Welcome to the “FanDuel MLB Lineup Advice” primer for Saturday, May 18. 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 seven-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
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Pitcher
Jose Berrios (MIN): $10,400 at SEA
Berrios is coming off his first letdown performance of the season, allowing 12 hits and five earned runs with only three strikeouts against the Angels on Monday. However, I’m treating that as more of a blip on the radar than a sign of things to come for the Twins’ ace. Berrios checks in as a respectable -140 road favorite against a Seattle team that holds the 10th highest strikeout rate at 24.7%. The Mariners’ offense has been somewhat on the sleepy side lately, tallying two or fewer runs in four of their past eight games. Needless to say, this is a reasonable spot for Berrios to get back on track.
Other Pitchers to consider: Jon Lester (CHC), Madison Bumgarner (SF)
Welcome to the “FanDuel MLB Lineup Advice” primer for Saturday, May 18. 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 seven-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
Win cash playing in FanDuel’s MLB Rally >
Pitcher
Jose Berrios (MIN): $10,400 at SEA
Berrios is coming off his first letdown performance of the season, allowing 12 hits and five earned runs with only three strikeouts against the Angels on Monday. However, I’m treating that as more of a blip on the radar than a sign of things to come for the Twins’ ace. Berrios checks in as a respectable -140 road favorite against a Seattle team that holds the 10th highest strikeout rate at 24.7%. The Mariners’ offense has been somewhat on the sleepy side lately, tallying two or fewer runs in four of their past eight games. Needless to say, this is a reasonable spot for Berrios to get back on track.
Other Pitchers to consider: Jon Lester (CHC), Madison Bumgarner (SF)
First Base
C.J. Cron (MIN): $3,500 at SEA
Minnesota’s offense has some of the best numbers in the league up to this point. Cron has been a big part of that over the last month, and he’s currently heating up with six hits, one homer, four runs, and two RBI over his past three starts. The Twins’ first baseman will continue to hold a premium lineup spot with excellent security while facing mediocre Seattle LHP Wade LeBlanc, who is making his first start since landing on the injured list with an oblique issue in mid-April.
Other First Basemen to consider: Brandon Belt (SF), Willians Astudillo (MIN)
Second Base
Nicky Lopez (KC): $3,000 at LAA
Lopez carries a mid-range salary while hitting second for the Royals. He’s an exciting prospect who has collected six hits with three doubles over his first four major league games. Meanwhile, Angels’ rookie pitcher Griffin Canning has surrendered nine earned runs and 13 hits through 14.1 innings over three starts in the big leagues. He’ll likely turn into a serviceable part of the rotation, but the growing pains will persist until Canning figures it out. Lopez and company could take advantage tonight.
Other Second Basemen to consider: Ozzie Albies (ATL), Joe Panik (SF)
Third Base
Josh Donaldson (ATL): $3,400 vs. MIL
Atlanta posted 12 runs yesterday, and they’re back for a second helping tonight. Milwaukee RHP Chase Anderson is making his first start since landing on the injured list in late April, and the Braves will look to jump on his .332 wOBA split against right-handed bats. Donaldson has been rounding into form with four hits, one double, and one homer over his past three starts, and the former MVP makes for a nice mid-range lift in this matchup.
Other Third Basemen to consider: Tommy La Stella (LAA), Mike Moustakas (MIL)
Shortstop
Carlos Correa (HOU): $4,000 at BOS
Correa gets a nice boost in Fenway Park, which is notoriously kind to right-handed power. The Houston shortstop has recorded three multi-hit games over his last five starts, racking up four extra-base hits over that span. Facing Boston RHP Hector Velazquez and the Red Sox bullpen isn’t a bad situation, and the Astros carry one of the higher run-scoring projections of the evening slate.
Other Shortstops to consider: Dansby Swanson (ATL), Cole Tucker (PIT)
Outfield
Shohei Ohtani (LAA) $3,600 vs. KC
Ohtani has been back for over a week now, and he had a nice breakout series at Minnesota with six hits, one homer, two runs, and three RBI through three games. He carries a comfortable mid-range salary while stepping into a well-aligned draw against Kansas City RHP Jakob Junis, who has been clobbered for nine earned runs and 12 hits through 9.2 innings over his past two starts. Junis also carries a .348 wOBA split for Ohtani to exploit.
Ryan Braun (MIL) $3,400 at ATL
Braun has fallen into a hot streak with seven hits, one homer, seven runs, and seven RBIs over his past four games. Tonight’s matchup against Atlanta RHP Kevin Gausman is reasonably good, as the Braves starter holds an exploitable .342 wOBA split to right-handed bats over the past two seasons. Braun’s DFS salary is relatively tame despite that recent uptick, creating a favorable situation to consider.
Other Outfielders to consider: George Springer (HOU), Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL), Byron Buxton (MIN), Brian Goodwin (LAA), Josh Reddick (HOU), Jackie Bradley Jr. (BOS)
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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.
