Full Slate Breakdown for MLB DFS 5/18:
Get your MLB DFS research started with DFS Army’s Full Count! Pitching advice, stack strategy, home run calls, and everything you need.
Happy MLB Season and welcome to another year of the DFS Army MLB Full Count! You have to start your research somewhere, and oftentimes going game by game and breaking down every matchup and its key players is the first step in our process. My name is Eric, @Razzle11Grinds on Twitter, make sure to give me a follow as I’ll occasionally make updates to the advice in the article out on Twitter as well as inside our coaching forums. With that said, let’s get it started!
My Take on a Consistent MLB DFS Process – Looking at Pitchers
I always start an MLB slate by looking at pitching, not only do you get a grasp on who the pitchers are that you want to target, but gives you a holistic look at the slate as well. Breaking down pitching also gives you an idea of what offenses are in good spots against bad/vulnerable pitchers. I start my research by going straight to the MLB Carnage Report this is where we can analyze all the pitchers on the slate in a compact, yet detailed manner. Below are the three pitchers that jumped out to me at first glance, good or bad.
- Zach Wheeler
- Julio Urias
- Luis Patino
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Chicago White Sox (-111) @ Minnesota Twins
Pitchers:
White Sox – Lance Lynn
Twins – Michael Pineda
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 8. We saw the White Sox explode on Monday night and while Pineda is a reverse splits guy, I have a hard time seeing them explode again. Lynn is a guy that I refuse to attack with stacks but I might be willing to go with a one-off bat against him. This just feels like a game that I won’t be attacking much.
CWS 5-star plays: Tim Anderson
4-star plays: Nick Madrigal, Yermin Mercedes
GPP Note: Anderson is 9 for 15 against Pineda in his career.
MIN 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Trevor Larnach, Nelson Cruz
GPP Note: Team ISO of .175 against RHPs this season.
San Francisco Giants @ Cincinnati Reds (-121)
Pitchers:
Giants – Anthony DeSclafani
Reds – Luis Castillo
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 8.5. DeSclafani returns to Cincinnati against a team that struggled on Monday and is fresh from a series in Coors. Castillo can’t seem to figure it out this season so I am off of him until he shows me that he’s turned things around. Always power in the Reds lineup, especially from the left side.
SF 5-star plays: Mike Yastrzemski
4-star plays: Brandon Crawford, Wilmer Flores
GPP Note: Team ISO of .176 against RHPs this season.
CIN 5-star plays: Jesse Winker
4-star plays: Mike Moustakas, Tyler Naquin
GPP Note: Team ISO of .227 at home this season.
Washington Nationals (-115) @ Chicago Cubs
Pitchers:
Nationals – Patrick Corbin
Cubs – Zach Davies
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 8.5. We have a decent amount of weather concern here and the wind is expected to be blowing out. If we get clear to stack, I plan on stacking this game a few different ways. At first glance, I want all the Nationals bats against a struggling Davies while the Cubs bats have a shot at putting up some runs. Corbin has turned things around since his horrendous start to the season, so his upside intrigues me despite the weather.
WSH 5-star plays: Trea Turner
4-star plays: Josh Harrison, Juan Soto
GPP Note: Team ISO of .141 against RHPs this season.
CHC 5-star plays: Kris Bryant
4-star plays: Javy Baez, Willson Contreras
GPP Note: Team ISO of .175 against LHPs.
Detroit Tigers @ Seattle Mariners (-121)
Pitchers:
Tigers – Spencer Turnbull
Mariners – Justin Dunn
Rundown:
This MLB DFS game has opened with a total of 8. Kind of an under-the-radar, decent, SP match-up. I say that because the offenses aren’t overly dangerous and the pitchers are capable enough to do just enough to make them viable. The Tigers are swinging the power bat on Monday night as they have 3 HRs.
DET 5-star plays: Robbie Grossman
4-star plays: Harold Castro
GPP Note: Striking out at a 28% rate against RHPs this season.
SEA 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Mitch Haniger, Jarred Kelenic
GPP Note: Striking out at nearly a 26% rate against RHPs this season.
Colorado Rockies @ San Diego Padres (-195)
Pitchers:
Rockies – Austin Gomber
Padres – Blake Snell
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 7. I was shocked to see this game open at 7 with these guys pitching. Both LHPs have struggled a bit and there are a couple of solid bats to use here. The Rockies bats have been swinging it decent of late but they are currently getting shut down by Darvish.
COL 5-star plays: Yonathan Daza
4-star plays: Trevor Story, Josh Fuentes
GPP Note: Team ISO of .165 against LHPs this season.
SD 5-star plays: Manny Machado
4-star plays: Austin Nola, Manny Machado
GPP Note: Team ISO of .115 against LHPs this season.
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New York Yankees (-160) @ Texas Rangers
Pitchers:
Yankees – Jameson Taillon
Rangers – Mike Foltynewicz
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 9.5. We get a surprisingly high total in Texas as it’s approaching 10. I know the Rangers just got to Cole a bit on Monday night but that seems like a random occurrence over something that we should think happens again tonight. Taillon has K’s upside but he does give up some HRs while Folty has HR issues as well. The Yankees bats have burned us many times lately so I am curious to see ownership projections.
NYY 5-star plays: DJ LeMahieu
4-star plays: Aaron Judge, Luke Voit
GPP Note: Team ISO of .147 against RHPs this season.
TEX 5-star plays: Willie Calhoun
4-star plays: Nate Lowe
GPP Note: Team ISO of .153 against RHPs this season.
Cleveland Indians @ Los Angeles Angels (-140)
Pitchers:
Indians – Zach Plesac
Angels – Andrew Heaney
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 8.5. I like this SP match-up as the Angels just lost Trout in the Monday night game so that would make the LAA lineup much weaker. Heaney has impressive K ability and this CLE team isn’t one that I am overly afraid of. Sandoval gave up a leadoff HR on Monday night but then settled in perfectly fine.
CLE 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Franmil Reyes, Harold Ramirez
GPP Note: Team ISO of .156 against LHPs this season.
LAA 5-star plays: Shohei Ohtani
4-star plays: Anthony Rendon, Jared Walsh
GPP Note: Team ISO of .164 against RHPs this season.
Miami Marlins @ Philadelphia Phillies
Pitchers:
Marlins – Undecided
Phillies – Zack Wheeler
Rundown:
Waiting on the Vegas information.
MIA 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Garrett Cooper, Jesus Aguilar
GPP Note: Team ISO of .128 against RHPs this season.
PHI 5-star plays: Bryce Harper
4-star plays: Rhys Hoskins
GPP Note: Team ISO of .141 over the last week.
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New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves
Pitchers:
Mets – Undecided
Braves – Tucker Davidson
Rundown:
Waiting on the Vegas information.
NYM 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Jose Peraza, Dominic Smith
GPP Note: Team ISO of .127 against LHPs this season.
ATL 5-star plays: Freddie Freeman
4-star plays: Ronald Acuna Jr, Ozzie Albies
GPP Note: Team ISO of .194 against RHPs this season.
Boston Red Sox @ Toronto Blue Jays (-140)
Pitchers:
Red Sox – Eduardo Rodriguez
Blue Jays – Hyun-Jin Ryu
Rundown:
This MLB DFS game has opened with a total of 9.5. We get a solid SP match-up here but it happens in a park that is built for offense. I am really torn on what to do in this spot. Both of these offenses are ones that I absolutely LOVE to stack. Toronto has had the better history against E-Rod but Boston is loaded with some strong bats.
BOS 5-star plays: Xander Bogaerts
4-star plays: Bobby Dalbec, JD Martinez
GPP Note: Team ISO of .172 against LHPs this season.
TOR 5-star plays: Bo Bichette
4-star plays: Randall Grichuk, Teoscar Hernandez
GPP Note: Team ISO of .160 against LHPs this season.
Tampa Bay Rays (-145) @ Baltimore Orioles
Pitchers:
Rays – Luis Patino
Orioles – Matt Harvey
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 8.5. I am really excited to see Patino continue to develop as a true SP as it looks like the Rays are finally moving away from using him as an opener. Harvey is a guy that I constantly want to stack against but maybe he has figured out how to pitch now that he isn’t the same guy as his New York days.
TB 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Yandy Diaz, Austin Meadows
GPP Note: Team ISO of .158 against RHPs this season.
BAL 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Trey Mancini, DJ Stewart
GPP Note: Team ISO of .138 against RHPs this season.
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Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Pitchers:
D’Backs – Merrill Kelly
Dodgers – Julio Urias
Rundown:
Waiting on the Vegas information.
ARI 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Eduardo Escobar
GPP Note: Team ISO of .175 over the last week.
LAD 5-star plays: Mookie Betts
4-star plays: Justin Turner, Max Muncy
GPP Note: Team ISO of .172 against RHPs this season.
Milwaukee Brewers (-172) @ Kansas City Royals
Pitchers:
Brewers – Brandon Woodruff
Royals – Kris Bubic
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 7.5. I have basically zero interest in the bats from this game, at least initially. Woodruff is a pretty strong road favorite here while Bubic draws a weak lineup. Depending on the price point of Bubic on your preferred site, I think he makes an interesting option but his walks have been an issue in his two starts.
MIL 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Avisail Garcia
GPP Note: Team ISO of .153 against LHPs this season.
KC 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Salvador Perez
GPP Note: Team ISO of .153 against RHPs this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates @ St Louis Cardinals (-130)
Pitchers:
Pirates – JT Brubaker
Cardinals – John Gant
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 7.5. I am shocked to see a total at just 7.5 here. Gant is allowing a lot of baserunners with a lack of control while the Cardinals’ offense is pretty strong. Brubaker has the ability to surprise as he’s opened my eyes a bit this season for MLB DFS, but this seems like a less than ideal match-up.
PIT 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Bryan Reynolds, Adam Frazier
GPP Note: Team ISO of .116 against RHPs this season.
STL 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Nolan Arenado, Tyler O’Neill
GPP Note: Team ISO of .163 against RHPs this season.
Houston Astros @ Oakland Athletics (-111)
Pitchers:
Astros – Cristian Javier
Athletics – Sean Manaea
Rundown:
This game has opened with a total of 8.5. I am leaving the opening Vegas information up but since I posted this article last night, the total has moved to 8 and Houston is now a -111 favorite. Manaea was absolutely lit up in his last start but I think there’s a slight bounceback but the match-up isn’t great for him. Javier has given up 11 runs and 4 HRs over his last 17.1 innings so there have been some struggles. He’s always going to have HR issues with how he pitches but when he’s right, he picks up easy fly ball outs and strikeouts.
HOU 5-star plays: Alex Bregman
4-star plays: Yuli Gurriel, Martin Maldonado
GPP Note: Team ISO of .160 against LHPs this season.
OAK 5-star plays: NONE
4-star plays: Matt Olson, Mark Canha
GPP Note: Team ISO of .160 against RHPs this season.
Stacks of the Day: Main Slate
- Washington Nationals
- New York Yankees
- Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB DFS Dinger of the Day – Nate Lowe, Texas Rangers
As always I appreciate everyone who gave the article a read! Feel free to mix it up with me in our coaching forums as news breaks and lock approaches.
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