DraftKings Early MLB Picks May 31: Pickings are slim this afternoon

OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 06: Flags representing the Oakland Athletics in the parking lot blow in the wind prior to the start of the game between the Texas Rangers and Athletics on Opening Day at O.co Coliseum on April 6, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks May 31: Pickings are slim this afternoon

Our Thursday is very lopsided and very busy this week. There are 11 games, but only two are in the afternoon for the early DraftKings tournament. Pickings are slim, and so is our margin for error. Let’s check out some stats here!

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At least there is no rain in the forecast for either game. that gives us one less thing to worry about.

However, there is the wind factor in both games. There is a 15 mph wind blowing in from right in Detroit and out to right in Oakland.

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 $10 showdown ticket for MLB or the NBA, 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

OAKLAND, CA – MAY 26: Starting pitcher Daniel Mengden #33 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the ninth inning at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on May 26, 2018 in Oakland, California. Mengden pitched a complete game and the Athletics won 3-0. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Andrew Heaney ($10,700): Heaney has never faced the Tigers, but he is picking a good time to get his first taste of them. The Tigers offense is struggling right now. Meanwhile, Heaney has only been under 14 DraftKings points in one start this season. He is pitching very well right now, and gets to take his talents to one of the biggest parks in the majors with one of the worst offenses in it. Heaney is worth paying up for on the potential alone.

Middle Tier:

Daniel Mengden ($9,100): Okay, so Mengden is a little high for middle tier, but we only have four pitchers to work with and one is a complete no. Work with me here. Mengden has been very good this year, posting a 2.85 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 11 starts. His offense usually doesn’t score much for him, so you can ignore the 5-4 record. It belies how impressive he has been. Mengden has been even better at home, dropping his ERA to 2.54 and WHIP to 0.85 in seven home starts. There is great potential against a weak Rays team. Mengden isn’t going to wow you with strikeouts, but there is a good chance that he records more outs than anyone else this afternoon.

Bargain Pitchers:

Ryne Stanek ($4,000): It’s another bullpen day for the Rays. Romo was blasted his last time out, so they are going to start with Stanek in these until they have a reason not to. Don’t get too excited. Stanek isn’t going to last much, if any, longer than Romo did. Two innings is probably his max, but Stanek could grab you a handful of points in those two innings.

Next: Other Notes for 5-31

OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 27: Matt Olson #28 and Matt Joyce #23 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after Olson hit a two-run homer against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the second inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 27, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Jeimer Candelario is on a tear since coming off of the disabled list. He also holds the platoon advantage over Heaney. There is good potential with Candelario again.

I didn’t want to pay $6,000 for Trout yesterday, but I will today. Robert Carpenter has a 8.31 ERA in three major league appearances this season. Shohei Ohtani is a great option as well. So is Justin Upton for that matter.

I like almost every A’s hitter against the Rays bullpen. Lowrie and Semien top the list, but all three Matt’s are worth a look as well (Chapman, Joyce, and Olson). Dustin Fowler looks pretty good too, though I’m not all that fond of the price.

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Middle Tier:

I’m not too crazy about any of the Tigers against Heaney, but Nick Castellanos is pretty much carrying the offense and he is facing a lefty. There is some potential here, yet I still think he is overpriced.

I’m not all that interested in any Rays, but Carlos Gomez has looked good since reentering the starting lineup. Willy Adames is a high upside punt as well.

Bargain Shoppers:

The power potential of Mikie Mahtook at a bargain price is tempting, especially if you need the cash elsewhere.

I kind of like Ian Kinsler and Albert Pujols for cheap this afternoon. The Angels seem to be the place to stack, so we are going to need salary relief somewhere. Luis Valbuena is very tempting as well.

I will probably grab a cheap catcher from the late game. Both Bruce Maxwell and Jesus Sucre are decent punts this afternoon. Brad Miller may be worth a look for the power potential alone.

Next: DraftKings Main Slate MLB Picks

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. We also have some EPL picks coming your way. And don’t forget, Fantasy CPR has something big coming your way in June. Stay tuned for that!