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Early FanDuel Lineup For June 18th

By Mike Marteny

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May 20, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) bats against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

There are only five games this afternoon, and since we are still on interleague scheduling across the board, the options are very slim if you are looking for statistical backing. Some of these are going to seem ridiculous going off of just three at bats, but hey, I just provide the facts. There are several more who have no statistical backing whatsoever, and if you used Addison Russell last night, you see that having a history against someone is not everything.

David Hale and Kendall Graveman have never faced anyone on their opposing teams this afternoon. Jaime Garcia has only faced one Twin (Logan Schafer) for one at bat.

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NOTE: these picks are based solely on statistics. Some players 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 18th:

Pitcher:

Best Bet:

Collin McHugh, Astros ($7,900): I’m not wild about starting anyone in Coors Field, but McHugh was brilliant in his one start against the Rockies in his career. He walked one and struck out five without allowing a run in six innings. After seeing all of the other histories for the afternoon, McHugh’s small sample size still looks like the best bet.

Honorable Mention:

Bud Norris, Orioles ($6,800): Yes, I may have officially lost my mind in picking Bud Norris agianst anyone, even a struggling Phillies offense, but follow me down the rabbit hole for a minute. The Orioles have destroyed the Phillies so far in this series, and today’s starter Sean O’Sullivan is allowing the Orioles to hit .357 off of him with six runs scored in just 28 at bats. Norris has held the current Phillies to a .237 average in 38 career at bats. The bad news? He has also allowed six runs. The thing here is that Norris has a really good shot at a win.

Stay Away:

Ian Kennedy, Padres ($7,200): Kennedy has largely been a train wreck this year anyway, but if you want statistical basis to ignore him, here you go. The A’s are hitting .308 off of him in 39 at bats with seven walks, five homers, and ten runs scored. This is likely going to get ugly again. If you don’t want to follow stats, Kendall Graveman looks like a good bet opposing Kennedy. He has been lit up like a Christmas tree agianst Oakland.

Catcher:

Best Bet:

Yadier Molina, Cardinals ($2,800): So long as the Cards play Molina, he should be the only option for your lineup this afternoon. He is 5 for 9 with two doubles against Mike Pelfrey in his career. Given that the Cardinals were off on Monday, there is a strong chance that Molina will be in there this afternoon.

Honorable Mention:

Chris Iannetta, Angels ($2,200): Iannetta is 2 for 4 with both hits coming up doubles off of Allen Webster when he was with the Red Sox.

Next: How Does The Infield Look?

Jun 14, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) pours water on his face to cool off in the dugout against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 1-0 in eleven innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Best Bet:

Ryan Howard, Phillies ($2,500): Howard is 4 for 13 with two doubles, a home run, and an impressive five RBI off of Bud Norris during his Astros days. Howard is older, but he still has the muscle to knock one into orbit.

Honorable Mention:

Ike Davis, Athletics ($2,300)* Ike is still on the DL, but is on the rehab trail and could be activated today. I sure hope he is because he is 4 for 14 with two walks off of Ian Kennedy. What’s so special about that? All of those four hits are home runs. Play him if he makes it up to Oakland tomorrow. If not…..

Billy Butler, Athletics ($2,200): Butler is 3 for 8 wtih a walk, a homer, and three RBI off of Kennedy. If Ike can’t make it back, Butler is a suitable substitute, and the price is right.

Second Base:

Best Bet:

Ben Zobrist, Athletics ($3,000): Add another to the list that has hit Ian Kennedy well. Zobrist is 3 for 5 with two walks, a double, and a RBI off of him. Also, he has not struck out against him either. Not that it matters in FanDuel, but good things happen when you always make contact.

Honorable Mention:

Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks ($2,200): Hill ifs 4 for 8 with a walk and a RBI off of C.J. Wilson. That is marginally less impressive that Zobrist, but he is a lot cheaper.

Shortstop:

Best Bet:

J.J. Hardy, Orioles ($2,300): Hardy has only faced O’Sullivan four times, but he has reached base three of those times via two walks and a single. He has also driven in a couple off of him.

Honorable Mention:

Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals ($3,600): Peralta is 2 for 7 with a walk and a double against Pelfrey. I will take that over Cliff Pennington‘s 6 for 26 with a double off of C.J. Wilson.

Third Base:

David Freese ($2,900) is the only one with a hit at the position against today’s starters. He is 1 for 5 with a triple off of Allen Webster. It might be wise to roll the dice with Luis Valbuena in Colorado or with Matt Carpenter against Pelfrey instead.

Next: Who Are The Best OF Options?

Jun 8, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield:

Best Bets:

Adam Jones, Orioles ($3,400): Jones has missed the last two games with a strained shoulder, but if he comes back today, he is a strong play. Jones is 4 for 7 with two walks and two RBI off of Sean O’Sullivan. That comes up to some decent points.

Jason Heyward, Cardinals ($2,700): Heyward is 5 for 15 with two doubles and a RBI off of Mike Pelfrey. One of these times a double is going to clear the fence. It could be today.

Kole Calhoun, Angels ($2,600): Calhoun is 3 for 6 with an RBI off of Webster. Yes, that is good enough to make this list.

Honorable Mention:

Mike Trout, Angels ($5,200): Trout only has one hit in five tries off of Allen Webster, but that one hit is a two run triple.

Delmon Young, Orioles ($2,200): Delmon is 3 for 7 with two doubles and a walk off of Sean O’Sullivan. There is a strong chance that he gets you a couple of points for a great price today. If you are looking to go cheap somewhere, this is the best bet.

Stay tuned for the late lineups!

Next: The Top RBs of 2015 #21-30

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