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Early FanDuel Picks For June 4

By Mike Marteny

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May 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jesse Hahn (32) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

There are only three games in the afternoon today, which limits our choices.  Steven Wright has never faced his opponent for today, which further hinders our statistical findings. Who do the stats say are the best out there? Let’s take a look!

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NOTE: these picks are based solely on statistics. Some pitchers going today have never faced their opponents, or have very little experience against them. I am not saying that none of those are good picks. This is based on statistical analysis only. If you have a gut feeling, then by all means, follow that. This is not an exact science. I just provide the facts.

Here are my early FanDuel picks for June 4:

Pitcher:

Best Bet:

Jesse Hahn, Athletics ($7,500): Hahn squared off against the Tigers once before, and he was nothing short of brilliant. He held the Tigers to just four hits – all singles – and one walk in a complete game shutout on May 25th. He only struck out three batters, but can you really complain with as dominant as he was? Of course this is a small sample size, but that is a very nice track record!

Honorable Mention:

Dallas Keuchel, Astros ($9,800): Keuchel has done well in his career against the Orioles. They are only hitting .213 off of him in 61 at bats with two homers, six runs scored, but he has only recorded eight strikeouts. The fact that the Orioles have got to him some gives Hahn the nod, especially considering Hahn’s mound opponent today. Keuchel faces Wei-Yin Chen, who has shown some flashes of what he can be at times. Will this be one of those days?

Stay Away:

Shane Greene, Tigers ($7,100): Greene has faced the A’s once, and it wasn’t one of his better outings. Of course, he was on the losing end of Hahn’s shutout, but Greene gave up three runs in 5.2 innings pitched. The current A’s squad is hitting .321 off of him in 28 at bats with only six strikeouts. His chances of winning are not great, and the A’s hit him pretty well, so I’m staying away from this one.

Catcher:

Best Bet:

Caleb Joseph, Orioles ($2,200): Joseph is 2 for 5 with a two run homer off of Keuchel so far in his career. That is by far the best track record of any catcher today.

Honorable Mention:

Both Evan Gattis ($4,200) and Stephen Vogt ($3,500) are one for three off of today’s starters. Both of the hits were singles. The one difference is that Gattis struck out both other times at bat against Wei-Yin Chen.

Next: Let's Check The Infield!

May 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) bats against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Best Bet:

David Ortiz, Red Sox ($2,500): Surprise, suprise. Papi has a great track record against yet another Twins pitcher, even though Tom Milone is left-handed. Ortiz is 3 for 7 with two walks off of Milone. All three of those hits are solo home runs. Were you really considering NOT starting Ortiz today?

Honorable Mention:

Mike Napoli, Red Sox ($3,200): Napoli is 3 for 11 with two walks and a solo home run off of Milone. In fact, Napoli and Ortiz have accounted for all of the home runs and runs driven in (four on four solo home runs) against Milone from the current roster. At least Milone isn’t giving up a lot of base runners! He could be a sneaky play if you are looking to go really cheap at pitcher.

Second Base:

Best Bet:

Jose Altuve, Astros ($3,800): Altuve is 6 for 13 in his career off of Chen with a pair of RBI and just one strikeout. He is a strong bet to get on base again since he owns a .462 average off of Chen.

Honorable Mention:

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox ($3,000): As I noted above, Pedroia has not homered, driven in a run, or even scored one off of Tommy Milone, but he does have three hits and a walk in nine at bats against him. One of those was good for a double, so positive points are a good bet this afternoon.

Shortstop:

Best Bet:

J.J. Hardy, Orioles ($2,200): This one needs to be watched carefully since Hardy is nursing a sore oblique, and hasn’t played since Sunday. If he does play though, he is 3 for 9 with a double and an RBI off of Keuchel. That is the best history of the day at shortstop.

Honorable Mention:

Marcus Semien, Athletics ($2,700): Semien is one for three off of Shane Greene, which gives him second billing. Xander Bogaerts is hitless off of Milone in six at bats. Jonathan Villar is just 2 for 11 off of Chen, so Semien it is!

Third Base:

Best Bet:

Manny Machado, Orioles ($3,400): Machado is 3 for 9 with a walk off of Keuchel, but has no counting stats. Still, that is by far the best bet at third base. Brock Holt is one for three off of Milone, but likely won’t start. Pablo Sandoval is hitless off of Milone. Luis Valbuena is hitless off of Chen. Brett Lawrie and Trevor Plouffe have never faced today’s opposing starter.

Honorable Mention:

Nick Castellanos, Tigers ($2,300): Castellanos is one for four off of Jesse Hahn. That one hit is enough to give him honorable mention at a thin position this afternoon.

Next: How Does The Outfield Look?

May 25, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Astros outfielder George Springer (4) watches as he hits a single in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield:

Best Bets:

George Springer, Astros ($3,600): Springer is 5 for 9 with a double and a solo home run off of Wei-Yin Chen. That gives him top billing on a light afternoon. He is right up there with David Ortiz!

Josh Reddick, Athletics ($3,000): Reddick is two for three with a triple off of Shane Greene. Odds are that he will be on base at least once again this afternoon.

Preston Tucker, Astros ($3,000): Tucker collected two hits in three at bats off of Chen back on May 25th. Can he do it again? Who knows, but his past performance lands him here.

Honorable Mention:

Delmon Young, Orioles ($2,600): Young is also 2 for 3 off of Keuchel, and seems locked in the Orioles lineup right now. He is a far better bet than Adam Jones, who is 1 for 9 off of Keuchel in his career.

Tyler Collins, Tigers ($2,300): Collins went 2 for 4 off of Jesse Hahn just ten days ago. With Victor Martinez on the disabled list, Collins should get another start against the righty Hahn. That makes him worth a look if you somehow run out of money.

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