Daily Fantasy Baseball: Early FanDuel Picks For August 5

Jul 31, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Seattle Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

There are only four games on the schedule this afternoon in baseball, leaving us with fewer options than normal. You have to dig deeper and find someone that will produce that isn’t widely owned to make some money this afternoon. That is where following past statistics can help out.

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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. The highest scorer of the day could be someone with no experience against his opponent. 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.

This afternoon’s slate will be a little difficult. Carlos Rodon and Chris Rusin have never faced any of their opponents. Taijuan Walker and Kendall Graveman have faced members of their opposing teams a combined 12 times. That only leaves four pitchers that have any kind of history today. Due to that, the format will be a little different.

Here are my early FanDuel picks for August 5:

Next: Let's Start With The Battery

Jul 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Hector Santiago (53) on the mound after giving up a home run in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Pitchers:

Danny Salazar ($8,800): The Angels are hitting only .235 off of Salazar, but they have two homers and six RBI in 34 at bats. He has struck out ten of the 34 batters though.

Hector Santiago ($8,300): Cleveland is hitting a respectable .276 off of Santiago in 76 at bats, but they only have one homer and five RBI. That said, they have walked 13 times while striking out 16. To me, this is too many base runners to put trust in Santiago today.

Wei-Yin Chen ($7,800): Chen has held the A’s to a .241 average in 83 at bats, but they have two homers and eight RBI off of him while striking out 16 times. If you don’t like Salazar’s smaller sample size, Chen is the way to go.

Erasmo Ramirez ($7,000): The White Sox are hitting just .176 off of Erasmo in 17 at bats, but they have only struck out twice. They did not drive in a run in that one game though. If you are comfortable using a one game reference against a hot team, Ramirez could pay off big.

My Pick: Chen

Catchers:

Yan Gomes ($2,400): 2 for 4 off of Santiago. Both hits are singles, no counting stats.

Chris Iannetta ($2,800): 0 for 2 with a strikeout against Salazar.

Tyler Flowers ($2,200): 0 for 1 against Ramirez

My Pick: Gomes

Next: Next Up: Corner Infielders

Jul 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) hits a RBI home run against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Carlos Santana ($3,200): 3 for 10 with a double and two walks off of Santiago.

Albert Pujols ($3,600): 1 for 3 with a single against Salazar.

C.J. Cron ($2,300): He has only faced Salazar twice, but Salazar has yet to retire him. Cron has come away with a single and a walk.

Billy Butler ($2,400): Butler is 8 for 18 (.444) with a walk, two doubles, a triple, two homers, and four RBI against Chen.

Jose Abreu ($4,400): 0 for 2 against Ramirez.

My Pick: Butler

Third Base:

Lonnie Chisenhall ($2,500): He is only 1 for 6 with a single and three strikeouts against Santiago.

Conor Gillaspie ($2,400): Gillaspie is even worse against Salazar. He is 0 for 7 with five strikeouts.

Brett Lawrie ($2,600): 0 for 2 with a walk against Chen.

My Pick: None of the above. Manny Machado if I can afford him. Evan Longoria if I can’t.

Next: Next: The Middle Infield

Jul 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) hits a two RBI double during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Second Base:

No stats available

My Pick: Logan Forsythe at $3,400 seems a great bet against young lefty Carlos Rodon. Just look at what the Rays did to lefty Chris Sale last night…..

Shortstop:

Jose Reyes ($3,400): Remember me saying that Walker has only eight plate appearances against the current Rockies roster? Six of those belong to Reyes, and he has not reached base against him.

Mike Aviles ($2,200): 3 for 8 with a double against Santiago.

Erick Aybar ($2,300): 2 for 5 (both singles) against Salazar.

Marcus Semien ($2,500): 0 for 2 vs. Chen.

Alexei Ramirez ($3,200): 0 for 3 against Ramirez

My Pick: Aybar, but may take Aviles if he is in the lineup.

Next: Last But Not Least: The Outfield!

Jul 30, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield:

Michael Bourn ($2,500): 2 for 6 (both singles) vs. Santiago.

Michael Brantley ($3,500): 3 for 8 with a walk, a homer, and two RBI vs. Santiago.

Kole Calhoun ($3,800): 2 for 3 with two walks, a home run, and two RBI vs. Salazar.

Mike Trout ($5,000): 1 for 3 with a single and two strikeouts vs. Salazar.

Coco Crisp ($2,200): 3 for 11 (all singles) vs. Chen.

Sam Fuld ($2,500): 3 for 15 (all singles) with a walk vs. Chen.

Craig Gentry ($2,200): 2 for 9 with two walks and a RBI vs. Chen.

Josh Reddick ($2,600): 0 for 9 with four strikeouts vs. Chen.

My Picks: Calhoun, Brantley, and Nelson Cruz. Against a lefty at Coors Field? Yes, please!

Next: Will Dan Haren Struggle With The Cubs?

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