MLB GPP Tournament Picks: 5-7-17

The purpose of this column is to highlight some players with upside and well-suited for tournaments. While the majority of the hitter picks will likely have power upside, that's not necessarily the case for all the listed options. Other contextual factors such as batting order, ballpark, opposing pitcher, price, speed, etc also come into play, and you'll see these items sprinkled into the write-ups below. Along with that, we'll be gauging the ownership levels, giving you some plausible pivots from the popular choices in a given game slate.

Top GPP Pitcher

I will no longer promote pitchers against my beloved Minnesota Twins since they have been playing well this season. Chris Sale on the other hand? He is a must play for me today. I will be locking him into most of my lineups today. Sale holds a whopping 17% swinging strike rate this season, and has only given up 2 home runs over 45.2 innings pitched. Lock him in for a qualtiy start as well since he has pitched 7 innings or more all season long.

Some Twins hitters have had success against Sale primarily Miguel Sano, but I am thinking after yesterday the Red Sox bats may finally be ready to give Sale some much deserved run support since he has been brilliant.

Top GPP Hitters

The left-handed slugger has been getting hits and on base at an amazing clip this season. In every game but one in fact. His power drought shouldn't continue too long either he has a 43% hard hit ball rate and is facing a young right-hander in Glasnow. I don't like to predict home run's but Thames feels due today, and even if he doesn't he has become a safe play every day.

Rendon has been hot over this last week, and although this could certainly end at any moment, he is a very gifted player and always has been. Today facing Jeremy Hellickson shouldn't intimidate anyone from rolling him out there once again. He has a 28% hard hit ball percentage over his last 15, and even if we leave out his 3 home run performance has been averaging 16.38 FanDuel points a game this week.

Harrison has cooled off somewhat after his power surge a few games back, but he only has 2 games without a hit over his last 13. Harrison's price tag is more than fair for a guy we project to put up 7.97 DraftKing points today. He should also have low ownership which is a plus. We will need some lower priced value guys if we want to fit Sale in, and Harrison fits the bill averaging 9.7 FanDuel points a game.

Rivera has been filling in for injured Mets incredibly well. Riding the hot hand is what it is all about and this kid is red-hot over his last five games. Averaging 16.9 FanDuel points a game over that span, and with only one home run is beyond impressive. Today his opponent isn't exactly formidable in Urena so ride the wave while you still can!

Good Luck everyone!