Welcome to the “FanDuel MLB Lineup Advice” primer for Friday, May 31. Take note that these recommendations were organized earlier in the day, and circumstances could change once the lineup cards are released. However, the following players represent your best targets to consider, and any notable contingencies will be outlined in their write-ups. We will be looking at the 15-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
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Pitcher
Mike Foltynewicz (ATL): $7,300 vs. DET
Foltynewicz started was on the injured list to begin this season, and he started off very slow while working his way back. That is the main culprit behind his current 5.67 ERA through six appearances. However, he has looked much better recently, allowing just two earned runs and eight hits with 10 strikeouts through 12 innings over his past two starts. Take note that it came against a pair of quality offenses in Milwaukee and St. Louis as well. “Folty” has a beautiful matchup against Detroit tonight, a team that ranks 28th in wRC+ with the second-highest strikeout rate at 26.3%. The Atlanta pitcher is cheap due to those early season struggles, but he’s a confident lift in the midst of a comeback with an excellent matchup to boot.
Welcome to the “FanDuel MLB Lineup Advice” primer for Friday, May 31. Take note that these recommendations were organized earlier in the day, and circumstances could change once the lineup cards are released. However, the following players represent your best targets to consider, and any notable contingencies will be outlined in their write-ups. We will be looking at the 15-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
Win cash playing in FanDuel’s MLB Rally >
Pitcher
Mike Foltynewicz (ATL): $7,300 vs. DET
Foltynewicz started was on the injured list to begin this season, and he started off very slow while working his way back. That is the main culprit behind his current 5.67 ERA through six appearances. However, he has looked much better recently, allowing just two earned runs and eight hits with 10 strikeouts through 12 innings over his past two starts. Take note that it came against a pair of quality offenses in Milwaukee and St. Louis as well. “Folty” has a beautiful matchup against Detroit tonight, a team that ranks 28th in wRC+ with the second-highest strikeout rate at 26.3%. The Atlanta pitcher is cheap due to those early season struggles, but he’s a confident lift in the midst of a comeback with an excellent matchup to boot.
Other Pitchers to consider: Joey Lucchesi (SD), Caleb Smith (MIA), German Marquez (COL)
First Base
Daniel Murphy (COL): $3,900 vs. TOR
It’s nice that Foltynewicz is pitching on this slate, as we have a comfortable mid-range pitcher to utilize through all formats. That helps make room for a Colorado stack that you’ll certainly want some exposure to. The Rockies will face washed-up Toronto RHP Edwin Jackson in hitter-friendly Coors Field. Jackson’s return to the majors has gone predictably awry while surrendering 14 earned runs and 20 hits compared to just eight strikeouts over 14 innings. Murphy and company should be able to get the best of him tonight.
Other First Basemen to consider: Matt Adams (WAS), Logan Forsythe (TEX)
Second Base
Ryan McMahon (COL): $3,400 vs. TOR
Let’s keep stacking against Toronto RHP Edwin Jackson! McMahon has come through with four hits, two doubles, one homer, and four RBIs over his past two games, and he’ll be looking to inflict more damage in this confident situation. The Colorado second baseman should continue to hold a premium lineup spot for an offense that carries the highest run-scoring projection of the night by a wide margin.
Other Second Basemen to consider: Hanser Alberto (BAL), Jason Kipnis (CLE)
Third Base
Jose Ramirez (CLE): $3,300 at CWS
You could look towards Nolan Arenado at third base, but saving cap space becomes a priority at some point. That’s where Ramirez comes in, as he carries a moderate price tag due to some early season struggles. Let’s not forget that Ramirez has been a fantasy stalwart over the past few years, and we could be witnessing a turnaround with five hits, three doubles, three runs, two RBIs, and two stolen bases over his past three games. Tonight’s draw against White Sox RHP Dylan Covey (.351 wOBA vs LHB) is a comfortable spot to keep the hotstreak alive.
Other Third Basemen to consider: Nolan Arenado (COL), Renato Nunez (BAL)
Shortstop
Jonathan Villar (BAL): $3,300 vs. SF
Similar to the third base position, you could entertain the cumbersome salary of Trevor Story if the salary cap permits. Villar is a mid-range fallback option if needed while looking at a welcoming matchup against San Francisco LHP Drew Pomeranz and his .413 wOBA split to right-handed bats over the past two years. The park factor is encouraging in Baltimore, and Villar has racked up three multi-hit performances with two homers over his past five starts.
Other Shortstops to consider: Trevor Story (COL), Adalberto Mondesi (KC)
Outfield
David Dahl (COL): $4,000 vs. TOR
Charlie Blackmon is on the injured-list, so Dahl checks in as the headline pick from Colorado’s outfield. I already mentioned the insanely good matchup against Toronto RHP Edwin Jackson, and Dahl is one of the leading candidates to make some fantasy noise. He’s swinging a hot bat in this homestand, collecting multiple hits in four of seven games with two homers as well.
Keon Broxton (BAL): $2,500 vs. SF
Broxton is a nice bargain commodity to help make the rest of your lineup (particularly the expensive Colorado bats) work. As mentioned earlier, San Francisco LHP Pomeranz has gotten abused by right-handed bats over the past few seasons. The move to Baltimore’s hitter-friendly park probably won’t help the Giants’ southpaw. Broxton is a serviceable choice to take advantage while slapping two homers with two multi-hit games over his past five starts.
Other Outfielders to consider: Mike Trout (LAA), Juan Soto (WAS), Trey Mancini (BAL), Raimel Tapia (COL), Adam Eaton (WAS)
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Spencer Limbach is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Spencer, check out his archive and follow him @spencer_jl.