The Monday, May 6 DraftKings fantasy baseball slate features six games. Get a head start on the competition by checking out the best MLB DFS stud and value picks for each position.
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PITCHER
Stud
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners at Minnesota Twins ($9,600) — Every box is checked. Castillo is striking out 28.7% of hitters while walking 4.7%. Those numbers factor in a slow start to the season. In the last four games, he’s scored 23.3, 35.35, 21.9 and 31.35 DKFP. Minnesota has a 24.6% K-Rate and below-average wOBA and ISO vs. RHP. His salary might be a little too low for Monday’s six-game slate.
Value
Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals vs. Milwaukee Brewers ($8,800) — This isn’t a “value” pick. Ragan’s isn’t cheap, but cheap is not an option on Monday. There are two elite pitching options. They need to be in every lineup. The cheap options simply cannot be recommended. Any write-up would require statistical manipulation. The honest recommendation is to play Ragans in an excellent matchup. The Brewers struggle with left-handed pitching — 85 wRC+, .289 wOBA, .128 ISO and 25.5% K-Rate. That’s average lefties. Ragans is a stud — 28.9% K-Rate and 3.15 xFIP. Also, this game is at Kaufman Stadium (pitcher’s park).
INFIELD
Stud
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins ($6,500) — At first glance, it might seem impossible to fit Ohtani and expensive pitchers in the same lineup. The cheap Oakland bats (see below) make it easy. Ohtani is hot. He’s scored 21, 24 and 36 DKFP in his last three games. And that was in a series with the Braves. This is the Marlins.
Marcus Semien, Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics ($5,500) — The total in this game is suspiciously low (8). Both southpaw starting pitchers have not been good this season. SP Alex Wood ($5,500) survived his last start — two earned runs in four innings. It could have been worse. He allowed eight baserunners — something he’s done all season (45 hits and 17 walks in 31.1 innings for a 1.98 WHIP). Semien has been slightly above average against left-handed pitchers (115 wRC+) but he’s hot — six-game hitting streak. Also, he bats first and is on the road, so he’ll get the maximum amount of at-bats.
Value
J.D. Davis, Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers ($3,600) — This slate is simple. Pay up at pitcher. Stack the cheap Oakland bats. LHP Andrew Heaney ($6,600) is struggling with home runs (1.5 HR/9 and 50.6% Flyball%) — always has (career 1.59 HR/9). Oakland is the second-best power-hitting team vs. LHP (.205 ISO). Davis has a .420 wOBA, .389 ISO and 180 wRC+ against left-handed pitching.
Tyler Nevin, Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers ($3,100) — Stack or one-off, Nevin should be popular on Monday’s slate. Andrew Heaney can strike out right-handed batters but has allowed a 51.4% Flyball Rate. Nevin has a .442 wOBA, .333 ISO and 194 wRC+ vs. LHP. It’s not rocket science.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Adolis García, Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics ($5,900) — LHP Alex Wood made his name generating groundballs. That’s not happening this season (0.76 GO/AO vs. RHB). That’s led to home runs (1.59 HR/9 vs. RHB). Garcia hits home runs against lefties (3.44 wOBA, .281 ISO and 181 wRC+).
Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Miami Marlins ($4,900) — The Dodgers have a 72.2% chance of beating the Marlins. Rookie SP Roddery Munos ($7,200) has been impressive in his first two starts, but not a lot of weight should be given to a home win against the Rockies. Hernandez has not cooled off this season, He has a hit in 10 of the last 12 games and homered twice over the weekend.
Value
Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers ($4,000) — The Athletics have won eight of their last 10 games. They should not be this cheap. Rooker’s been a big part of Oakland’s turnaround. He’s hit safely in eight of 10 games (11 hits, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs). He’s smashing lefties, too — .359 wOBA, .346 ISO and 139 wRC+.
JJ Bleday, Oakland Athletics vs. Texas Rangers ($3,200) — This is the rare occasion where a lefty-lefty matchup works. Heaney has been slightly worse against left-handed batters this season (4.74 xFIP). Bleday has power against lefties (.308 ISO). 1B/2B Abraham Toro ($3,500) is a safer option but lacks the power upside vs. LHP — .409 wOBA, .190 ISO and 172 wRC+. Toro is also on a hot streak with 12 hits in the last 13 games.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is greenflagradio2) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
