Welcome to the Fantasy Alarm MLB DFS Playbook for Friday, May 30th! 

We have a massive 12-game main slate in store for us this evening on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:05 PM ET. Today, we have plenty of talent on the diamond and many different ways to build your lineup. Our expert analysis is here to guide you through the top pitchers, value plays, and stackable offenses to target.

Whether chasing big GPP prizes or grinding cash games, we’ve got you covered with insights tailored to today’s matchups. Let’s jump right into the key plays and strategies to dominate the slate!

 

 

This season's MLB DFS picks and playbook will consist of a pitcher and hitter core players section with written analysis, player pool grid and core stacks section.

The core player section should be used as a starting point for all lineups, you may not be able to use all players in the same lineup, but those players should be the building blocks for you on a given night.

The player pool grid will feature both players from the core player section along with additional plays to help you build a complete lineup. The grid will be broken into top priced players, mid-priced players and value tier players.

The stacks section will bring you are favorite lineups stacks for the day and which players we would look to include in those stacks based on matchups and pricing.

Check out the MLB DFS Show to get an initial outlook on the day's MLB DFS slate to give you a good base for the start of your research each day! 

Make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Alarm YouTube channel so you never miss a show! Also, join the Fantasy Alarm Discord to get your DFS lineup questions answered by our MLB DFS team! Plus, as always, be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, with the Daily MLB Projections, MLB DFS Rostership Projections, and our MLB DFS Lineup Generator when building those lineups today to help you decide which players you should be targeting.

 

MLB DFS Picks & MLB Playbook

MLB Weather: Friday, 5/30

Colorado Rockies @ New York Mets

Rain chances increase later in the evening, but it should be light enough to play through. Outside chance of an in-game delay. 

Los Angeles Angels @ Cleveland Guardians

There is a chance of rain and an in-game delay is possible. 

 

 

 

Recommended MLB DFS Starting Pitchers

Let's get into today's core pitching plays for our DFS lineups

Core MLB DFS Pitchers

Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres 

Nick Pivetta is enjoying a fantastic season for the Padres. He has posted a 2.72 ERA through 10 starts and owns a robust 28.3% strikeout rate – easily the highest on the slate. Pivetta also finds himself in an elite matchup with the Pirates, who rank dead last in ISO against right-handed pitching. Due to his strikeout ability and the Pirates lack of power, Pivetta has the highest upside on the slate.  

Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners

Woo is coming off an excellent season last year, and he has been even better this season. His strikeout rate has risen to an above average 24.1%, and the walk rate is still elite at 3.2%. Woo pitches in one of the most pitcher-friendly ballparks in the league and gets a matchup with the Twins, who rank just 18th in ISO and 22nd in wOBA against right-handed pitching. Woo has worked at least six innings in all 10 of his starts this season. 

Framber Valdez, Houston Astros

Astros lefty Framber Valdez is having another solid season behind his typically elite groundball ability and home run prevention. He gets a matchup against Tampa Bay, who has been a below average offense against lefties this season and rank just 22nd in ISO against left-handed pitching. Framber should be able to work deep into the game and is a solid favorite to secure the win. 

David Peterson, New York Mets

Peterson gets an elite matchup against the Rockies away from Coors Field. The move from Coors to Citi Field is one of the most drastic ballpark downgrades an offense can face in MLB. The Rockies have managed just a .266 wOBA against left-handed pitching, which ranks 3rd-worst, and they are tied for the highest strikeout rate in the league against lefties. Peterson owns a sparkling 2.79 ERA through 10 starts this season and has more upside than usual given his elite matchup.  

Matthew Liberatore, St. Louis Cardinals 

Liberatore gets an elite matchup with the Rangers, who have been awful against left-handed pitching. Against southpaws this season, the Rangers rank 2nd-worst in wOBA, 3rd-worst in wRC+, and they strike out at the 3rd-highest rate in the league. Liberatore has been legitimately great for the Redbirds this season, with a 2.73 ERA through 10 starts. The strikeouts sit at just 21.3 %, but the walks are an elite 3.4%. He has worked into the 6th inning in 9 of his 10 starts this season, and he has allowed 2 runs or less in each of his last eight starts. Liberatore is a great GPP pivot off of Peterson, who should be significantly more popular. 

Luis L. Ortiz, Cleveland Guardians 

If looking to save some salary at SP2 on DK, Luis L. Ortiz is a high-upside option. He has an above average 25.3% strikeout rate this season and the Angels strike out at the highest rate in the league. Lefties have been the cause of the majority of trouble for Ortiz this season, as he has allowed .214 ISO to LH hitters. The good news is the Angels have just one LH hitter with an ISO above .120. Ortiz has been dominant against righties this season with just a .099 ISO allowed. The Angels lack of left-handed power and propensity to strike out give Ortiz tremendous upside for his price today.  

 

 

Recommended MLB DFS Hitters

Let's check out today's core plays to build our lineups around.

Core MLB DFS Hitters

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Jake Irvin

The Diamondbacks have the highest implied team total on the slate against Jake Irvin and the Washington Nationals. Irvin has been solid overall, but he has really struggled against lefties this season. LH hitters have blasted him for a .207 ISO and 14.6% barrel rate. The Nats bullpen behind him has been one of the worst in baseball. Their 6.08 ERA is the 2nd highest and they managed just a 20% strikeout rate and 11.2% walk rate. The D-backs have crushed right-handed pitching this year and lead MLB with a .210 ISO. Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte are elite options with each posting an ISO above .350 against righties this season. Josh Naylor and Pavin Smith also hit lefty and have an ISO of at least .179 and wOBA of at least .383 against righties. The best of the right-handed hitters is Eugenio Suarez, who owns a .305 ISO against righties this season. Gabriel Moreno is just $3,500 on DK where we have to play catcher, and he has posted a .341 wOBA. 

New York Mets vs. Kyle Freeland

The Mets have an implied team total above five runs facing Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland. Freeland has done a decent job of keeping the ball on the ground and the ball in the park, but he still owns a 5.86 ERA. He owns just a 17.3% strikeout rate, so the Mets should have no problem putting the ball in play. Behind Freeland, the Rockies bullpen owns the lowest strikeout rate and worst SIERA in the league. Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor are both elite options, while Mark Vientos and Starling Marte are value options to help round out a stack.

Atlanta Braves vs. Lucas Giolito 

The Braves also have a massive implied team total as they face Lucas Gioltio, who was very good his last time out, but also has allowed six runs in two of his other four starts this season. This Braves team was the most recent team to hang six on Giolito, as they blasted three home runs off him earlier this month. Lefties have been a major problem for the Red Sox righty, as they have torched him for a .204 ISO and 14% barrel rate. Matt Olson is one of the top hitters of the day and Drake Baldwin has posted a .208 ISO against righties this season. Ronald Acuna is also back and has taken no time at all to get back in MVP form. 

New York Yankees vs. Tony Gonsolin

The Yankees have been the best offense in baseball this season and Tony Gonsolin has struggled with hard contact and walks in his return from arm surgery. The Dodgers righty has allowed a barrel rate of 10.4% and has walked 11.1% of hitters. Gonsolin also has some massive splits this season, as he has struck out 42% of righties, but just 12.9% of lefties, and they have also burned him for a .176 ISO. By no means does this mean you shouldn't play Aaron Judge, who has been the best hitter in baseball. Lefty Trent Grisham is having an outstanding season, posting a .354 ISO and .436 wOBA against righties thus far. Cody Bellinger, Jasson Dominguez and Austin Wells will all hit from the left side and have an ISO of at least .176 and a barrel rate of at least 10% against righties this season. 

Jackson Merrill and the Padres vs. Mitch Keller 

Mitch Keller has put together a strong season for the Pirates with a 3.66 ERA through 11 starts. However, there is just no way his 6.0% HR/FB rate is sustainable, and he has been susceptible to lefties. Keller entered the 2025 season with an 11.8% HR/FB rate in his career and we should some regression towards that number. He has also struck out just 15.8% of lefties, so there is a clear plan of attack and starts with Jackson Merrill. The 22-year old is following up an impressive rookie campaign with an even better sophomore season that includes a .411 wOBA against righties. Gavin Sheets (.259 ISO) and Jake Cronenworth (.227 ISO) are two more lefties with excellent success against righties this season, and Luis Arraez is fine in a full stack. Of course, Fernando Tatis and Manny Machado lead the list of right-handed hitters and they are playable in any matchup. 

Player Pool

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Stacks

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