3 Under-the-Radar MLB FanDuel Plays for 5/22/19
When being contrarian in daily fantasy sports, there's a fine line between taking a calculated risk and being reckless. But differentiating your lineups from everyone else is the name of the game if you plan on taking down one of those highly lucrative DFS tournaments. Whether it's because of Vegas totals, other options at a given position, or some gem you've found that everyone is overlooking, we can always find potential under-owned plays if we look hard enough.
Here are three such players to consider branching out for on FanDuel's main slate
Jose Urena, P, Miami Marlins
FanDuel Price: $7,100
By no means is Jose Urena a "great" pitcher, but he has at least shown to be competent with his fantasy value and has a great matchup tonight we want to attack.
In his last six starts, Urena has allowed two or fewer runs five times but only has over five strikeouts once. The overall consistency of him as a real-life pitcher is strong, but his 15.0% strikeout rate this season is what is holding him back in DFS. Strikeouts are still when it comes to pitching and Urena simply doesn't bring that. This is the reason why he often goes overlooked, as the ceiling can be very limited on a start by start basis.
The matchup tonight is simply fantastic going up against the Detroit Tigers, who currently own a dreadful 68 wRC+ and a .137 ISO versus right-handed pitchers. Both of those are the second worst in the league, making this a team you shouldn't be afraid by any measure.
Tony Kemp, OF, Houston Astros
FanDuel Price: $2,200
The story last night for the Houston Astros was Justin Verlander and his amazing outing, but the story tonight could be their hitters.
The Astros are at home and come in with an implied team total set at 5.40, which is the second highest on the slate, so we are expecting plenty of runs and fantasy points from them. But if they have a high implied team total then shouldn't they be popular? Well, the elite hitters for the Astros will be popular as they always are, but if dip down further in their lineup, we find Tony Kemp, who is just above the minimum salary.
Kemp comes in with the platoon advantage against Ivan Nova, who has simply been terrible this season, there is really no other way to put it. Nova has a 5.07 xFIP, 37.5% hard-contact rate, .435 wOBA, and allowing 1.88 homers per nine innings to left-handed hitters. Those are some of the worst numbers you will find on this slate and if the ownership is going to be centered around the Astros top hitters, Kemp offers the salary relief and the option to differentiate your lineups in tournaments, all while getting exposure to their powerful offense.
Freddy Galvis, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
FanDuel Price: $2,800
Shortstop as a position can be tough to find solid players after the top-tier, but that leaves plenty of options who will be lower owned.
Freddy Galvis is someone to keep an eye on tonight since he is up against Rick Porcello, who has really struggled against lefty hitters this season. Porcello is holding a 6.11 xFIP, 13.1% walk rate, 41.2% fly-ball rate, and a low 16.2% strikeout rate against those lefty hitters and we want to be attacking him since the Toronto Blue Jays come in with a solid 4.39 implied run total.
Galvis has been legit good against right-handed pitchers this season with a .208 ISO, .338 wOBA, and a 44% fly-ball rate. Things line up nicely for the shortstop tonight who comes in under $3k, allowing you to pay up for the top-tier pitchers if you so choose.
