DFS MLB Lineup Picks for 05/01/17

*James Leer & Luis Herasme*

DFS MLB Lineup Picks for 05/01/17

Welcome to Lineup Lab’s DFS MLB Lineup picks article, where we feature our top players for our MLB Lineup Optimizer on Fanduel and Draftkings. Put your favorite players from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the MLB Player Lab.

This season, new with our MLB Subscription Package we offer Daily Fantasy Graphs. We wanted to create a tool that gives users the ability to visualize data points for Hitters and Pitchers by showing DFS salaries/fantasy points over time. If any of you come from the world of Stocks or Equities Trading, you will immediately understand the usefulness of these charts. Just as price and volume are essential in understanding a stocks movement, points and salary are core for DFS.

**STARTING PITCHERS**

Clayton Kershaw vs San Francisco Giants
Park – Dodger Stadium

Every time that Clayton Kershaw is on the mound he is most certainly worth considering, that is if you can afford him. A strategy that I employ is to build one of my lineups starting with the offensive batters first; then if I have money left to afford Kershaw then I plug him in. Last time out versus San Francisco, He allowed one earned run, six hits and a walk with seven strikeouts over seven innings. He may produce another quality start today, being at home versus the Giants, but is he worth the price point?

Luis Severino vs Toronto Blue Jays
Park – Yankee Stadium

Luis Severino, my favorite pitcher of the slate tonight. There is a bit of bad blood with Severino and the Blue Jays. Who could forget the bench-clearing brawl last year facing each other? Hopefully, all of that is over with and the past won’t hinder his performance. This season, Severino is currently supporting an 11.0 K/9 with a 0.78 WHIP. The Toronto Blue Jays haven’t looked the same this year, as they currently sit third to last in runs scored (89), and fifth to last in home runs (22). There aren’t too many batters that pose a real power threat versus Severino except Jose Bautista and possibly Kendrys Morales.

Also consider: Julio Teheran & Trevor Bauer – These two pitchers have both underperform early in the season but have faced opponents multiple times during their careers. Bauer this season is supporting a 10.9 K/9, with no Miguel Cabrera (groin) until Tuesday I would take a GPP risk on Bauer. Teheran “owns” the Mets over his career. I like him at home vs. an injury-plagued Mets team. I think he is a safe play; I would play him in almost every format.

**OFFENSIVE BATTERS**

Here are a few of my favorite offensive hitters that I am going to build my lineups around. The players in bold are ones that I have the most exposure to. Also, it’s important to note that The Cubs will be a bit chalky tonight. 20 MPH winds are blowing out to centerfield. Play them at your risk.

*CATCHERS*

C-Salvador Perez
C-Brian McCann

*FIRST BASEMAN*

**1B-Freddie Freeman** – Top 5% versus RH Pitchers, has averaged 15.6 DraftKings points in his past four games.
1B-Carlos Santana

*SECOND BASEMAN*

**2B-Starlin Castro** – Power slugger for the Yankees. .549 SLG, .947 OPS.
2B-Jose Ramirez
2B- Jose Altuve

*THIRD BASEMAN*

**3B-Evan Longoria** – Facing a fly ball pitcher in Chen. Has two career home runs against him in 40 at bats.
3B-Michael Franco

*SHORTSTOP*

**SS-Francisco Lindor** – Lindor went 2-for-5 Sunday with his 7th homer of the season and finding his way into the perfect lineup. We find out tonight if the hot streak is real.
SS-Addison Russell

*OUTFIELD*

OF-Matt Kemp
OF-Mookie Betts
OF-Andrew McCutchen
OF-Rickie Weeks (Punt)
OF-Michael Brantley