MLB DFS Picks for FanDuel 5/26/22

I am back with another article covering tonight's baseball slate! On Tuesday, the date of my recent article, I had my most successful MLB DFS day of the year as my lineup scored 222 points and was near takedown in smaller tournaments, which was good for a 6-7x profit margin. That level of success will be hardly replicate tonight, but hopefully I can provide some insight that will help you cash in. Tonight's slate features 10 games with some weather concerns in a few spots. Let's dive into my breakdown of the MLB main slate on FanDuel!

REMINDER: RTs on the article post on twitter at @SportsVerseHQ are appreciated, as well as following my personal Twitter, @cobioconnell. If you would like to see my lineup package for the NBA/NFL/MLB seasons, message me there. Thank you!

Weather Concerns:

CLE @ DET, PHI @ ATL - Both of these spots have a decent risk of delay or postponement as of now. Pay attention to the forecast closer to lock, but there are going to be moderate to heavy rain and scattered storms near the ballparks around game time.

BOS @ CHW - There is a low to moderate risk of delay or postponement at this time. It looks like the game should play, but as always, stay updated with the forecast as it gets closer to game time. There are some storms in Chicago tonight, but they appear to not be prolonged.

Top Pitchers:

1) Shohei Ohtani ($9900)

Erik Drost, Ohtani batting 2019.08.04(3), CC BY 2.0

Even though Shohei Ohtani faces what many expected to be a powerhouse lineup prior to the season in the Blue Jays, he is still my favorite pitcher on the slate. I am far from counting out this Jays team, but they have underwhelmed as a unit thus far as they sit at a below-average 97 wRC+ against righties, to go with a moderate 22.2% strikeout rate. However, the matchup isn't what brings me to Ohtani tonight, it is how good he has been on the season. Currently, his skill interactive ERA sits at a minimal 2.45, and he is striking out batters at a whopping 34% rate. The cherry on top is that Ohtani sits at a friendly $9900 salary as well. If salary is not a problem for you tonight, or you simply want my best projected pitcher, then Shohei Ohtani is your answer.

2) Frankie Montas ($8800) -

Frankie Montas is my second favorite pitcher on the slate, although he is only a hair below Ohtani. His $8800 salary is far too cheap for his standard production, but his hand injury in his most recent game is what is keeping him just below the top spot tonight. It doesn't seem to be a major concern as he missed no time through the rotation, but is still worth noting. Montas has a SIERA of 3.08, strikes out batters at an effective 27.4% rate, and is facing a Rangers team with just a 84 wRC+ against righties, although they have gotten a little hot recently. If the $1100 salary difference between Ohtani and Montas is important to you tonight, then Montas should be your guy.

3) Nestor Cortes ($10300) -

Nestor Cortes has been one of the better stories this season given the fun player he is. He has a 2.68 SIERA, 32.4% strike out rate, and has done it while facing some difficult opponents including the White Sox and Blue Jays twice. That demonstrates that Cortes is an intriguing DFS option no matter his opponent, but facing a streaking Rays team that has a 108 wRC+ against lefties was enough to bump him down to my number three option on the slate.

Value Pitcher:

Germán Márquez ($7600) -

If I was a multi-lineup DFS player, the majority of my pitching shares would be spread between the three players listed above. However, I would also take a couple of shots at Márquez to allow me to stack some bats. It is no secret that Márquez has struggled this season - his ERA is up a lot from last season, while his strikeout rate is down. Even so, he has been a good pitcher in years past, which is enough for me to take a few shots on him in a matchup away from Coors against a Nationals team with no real threats other than Soto or Bell. I would stay far away from him in cash games, and wouldn't rely on him in too many GPP shots with Montas sitting just a salary tier above, but he is worth noting.

Other strong options: Skubal ($10100), Pérez ($9700), Nola ($8900)

Top Stacks:

1) Dodgers -

The Dodgers have been the top stacking option in many of the recent slates, and that is to be expected when they have an all-star lineup against poor pitching. Nothing has changed for this slate, as they will face Humberto Castellanos and carry a 5.35 implied run total, which is almost a full run ahead of the second highest team. Every single bat in the lineup is worth consideration, but the red-hot Mookie Betts, cheap Edwin Ríos, and superstar Freddie Freeman are my top plays.

2) *Red Sox* -

UPDATE: CHW starter is now Keuchel - still love the Red Sox stack

I love Boston as a stack against Vince Velasquez tonight, but they are starred because they carry some weather risk. If the game is able to play, I full expect the Sox to take advantage of a pitcher that is allowing 1.77 HR/9, and has a 5.3 ERA, although his SIERA is a full run less. Devers, Martinez, Bogaerts, and the streaking Story stand out as the best plays, while Verdugo is a strong option at a reduced price.

3) Diamondbacks -

I didn't expect the Diamondbacks to be mentioned as a top stack as much as they have been recently, but it is well deserved with the current hitting numbers that the players on their roster boast. Mitch White is drawing the start for the Dodgers tonight, and although he hasn't been particularly bad, he is coming off injury and hasn't been great either. On the season, he allows 1.54 HR/9, but his SIERA is just 3.23. Many of the Diamondback bats have stellar numbers against righties, so all of Varsho, Peralta, Walker, Marte, Rojas, Smith, and Thomas are quality options provided they are in the lineup.

Secondary Stacks/One-offs: Twins, Rockies, Angels