MLB FanDuel Picks for May 1, 2026

Daily Player Picks

Updated Throughout the Day

Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.


Pitchers

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Bryan Woo SEA $9,900 37.66 3.80
Noah Schultz CWS $9,400 36.21 3.85
Shane McClanahan TB $8,000 34.59 4.32
Cole Ragans KC $8,200 33.53 4.09

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Brady Singer CIN $6,700 31.50 4.70
Shane McClanahan TB $8,000 34.59 4.32
Cole Ragans KC $8,200 33.53 4.09
Simeon Woods Richardson MIN $6,300 24.86 3.95

Catcher/First Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Munetaka Murakami CWS $3,900 14.29 3.67
Matt Olson ATL $4,700 13.97 2.97
Drake Baldwin ATL $4,300 13.17 3.06
Shea Langeliers ATH $3,400 12.89 3.79

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Nathaniel Lowe CIN $2,700 11.46 4.25
Dalton Rushing LAD $3,000 12.30 4.10
Josh Naylor SEA $2,800 11.45 4.09
Pete Alonso BAL $2,900 11.60 4.00

Second Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Brice Turang MIL $4,000 14.69 3.67
Ozzie Albies ATL $3,700 12.89 3.48
Brandon Lowe PIT $3,300 12.88 3.90
Ketel Marte ARI $3,000 11.13 3.71

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Brandon Lowe PIT $3,300 12.88 3.90
Ketel Marte ARI $3,000 11.13 3.71
Brice Turang MIL $4,000 14.69 3.67
Marcus Semien NYM $2,500 9.02 3.61

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Short Stop

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Elly De La Cruz CIN $4,500 15.11 3.36
Colson Montgomery CWS $3,100 12.73 4.10
Gunnar Henderson BAL $4,000 12.66 3.17
Bobby Witt Jr. KC $3,500 12.27 3.51

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Colson Montgomery CWS $3,100 12.73 4.10
Trea Turner PHI $3,000 12.13 4.04
Jacob Wilson ATH $2,800 11.14 3.98
Trevor Story BOS $2,800 10.71 3.83

Third Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jose Ramirez CLE $3,500 15.11 4.32
Sal Stewart CIN $4,100 14.65 3.57
Max Muncy LAD $3,800 13.25 3.49
Junior Caminero TB $3,500 12.86 3.67

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jose Ramirez CLE $3,500 15.11 4.32
Manny Machado SD $3,200 11.91 3.72
Yoan Moncada LAA $2,700 10.06 3.72
Isaac Paredes HOU $2,900 10.75 3.71

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Outfield

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Aaron Judge NYY $4,300 16.12 3.75
Kyle Schwarber PHI $3,700 15.62 4.22
Yordan Alvarez HOU $4,400 15.14 3.44
Byron Buxton MIN $3,100 14.79 4.77
Mike Trout LAA $4,500 14.39 3.20
Shohei Ohtani LAD $4,000 14.19 3.55
Juan Soto NYM $3,300 14.05 4.26
James Wood WSH $4,300 13.71 3.19

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
JJ Bleday CIN $2,000 10.53 5.27
Byron Buxton MIN $3,100 14.79 4.77
Jasson Dominguez NYY $2,400 10.42 4.34
Juan Soto NYM $3,300 14.05 4.26
Kyle Schwarber PHI $3,700 15.62 4.22
Daulton Varsho TOR $2,700 11.05 4.09
Andrew Benintendi CWS $2,700 10.92 4.04
Garrett Mitchell MIL $3,100 12.39 4.00

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Picks are updated regularly, but we advise that you keep up to date on late-day roster moves and injuries – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk. Sample lineups are provided as thought-starters, and are not intended for direct use.