DraftKings MLB Picks May 31: Get crazy with Lucchesi

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 21: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on August 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Picks May 31: Get crazy with Lucchesi

There’s no matinee in Wrigley today, so we have a jam packed DraftKings MLB slate with all 30 teams in action! This doesn’t happen often, and there’s a lot to go through, so let’s get excited about this one! Only three pitchers tip the scales in five figures. Are any of them worth using? Let’s find out!

DraftKings MLB Pitcher Plays:

Top Tier:

Chris Sale ($10,800): Yeah, it’s the Yankees. Yeah, they put up four runs on Sale earlier this year. Things have changed. Sale has a 2.23 ERA and 0.74 WHIP in five May starts. On top of that, Sale has a 2.36 ERA in nine career Yankee Stadium starts. The stage isn’t too big for him. I think we’ll see another strong start from Sale here.

Caleb Smith ($9,700): Smith had a rough start his last time out and the presence of all of the right handed power makes me really nervous here. Smith has been much better at home than on the road. This is a pitcher’s park against a team with elevated strikeout totals. Even if Smith does give up a run or three, the strikeouts should mitigate the damage.

German Marquez ($9,500): I haven’t played Marquez at home since his first start of the season because he hasn’t been as dominant at home as he was the second half of last year. His ERA is still over 5 at home, but this matchup is almost too good to ignore. The Blue Jays have some power, but they strike out a lot. Also, Marquez only has to go five innings to get a free four points since Edwin is going to get blasted. There is enough to like about this to consider Marquez, even at this price.

Middle Tier:

Joey Lucchesi ($8,800): Lucchesi carries less risk than most in this tier. His numbers are much better at home, and he is fresh off a start in which he struck out 11 Blue Jays. Lucchesi hasn’t given up more than three runs in a start this month. I doubt that changes against the Marlins. He also has a chance at double digit K’s again.

Zack Wheeler ($8,700): Wheeler’s numbers aren’t great, so why would we use him against Arizona? Because Wheeler has a 2.19 ERA in four career starts at Chase Field. The strikeouts are up this year anyway. Arizona is predominantly right handed, so I see the upside here. However, when Wheeler is involved, there is always enough risk to make us nervous.

Mike Foltynewicz ($8,500): After a dismal start to 2019, Folty is back to putting up the kind of numbers we expected after his strong 2018. Foltynewicz has only allowed three runs (two earned) over 12 innings in his last two starts. One of those was against the potent Brewers. The toothless – and strikeout prone – Tigers don’t scare me here. They wont scare Folty either. He could wind up being a bargain tonight.

Bargain Pitchers:

Andrew Cashner ($6,600): There’s not a lot to like about Cashner, especially since he has struggled against the Giants. However, Cashner has a 2.96 ERA in four home starts. Maybe there’s something to this. Cashner draws a weak offense and has great home splits. What’s the worst that could happen? At least Cashner’s strikeouts are up a bit this year to help mitigate the damage if the Giants jump on him.

Jhoulys Chacin ($5,300): I’m not a huge fan of Chacin here, but wow, he’s cheap. Cheaper than he should be. The Pirates are only hitting .244 with a homer and three runs in 82 at bats against Chacin. The 12 strikeouts are severely lacking, and that’s the knock on Chacin. If you get five strikeouts, you’re ahead of the curve. Still, if Chacin can hit double digits here, we’re ahead of the pack. He’s a low risk option tonight.

Ariel Jurado ($4,900): Jurado is so cheap that he allows us to go just about any which way we want with hitters. His 2.28 ERA in 23.2 innings is strong, but he doesn’t strike out many batters. Jurado’s career as a starter hasn’t been very good so far, but he pitched well in relief and carried that over into his return to the rotation last week against the Angels. If Jurado can get us around 12 DraftKings points for the price, this is a win. And honestly, there isn’t much risk against the Royals offense.

My picks: Lucchesi, Foltynewicz; Foltynewicz, Jurado; Marquez, Lucchesi

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 24: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated in the dugout by Trevor Story #27 after scoring a run in the third inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field on September 24, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB stack options

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chris Archer:

There honestly isn’t much to like about Chris Archer right now. Orlando Arcia, Lorenzo Cain, Grandal, Yelich, and Moose have all homered against Archer in just 68 total at bats. You could probably concoct a fairly affordable Brewers stack tonight. Considering they have 14 runs in those 68 at bats, it’s not a bad idea. The only ones I would stay away from are Thames and Jesus Aguilar. They are a combined 0-10 against Archer.

Cleveland Indians vs. Dylan Covey:

Stacking against Bauer wont be as popular but I think I may stack both sides of this game. Covey has not done well against Cleveland either. Jason Kipnis is 5-12 with a homer and three RBI. Greg Allen is only 2-9, but he has swiped three bags against Covey. Roberto Perez is 3-6 with three RBI. Carlos Santana and Lindor are heating up, and Jose Ramirez is still criminally underpriced. There’s a lot to like about a Cleveland stack tonight.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Yu Darvish:

The Cardinals battered Darvish for six runs in four innings earlier this year, and Darvish has been just as bad if not worse since. Jose Martinez was perfect in that game with a single and a solo homer. Marcell Ozuna drove in three runs. Matt Carpenter drove in the other two. Dexter Fowler, Goldy, DeJong, and Kolten Wong are all worth a look with the frightening number of walks that Darvish allows.

Colorado Rockies vs. Edwin Jackson:

Wow….Christmas in May! Arenado, Ian Desmond, and Daniel Murphy have all homered against Jackson before. David Dahl stands out as another elite play. Trevor Story, Raimel Tapia, and Ryan McMahon are all worth a look as well. Mix and match any Rockies that fit your budget. This is the definition of a smash spot.

Houston Astros vs. Mike Fiers:

Let me take you on a trip. A trip back to April 7th. On that day, the Astros put up six runs on seven hits in just 1.2 innings against one Mike Fiers. This Astros offense is different without Correa, Altuve, and Springer, but Alex Bregman and Josh Reddick have homered against Fiers. Michael Brantley is 7-22 despite the absence of counting stats. I also like Yuli Gurriel on the cheap.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Mike Leake:

Stacking Angels? This seems like a good way to lose money. Unless they are playing Leake. The Angels are hitting .354 with six homers and 18 runs in 130 at bats. Lucroy is 21-50 with two homers and eight RBI, so it’s worth it to spend up a little at catcher. Pujols, Mike Trout, Brian Goodwin, and Tommy LaStella have the other homers, and most of them are affordable.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 05: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts after hitting a double to center field in the second inning during the game against the Oakland Athletics at PNC Park on May 5, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB daily notes:

So far, Keon Broxton is the only Oriole to homer against Drew Pomeranz. Of course, that encompasses only 25 at bats. This is a hitter’s park, and Pomeranz is struggling, so I will have some Orioles. Renato Nunez and Stevie Wilkerson are my two favorites besides Broxton. Jonathan Villar looks good as well.

Andrew Cashner has been dreadful against the Giants in his career, but I’ll side more with the Giants sputtering offense and Cashner’s home splits. Buster Posey is 12-31(.387) with two homers and six RBI against Cashner. Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik are also great plays if you need to save some money.

Josh Bell is hitting literally everything right now, so it should surprise no one that he has the Pirates homer against Chacin. Gregory Polanco is 4-11, but has no counting stats. Adam Frazier is worth a look too so long as he is leading off again.

Patrick Corbin has topped 30 DraftKings points in three of his last four starts. My issue here is the price, and him pitching in a hitter’s park. I may thow Eugenio Suarez, Puig, or Nick Senzel out there, but I don’t want much exposure. It’s about throwing a power bat and hoping you luck into a homer.

Tyler Mahle has a 0.82 ERA in four home starts this year, so I’m not going to go after him too heavily. Juan Soto and Trea Turner are always in play though. So is Adam Eaton at his price.

Danny Duffy just gave up four runs to the Rangers two starts again, so despite the strong season long numbers, I don’t expect much from him in Arlington. Joey Gallo and Logan Forsythe are both hitting well above .300 against Duffy. Asdrubal Cabrera and Odor have the homers.

Trevor Bauer was obliterated by the White Sox just 24 days ago in his worst start of the season. The rest of May has been a similar nightmare for Bauer, so this could be a time to chuck White Sox at him again. Yoan Moncada is my favorite since he is 6-15 with two homers and five RBI against Bauer. McCann, Yonder Alonso, and Yolmer Sanchez have the other homers against him. Charlie Tilson did well against him in that first game, and is now 4-7 with three runs scored against Bauer.

Mikolas has pitched well at home and well against the Cubs last year, but the Cubs offense is cooking. Enough so that I’m not going to use Mikolas even with the free points for the win. Kyle Schwarber has been on a tear leading off. Any combination of Rizzo, Bryant, and Javier Baez looks good tonight as well.

What do we know about Jon Duplantier? He’s right handed and has pitched well in relief for Arizona this year. Duplantier is making his first major league start against a team that is going to have no less than seven right handed bats in that lineup. Pete Alonso and Michael Conforto look good here, but I’m not sure how much exposure I want. Amed Rosario is worth including if he leads off.

Brad Peacock is going to be popular, but not in my neck of the woods. Oakland rocked him earlier this year. Peacock has been outstanding at home, but his road ERA is still a little on the high side at 4.38. Grossman, Stephen Piscotty, and Matt Olson have all homered off of Peacock. Chad Pinder is 4-13 with three RBI.

The sheer power of Hunter Renfroe and Franmil Reyes have me wanting to chase Caleb Smith and the high ownership. I may also run a little Manny Machado or Wil Myers out there, but I only want one or two in any lineup.

I kind of like Joey Lucchesi here, but the Marlins have hit lefties pretty well. Harold Ramirez is becoming one of my favorite plays on any slate. Miguel Rojas and Starlin Castro are still super cheap. I like a couple of Marlins to save some money tonight, but I’m not expecting miracles.

Jake Arrieta actually has good numbers against the Dodgers, but there is no way I trust him in Dodgers Stadium. Max Muncy, Freese, and Russell Martin have all homered against Arrieta, but I’m really only on the lefties here. That means Muncy, Bellinger, and Alex Verdugo…..come on down!

I’m torn here. On one hand, Kenta Maeda has been dominant at home. On the other, the Phillies are hitting .320 with eight homers and 12 runs in only 75 at bats against him. I’ve decided against Maeda because of the price, but with that many homers, there’s a couple of places to go after him. Nick Williams is 3-6 against Maeda and all three hits are homers. Realmuto and McCutchen have homered twice each. Cesar Hernandez has the other, and they are all priced down against Maeda.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 06: Steve Pearce #25 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on April 06, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB one-off plays:

Gary Sanchez is the guy you want against Chris Sale. If you want to go after the best, you have to pay up for it. The cheap guys aren’t going to be the ones to get to Sale.

More from FanSided

PLAY STEVE PEARCE! He has destroyed Happ in his career. Other Boston bats could be solid, but Pearce is the guy you really want. He has six homers and 16 RBI in his career against Happ.

I would fire myself if I didn’t at least mention the power of Vladdy Jr. in his first trip to Coors Field. He could have a really good weekend. I’m not sure I want any other Jays though.

If I do take a run at Berrios, it will be with Austin Meadows and Brandon Lowe, the two starters that haven’t faced him. The rest haven’t solved Berrios yet.

I think Jalen Beeks will have a solid game, but his low strikeout totals have me moving off of him for pitching purposes. I like C.J. Cron here and maybe Max Kepler, but that’s about it. The prices are too high and the return likely too low to load up on Twins.

I have seen enough from Spencer Turnbull this year to know that stacking against him is probably a good way to lose money. However, I may take a shot with Freddie Freeman or Nick Markakis since this park caters to lefties.

Jurado has been strong enough lately that I’m not really considering a stack, but Hunter Dozier and Jorge Soler are worth a look for the power potential. They could just as easily come up empty though.

I just can’t stack the struggling Mariners against Tyler Skaggs, but Kyle Seager is 8-24 with a pair of homers against Skaggs. You could throw Edwin out there, but I’m not sold on this Seattle offense right now.

Next. MLB DFS Pitching Primer 5-31. dark

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