It’s Cinco de Mayo, and what better way to celebrate than by stuffing your wallet with cash? Tonight’s menu for MLB DFS features a six-game slate beginning at 6:45pm EDT, and pairs well with margaritas. After our first rough go in quite a while on last night’s slate, it’s time to cue up the mariachi and bounce back with some big wins tonight.
As always, the format here remains the same. The goal is to find value in both pitchers and hitters to save money to sink into your big bats. We’ll start with five value picks, and at the end I’ll list some studs in favorable situations to knock the ball around the yard tonight. Let’s make some dinero.
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***All prices listed are from DraftKings***
Value on the Hill
Jesus Luzardo – at San Diego ($8,500)
In his second start of the season on April 19, Luzardo coughed up seven hits and five runs (4 earned) in 4.1 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. That one start has been enough to skew his numbers. He carries a 3.10 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP, which isn’t too shabby, but take away that one start. In his other three starts this season he has tallied 16 IP, allowing just six total hits, three earned runs, and fanned 25 batters during that period. As this season progresses, Luzardo is more likely to cost around $2k more. He is a steal at this price point, and pitching in San Diego isn’t a bad thing.
Miles Mikolas – @ San Francisco ($8,200)
Although the Giants reside in the upper echelon of runs scored per game, their bats have gone cold in the last three games. That makes for a bad time to face “The Lizard King”, as Mikolas is putting up terrific numbers. Mikolas has had some tough luck this season, making his record a modest 1-1. However, his stingy 1.52 ERA and miniscule 0.84 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 29.2 innings all make him awfully attractive to DFS players against a San Francisco team on a three-game losing streak. The lower tier of pitchers tonight leave a lot to be desired, this is another opportunity to pair two pitchers that have been mispriced.
Value in the Field
Ryan Jeffers, C – at Baltimore ($3,400)
A .228 batting average is nothing to write home about, but Jeffers is carrying a .758 OPS with three dingers and nine RBI. He’s hitting in a strong Twins lineup and will always have opportunities to cross the plate or drive in runs. The cost for Jeffers offers enough upside at a difficult position to fill with a slam dunk without breaking the bank. Taking the mound against Minnesota is Spenser Watkins. The 29-yeear-old does not yet have a decision in 2022, and has only pitched 17.2 innings in four games. He has struck out an average of two batters per game. The Twins should jump all over him, and Jeffers should have ample opportunity to get in on the act.
Jeff McNeil, 2B/OF – at Philadelphia ($4,100)
I’ve recommended McNeil a lot this season, and it’s paid off more often than not. The cost to plug him into the lineup remains extremely affordable for a player capable of stuffing the stat sheet at any time. McNeil has had five multi-hit games in his last nine outings and is showing no signs of slowing down in a dynamic Mets offense. At this point in the season, McNeil slides in as my second baseman in DFS lineups anytime his cost remains below $4,400. On the season, he is slashing .337/.394/.477 for a robust .871 OPS. McNeil has scored 14 times and driven in 10, with a homer, stolen bases, and seven walks.
Cedric Mullins, OF – vs Minnesota ($4,200)
Mullins started the season slow, but has been on the uptick of late in Baltimore. He has three multiple-hit games during his five-game winning streak, and last night smacked his third home run of the season while driving in two more runs. His RBI total now sits at 10 in 2022. A .230 average notwithstanding, the Orioles outfielder carries a 0.9 WAR. He also has the ability to cause trouble on the basepaths when he gets on, swiping three bases thus far in the early going. He’ll start off hitting against the Twins’ Chris Archer, whose numbers do not look bad on paper, but the metrics suggest he’ll look more like the Archer of the last few years in short order. The 1.30 WHIP also stands to rise even further. It could be a good night for Mullins and the rest of the Baltimore lineup.
Stud Finder: Pete Alonso (1B – NYM), Nolan Arenado (3B – STL), Paul Goldschmidt (1B – STL), Byron Buxton (OF – MIN), Kyle Schwarber (OF – PHI)
Some of the value plays afford you the option to add several of these big boppers to your lineups. As you can see, I’m a big fan of bats on both sides of the MIN/BAL game, as well as hitters from the Mets and Cardinals. Best of luck with all of your lineups tonight. Don’t forget to double-check before first pitch at 6:45pm to make sure all your guys are in their starting lineups. Let’s pad that bankroll.
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