As we get deeper into the MLB regular season, it becomes easier to tell which players will be consistent performers and which were flukes. This is important to consider when filling out your daily fantasy team.
The players who succeeded in a small sample size are starting to fall back to earth, which means it might be time to avoid them. However, those who have kept up their play to this point might now be able to be trusted, especially if they are still cheap.
Value is the most important thing if you want to win, so here is a look at the best and worst picks for May 2.
Top Pitchers to Draft
Collin McHugh, Houston Astros ($7,900)
After a breakout season last year, Collin McHugh is proving he is for real this time around. In four starts he has a 3-0 record and a 2.92 ERA thanks in part to his 23 strikeouts to just four walks.
As good as Nelson Cruz has been to start the year, the Seattle Mariners lineup isn’t all that scary. McHugh should be able to take care of business at home.
Dan Haren, Miami Marlins ($6,900)
It seems this season you will be in good shape most nights picking the pitcher facing the Philadelphia Phillies. The struggling squad is averaging just 2.8 runs per game and is in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
Considering Dan Haren is off to a solid start to the year with a 3.38 ERA in four games, this should be a good chance for another quality start.
Pitchers to Avoid
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies ($10,000)
For this price, a starter better be a sure thing to give you a lot of points. Cole Hamels simply can’t guarantee that at this stage of his career.
The 31-year-old pitcher has allowed at least four runs in two of his five starts, allowing a total of seven home runs in this stretch. Add this to the fact he is unlikely to get many wins with the Phillies this year, and this is a bet you shouldn’t make.
Miguel Gonzalez, Baltimore Orioles ($9,000)
The Orioles are likely satisfied with what Miguel Gonzalez has provided in his four starts, especially his 10-strikeout performance against the New York Yankees in early April. However, this is the only start where he has been a true breakout fantasy player.
This makes his jump in price insane considering he hadn’t cost more than $6,400 in any start to this point in the year. He would be a solid value pick in most situations, but this isn’t one of them.
Top Hitters to Draft
DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Colorado Rockies ($3,200)
Although DJ LeMahieu probably won’t bat .400 for the season, the fact he is still flirting with this average is pretty impressive. The young second baseman has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2015 season, and you should continue to ride the hot hand as long as possible.
For a ridiculously cheap price, this is worth the bet.
Jake Marisnick, OF, Houston Astros ($3,900)
If you don’t have LeMahieu as your biggest surprise, Jake Marisnick might have that distinction. With a home run Friday, the outfielder now has a nine-game hitting streak that includes both power and speed as he racks up extra-base hits and stolen bases.
Even if opposing pitcher Taijuan Walker continues to pitch well, Marisnick should continue to put up good numbers.
Hitters to Avoid
Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays ($4,800)
With three doubles in the last two games, Jose Bautista is finally coming alive for the season. However, he still has just a .188 batting average for the season. You pretty much need a home run from him to justify his cost, and that will not be easy against Corey Kluber.
Alex Gordon, OF, Kansas City Royals ($4,200)
You usually want to draft a hot hitter, and Alex Gordon is as hot as they come with multi-hit games in five of his last eight starts. However, he has struggled this season against lefties and will face one of the toughest in the game in David Price.
Waiting for another day might be a better option.
Team to Stack
New York Yankees
Red Sox pitcher Wade Miley has struggled immensely this season, failing to make it out of the third inning in two of his four starts. He comes into Saturday with an 8.62 ERA, allowing seven earned runs in his only home start.
This is good news for the Yankees, who will get a chance to light up Miley in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
While you might be concerned about the amount of lefties in New York’s lineup going against the southpaw, Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury are a combined 18-for-44 (.409) against lefties this year, while Chris Young has absolutely crushed them to the tune of .476 with three home runs.
Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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