DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24 – The Strongest Avenger

Welcome back to a Friday edition of DFS MLB Love, Like, Leave. For those of you new to the series, I break down each position on the slate, providnig you with a player I love, a player I like, and one I would leave off your roster.

While I had some good DFS MLB plays yesterday, it isn’t fair to measure its success as my two favorite bats in Torres and Sanchez got sat, shoving my entire lineup out of whack. Seeing this, I pivoted all the way down to Bundy, who was one out away from scoring an easy 30+. Even with his collapse, my line still scored in the mid 130’s, with Soto leading the way.

We have a 14 game slate today, headlined by an absolute dream matchup in Colorado, with the hapless Orioles coming into Coors. This game will likely draw a lot of ownership, and unlike most games at Coors, I can’t really find any reasonable excuse NOT to have heavy exposure.

Let’s get right into the newest edition of DFS MLB Love, Like, Leave!

DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24

Starting Pitchers

Love

Noah Syndergaard (10,600 FD): Thor is going to wield his mighty hammer today, and use it to smash through the Tigers underwhelming lineup. Thor seems to have turned the corner in recent weeks, going at least 6 innings in every start. The Tigers strike out a lot, and Thor likes racking up strikeouts. We aren’t left wanting for any aces today, so I think it’s important to grab one of the top pitchers, and that is Thor for me.

Like

Robbie Ray (8,700 FD): The shortcomings of Robbie Ray are well-known at this point. He struggles with his control, limited his ability to get deep into games. That doesn’t change the fact that he is one of the elite strikeout pitchers. He has a whopping 67 strikeouts in only 52 innings, and if he can get through 6 innings, he can rack up crazy points. Don’t bank on it though, as he has only done so in 2 of 10 starts. Ray is a good GPP leverage play, but I wouldn’t trust him in cash.

Leave

Chris Sale (10,800 FD): I will be the first to admit I was wrong about Chris Sale. The long time ace seems to have rebounded quite well, delivering some truly magnificent starts. He gets a tough matchup against Houston, who he failed to get through 6 innings against in his last start. It will be interesting to see how he fares this time around, but curiosity alone won’t be enough to force him into my lineup.

DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24

First Baseman

Love

Justin Smoak/Rowdy Tellez (3,200/3,000 FD): Both Toronto first baseman come into today’s game riding somewhat of a hot streak, especially Tellez. They are both reasonably priced at around 3,000 each, and both offer quite a bit of home run upside. These bats offer good upside at an ownership that will likely be rock bottom.

Like

Yasmani Grandal (3,200 FD): Grandal is one of the best hitting catchers in the MLB, gets a decent matchup against Eickhoff, and has been hot recently, including a two run homer in his last game. Another player who offers good home run upside at low ownership, I like spending down a little bit at first base/catcher today.

Leave

Gary Sanchez (4,500 FD): Now that he’s not against the horrid pitching in Baltimore, Sanchez loses a lot of appeal for me. He has hit 8 homers against the Orioles alone this year, meaning he hasn’t hit all that many against everyone else. If you’re going to spend up today, I recommend Freddie Freeman at a reasonable 4,300.

DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24

Second Baseman

Love

Brendan Rodgers (3,100 FD): Rodgers is a whole 900 more than he was yesterday, but for good reason. Not only is Means a below average pitcher, the Baltimore bullpen also isn’t great. I think Rodgers hits his first homer of the season this series, and I’m calling that it happens today. Book it for Brendan!

Like

Keston Hiura (2,700 FD): Another fantastic young rookie, Hiura has flashed his immense upside in his first stint in the majors, hitting two homers in the last 3 games. I like him as part of a mini stack with Grandal, offering exposure to a good hitters park while avoiding the Coors ownership.

Leave

Dj LeMahieu (3,700 FD): As much as I touted the Yankees yesterday, I am going the complete opposite route today, completely avoiding them. Junis is by no means a good pitcher, but I think there are much better spots than the ones the Yankees offer today. I am a much bigger fan of each of the listed options above, and they save you some much-needed salary.

DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24

Third Baseman

Love

Nolan Arenado (4,700 FD): Far and away my single favorite play on the slate today, Arenado does not come cheap, costing you a wild 4,700. He should be worth every penny though, as he has an absolute dream matchup, at his favorite stomping grounds. I would not be surprised one bit if he picks up north of 40 FD points today.

Like

Manny Machado (3,300 FD): Machado may sneak under the radar today, and for good reason, but he is in a solid spot against spotty starter Thornton in Toronto. Machado has hit safely in 14 of the last 15 games, and while the power is still missing, he is comfortable playing in Toronto after all his years in Baltimore.

Leave

Everybody Else: I’m not saying there is nobody worth rostering, as Vladdy Jr. (3,200), and others have good spots, but if you don’t have the salary to pay for Arenado, Machado and Vlad are the only other two options I am considering. This kind of laser focus can backfire, but not today (I hope!!).

DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24

Shortstop

Love

Trevor Story (4,600 FD): If you decide to go the same route as me today and go all in on the heavy Coors bats, you will have to spend down in the outfield, but I am completely enamored by the potential numbers a Story and Arenado could provide. I would not be the slightest bit surprised if we get 3 homers between the two of them.

Like

Corey Seager (2,900 FD): Seager is one of the more puzzling storylines of the season, as the once elite bat has continued to falter, even though we are now a quarter of the way into the year. He does have 3 multi hit performances over the last 7 games though, so maybe he’s stepping into a hot streak.

Leave

Gleyber Torres (3,900 FD): The good: Gleyber Torres has 12 homers on the season. The crazy: 10 of those 12 homers have come against the Orioles. The bad: Torres is not playing the Orioles today. While this trend will surely end eventually, Torres isn’t worth the risk today. Not when there are so many other good spots.

DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24

Outfielders

Love

Curtis Granderson (2,400 FD): One of the only Miami bats that also possesses power, Granderson is likely to lead off against the righty in McGowin. If you’re going with me, and have spent up for Story and Arenado, you will need the salary relief here, and a leadoff batter with even a semblance of power for 2,400 is a good place to start.

Like

Garrett Cooper (2,300 FD): Really Jacob? TWO Miami batters being suggested in the same article? Are you going crazy? While referring to myself in the third person may be a little crazy, I don’t think it is absurd to roster Cooper and Granderson for a combined 4,700. Cooper has homers in his last two games, and I have very little faith in McGowin to go deep into this one, and the Nats bullpen is horrible. Take a stab on Cooper.

Like #2

Max Kepler (3,600 FD): Instead of a leave here, I am going to round out my outfield suggestions with Max Kepler. Kepler has been on fire recently, delivering 15 or more FD points in 5 of the last 6 games, including 2 homers. He gets a plum matchup against Reynaldo Lopez, and only one day after Minnesota smoked 8 homers, I’m going back to the well with Kepler.

DFS MLB – Love, Like, Leave – 5/24

Sample Lineup

SP: Robbie Ray (8,700)

C/1B: Yasmani Grandal (3,200)

2B: Keston Hiura (2,700)

3B: Nolan Arenado (4,700)

SS: Trevor Story (4,600)

OF: Curtis Granderson (2,400)

OF: Garrett Cooper (2,300)

OF: Max Kepler (3,600)

Util: Eric Thames (2,700)

Leftover Salary: 100

I’m going all in on the latter half of the Milwaukee lineup and the big bats of the Rockies. This is a lineup that has a ton of potential, but also carries substantial risk. Be sure to follow @ZookDFS for updates as the day progresses!