Fantasy Baseball: DraftKings Main MLB Picks For May 31

May 27, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons (2) connects for a base hit in the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

DraftKings Main MLB Picks For May 31

We have nine game in the main DraftKings tournament today. You will notice the absence of two games from the larger DraftKings tournaments today. If you really want to play them, DraftKings does have that two game slate. Trust me, it’s hard enough to figure out what we are going to do in the early and main ones!

More from DFS

The money line last night was at 108 DraftKings points, a pretty modest total. Two of my three lineups made it because I built around Robbie Ray. The other missed because of Chris Sale‘s rough return to the South Side.

The winning lineup was back above 200 at 204.9. Two players actually tied! They saved money with Dinelson Lamet, who pitched well against the Cubs. They also found value with Jackie Bradley and Andrelton Simmons.

These picks are based mostly on statistical analysis . If you have a gut feeling, then by all means, follow that. This is not an exact science. The best lineups usually have a mix of proven stats and hot players. Check out this post from Matt McGarvey for great tips about whether to use a hot player in DFS or not.

For you first time players, if you would like $10 worth of free entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $10 into more!

Next: DraftKings Main Lineup 1

May 26, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Junior Guerra (41) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

P: Max Scherzer ($13,300): I am a little on the fence about Scherzer. The first reason is his price. He is $1,300 more than anyone else, and I don’t necessarily think he will have a game that much better. Especially given the fact that Scherzer has a 4.80 ERA in three starts at AT&T Park. That said, the current Giants are only hitting .209 off of him with two homers and six runs in 67 at bats with 19 strikeouts. This hints at a better game for Scherzer, but I wouldn’t blame you if you fade him.

P: Junior Guerra ($5,900): Guerra was brilliant last year, and was pretty good in his return from the disabled list in his last start. The current Mets are just 2-11 with three strikeouts against Guerra. That isn’t much to go on, but considering the Mets aren’t a great offensive force, Guerra is a great play if you are looking to go cheap on pitching.

C: Alex Avila ($3,200): Avila is just 2-11 in his career against Ian Kennedy, but both of those hits are home runs and he has driven in three while walking three times. Kennedy has been a disaster since coming off of the disabled list, and wasn’t that great before he landed on the shelf. If you can find a Tigers stack at a reasonable price, use it.

1B: Mitch Moreland ($3,800): A Red Sox stack would be oh so expensive, but it may be worth it against Mike Pelfrey. I have a feeling that this will be a commonly used stack, so I am going to try a couple of smaller ones, but I do want exposure to Pelfrey, and Moreland is one of the cheaper places to get it. Moreland is just 3-14(.214) against Pelfrey, but he does have a homer and four RBI.

2B: Josh Rutledge ($2,800): Rutledge is starting in place of Dustin Pedroia for the foreseeable future, which makes him a nice punt play. He is a capable hitter in a high powered offense. And tonight he gets a pitcher who tends to get hit hard. This looks like a good bet to me.

3B: Manny Machado ($4,000): Machado looks dirt cheap tonight for this price. Masahiro Tanaka was brilliant in his last start, and gets a park upgrade moving to Camden Yards. That said, Machado still has two doubles, a homer, three runs scored, and two RBI in 17 at bats against Tanaka. For this price, it’s worth taking a shot on a talent like Machado.

SS: Andrelton Simmons ($3,600): Simmons is only 1-5 in his career against Jamie Garcia. Where’s the but? There isn’t one. That hit was a single, and nothing else. However, With Mike Trout out and Cameron Maybin ailing, Simmons is one of the few offensive weapons they have. I want a piece of him since he will bat either first or second in the order.

OF: Brett Gardner ($4,600): You don’t usually see Gardner priced this high, but he might just be worth it. Gardner is 11-34(.324) with a walk, two doubles, a homer, four runs scored, and two RBI in his career against Kevin Gausman. Between Gardner and Judge, you have all three of the homers that the Yankees have hit off of Gausman. I want them both on my team!

OF: Aaron Judge ($5,400): Judge is only 2-7 against Kevin Gausman so far, but both of the hits are home runs and he has driven in four. There is a good chance that he hits another, though it is a little bit tougher in Baltimore.

OF: Jayson Werth ($3,300): If I could be sure that Stephen Drew would be in the lineup, he would be in here. Drew is 12-35(.343) with two walks, five doubles, three homers, five runs scored, and seven RBI against Matt Cain. If Drew starts, he plays for me. If not, we still have Werth, who is 5-10 with two walks, three runs scored, and a solo homer against Cain.

Next: DraftKings Main Lineup 2

May 26, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

P: Chris Archer ($11,300): Archer has dominated the Rangers in his career. Archer has certainly struggled against some teams, but Texas is not one of them. They are hitting just .179 against him in 67 at bats with just two extra base hits (both doubles), seven runs, and a staggering 29 strikeouts. Archer is a great alternative to Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, both of whom have less than stellar histories against today’s teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if Archer is the best pitcher of the night.

More from FanSided

P: Antonio Senzatela ($7,800): Am I really starting a rookie at Coors Field? Yes I am! Why? Because Senzatela has a 3.00 ERA in six home starts, not to mention a 5-1 record. Senzatela doesn’t rack up strikeouts, but he did dominate the Cardinals at home in his last start. Are the Mariners really that much better than St. Louis? I have my doubts.

C: Martin Maldonado ($2,800): Maldonado has taken the starting catcher job from Juan Graterol, and it is mostly based on his offensive performance. He is off to the best start of his career. It could continue tonight since he is 5-17(.294) with two walks, two doubles, a homer, and three RBI in his career against Jaime Garcia.

1B: Logan Morrison ($4,700): Morrison is having a great year. Tonight he gets a rookie in Ausin Bibens-Dirkx. We all know that LoMo crushes right handed pitching. Especially inexperienced right handed pitching. I want a Rays stack tonight in Arlington!

2B: Whit Merrifield ($3,600): I am suggesting a Royals stack since they are hitting .305 against Matt Boyd in his career. Merrifield is riding a 14 game hit streak coming into this game. He has a great chance of extending this tonight since he is 3-4 with a double, a triple, a run scored, and four RBI in his career against Boyd.

3B: Evan Longoria ($5,100): Yes, I realize that Longoria is right handed, but he can hit righties well too. Longoria is one of the best hitters in the lineup, and belongs as part of your Rays stack against the Texas rookie.

SS: Alcides Escobar ($2,200): Simply put, Escobar’s price is criminally low against a struggling pitcher like Boyd. You would expect this sort of price if he were playing against Scherzer or Yu Darvish. Even then I would consider playing him. Escobar could be a very overlooked bargain tonight.

OF: Corey Dickerson ($5,300): Dickerson is leading off for a lineup that looks like it is going to score a lot of runs. He has power, speed, and he roughs up right handed pitching. Dickerson is an essential part, and the most dangerous part, of a Rays stack.

OF: Matt Kemp ($3,900): Kemp is 3-7 with a homer, a steal, and two RBI in his career against Jesse Chavez. Stacking Braves away from home can be perilous since the Braves are much better in their new home stadium, so I wouldn’t stack against Chavez. However, I have no issues playing Kemp.

OF: Lorenzo Cain ($3,200): Cain is also way underpriced against Matt Boyd. He is 4-12 with a wlak, two doubles, a homer, four runs scored, and five RBI in his career against Boyd. You know Cain will be at or near the top of the lineup, giving him plenty of chances to contribute in all sorts of areas.

Next: FanDuel MLB Picks and Pivots

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA and EPL picks!