Early FanDuel Lineup For June 3

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) and San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Hudson (17) at the mound in the 5th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

There are only five games this afternoon, one being part of a day-night doubleheader between the Twins and Red Sox. We don’t have nearly as many choices today, but there are still some good options out there. Let’s see who the statistics say are the best bets!

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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 is my early FanDuel lineup for June 3:

Pitchers:

Best Bet:

Tim Hudson, Giants ($6,500): You don’t see this very often. The cheapest pitcher on the day is statistically the best bet. Now, I would probably rather gamble on Red Sox rookie Eduardo Rodriguez agianst the Twins for $400 more, but there is no statistical basis for it. Hudson has held the Pirates to a .238 batting average in 122 at bats. He only has 19 strikeouts, but has been pretty good at limiting runs. His opponent, Francisco Liriano is the most expensive pitcher of the day, but the Giants have hit .304 off of Liriano and scored 8 runs in 69 at bats. Hudson it is!

Honorable Mention:

Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees ($8,900): On a normal day, Tanaka would get top billing. He allowed six hits and two runs in his only career start against the Mariners and struck out 12. So why is he not in the top slot? The Yankees have him on a strict 80 pitch limit in his first start off of the disabled list. That severely limits his fantasy potential, though he could still stick around long enough to get the win against Mariners youngster Taijuan Walker.

Stay Away:

Jimmy Nelson, Brewers ($6,700): Nelson has faced the Cardinals twice in his career, and was hit hard both times. They are hitting .382 off of him in 34 at bats with ten runs scored while only striking out seven times. And for those of you thinking about John Lackey ($8,700), the current Brewers lineup is hitting .345 off of him in 110 at bats. You might not end up with many points even if he does get the win.

Catchers:

Best Bet:

Buster Posey, Giants ($3,800): Posey rested on Saturday night, so hopefully the Giants decide to leave him in the lineup today. He is 5 for 9 in his career off of Francisco Liriano. Sure, all of those hits are singles, but they still count as points. And he has also driven in a run of of him.

If You’re Cheap:

A.J. Pierzynski, Braves ($2,200): Pierzynski has only faced Rubby de la Rosa three times, but he has come away with single and a walk. Advantage: Pierzynski.

Next: How Does The Infield Look?

May 30, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) breaks up a no hitter with a double in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Best Bet:

Mike Napoli, Red Sox ($3,200): You could see a few Boston guys on here. Phil Hughes has had his issues with the Sox. Napoli is 6 for 18 with two homers and six RBI in his career off of Phil Hughes. He is one of the better options of the afternoon!

If You’re Cheap:

David Ortiz, Red Sox ($2,600): Unfortunately, we can’t play both of them today. Ortiz is 10 for 32 with four walks, three doubles, two homers, and seven RBI off of Hughes. Ortiz has hit his former team very well throughout his career. Today should be no exception.

Adam Lind, Brewers ($2,600): Here is a bonus one for you! Lind has hammered John Lackey. He is 15 for 31 with six doubles and six RBI off of the Cardinal veteran. This is just for if you already have too many Red Sox players in your lineup since Ortiz has better counting stats for the same price.

Second Base:

Best Bet:

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox ($3,100): Pedroia has more at bats than any other Red Sox players against Hughes (38), and he has hit him just as hard. Pedroia has 13 hits and two walks off of Hughes. Of those 13 hits, three are doubles and five, yes FIVE, are home runs. He has also driven in an astonishing 14 runs off of Hughes. He has more RBI than hits off of Phil Hughes in his career!

If You’re Cheap:

Robinson Cano, Mariners ($2,600): Cano is only one for four in his career off of Tanaka, but the one hit is a two run homer. That said, don’t be cheap. There isn’t a better option than Pedroia on the board today.

Shortstop:

Best Bet:

Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals ($3,700): Peralta has only faced Jimmy Nelson seven times, but he has four hits in those seven at bats with a double and an RBI. There is a great chance that Peralta will be on base at least once this afternoon.

If You’re Cheap:

Jean Segura, Brewers ($2,800): Segura is also four for seven off of today’s pitcher, but he does not have any counting stats. It depends on what you want to chase here. If you want runs, Segura is a better bet at the top of the order. If you want RBI, Peralta has been hitting in the middle of the order. Neither is a bad pick.

Third Base:

Best Bet:

None of the third basemen in action today have much of a history or a good history agianst their opponents. Kyle Seager ($3,500) is one for three with a walk off of Tanaka. Matt Carpenter ($3,700) is the most expensive option, but is just one for four with two walks off of Nelson. Josh Harrison ($3,400) is only one for seven off of Tim Hudson, but the hit was a solo home run. Casey McGehee ($2,600) might be the best bet at 4 for 17 with a double and two RBI off of Francisco Liriano.

Next: Who Are The Best In The Outfield?

August 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) celebrates with center fielder Carlos Gomez (27) his two run home in hit in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield:

Best Bets:

Ryan Braun, Brewers ($4,200): Braun is 4 for 13 off of John Lackey with a double, but he doesn’t have any counting stats. This may seem like an odd recommendation, but there isn’t much to go on in the outfield either.

Carlos Gomez, Brewers ($3,800): Gomez is 2 for 7 with an RBI off of Lackey. Mostly what it causing me to go with Brewers here is the awful history of Andrew McCutchen (3 for 19) off of Tim Hudson, Nelson Cruz‘s 0 for 6 showing against Tanaka, and the fact that the Brewers as a whole have hit Lackey hard. There should be plenty of baserunners on when Braun and Gomez come to bat.

Starling Marte, Pirates ($3,600): Marte is two for four wtih a triple off of Tim Hudson. That is promise of more to come!

If You’re Cheap:

Hunter Pence, Giants ($2,900): Pence is 3 for 7 with two walks, two doubles, and an RBI off of Liriano in his career. That is enough for me to take him on this light afternoon slate!

Jose Tabata, Pirates ($2,200): If you roll the dice here, make sure to check the lineup to make sure Tabata plays. The Pirates are trying to move him, so it would make sense to showcase his talents when he has good career numbers against the opposing pitcher. That is the case this afternoon. Tabata is 3 for 8 with a walk, a double, and three RBI off of Hudson. He could be a big bargain if he cracks the starting nine.

Next: What Can We Expect From Joey Gallo?

Fantasy Baseball: Early FanDuel Lineup For June 3

By Mike Marteny | Jun 3, 2015

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