Daily Fantasy Baseball: Early FanDuel Picks For August 27

Aug 7, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a baseball and glove prior to a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

There are five games this afternoon, which gives us a few more options than usual. We even have a couple of aces taking the mound today. Are they worth paying for? Let’s find that out, along with who the best hitting options should be.

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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.

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Here are my Early FanDuel Picks for August 27. For the evening picks, check Dave Fuqua’s out!

Next: First Up: The Mound Men

Aug 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Giants won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pitchers:

Best Bet:

Madison Bumgarner, Giants ($12,600): Sure, the Cubbies are hitting .269 off of MadBum, but it’s what they have done in those 175 at bats that sets them apart. Bumgarner has allowed his share of runners – 47 hits and nine walks – but he has only allowed one home run (to backup catcher David Ross), and just seven RBI. He has also struck out 40. He is a better option in FanDuel than DraftKings because of the baserunners issue, but he certainly doesn’t allow many of them to get all the way around the bases.

Honorable Mention:

Zack Greinke, Dodgers ($11,900): The Reds have managed to hit six homers off of Greinke in 199 at bats, but have only driven in 16 runs and posted a .222 batting average. Three of those homers were solo shots and another was hit by the injured Devin Mesoraco. And the way Greinke has pitched most of the season, he is a solid bet anytime and anywhere right now.

If You’re Cheap:

Matt Shoemaker, Angels ($7,600): Shoemaker’s last start was so bad (1.2 innings, seven hits, three walks, six runs, no strikeouts) that he was optioned to the minors immediately afterward. So why does he wind up on the short list? Well, for one, he is taking on Randy Wolf, whom I don’t trust despite his strong start against Texas last week. And he has held the current Detroit lineup to a measly .161 batting average in 31 at bats with the lone RBI coming off a sac fly by James McCann. If you are in a gambling mood, he could give you some solid production for the price.

Stay Away:

Dan Haren, Cubs ($6,600): If opposing MadBum isn’t enough to keep you away from him, try some stats: The Giants are hitting a robust .299 off of Haren in 134 at bats with seven homers, 17 RBI, and only 21 strikeouts.

Next: Who Are The Best Corner Infielders?

Aug 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits a grand slam against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

Best Bet:

Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays ($5,200): Edwin is 5 for 14 (.357) with three walks, three homers, and six RBI off of Yovani Gallardo. His chances of going deep are better than most today.

Honorable Mention:

Joey Votto, Reds ($4,700): He has hit Greinke very well in his career. Votto is 21 for 27 (.444) with four walks, four doubles, and three solo home runs off of the Cy Young candidate.

If You’re Cheap:

Albert Pujols, Angels ($3,700): If you need to save some money for one of the aces, Pujols is a suitable alternative. Albert is only 12 for 42 (.286) against Randy Wolf, but he has two walks, three doubles, three homers, and a whopping 13 RBI off of him. Pujols is nearly a lock for positive points, and could get you a lot more for a reasonable price.

Third Base:

Best Bet:

Mike Moustakas, Royals ($3,000): Moose has cooled off since his hot start, but he is still 3 for 8 with a walk and a two run home run against Chris Tillman. He could be worth taking a chance on this afternoon.

Honorable Mention:

Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays ($6,000): The conundrum here is that you can’t afford an ace if you take Donaldson at this price. He is 3 for 7 with a pair of RBI against Yovani Gallardo, but those stats aren’t enough to make me want to shell out that much money for him. All three of the hits are singles too.

Next: Let's Check The Middle Of The Field

Aug 25, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) warms up before the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher:

Best Bet:

Matt Wieters, Orioles ($2,300): It is a strong bet that Wieters will not be catching today, and there is a chance that he may not even DH. Although he might since he has two singles in four at bats against Yordano Ventura. Yes, the options are that slim at catcher this afternoon.

Honorable Mention:

Russell Martin, Blue Jays ($2,500): Martin has seen plenty of Yovani Gallardo from when they were both in the National League. Martin only has five hits in 23 at bats (.217), but he has walked six times and driven in a run. The walks make him a decent option, just don’t expect a big day.

Second Base:

Best Bet:

Starlin Castro, Cubs ($2,500): Castro is an impressive 10 for 24 (.417) off of Bumgarner, but nine of those hits were singles, and he only has one RBI. Still, the price is right, and he is a low risk option today, even if he does only net you a couple of points.

Honorable Mention:

Omar Infante, Royals ($2,400): Infante has only faced Chris Tillman twice, but his one hit was a RBI double. Yeah, there isn’t much for past stats at second base either.

Shortstop:

Best Bet:

Troy Tulowitzki, Blue Jays ($3,800): Tulo is 11 for 24 (.458) with a walk, four doubles, a home run, and four RBI against Yovani Gallardo. If you can afford him, he is one of the stronger bets of the afternoon.

Honorable Mention:

Jimmy Rollins, Dodgers ($2,800): JRoll only has six at bats against rookie Anthony DeSclafani, but he has come away with three hits, including a two run home run. He is worth a flier at that price.

Next: Who Are The Best Outfielders?

Aug 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) reacts after scoring in the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield:

Best Bets:

Marlon Byrd, Giants ($2,500): Byrd has clobbered Dan Haren with a .424 average (13 for 44), five doubles, a triple, three home runs, and six RBI. He could be the biggest bargain of the day at this price!

Joc Pederson, Dodgers ($2,500): Pederson has only faced Anthony DeSclafani twice. His one hit is a two run home run. He could provide a nice reward if he is in the lineup, but he still carries a risk because of his slump.

Carl Crawford, Dodgers ($2,200): His only hit in three at bats off of DeSclafani is a solo home run. The Dodgers have hit the Reds rookie well, and could do so again. The good thing about loading up on Dodgers is that most of them are relatively cheap.

Alex Rios, Royals ($2,400): Rios is only 3 for 13 (.231) against Chris Tillman, but he does have a home run and three RBI.

Honorable Mention:

Mitch Moreland, Rangers ($2,800): Moreland has only faced Marco Estrada twice, but he came away with a single and a solo home run. I like those odds!

Chris Denorfia, Cubs ($2,200): Denorfia is pretty much a forgotten man on the Cubs right now, but his history against Bumgarner could land him a start. He is 15 for 47 (.319) with a walk, six doubles, a triple, and a pair of RBI off of him. Just make sure the Cubs did their homework and put him in the starting lineup before rolling him out there.

Good luck today!

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