MLB FanDuel Picks for May 18, 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 $9,100 35.70 3.92
Shota Imanaga CHC $10,700 35.16 3.29
Yoshinobu Yamamoto LAD $10,500 33.42 3.18
Ryan Weathers NYY $9,800 30.85 3.15

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Bryan Woo SEA $9,100 35.70 3.92
Nick Lodolo CIN $7,200 27.92 3.88
Trevor Rogers BAL $7,700 29.15 3.79
Framber Valdez DET $8,200 30.42 3.71

Catcher/First Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Shea Langeliers ATH $3,800 14.18 3.73
Nick Kurtz ATH $4,000 13.99 3.50
Drake Baldwin ATL $3,800 13.69 3.60
Bryce Harper PHI $3,600 13.65 3.79

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Brandon Valenzuela TOR $2,200 10.07 4.58
Rhys Hoskins CLE $2,600 11.32 4.35
Michael Busch CHC $3,000 12.70 4.23
Paul Goldschmidt NYY $3,000 12.42 4.14

Second Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Brice Turang MIL $4,200 11.79 2.81
Luke Keaschall MIN $2,700 11.37 4.21
Ketel Marte ARI $3,100 11.10 3.58
Ozzie Albies ATL $3,100 10.65 3.44

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Luke Keaschall MIN $2,700 11.37 4.21
Marcus Semien NYM $2,500 9.81 3.92
Ketel Marte ARI $3,100 11.10 3.58
Ozzie Albies ATL $3,100 10.65 3.44

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
Bobby Witt Jr. KC $3,900 13.98 3.58
CJ Abrams WSH $4,000 12.43 3.11
Elly De La Cruz CIN $4,000 12.19 3.05
Colson Montgomery CWS $3,400 11.96 3.52

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jeremy Pena HOU $2,700 11.79 4.37
Anthony Volpe NYY $2,400 9.34 3.89
Geraldo Perdomo ARI $2,900 11.02 3.80
Trea Turner PHI $3,000 11.16 3.72

Third Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jose Ramirez CLE $3,600 13.59 3.77
Kazuma Okamoto TOR $3,000 11.65 3.88
Junior Caminero TB $3,200 11.54 3.61
Max Muncy LAD $3,500 11.43 3.27

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Alec Bohm PHI $2,500 10.00 4.00
Isaac Paredes HOU $2,700 10.64 3.94
Kazuma Okamoto TOR $3,000 11.65 3.88
Jose Ramirez CLE $3,600 13.59 3.77

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
Juan Soto NYM $3,200 15.37 4.80
Aaron Judge NYY $4,500 14.98 3.33
Shohei Ohtani LAD $3,700 14.79 4.00
Corbin Carroll ARI $3,800 13.66 3.59
Jackson Chourio MIL $3,100 12.82 4.13
JJ Bleday CIN $3,600 12.29 3.41
James Wood WSH $4,100 12.28 2.99
Daylen Lile WSH $3,200 12.13 3.79

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Juan Soto NYM $3,200 15.37 4.80
Carlos Cortes ATH $2,800 11.73 4.19
Julio Rodriguez SEA $2,900 12.02 4.14
George Springer TOR $2,600 10.73 4.13
Jackson Chourio MIL $3,100 12.82 4.13
Carson Benge NYM $2,600 10.70 4.12
Trevor Larnach MIN $2,800 11.41 4.07
Shohei Ohtani LAD $3,700 14.79 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.