DraftKings Main MLB Picks May 16: Which ace is wild tonight?

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 11: The tarp is on the field for a rain delay before the game between the Washington Nationals and the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park on August 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Main MLB Picks May 16: Which ace is wild tonight?

We have 14 games today with the Padres and Rockies getting the day off. There are only five games in the main tournament, but the aces are here. We have three sure aces. Can we cram two of them into our lineups? Should we even try? Let’s take a look!

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Compared to the day slate, there is little weather here. However, There is a strong chance of rain in Atlanta and Washington D.C. Keep an eye on those. However, wind doesn’t look to be an issue at all tonight.

We will provide you with several options to build your lineup here. Want to spend all your money on pitchers and play bargain bats? We will highlight who is worth the money. Want to punt arms and pay up for the big boppers? We can help you with that as well, and everything in between!

These tips are based mostly on past performance. This is a nice tool for building a lineup, but should not be the only pieces of information you use. Stacking against a bad pitcher is always a good idea!

For you first time players, if you would like a free bonus for signing up, use this link for the referral bonus with your first deposit of $5 or more! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn those DraftKings dollars into more!

Next: DraftKings Pitcher Plays

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 15: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Max Scherzer ($12,500): The price on Scherzer is huge, but the current Yankees are only hitting .157 in 70 at bats against Max, but they do have five home runs to go with the 25 strikeouts. If I knew that this game would get played, I would be a little more excited about Scherzer. Also, the fact that last night’s game was suspended and will be resumed at some point today throws a wrench into baseball players who are schedule oriented. It may be best to avoid Max today.

Justin Verlander ($12,000): Verlander has absolutely dominated the Angels in his career. The current squad is hitting a pathetic .128 against Verlander in 196 at bats with only five homers, 13 runs, and 65 strikeouts. Even without the threat of rain in D.C., I would be on Verlander anyway. He has the best potential to put up huge numbers tonight.

Middle Tier:

Chris Sale ($11,800): Sale has held the A’s to a .224 average in 85 at bats with only one homer, six runs, and a strong 27 strikeouts. The fact that rain isn’t supposed to be a factor in Boston is enough to push me to Sale over Scherzer. However, the ownership on Sale will likely be pretty high because of it.

Walker Buehler ($8,500): Buehler was strong against Miami earlier this year, picking up 17.1 DraftKings points in just five innings. He didn’t allow a run in that start while striking out five. The Dodgers are still limiting the innings and/or pitches on Buehler, so don’t expect him to go deep in this one. However, Buehler could put up pretty strong numbers while he is in there.

Bargain Pitchers:

Caleb Smith ($6,500): Smith has a brilliant 2.38 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in four home starts this season. What sets Smith apart is his mind blowing strikeout rate. He has 53 strikeouts in just 39.2 innings pitched! However, that does come with a downside. Smith has only gone six innings or more in two of his eight starts. No matter. I want this strikeout potential tonight.

Garrett Richards ($5,800): Richards has held the Astros to a .236 average in 127 at bats with just one home run and five runs. That’s it! However, Richards only has 30 strikeouts, so if the Astros do manage to touch him up, Richards wont be able to mitigate the damage and salvage his score.

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 06: The Washington Nationals celebrate Wilmer Difo #1 game winning base hit in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on May 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Washington Nationals vs. CC Sabathia:

This is tricky since CC has really good numbers this year. However, we saw the Red Sox knock him around a little in his last start, and this is a lineup built a lot like Boston’s. Trea Turner and Anthony Rendon are in play tonight. Mark Reynolds has a homer and three RBI off of Sabathia in 18 career at bats against him. Even lefty Bryce Harper deserves a look. For the fifth member of this stack, you can look to cheap option Michael Taylor. Taylor has hit lefties well all season, and for most of his career.

Chicago Cubs vs. Brandon McCarthy:

McCarthy has had a rough go of it this year, especially at SunTrust Park. McCarthy has a 7.07 ERA in three home starts this year. All Cubs lefties are on my radar, especially Rizzo, Ian Happ, and Kyle Schwarber. Just keep an eye on the weather for this one. Rain delays don’t affect hitters as much, but the sooner the Cubs get to the bullpen, the worse their chances of scoring a lot of runs. If you have the extra money to spend, Kris Bryant is a good add to the stack. I also like Ben Zobrist here, who is the only current Cub to hit a home run against Brandon McCarthy so far.

Next: Other Notes for 5-16

MIAMI, FL – MAY 12: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on May 12, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Tyler Chatwood has pitched very well this year, so I will forego a stack on him. However, I still want Freddie Freeman, who is 7-13 with two walks, two doubles, five runs, and three RBI in his career off of Chatwood. Nick Markakis is worth a look as well at home in a very lefty friendly environment.

Jose Altuve is a solid 9-32(.281) against Garrett Richards with three walks, a double, a steal, and two RBI off of him. Josh Reddick is 9-25(.360) with a double, a steal, and four runs.

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Middle Tier:

Giancarlo Stanton is one of the lower prices that you will see him at, but he is 4-18 with two homers and five RBI in his career against Max Scherzer. Neil Walker could be a good cheap punt. He is just 4-23(.174) against Scherzer, but he has three homers and six RBI off of him.

Trevor Cahill has had an outstanding start to 2018, which is the only reason I’m not stacking against him at Fenway. However, there are good standalone options out there. Mitch Moreland is only 5-21(.238) against Cahill, but he has two homers and five RBI. Hanley Ramirez is a horrid 3-22(.136) against Cahill, but he does have five runs, two steals, and two RBI. Eduardo Nunez is 7-16(.438) with two doubles, two homers, and three RBI off of Cahill.

Bargain Shoppers:

Marcus Semien is the only current A’s player that has hit a homer off of Chris Sale. However, he is only 2-9 off of him lifetime. Jed Lowrie could be worth a look since he is 9-23(.391) against Sale with two runs and three RBI.

Albert Pujols is only $3,000 tonight, but he is 8-29(.276) with five walks, three doubles, two homers, seven runs, and three RBI against Justin Verlander. Mike Trout and Luis Valbuena are the other Angels that have homered off of Verlander, but they are a combined 5-56 against him. Ouch!

Next: MLB DFS Picks and Pivots

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. We will also have picks for the EuroLeague Final Four as well!