Daily Fantasy Baseball: FanDuel Pitcher Picks For May 22
By Rich Pelesky
FanDuel Pitcher Picks For May 22
Welcome back to Friday Night Lights – Week 7. If you don’t already know, this has been the best place in 2015 to get your Friday starting pitcher selections for FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Leagues.
These selections are tailored toward FanDuel’s pitcher scoring system but these picks can also be helpful in H2H formats with daily rosters where my recommended mid-to-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 Draft Kings, but you should first understand the differences of the two site’s baseball scoring systems before plugging players in both.
5/15 Summary: 28 Starters, Avg. SP Fantasy Score: 7.0, Avg. Salary: $7400.
High #1 –Jake Odorozzi, $8700 (6th): 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 K for 8 points (16th)
High #2 – Jordan Zimmerman, $8800 (3rd): 6 IP, 6 K, & W for 16 points (4th)
Mid #1 – J.A. Happ, $7300 (11th): 7 IP, 1 ER, 3 K for 9 points (15th)
Mid #2 – Bartolo Colon, $8600 (8th): 5 IP, 5 ER, 2 Ks for 2 points (21st)
Low #1 –David Phelps, $6900 (25th): 6 IP, 1 ER, 8 Ks for 13 points (8th)
Low #2 – Carlos Rodon, $5800 (21st), 4 IP, 5 ER, 5 Ks for 4 points (20th)
Week 6 Record (Based on player outperforming salary rank): 3-2-1; YTD: 17-9-1
Live Feed
Call to the Pen
5/22 Picks:
***Shining Star (Higher salaried pitcher that should put up big numbers to reward your investment):
Michael Pineda (NYY) home vs. TEX for $9500: Pineda is having a fantastic season for the Yanks with a 5-1 mark and a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 55 Ks in 51 1/3 IP. Although he did get roughed up in KC last time out, he still has an impressive 13.5 FPPG. Pineda faces the Rangers at home in Yankees stadium today, where he has s a phenomenal stat line in 10 career starts: 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 61 K in 66 IP. The first place Yankees are a big -180 favorite vs. TEX, who hit righties at just a .228 clip (29th in the league) and have the 7th highest striking rate in the majors. Look for Pineda to rebound tonight as he has the potential to get top pitcher points at a price that is a couple grand less than the top salaries.
Honorable Mention: Zack Greinke (LAD) home vs. SD for $9900. Greinke has Cy Young-worthy numbers so far: 5-1 with a .152 ERA, 0.86 WHIP. He is 1-0 in 2 starts vs. SD already this year allowing only 1 run and 10 H/BB in 13 IP with 11 Ks. Dodgers are a -175 favorite with the run line at only 6.5.
Stay Away: John Lester CHC at ARZ for $9300. Averages 11.5 FPPG; Arizona is batting 5th (.282 BA) vs. LHP; Chase Field in 3rd in park factor runs at 1.15.
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
**Clearly Visible (Mid-salary pitcher that may put up a star-worthy performance):
Jeff Samardzija (CWS) home vs. MIN for $8900: Samardzija (3-2, 4.59 ERA) has been up and down this season. However, the White Sox righty has been better at home, averaging 12.7 FPPG in 3 starts at U.S. Cellular Field, including a ND vs. the Twins on 4/11 going 7 IP w/ 6 Ks. The White Sox are around a -140 favorite today and with so many other big names on the slate, his ownership may be lower than usual. You can expect 12-18 FP from Samardzija tonight.
Honorable Mention: Carlos Carrasco home vs. CIN for $8700. Carrasco (4-4, 4.99 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) has averaged 12 FPPG in his last 4 starts and has one of the best K/IP marks in the league with 51 Ks in 43.1 IP. He faces the Reds who have lost 5 straight and are 25th in runs scored at 3.85 a game. Cleveland is a -155 favorite at home and the game run line is a relatively low 7.5.
Stay Away: Andrew Cashner (SD) at LA: Cashner is 1-7 and only has 8.33 FPPG in last 3 starts; He is 0-2 with 8 ER, 18 H/BB in 12 IP vs. LAD this season; Faces Greinke as a road underdog.
Live Feed
Around the Foghorn
*In the Shadows (Low salary bargain that could produce a decent outing thus giving you extra money to spend on bats):
Chris Young (KC) home vs. STL for $6300: The 35-year-old has been great this season rotating between the bullpen and the starting rotation, and has a 3-0 record with a 0.78 ERA and a 0.52 WHIP through 23 innings. He has started two games in a row and is stretched out, reaching 91 pitches in a win vs. NYY on 5/15 earning 10.33 FPs. The new Royal has had great success this both this year (3-0) and in his career at Kaufmann Stadium with a 0.99 ERA and .081 WHIP in 27 1/3 IP compiled in six career starts. He takes the mound for the favored Royals against St. Louis who may still be reeling from a 5-0 shutout against the Mets where they struck out 13 times.
Honorable Mention: Alex Wood (ATL) home vs. Mil for $7700. Wood has been decent for the Braves, with a 2-2 record a 3.83 ERA and had averaged just shy of 11 FPPG in his last two starts at prices. He’s at home vs. the 15-27 Brewers, who hit just .201 vs. LHP, next to last in the majors. Wood is not a great strikeout pitcher (32 K in 47 IP) but Milwaukee is 3rd in the majors in strikeouts. ***UPDATE: Alex Wood missed his start on Friday due to a stomach virus. Eric Stults took his place on the mound for the Braves***
Good Luck!
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!
Next: Fantasy NASCAR: DraftKings Preview for the Coca-Cola 600