Daily Fantasy Baseball: DraftKings Pitcher Picks – May 18
By Rich Pelesky
DraftKings Pitcher Picks For May 18
Welcome back to the première website to get expert fantasy advice, including Starting Pitcher Selections for DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball contests.
These selections are tailored toward DraftKings’s pitcher scoring system but these picks can also be helpful in H2H formats with daily rosters where my recommended low-priced starting pitchers may be available to pick up off the Waiver Wire for a spot start. Also, a majority of these selections would also be recommended for FanDuel contests, but you should first understand the differences of the two site’s scoring systems before plugging players in both.
Despite only six games on the evening slate, there is some flexibility out there with the starting pitcher salaries. Consequently, I will give you two options each at both high and low salary levels.
Below are my picks for Monday night May 18th, 2015. Good Luck!
High ($8200 and up)
Chris Sale (CWS) home vs. CLE for $9500: Sale (3-1, 5.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 37 Ks in 35 1/3) has pitched very well outside two bad starts vs. DET and MIN (13ER, 23 H/BB in 8 1/3 IP) in late April/early May that really blew up his season stat line. He recovered nicely last time out going 8 IP vs. the Brewers in Miller Park allowing only two runs and striking out 11 and producing 37.6 FP. Tonight, he goes up against the Indians and Cory Kluber at home in what appears to be a pitcher’s duel – the Vegas run line is around 7. Kluber will likely get more action coming off his historic start vs. STL last Wednesday but Sale and the White Sox are a still -120 favorite tonight. Plus, Sale faces an Indian offense that is mediocre vs. lefties (.256 BA) and only has 8 HRs against them in 434 ABs, a rate that’s just 24th in the majors.
Live Feed
Call to the Pen
Matt Harvey (NYM) home vs. STL for $10600: Harvey has been electric in 2015 with a 5-1 record and 2.32 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 47 Ks in 46 2/3 IP. He also has an impressive 23.9 FPPG. Not that he needs much help, but he’ll pitch at CitiField where the crowd will be decent for Harvey Night and the confines favor pitching. The Mets are -140 favorite against the Cardinals, who’s offense has cooled off lately scoring just 11 runs in their last 5 games. With other big name pitchers going tonight (Kluber, Sale, Hamels, etc…) his ownership may be reduced. Harvey is a very safe bet to get you 25+ FP tonight.
Stay Away: Cole Hamels (PHI) at COL for $89000: Cole has been pitching well lately and the Phillies are on a roll, winning five straight. He has averaged 29.9 FP in his last two starts including a win vs. the Pirates allowing just 2 ER and 6 H/BB while getting 9 K in 7 IP. However, he did throw 115 pitches and the last time his pitch count was in that vicinity (114 on 4/27 vs. STL) he followed that start with a bad outing: 6 ER and 13 H/BB in 6IP vs. MIA on 5/2. Add in the Coors Field factor, and the potential for a bad game is too much to warrant spending the $8,900 on him tonight, especially with other decent options out there.
Low ($6900 and below)
Mike Haren (MIA) home vs. ARZ for $6600: Haren has pitched decent this year going 4-2 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a respectable 14.8 FPPG at an average salary of around $6700. He’s coming off a bad start vs. the Dodgers but faces the Diamondbacks at pitcher friendly Marlins Park where Miami is a -130 favorite. Arizona’s offense simply isn’t the same outside Chase Field as they are scoring a run less a game (4.1 to 5.1) on the road this season. Expect the managerial change to spark the Marlins tonight and Haren to rebound. Take advantage of him at this very affordable price.
More from FanSided
- Caesars + BetMGM Promos: Four Chances to Win Betting on the Women’s World Cup
- MLB trade grades: Angels-White Sox deal takes Shohei Ohtani off the table
- Justin Jefferson taking on new role with Vikings offense
- Astros, Rangers benches clear after Adolis Garcia grand slam
- Jonathan Taylor’s agent shades Jim Irsay after Colts owner comments on RBs
Kyle Lobstien (DET) home vs. MIL for $4900: Lobstein has been so-so in 2015, going 3-3 with a 4.33 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and just 9.8 FPPG.. However, he pitching a home for Detroit vs. the 13-25 Brewers, who are hitting an atrocious .195 (29th in majors) vs. LHP. At just $4900, even paired with a high-priced pitcher, it will allow you to spend money on some good bats. With the decent chance he’ll give you innings (7+ IP in 3 of his last 4 starts) and the Tigers will win (-140 favorite), you can reasonably expect 15+ FPPG here and as such Lobstein is worth Lobstein a flyer, especially in large tournaments.
Stay Away: Drew Pomeranz (OAK) at HOU for $5900: The lefty hasn’t pitched bad (2-3, 4.42 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) in 2015 and is coming off a good start (22 FP at $5500) vs. BOS on 5/12. This may attract owners especially at the low price of $5,900 tonight. However, the As are very bad (13-25) and are in Houston to face the Astros who are very good (25-13) and have won five straight. Plus, Houston has 17 HRs in 392 AB vs. LHP which is the best rate in the majors. That spells doom for Pomeranz, pitching at Minute Maid Park which is 2nd in Park Factor HRs (1.51) in 2015. Buyer Beware!
Need help with your daily or Head-to Head fantasy baseball team? Contact me on Twitter @Rich_Pelesky and I will give you the guidance you need to make the best decisions on trades, start/bench decisions, and the waiver wire!