MLB DFS Winners and Losers – Bringing Back Brett

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By Vincent Pensabene

We had a 15-game slate on Sunday May 19^th. I will go into detail on some players that performed well and others who did not deliver as hoped. Points and salaries are based on DraftKings.

Winners

Brett Gardner ($3,600)

When people think of Brett Gardner in 2019, they usually do not think of him as a good pick, as he has a .211 average. However, Gardner had himself a really solid game as he went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, two runs and a stolen base. Add up everything Gardner did at the plate and he produced 33 points.

Gardner’s Outlook

Gardner wasn’t on many people’s radar after posting a .140 average in May going into the game. This was Gardner’s best offensive game in two weeks and with the return of Aaron Hicks back,. The Yankees travel to Baltimore for a night game against the Orioles, so he can be a solid choice depending on his price.

Shane Bieber ($9,000)

Bieber had the best outing of his young career last night against the Baltimore Orioles, when he pitched a complete game shutout with zero walks and 15 strikeouts. The only baserunners in the game for the Birds were the five hits he allowed. Add all the production Bieber had and you get a whopping 56.25 points!

Bieber’s Outlook

This was arguably the best outing by a pitcher this season thus far. Bieber’s next start is scheduled to be at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. The Rays are a better hitting team than the Orioles are, but Bieber had good outings against solid hitting teams such as the Astros and Mariners this season. Bieber’s value for his next start may be a little too high, but if it stays similar to how it was yesterday, jump all over him.

Sandy Alcantara ($5,700)

Another day, another Marlins pitcher popping up on here. Alcantara picked up his second victory of the season with a complete game shutout against the New York Mets. He only allowed three baserunners in the game, with two hits and a walk, and tallied eight punchouts along the way. He only had one at-bat against him with a runner in scoring position and the run did not score.

Alcantara’s Outlook

Alcantara was the best value pick from last night with his price tag. This was a combination of a completely horrendous Mets team and a great outing by Alcantara. He is penciled in to start Saturday on the road against the Washington Nationals, who look like they are beginning to heat up offensively the past few games. Be wary of Alcantara next time through the rotation.

Losers

Jose Martinez ($4,100)

Martinez was the DH for the Cardinals against the Texas Rangers last night and did not get the bat going. Martinez went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. He also ended up stranding four baserunners on the day.

Martinez’s Outlook

Martinez has been solid all season but had a stinker of a game on Sunday. His average dropped to .319 and he showed no sign of slowing down for a considerable amount of time. On the six-game road trip, Martinez batted .231, not the number you would expect. The Cardinals return home to take on the Kansas City Royals tonight. They are only ahead of the Orioles in terms of ERA at 5.28. Jump on Martinez to bounce back from a bad road trip for his standards.

Chris Davis ($3,400)

Davis had difficulty putting his bat on the ball last night against Shane Bieber, and the Cleveland Indians as a whole in their series. Overall, Davis went 0-for-4 with all four at-bats ending with a strikeout. He didn’t have a plate appearance with a runner on base and couldn’t figure out a way to manage to get on himself either.

Davis’ Outlook

After his no-hitting streak ended earlier this season, Davis has put up an All-Star argument. This could have been a product of Bieber’s dominance and Davis going through a cold streak. Davis has not had a multi-hit game in his past eight contests. He faces J.A. Happ and the New York Yankees tonight, but Happ has settled down in his previous two starts, so I would not look at Davis for this upcoming slate.

Manny Machado ($4,300)

Manny Machado did not record a hit in his four at-bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates and two of those ended with strike three. Don’t be too concerned, though, as Machado had a couple of good swings throughout the game but came away with nothing.

Machado’s Outlook

As the best hitter in the Padres’ lineup, Machado needs to at least get on base. Last night snapped his 11-game hitting streak and he will look to start another one when San Diego hosts the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight. Luke Weaver is the scheduled starting pitcher and he has been dominant away from Arizona this year, I would avoid Machado and look somewhere else for shortstops.