With a full schedule and many top names in action Saturday, picking a daily fantasy baseball team could end up being quite a challenge. No matter who you select, there will likely need to be a lot of compromising in value across the board.
Here is a look at the best and worst players to pick for May 16.
Pitchers to Draft
Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners ($11,600)
This seems like an obvious pick, but there are a number of high-priced talents on the board Saturday, and you want to make sure to get the right one. Felix Hernandez simply has one of the best rates of return thanks to his consistency and ability to load up the fantasy points every game.
Hernandez has gone at least seven innings in five of his seven starts, earning a win in six of them. Add in 50 strikeouts in 48.2 innings, and he is a safe bet every time out.
Mike Leake, Cincinnati Reds ($7,400)
If you are going after a big name with one pitching spot, you more than likely will have to find a cheaper option with your second pitcher. This is where Mike Leake comes in after an impressive stretch.
While he isn’t going to rack up a ton of strikeouts, he makes up for it by keeping opponents off the scoreboard. He has allowed just one earned run in the past 22 innings and should continue this streak against a San Francisco Giants squad that has struggled on the road this season.
Pitchers to Avoid
David Price, Detroit Tigers ($10,000)
No one will call David Price a bad pitcher, but this might be a week to avoid him in fantasy when there are other top options. He is coming off a slight hamstring injury that caused some troubling numbers in his last start, via C.J. Nitkowski of Fox Sports 1:
Pitching on the road against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals means there is too much risk for a high cost.
Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres ($8,400)
We can look past the 1-6 record because Andrew Cashner has actually pitched well this season. With a 3.07 ERA and a home start, this seems like a decent value pick for Saturday. The problem comes from a tough matchup against the Washington Nationals, who are finally starting to hit their stride.
With Max Scherzer starting for the Nationals, chances for a win will be low, and a great performance is not likely.
Hitters to Draft
Todd Frazier, 1B, Cincinnati Reds ($5,000)
Not only has Todd Frazier been one of the top power hitters in baseball this season, he has had a good approach at the plate to get on base and score runs as well. Every so often, he’ll even sneak in a stolen base.
With a reasonable price for his production, fantasy owners should jump at the chance to get the talented player.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals ($3,400)
You would normally try to avoid lefty-lefty matchups like Mike Moustakas faces with CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees. However, southpaws haven’t bothered the third baseman this season, as he is hitting well over .300 against both righties and lefties.
With Sabathia struggling his way to a 5.20 ERA, don’t be afraid of this matchup.
Hitters to Avoid
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs ($5,000)
While he has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball this season, he will have a tough matchup against Gerrit Cole, who is proving to be among the top young pitchers in the league. Not only is he 5-1 with a 2.32 ERA, but the right-hander has been tough on opposing lefties this year and hasn’t allowed a single extra-base hit in 66 at-bats.
Don’t expect much more success from the Cubs star.
Hanley Ramirez, OF, Boston Red Sox ($3,700)
The past few games have seen Hanley Ramirez bounce back from his cold streak to once again become a feared hitter in the middle of the Red Sox lineup. That said, picking someone against Felix Hernandez always remains a bad decision.
Team to Stack
Toronto Blue Jays
Between Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and others, the Blue Jays hit a lot of home runs. They will play the weekend in Minute Maid Park, which is among the league leaders in allowing home runs. Saturday’s starter for the Houston Astros is Scott Feldman, who has allowed six home runs this year, all of which came at home.
Nothing is guaranteed in baseball, but we seem primed for a lot of long balls in this game.
Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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