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Daily Fantasy Baseball: Early FanDuel Lineup For May 13

By Mike Marteny

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May 8, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez (47) pitches during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

There are three games in the early tournaments on getaway day this week. That will leave a lot of people with the same teams. Let’s see who the statistics say are the safest picks!

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Here is my early FanDuel Lineup for May 13:

Pitchers:

Best Bet:

Sonny Gray, Athletics ($9,400): Gray has only faced the Red Sox once in his career, and he was dominant. That should not come as a surprise. He has been one of the best pitchers this year. Start him with confidence this afternoon.

Honorable Mention:

Gio Gonzalez, Nationals ($9,100): Gio is here because he has done well against the Diamondbacks (.206 average against in 63 at bats with only one RBI), and he has a great chance for a win going against Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson has struggled mightily this year, and with the Nationals bats going like they are, it could be another early shower for Hellickson. That makes Gio a great bet for a win.

Stay Away:

Corey Kluber, Indians ($9,300): Kluber has not been able to capture the magic of last year. His ERA is over 5 this year, and is nearly 7 in his last three starts. He is still striking out batters, but he is too much of a risk with better options available. Besides, John Lackey has pitched well against Cleveland. Kluber can’t give up five runs and be in the running for a win.

Catcher: NOTE: make sure to check the lineups before the games start! Many catchers sit in day games!

Best Bet:

Wilson Ramos ($3,000)/Jose Lobaton ($2,800), Nationals: I expect Lobaton to earn the start today, but make sure to check beforehand. Whoever catches Gio Gonzalez is a great play today considering the struggles of Jeremy Hellickson.

If You’re Cheap:

Josh Phegley, Athletics ($2,200): With lefty Wade Miley on the mound, and it being a day game, Stephen Vogt will likely get the day off. That makes Phegley a nice play against Miley, who has been up and down all year.

Next: Let's Check The Infield!

May 8, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is congratulated in the dugout by teammates after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Best Bet:

Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks ($5,100): Goldy has only faced Gio Gonzalez three times, but he did get a hit off of him. I like him against any left handed pitcher. It really doesn’t matter who it is. Especially when you hit like he does.

If You’re Cheap:

Billy Butler, Athletics ($2,600): Butler is 2-6 with a walk off of Wade Miley, but one of those hits was a three run homer. Butler is making us forget about his horrible 2014 season. He is not quite back to where he was, but he is once again a force in the lineup. Especially with a favorable matchup like this.

Second Base:

Best Bet:

Kolten Wong, Cardinals ($3,400): Wong has never faced Corey Kluber, but with the poor track records of Jason Kipnis against John Lackey and Dustin Pedroia against Sonny Gray, I would rather take a chance on Wong than one of them.

If You’re Cheap:

Dan Uggla ($2,700)/Danny Espinosa ($2,600), Nationals: Whichever one starts against Hellickson is likely the safest bet at second base this afternoon if you think Kluber can turn around his season and don’t want to use Wong.

Shortstop:

Best Bet:

Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals ($2,900): Peralta is the only current Cardinal that has faced Corey Kluber, and it wasn’t pretty for Kluber. Peralta is 5-13 with a walk, two doubles, and an RBI off of him. Look for more of the same today.

If You’re Cheap:

Ian Desmond, Nationals ($2,800): Desmond has never faced Hellickson, but I would not be opposed to starting any Nationals player today. The only one Hellickson has had any measure of success against is Denard Span (2-9).

Third Base:

Best Bet:

Yunel Escobar, Nationals ($2,800): I actually have stats to back this one up. Escobar is 5-17 off of Hellickson with two walks and a solo homer. I trust him slightly more than Matt Carpenter, and Pablo Sandoval has struggled against Sonny Gray (1-9).

If You’re Cheap:

Brett Lawrie, Athletics ($2,300): It’s not much to go on, but Lawrie is two for two off of Wade Miley with two RBI.

Next: How Does The OF Look?

May 5, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Michael Brantley (23) runs to first after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield:

Best Bets:

Bryce Harper, Nationals ($5,400): With the way he has been hitting the ball in May, you are taking more of a risk by not playing him than playing him.

Michael Brantley, Indians ($4,300): Brantley is one of the few Indians regulars that has enjoyed success off of John Lackey. Brantley is 4-11 with a walk, two doubles, and two RBI off of him in his career.

A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks ($3,700): Pollock has only faced Gio three times, but he singled twice off of him. As well all know, Pollock is dangerous whenever he gets on the basepaths.

If You’re Cheap:

David Murphy, Indians ($2,500): Murphy doesn’t always start, but you would think that the Indians would try to get him and his 11-25 career mark off of John Lackey in the lineup. He has walked three times, doubled twice, tripled once, and driven in a run off of Lackey.

Billy Burns, Athletics ($2,200): The switch hitting Burns has supplanted Sam Fuld, and it is becoming hard for the A’s to keep him out of the lineup. He is averaging nearly two fantasy points a game for this bargain basement price!

Next: The Latest Rookie Mock Draft!

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