Sean Escobar 
There was a 15-game slate for Friday May 31. We will discuss a few players who performed well and others who underachieved. All points and prices are based on DraftKings.
Winners
Dylan Covey ($4,600)
Covey had his best outing so far this season yesterday against the Cleveland Indians. Covey picked up his first win on the year, throwing six innings and giving up one run on eight hits. He also had one walk and five strikeouts. I would hesitate before picking Covey up in his next start without a track record of success.
Covey’s Outlook
Dylan Covey had his best stuff on the season so far and lowered his ERA to 4.73. He faced an Indians team that has struggled offensively, ranking 27th in MLB with a .226 batting average. Covey also had control with his lowest walk total (one) in his six starts in 2019. His next start is lined up to be against the Royals in Kansas City on Friday. The Royals are also in the lower-third in batting average, but should have more success against Covey.
Niko Goodrum ($3,400)
Niko Goodrum had a great game from the leadoff spot yesterday in Atlanta. His final line was 5-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI and four runs scored. Add the production up and it was 36 points.
Goodrum’s Outlook
Goodrum had a career day against the Braves. He finished with 12 total bases and to put that into perspective, Goodrum had 12 total bases in his previous eight games combined. He is not someone who is a popular choice to have another breakout game since he has only six home runs and 73 total bases this season. The Tigers continue their series in Atlanta and face Mike Soroka, who is having an incredible season.
Trevor Story ($5,800)
When a player has a price tag as high as Story did yesterday, it is difficult to be looked upon as a winner. However, Story had a career night against the Toronto Blue Jays in Coors Field. He went 3-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, seven RBI and scored four times. Forty-five points made him the most productive player on the slate.
Story’s Outlook
Trevor Story had a Coors Field night, hitting the ball in the air and letting the stadium do the rest. Story is up to 15 home runs, 42 RBI and 52 runs scored. The two teams continue their interleague series today and Toronto is a middle-of-the-road pitching team, but Story should continue to rake.
Losers
Patrick Corbin ($11,200)
Patrick Corbin had his worst start in 2019 yesterday against the Cincinnati Reds. Corbin’s final line was 2.2 innings with eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits. He only had two strikeouts in the eight outs he recorded as well. Corbin was the most expensive player on the slate and completely whiffed in his outing.
Corbin’s Outlook
Corbin was coming off a complete game shutout against the Miami Marlins in his last start. His previous two starts, including this one, were completely opposite outings. Even with this dud of a performance, he still had a solid month of May, giving up less than a hit per inning. His next start should be on Thursday in San Diego against the Padres. The Padres have the same team batting average as the Reds do (.233) but Corbin should have a bounce-back start. His price might be too high and could hurt the rest of your lineup but if he fits, pick him up.
Manny Machado ($3,700)
Manny Machado wasn’t at a huge price tag, but the name value could provide DFS players some comfort with choosing him. However, against the lowly Miami Marlins, Machado went hitless in his four at-bats. Two of those ended with strikeouts and he left three runners on base. Machado is batting only .200 in his past seven games and looks to be on the verge of breaking out. With a low value, jump on Manny Machado in today’s slate.
Machado’s Outlook
Machado has been slumping but there comes a time when he will play to the back of his baseball card. He is only batting .259 so far this season, which would tie for his worst average in a season if it ended today. Machado has not had that hot streak and only one game this season with three hits. However, he is facing Jose Urena, who has a batting average against of .280 in 2019 thus far. Machado has the potential to end this slump.
Injury Update
Yankees’ shortstop Didi Gregorius is expected to return to the Bronx Bombers on their upcoming road trip. Gregorius has not played this season after getting Tommy John surgery during the offseason.
The Cardinals placed catcher Yadier Molina on the 10-day IL on Friday with a tendon strain in his right thumb.
Steve Pearce of the Boston Red Sox left Friday’s game against the Yankees in the bottom of the second inning with back spasms and is listed as day-to-day. .
