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Daily Fantasy Baseball: Early FanDuel Picks For April 23

By Mike Marteny

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Apr 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher

Julio Teheran

(49) throws against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Rather that breaking up FanDuel by pitching and hitting today, I will break it up by early and late. All of the big tournaments distinguish between the two. On getaway day, most of the games (8 of 12) are early in the day. That still gives us plenty of players to choose from.

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Here are my early FanDuel picks for April 23, starting with the pitchers:

Best Bets:

Julio Teheran ($8,900): Teheran got knocked around a little by the Blue Jays in his last outing, but he put up 14 fantasy points against the Mets earlier this year. He has to go against the ageless wonder (Bartolo Colon), but I like his chances at putting up good numbers. The Mets had David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud in the lineup the last time Teheran faced them, and still had that good of a game. He is a strong bet to do it again.

Max Scherzer, ($11,000): Scherzer has been dominant this year, but it is worth noting that two of his three outings have been against the Phillies. The Cardinals are by far the best offensive team that he has faced so far, and his opponent (Michael Wacha) has pitched pretty well this year. But Scherzer is not a Cy Young winner for nothing. You have to bet on him having another double digit fantasy point game, even if he doesn’t get the win.

If You’re Cheap:

Jeff Locke, ($7,200): His stats are skewed a little because both of his starts have come against the struggling Brewers, but 27 points in two games is good enough for me. Especially against Kyle Hendricks, who has not been able to recapture the magic from last year. Locke is a strong bet if you are looking to go cheap.

If You’re Desperate:

Homer Bailey ($8,200): The only reason I mention Homer is because he is playing the Brewers and Kyle Lohse, who has been roughed up this year. That said, Homer gives up quite a few of his namesake, and should only be used if you like to gamble. He is a strong bet to get a win, but who knows how many runs he will give up along the way.

Next: Let's Check The Infield

Apr 20, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman

Joey Votto

(19) runs the bases after hitting a 2-run homer in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Best Bets:

Joey Votto ($4,800): Votto has hit Lohse well (.333) during his career, and is riding quite a hot streak right now. Votto has scored 20 points against the Brewers in the series so far. He is a good bet to add some more.

Freddie Freeman ($3,800): Freeman is 6/13 in his career off of Mets starter Bartolo Colon. Those are as good of odds as you will find anywhere.

If You’re Cheap:

Yonder Alonso ($3,200): Alonso is 6/8 with two homers in his career against Colorado starter Jordan Lyles. And this game is in Coors Field. We could see another big game for Yonder in this one.

Second Base:

Best Bet:

Howie Kendrick ($3,800): Kendrick has not had below 2.5 FanDuel pionts since April 12th. He has only faced likely starter Ryan Vogelsong three times in his career, but his one hit was a double. With him playing so well right now, he seems like a solid pick.

If You’re Cheap:

Alberto Callaspo ($2,200): Callaspo has struggled this year, but he has fared well in his career against Bartolo Colon. Callaspo is 9/32 with two walks and a homer off of Colon. If you need the money, he could be a sneaky play.

Shortstop:

Best Bet:

Troy Tulowitzki ($5,200): Tulowitzki has actually hit Tyson Ross pretty well in his career (4/13 with a homer). He is one of the few Rockies to have success against Ross, so there may not be many guys to drive in.

If You’re Cheap:

Zack Cozart ($2,800): Not only is Cozart hot right now, but he has hit Kyle Lohse well over the years. He is 8/29 off of him with a couple of walks. He has yet to take him deep, and seven of those hits are singles, but he is a good bet to get you positive points.

Third Base:

Best Bet:

Kris Bryant ($3,900): Bryant is hitting .625 off of the Pirates so far. No one has much of a book on him yet, so there is a good chance for him to keep putting up points. Nolan Arenado (1-10) and Todd Frazier (1-11) have both struggled in their careers against today’s opponents. Bryant is as good a bet as any if you want to use him.

If You’re Cheap:

Juan Uribe ($2,300): Uribe is struggling so far this year, but he has rocked Ryan Vogelsong in his career. He is hitting .409 with three extra base hits and three RBI off of the righty. He is a sneaky cheap play at third base.

Next: Let's Check On The OF and Catchers

Apr 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder

Matt Kemp

(27) during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher:

NOTE: A lot of starting catchers rest during a day game after a night game. Make sure to check the lineups before first pitch!

Best Bet:

Brian McCann ($3,200): McCann is 9/32 with a homer and eight RBI off of Anibal Sanchez. I am guessing that the Yankees find a way to get him in the lineup for this one.

If You’re Cheap:

Martin Maldonado ($2,400): Maldonado is unlikely to need rest already, and he has held his own (3/11) against Homer Bailey. He could be a good bet for cheap points. Use him if you won’t have time to check your lineups again.

Outfielders:

Best Bets:

Matt Kemp ($4,700): Kemp has only faced Jordan Lyles five times, but he has two hits with one being a home run. This looks like a very appetizing matchup at Coors Field this afternoon.

Justin Upton ($4,400): Upton is 5/9 in his career against Jordan Lyles with four RBI. Oh, and he is now batting cleanup for a potent San Diego lineup. This could be a very good day for Upton as well.

Jay Bruce ($3,500): Bruce has 12 hits in 45 career at bats against Kyle Lohse. Of those 12, three were doubles, one was a triple, one a homer, and he has six RBI. He is a solid bet.

If You’re Cheap:

Khris Davis ($2,400): Khris has khrushed Homer Bailey in his career. He is 7/18 with three homers, two doubles, and five RBI against Homer. Big things could be in store for him again today.

Carlos Beltran ($2,900): Beltran has actually done fairly well against Anibal Sanchez. He is 7/21 off of him in his career with a homer and four RBI. If you need to go cheap on outfield slots, he is another good option.

Stay tuned for the late FanDuel lineups as well!

Next: MLB FanDuel For Newbies

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