler Anderson is an affordable SP2 value option at just $6,000 on DraftKings. The Angels bats are also appealing, with a 5.1 implied run total against Dane Dunning. While Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are always priorities, Zach Neto offers value at the top of the lineup, and Anthony Rendon, Hunter Renfroe, Brandon Drury and Taylor Ward have power following Trout and Ohtani.
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Los Angeles Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw) at San Diego Padres (Yu Darvish)
This game features two good pitchers in tough matchups. Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish each have about 6% projected ownership, while Dodgers stacks are only getting 3% ownership and Padres stacks are at 1%. There is a lot of talent in this game, and none of it is going to be popular.
Washington Nationals (Josiah Gray) at Arizona Diamondbacks (Merrill Kelly)
Merrill Kelly is a viable SP2 option at $6,800 against a weak Washington lineup. Gray has a more dangerous matchup against the Diamondbacks. He has done a better job of limiting power this season, allowing just a .121 xISO to lefties compared to .270 last season. This is a tough test for him, though, as Arizona will likely have three quality lefties at the top of the lineup in Joshua Rojas, Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll.
Houston Astros (Christian Javier) at Seattle Mariners (Luis Castillo)
These are two good pitchers with less-than-ideal matchups in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. Luis Castillo is projected to be the most popular spend-up option tonight on DraftKings, with 24.4% projected ownership and a 16.1% chance of being a top-2 scoring pitcher. Cristian Javier is only pulling 11% ownership despite having a 14% chance of being a top-2 pitcher.
Milwaukee Brewers (Corbin Burnes) at San Francisco Giants (Sean Manaea)
Sean Manaea is the most popular value pitcher, as he is projected for 24% ownership at $5,600 on DraftKings. He has had home run issues this season, but the ballpark helps to mitigate that. He has a healthy 25.4% strikeout percentage. Corbin Burnes has an 11% chance of being a top-2 scoring pitcher at about 17% ownership.
