Fansided

FanDuel fantasy MLB baseball picks for Sunday, May 27

By Adam Strangis

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 11: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning during game four of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 11: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning during game four of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on October 11, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Astros at Indians

Astros Probable Starter – Gerrit Cole, RHP

1.86 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 40.2 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .171 average, .226 wOBA, 50.0 fly ball rate and 27.5 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .165 average, .239 wOBA, 46.2 fly ball rate and 38.8 hard contact rate

This is a spot that I just can’t make heads or tails of quite yet. Cole has been an absolute destroyer so far in 2018 and there’s every chance he continues that today. However, the Indians offense can be dangerous. They smacked around Lance McCullers last night and while McCullers isn’t Cole, the potential for the Indians remains even against Cole.

The argument in Cole’s favor is the Indians strike out 24 percent of the time against righties. Cole and Sale are very much in the same boat. They’re facing offenses that could give them issues and there’s no discount to be had. If I had to pick one, I’m likely going to side with Sale over Cole today. I really don’t want any Indians bats. You can sort of make an argument for lefty hitters with the 50 percent fly ball rate.

Indians Hitters to Target 

Elite Options – None

Secondary Options – Michael Brantley, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez

Indians Probable Starter – Trevor Bauer, RHP

2.35 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 26.8 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .214 average, .264 wOBA, 33.8 fly ball rate and 38.3 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .211 average, .271 wOBA, 33.3 fly ball rate and 36.7 hard contact rate

Bauer should be motivated since he and the Astros have been feuding about the Houston pitching staff but this is a tough spot for him. Houston may not have hit for a ton of power against righties yet but that’s sure to come at some point. Bauer is capable of handling any offense in the league and the Astros can be prone to the strikeout at times. I think he’s a GPP option, as is the whole game. The range of outcomes from the pitchers and offenses are so wide in this one, it’s likely not a cash play style of game.

If you want to run after hitters from Houston, you might want to chase who hits the curveball well since Bauer throws it almost 29 percent of the time. Jose Altuve is the highest rated player against the pitch, followed closely by George Springer. Alex Bregman also hits the curve well but that’s about it from the Houston side of things.

Astros Hitters to Target 

Elite Options – None

Secondary Options – Jose Altuve, George Springer, Alex Bregman

Home Run Pick – George Springer