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Daily Fantasy Baseball: Early FanDuel Picks For May 2

By Mike Marteny

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Apr 14, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) delivers against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

There are seven games in the afternoon today, so nearly half of the league is eligible in the early only tournaments. With the tournaments split in half today, it means that there are plenty of options available for each set of tournaments. Who are the best picks? Let’s check the stats.

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Here are my early FanDuel picks for May 2:

Pitchers:

Best Bet:

Jake Arrieta, Cubs ($9,800): Arrieta has held the current Brewers squad to a .213 batting average in 89 at bats. He is not racking up the K’s against them, but his mound opponent is Mike Fiers. The same Mike Fiers that has allowed 14 hits and five walks over 44 at bats to the Cubs. Arrieta has a really good chance for the win today, which puts him at the head of the afternoon class.

Honorable Mention:

Corey Kluber, Indians ($9,500): There is one simple reason that he is not number one today even though the straight numbers say he should be. The Blue Jays are destroying everything in sight lately. That and Kluber has not been all that good yet this year. Add to the fact that he has only fanned nine Jays in 53 plate appearances, and I would rather go with Arrieta. Even though Kluber has a really good shot at a win opposing Aaron Sanchez.

Stay Away:

Nathan Eovaldi, Yankees ($7,600): Current Red Sox have hit an impressive .435 off of Eovaldi in 46 at bats. It’s a small sample size, but there is no way I’m taking this big of a risk. It’s enough of a sample to keep me far away from both pitchers in this game.

Ricky Nolasco, White Sox ($5,200): This really should go without saying. Never mind that Nolasco is fresh off of a DL stint. His career stats against the White Sox are atrocious. They are hitting .324 off of him in 142 at bats.

Catchers:

Best Bet:

Brian McCann, Yankees ($3,300): There is always a chance that the Yankees could hold him out in the day game after a night game, but he has hit Boston starter Wade Miley well. He is three for five with a walk and an RBI off of Miley. I would be a little surprised if the Yankees sat McCann in this series, but I would check to be sure.

If You’re Cheap:

Jacob Realmuto, Marlins ($2,200): Realmuto is two for three off of Cole Hamels, but they are both singles. Still, the other afternoon catchers have either not faced their opponent (Buster Posey vs. Hector Santiago) or struggled against the opposing starter. Realmuto is as good of a bet as any.

Next: How Does The Infield Look?

Apr 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) runs the bases against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Cubs won 9-8. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Best Bet:

Anthony Rizzo, Cubs ($4,200): Rizzo is five for seven with a double, a homer, and two RBI off of Mike Fiers. That is part of the reason Fiers’ numbers are as bad as they are against the Cubs. Rizzo has clobbered him.

Adam Lind, Brewers ($3,300): Lind will be well rested after getting two days in a row off. On top of that he gets to face Jake Arrieta, who his is 4-11 off of with four walks, a double, a homer, and three RBI. If you can’t afford Rizzo, Lind is a good option.

If You’re Cheap:

Albert Pujols, Angels ($3,000): As of now, Pujols is expected to play today. Be sure to check back and make sure if you use him today. Pujols has hit Tim Hudson very well, going 14-32 with two walks, three homers, and seven RBI off of the veteran. If he is in the Angels’ lineup, he should be in yours as well.

Second Base:

Best Bet:

Brian Dozier, Twins ($3,200): Dozier is a career .270 hitter against the White Sox with seven homers and 23 RBI. He hits nearly everyone on this staff well, and is worth considering against Hector Noesi, whom he has taken deep once. Oh, and Dozier has racked up 27 fantasy points over his last five games.

If You’re Cheap:

Chase Utley, Phillies ($2,500): Utley owns a modest .250 average against Dan Haren, but three of his six hits off of him have gone for extra bases, including two homers. He has also driven in six and walked twice.

Shortstop:

Best Bet:

Starlin Castro, Cubs ($3,300): Castro has hit the Brewers well, and has done good against Fiers in a small sample size. Loading up with Cubs against the Brewers at Wrigley Field is usually a pretty good idea.

If You’re Cheap:

Alexei Ramirez, White Sox ($2,700): Alexei is 6-12 off of Ricky Nolasco in his career. Two of those hits are doubles, one is a homer, and he has driven in six. In just ten at-bats, mind you. Expect his success to continue.

Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals ($2,600): Peralta has handled Liriano. He is 15-44 with nine walks, a double, two homers, and six RBI off of him in his career. He is one of the stronger options today.

Third Base:

Best Bet:

Pablo Sandoval, Red Sox ($3,200): You want to talk about owning a pitcher? Few have owned a pitcher like Panda owns Nate Eovaldi. He has ten hits in just 14 at bats off of Eovaldi with three doubles, a homer, and a whopping 10 RBI. He is the best bet of the day on statistics alone.

If You’re Cheap:

Conor Gillaspie, White Sox ($2,200): Gillaspie is a healthy five for eight off of Nolasco with a double and a walk. He hasn’t driven in a run, but he is still productive if he is getting on base that much.

Next: Who Are The Outfielders To Own?

Apr 26, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for an RBI triple during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Outfielders:

Best Bets:

Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins ($5,600): Stanton is hot right now, and although his career average off of Cole Hamels is not great (.267), he has a lot of crooked numbers in there. Of his 12 hits off of Hamels, he has two doubles, a triple, three walks, three homers, and six RBI. He might just be worth this lofty price.

Hanley Ramirez, Red Sox ($4,400): Hanley is only three for eight off of Eovaldi, but he has a double, a homer, and three RBI. There is a good chance that Eovaldi gets hit hard today, and Hanley will be right with Panda leading the way.

Matt Holliday, Cardinals ($3,700): Holliday is 7-18 with three walks, two doubles, and an RBI off of Francisco Liriano in his career. It will only be a matter of time until he finally hits one really hard.

If You’re Cheap:

Marcell Ozuna, Marlins (2,800): Ozuna is 7-23 with a walk, three homers, and five RBI off of Cole Hamels. For whatever reason, he has been able to hit it hard when he hits it. He has as many homers off of Hamels as Stanton does in 22 fewer at bats!

Melky Cabrera, White Sox ($2,500): Melky is 7-19 with a double and a solo homer off of Nolasco. He is a solid bet if you are short on cash.

Grady Sizemore, Phillies ($2,200): Sizemore isn’t an everyday player with the Phillies right now, but his track record against Dan Haren says that he is a good bet to be in there today. Sizemore is 11-23 lifetime off of Haren with three walks, two doubles, three homers, and four RBI.

Stay tuned for the late FanDuel lineups!

Next: Can Josh Hamilton Succeed In Texas Again?

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