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Daily Fantasy Baseball: FanDuel Pitcher Picks For April 22

By Mike Marteny

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Apr 17, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) in the dugout during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The whole league is in action again on Wednesday, but the White Sox and Indians are playing a matinee game on the South Side, so there are only 28 pitchers to choose from instead of the normal 30 in the big tournaments.

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Picking the right pitcher can go a long ways towards you making some money in FanDuel. Not only do you need to pick a guy who will go deep into the game and not give up many runs, you need someone who can win the game since that is an extra four points.

Yesterday’s picks did

Today is chock full of aces, but which ones should you pay for? Let’s take a look!

Here are my FanDuel pitcher picks for April 22:

High Dollar Options ($12,000-$8,500)

There are eight pitchers in this tier today, including the highest priced player in FanDuel, Clayton Kershaw. Does highest priced mean best? Not always.

Best Bet: David Price ($11,400): Price is slighty cheaper than Kershaw, but has outperformed him so far this year. Price has allowed just one run – a solo home run to Avisail Garcia – in his first three starts. The Yankees will have a hard time getting to him as well. The main reason for taking Price is that his opponent, Adam Warren, was rocked by the Rays in his last start and owns a 4.82 ERA so far this year. Price has a great chance for the win.

Honorable Mention: Clayton Kershaw ($12,000): Kershaw’s opponent (Madison Bumgarner) is better than Price’s, so he gets second billing here, but not by much. Bumgarner has struggled early in the year with a 5.29 ERA against the Padres and Diamondbacks twice. You could argue that the Dodgers’ offense is better than both of those. Kershaw has an excellent chance to get a win here, and could outperform Price in this one.

Johnny Cueto ($10,600): Cueto bears mentioning here just because he faces a toothless Brewers offense that just lost a big piece in Jonathan Lucroy. Jimmy Nelson has pitched well so far this year, but I have a hard time seeing Cueto losing to the Brewers. He is a great option if you are looking to save another $800-$1400.

Stay away: Madison Bumgarner ($9,900): I need him to show me something before I take him against a good offense this year. There is a chance that it happens here, but I wouldn’t bet against Kershaw dominating the Giants. Leave Bum alone today.

Next: Mid Range Options

Apr 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Middle Range Options ($8,400-$7000)

There are 12 pitchers in this range today, some with better matchups than others. Which should perform well for you today if you are looking to spend a little more on hitters? Let’s find out!

Best Bet: Jeremy Guthrie ($8,300): Guthrie has struggled some in the early going, so why am I recommending him? Because his mound opponent is Mike Pelfrey, who might be the worst starting pitcher in baseball since Ricky Nolasco is injured. True, Pelfrey was not terrible against Cleveland his last time out, and the Twins have looked really good against the Royals in five games so far this year, but their offense can go dormant at any time. Don’t expect a 20 point game from Guthrie, but he could get your around 12, which is a good start to your fantasy day.

Honorable Mention: Archie Bradley ($7,300): Someone get this kid some offense! He beat Clayton Kershaw in his first major league start, then outdueled World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner in his second start even though he didn’t factor into the decision. Next up is Yovani Gallardo, who is still growing accustomed to life in the American League. The Rangers lose the DH in the National League park, so I like Bradley to continue his hot start in the desert.

Stay away: Ubaldo Jimenez ($7,000): Ubaldo has yet to allow an earned run this year, but he lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his last start after being thrown out for hitting Pablo Sandoval. Despite his early season success, I don’t like his matchup against the red-hot Blue Jays. Aaron Sanchez has not looked great in the early going, and Ubaldo has a good chance at the win, but I shudder to think how many runs he might give up in the process. It is probably best to avoid this one.

Next: Are You A Cheapskate? Check The Low Priced Options

Apr 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher J.A. Happ (33) throws out a pitch during the first inning during a game against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Low Price Options ($6,900 and under):

There are eight pitchers in this tier, and a couple of decent sleepers. Let’s find out who they are!

Best Bet: J.A. Happ ($6,900): He calls a pitchers park (Safeco Field) home, and gets to face the all-or-nothing Astros there tonight. His mound opponent is Roberto Hernandez, who has not pitched very well so far this year. Happ may give up a couple of long balls, but the strikeouts should be plentiful against the free-swinging Astros, and he has a great chance for the win.

Honorable Mention: Dilllon Gee ($6,600): Gee gave up five runs to the Braves in his first start, but looked much better against the Marlins in his last outing. Even if he gives up five to the Braves again tonight, he has a good shot at the win because his opponent (Eric Stults) has been even worse. Gee has a decent shot at double digit points.

Stay away: Kyle Kendrick ($6,300): It’s way to easy to say Mike Pelfrey, Roberto Hernandez, or Aaron Sanchez here, so I will offer up Kendrick. He was brilliant against the Brewers on Opening Day, but has given up 14 runs in his two starts since. Tonight he is at Coors Field against a good offensive team in the Padres. You couldn’t pay me to gamble with Kendrick tonight!

Stay tuned for our NBA picks coming up later today!

Next: Who Can Help With Greg Holland On The DL?

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