MLB DFS Winners and Losers: Smoaking

We had a 15-game slate for Sunday May 26th. Let’s go over some players who performed well and others who underperformed. All points and prices are based off DraftKings.

Winners

Brandon Woodruff ($6,600)

Woodruff looked special on the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday. He finished with eight innings and only had one hit against him, a solo home run off the bat of Andrew Knapp. He also reached 10 strikeouts and no walks. The Phillies rank in the Top-10 with a .332 OBP and only managed to get one baserunner against Woodruff.

Woodruff’s Outlook

This was the sixth consecutive outing that Woodruff has thrown at least five innings and given up two runs or less. In that same span, he has a 43:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has been quietly very good and DraftKings has him at low value for his production. His next scheduled start should be on Saturday in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Make sure to get Woodruff during that slate.

Justin Smoak ($3,900)

Smoak went 2-for-5 against the San Diego Padres yesterday and his two hits left the ballpark. He finished with five RBI and two runs scored, putting his point total at 34. At almost $100 per point, he was definitely an under-the-radar pickup for DFS players yesterday.

Smoak’s Outlook

Smoak has caught fire, hitting five home runs in as many games. However, it’s either out-of-the-park or just an out, as he totaled six hits in those five games. The Blue Jays play an afternoon game today against the Tampa Bay Rays, who lead the Majors with a 2.97 team ERA. I would fade Justin Smoak since the Rays keep runs at a minimum and Smoak only hits home runs.

Howie Kendrick ($4,100)

Howie Kendrick took advantage of facing the Miami Marlins, going 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two times crossing the plate. Add up all his production, you get 26 points. That would equate to $157 per point, which is incredible value. Kendrick has been slumping a bit as of late so I am wary of jumping on him in today’s slate.

Kendrick’s Outlook

Kendrick has been solid at the plate this season with a slash line of .303/.346/.549. However, he has been held without a hit in four of his last six games. The Nationals wrap up their series against the Miami Marlins today, but I would be cautious about counting on Kendrick to put up similar stats.

Losers

Domingo German ($10,100)

Coming into the game, German looked like a prime candidate for the AL Cy Young Award. However, the Kansas City Royals had his number, as he went five innings and gave up seven runs on nine hits. He did strike out six batters and didn’t allow a walk. Even so, German gave up four home runs throughout his outing and with the lofty price tag, he did not provide anywhere near enough value.

German’s Outlook

As stated, German has been great so far in 2019. It seems the Royals have his number, since they seem to hit him better than every other team he faced. He still has a 1.04 WHIP and is throwing more than one strikeout an inning, so German should be fine. German is penciled in to pitch against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, so he should have a bounce-back outing.

Bryce Harper ($4,500)

Harper, like many of the Phillies, looked totally overmatched at the plate yesterday against Woodruff. Harper went 0-for-3 with all three at-bats ending in a strikeout. He has had a rough week at the plate and should be off people’s DFS radars until something changes in his approach.

Harper’s Outlook

Bryce Harper is still one of the best players in the league. However, he is in the midst of a putrid week where he is batting .179 with a .250 OBP. The superstar of an organization can ill afford to go into a bad stretch like this. Harper wasn’t going to snap his cold strreak against what Woodruff was throwing. Harper and the Phillies get a much-needed day off before starting their next series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

Injury Update

Kris Bryant exited yesterday’s game after colliding with center fielder Jason Heyward in the outfield. Bryant was struck on the side of the head and neck, but is traveling with the team to Houston.

Chris Paddack was scratched from his start on Sunday due to a stiff neck. The injury is not considered serious and he is scheduled to start on Wednesday against the New York Yankees.

Chris Davis was placed on the IL, retroactive to Saturday, with left hip inflammation.