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Daily Fantasy Baseball: Early FanDuel Picks For July 22

By Mike Marteny

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Apr 23, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs unofficial mascot Billy Cub poses for a photo before the baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Today marks the 100th year anniversary of the stadium

Five of the 15 games are during the day today, so the options are more limited for the early tournaments. The pitchers in particular are weak against today’s opponents. Who are the best bets? Let’s take a look!

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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.

Here are my early FanDuel picks for July 22:

Next: Let's Start With The Battery

July 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) runs after hitting a double in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher:

Best Bet:

Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers ($3,400): All reports are that Grandal will return to his normally assigned catching duties today. He is only 1 for 5 off of Teheran, but that one hit is a two run double. That leaves him as the best bet of the day, believe it or not.

Honorable Mention:

Tucker Barnhart, Reds ($2,200): Barnhart is 2 for 7 with a walk off of Kyle Hendricks, but has no counting stats. Yes, catcher is that thin with Travis d’Arnaud on the DL. He is 4 for 10 off of Jordan Zimmerman in his career.

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    • Pitcher:

    Best Bet:

    Kyle Lohse, Brewers ($5,400): Did I mention pitcher was thin? Lohse is by far the best option based on past statistics. It isn’t even close. He has held the current Indians roster to a .224 batting average in 67 at bats with just one RBI. ONE. He only has nine strikeouts, but that is with two walks and only three extra base hits allowed. I am seriously considering Lohse. He could be a great value as the lowest priced pitcher in the game. I am either using Lohse or one of the guys that doesn’t have a history such as Noah Syndergaard or Cody Anderson.

    Honorable Mention:

    Kyle Hendricks, Cubs ($7,300): The current Reds are hitting .256 with a homer and three RBI off of Hendricks in 39 career at bats. He does possess ten strikeouts in those few at bats though, making him a solid option this afternoon. He is also a great bet for a win considering how Leake has fared against the Cubs in his career.

    Stay Away:

    I will post all of the stats here so you can decide who you feel like gambling with. We will start at the top. Jordan Zimmerman has allowed the Mets to hit .272 off of him with five homers and 16 RBI in 243 at bats with only 41 strikeouts. That doesn’t back up his high price ($8,700). The Dodgers are hitting an impressive .368 (28 for 76) off of Julio Teheran with three homers and 18 RBI while striking out only ten times and drawing eight walks. It’s a small sample size, but the Braves are 7 for 14 with five RBI off of Mike Bolsinger. The Cubs are hitting .305 (50 for 164) with six homers and 20 RBI. Pick your poison with this bunch!

    Next: Next Up: The Corner Infielders

    Jul 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) talks to teammates in the dugout in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

    First Base:

    Best Bet:

    Anthony Rizzo, Cubs ($3,700): Rizzo is 10 for 27 (.370) with three walks, two doubles, two homers, and five RBI off of Mike Leake. Expect the thrashing to continue this afternoon.

    Honorable Mention:

    Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers ($3,900): Gonzalez is 4 for 9 with two walks, a double a homer, and four RBI off of Julio Teheran so far in his career. Considering the fact that Teheran has struggled against the Dodgers, Gonzalez should have plenty more RBI opportunities today.

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    • Third Base:

    Best Bet:

    Daniel Murphy, Mets ($2,500): Murphy has beat on Jordan Zimmerman in his career. Murph is 17 for 53 (.321) with a walks, five doubles, three homers, and eight RBI off of Zimmerman. That is a prolonged track record of success. Use Murphy with confidence today.

    Honorable Mention:

    Kris Bryant, Cubs ($3,200): It’s a small sample size, but Bryant is off to a good start against Leake. Bryant is 3 for 5 with a double off of him. His first long ball won’t be too far off.

    Next: Middle Infield Options

    July 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) runs after hitting a double in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

    Second Base:

    Best Bet:

    Howie Kendrick, Dodgers ($3,000): There isn’t a lot of previous performance to look at for second basemen today. Jason Kipnis is 0 for 3 against Kyle Lohse. Addison Russell is 0 for 4 with three strikeouts against Mike Leake. Brandon Phillips, Jace Peterson, Logan Forsythe, Scooter Gennett and Cesar Hernandez have never faced today’s opponent. That makes Kendrick’s 2 for 3 with a double and a RBI off of Teheran look pretty good.

    Honorable Mention:

    Wilmer Flores, Mets ($2,200): Flores is already 4 for 13 (.308) with a double off of Jordan Zimmerman. There is a good chance that he nets you positive points this afternoon.

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    • Shortstop:

    Best Bet:

    Jimmy Rollins, Dodgers ($2,200): Rollins is no stranger to Julio Teheran, spending most of his career in the NL East. Rollins is 8 for 25 (.320) with a walk, two doubles, a triple, a home run, and four RBI off of Teheran in his career. He is as good of a bet as anyone in the middle infield this afternoon.

    Honorable Mention:

    Starlin Castro, Cubs ($2,200): Castro, like most of his teammates, has hit Mike Leake well. Castro is 14 for 51 (.275) with three walks, three doubles, a triple, and eight RBI off of Leake. Look for more of the same today.

    Next: Who Are The Best Options In The Outfield?

    Jul 18, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) hits an RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

    Outfield:

    Best Bets:

    Yasiel Puig, Dodgers ($3,200): Puig has only faced Teheran eight times, but he has been on base six of those times. He has two walks, a double, and a solo home run off of Teheran. He should at least get you three points this afternoon.

    Chris Coghlan, Cubs ($2,500): Coghlan has hit Leake harder than most of the rest of his Cub teammates. He is an impressive 9 for 13 with three doubles and two solo home runs off of Leake. Coghlan could be a great source of cheap points this afternoon. Use him with confidence!

    Andre Ethier, Dodgers ($2,500): Ethier only has two career at bats against Teheran, but his one hit was a two run double. Considering how well his teammates have done against Teheran, he should get some more RBI chances this afternoon.

    Honorable Mention:

    Michael Brantley, Indians ($3,600): Another small sample size here, but Brantley is 2 for 3 off of Kyle Lohse. His lack of counting stats is a little concerning, but he could end up paying off. I still don’t trust Lohse despite what the stats say.

    Cameron Maybin, Braves ($3,800): Maybin has only faced Bolsinger three times, but he has come away with a walk and a RBI double. Not too shabby!

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