MLB Preview 5/18/24 Early Slate

Welcome to today’s MLB DFS preview! We’ve got an exciting slate of games lined up with a mix of strong pitching matchups and some vulnerable arms that could lead to explosive offensive performances. This article will focus on breaking down the key pitching matchups and providing insights into each game, setting you up for success in today’s DFS contests. We’ll dig deeper into the top hitters and stacks later, but for now, let’s dive into the pitching landscape and overall game matchups for May 18th.

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Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees – 1:05 PM ET – Yankee Stadium

Pitching Matchup:

• Brad Keller (CHW):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 16.2% K%, 17.6% BB% vs. LHB, 13.8% K%, 20% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .091 vs. LHB, .137 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .327 vs. LHB, .366 vs. RHB
• Luis Gil (NYY):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 26% K%, 17.8% BB% vs. LHB, 28.4% K%, 12.7% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .136 vs. LHB, .080 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .313 vs. LHB, .267 vs. RHB

Game Matchup Insights:

• The Yankees have a potent lineup, with key hitters like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto boasting high ISOs and xwOBAs.
• Brad Keller’s high walk rate and low strikeout rate make him vulnerable, especially against a power-hitting Yankees team.
• Luis Gil has a solid strikeout rate and has limited power from right-handed hitters, making him a challenging matchup for the White Sox.

Key Points:

• Yankees’ powerful lineup against Keller’s control issues.
• Gil’s ability to limit power from right-handers.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM ET – Wrigley Field

Pitching Matchup:

• Bailey Falter (PIT):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 16.2% K%, 3.8% BB% vs. LHB, 16.9% K%, 6.5% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .287 vs. LHB, .188 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .367 vs. LHB, .344 vs. RHB
• Shota Imanaga (CHC):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 27.7% K%, 0% BB% vs. LHB, 27.9% K%, 5.9% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .000 vs. LHB, .086 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .276 vs. LHB, .254 vs. RHB

Game Matchup Insights:

• The Cubs have several power hitters like Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger who can exploit Bailey Falter’s struggles.
• Falter’s high ISO allowed to both left and right-handed hitters makes him a prime target.
• Shota Imanaga’s impressive strikeout rate and ability to limit power from both sides of the plate make him a tough opponent for the Pirates.

Key Points:

• Falter’s vulnerability to power hitters.
• Imanaga’s ability to control the game with his strikeout rate.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays – 3:07 PM ET – Rogers Centre

Pitching Matchup:

• Zach Eflin (TB):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 22.4% K%, 3.4% BB% vs. LHB, 26.6% K%, 2.7% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .135 vs. LHB, .166 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .272 vs. LHB, .282 vs. RHB
• Kevin Gausman (TOR):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 27.1% K%, 7.9% BB% vs. LHB, 31.7% K%, 6.3% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .176 vs. LHB, .134 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .333 vs. LHB, .298 vs. RHB

Game Matchup Insights:

• Both pitchers have strong strikeout rates and control, making this a potentially low-scoring game.
• Eflin and Gausman both limit power effectively, with Eflin particularly strong against right-handed hitters and Gausman excelling against lefties.
• The Rays and Blue Jays both have balanced lineups, but the pitching dominance could suppress offensive production.

Key Points:

• Strong strikeout rates and control from both pitchers.
• Potential for a low-scoring game due to effective power suppression.

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Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles – 4:05 PM ET – Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Pitching Matchup:

• Luis Castillo (SEA):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 26.2% K%, 7.8% BB% vs. LHB, 29.3% K%, 5.2% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .221 vs. LHB, .125 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .324 vs. LHB, .268 vs. RHB
• Dean Kremer (BAL):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 20.9% K%, 9.9% BB% vs. LHB, 23.2% K%, 5.6% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .206 vs. LHB, .139 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .371 vs. LHB, .319 vs. RHB

Game Matchup Insights:

• Castillo’s high strikeout rate and ability to limit power from right-handers make him a top pitcher on the slate.
• Kremer’s struggles against left-handed hitters could be exploited by Mariners’ bats like Julio Rodriguez and Josh Rojas.
• Mariners have a balanced lineup capable of challenging Kremer, while Castillo’s dominance can suppress the Orioles’ offense.

Key Points:

• Castillo’s dominance against right-handers.
• Kremer’s struggles against left-handed hitters.

Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants – 4:05 PM ET – Oracle Park

Pitching Matchup:

• Ty Blach (COL):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 13.4% K%, 4.1% BB% vs. LHB, 13.5% K%, 7.1% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .178 vs. LHB, .171 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .315 vs. LHB, .405 vs. RHB
• Kyle Harrison (SF):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 21.6% K%, 6.8% BB% vs. LHB, 22.8% K%, 8.2% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .192 vs. LHB, .174 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .327 vs. LHB, .319 vs. RHB

Game Matchup Insights:

• Blach’s high xwOBA and low strikeout rate make him a prime target for the Giants’ power hitters.
• Giants have power bats like Matt Chapman and Jorge Soler who can exploit Blach’s weaknesses.
• Harrison’s solid strikeout rate and ability to limit power make him a strong option against the Rockies’ lineup.

Key Points:

• Blach’s high xwOBA and low strikeout rate.
• Giants’ power hitters against Blach.

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New York Mets vs. Miami Marlins – 4:10 PM ET – loanDepot park

Pitching Matchup:

• Luis Severino (NYM):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 18.3% K%, 8.3% BB% vs. LHB, 21.1% K%, 9.4% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .218 vs. LHB, .189 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .372 vs. LHB, .338 vs. RHB
• Braxton Garrett (MIA):
  • 2023-24 Stats: 25.9% K%, 7.8% BB% vs. LHB, 23.4% K%, 3.5% BB% vs. RHB
  • ISO: .113 vs. LHB, .191 vs. RHB
  • xwOBA: .299 vs. LHB, .339 vs. RHB

Game Matchup Insights:

• Severino’s inconsistencies and high xwOBA against left-handed hitters make the Marlins an intriguing offensive option.
• Garrett’s strong strikeout rate and ability to limit power from both sides of the plate make him a tough opponent for the Mets.
• Mets have power hitters like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor who can challenge Garrett.

Key Points:

• Severino’s high xwOBA and inconsistent performance.
• Garrett’s strong strikeout rate and power suppression.

Final Thoughts

Today’s MLB DFS slate offers a variety of intriguing pitching matchups. With dominant pitchers like Luis Castillo and Kevin Gausman on the mound, along with exploitable matchups against pitchers like Brad Keller and Bailey Falter, there’s plenty of potential for both high and low-scoring games. Use these insights and statistics to build a balanced lineup. Stay tuned for the top hitters and stacks later today!