DraftKings MLB Picks For April 19

Sep 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the DraftKings sign board during the match with FC Dallas playing against New York City FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

DraftKings MLB Picks For April 19

There are seven games going on tonight, which gives us plenty of options to choose from. Who should you spend on? Let’s hit the stats!

More from DraftKings

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. The best lineups usually have a mix of proven stats and hot players.

Michael Pineda has only faced five current A’s players, but they are just 2-31 against him. Jaime Garcia has only faced four current Cubs, but they are just 4-26 off of him. Those aren’t great sample sizes, so use your judgment if you plan on playing them. Alex Wood also have little history against Atlanta.

Colin Rea,

For you first time players, if you would like a free entry into the $1 million baseball contest, use this link for the referral bonus!

Next: Pitcher Picks

Apr 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) pitches against the New York Yankees in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Best Bets:

Marcus Stroman ($7,700): Stroman is off to a somewhat slow start, but he has held the Orioles to a miserable .129 average in 31 at bats. They only have one extra base hit (a double by Jonathan Schoop) and have struck out ten times. He also has great potential for a win squaring off against Mike Wright.

Vince Velasquez, ($9,600): Velasquez was very good in his first start of the season against the Mets, not allowing a run in six innings about two weeks ago. Don’t expect a game like he had against the Padres last week, but another six strong against the Mets is a good bet.

Honorable Mention:

Drew Smyly ($8,000): The current Red Sox have hit only .239 off of Smyly in 88 at bats with a whopping 30 strikeouts. He has given up three home runs, but that is to be expected in nearly 90 at bats. The high strikeout rate is enticing.

Dark Horses:

Logan Verrett ($5,600): Verrett pitched well against the Phillies in his first start in place of Jacob deGrom. At this price, he is worth using to see if he can do it again. This is the Phillies we’re talking about.

Shane Greene ($4,900): If you are a riverboat gambler type, Greene is the man for you. He won’t be used hardly at all being the cheapest pitcher on the board, but he has actually pitched well against the Royals. They are hitting just .163 in 43 bats with as many strikeouts (seven) as hits. And he hasn’t allowed a home run. If you want to take a shot, this is it!

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

Apr 18, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) rounds the bases after hit a solo home during the fifth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

You have heard our FanDuel experts Matt Rogers and Brian Tulloch talk about “stacking” pieces of a lineup against certain pitchers. Here are the stacks that could work well on DraftKings today, based on past statistics.

Yes, I am advocating a stack against Stephen Strasburg. I have stats to back me up. The Marlins are hitting .279 in 233 at bats off of Strasburg with seven home runs. Justin Bour ($2,700) is 5-13(.385) with two walks, a homer, and five RBI against Strasburg and could be a great option on the cheap. Marcell Ozuna ($3,000) is 8-22(.364) with two walks, a double, a triple, two homers, and six driven in. But it has been Giancarlo Stanton that has really hit Strasburg. Stanton ($4,200) is a bargain at that price with his 13-32(.406) with five walks, six doubles, three homers, and ten RBI against Strasburg. I don’t care if everyone else uses Stanton. I’m taking him too.

Julio Teheran was battered his last time out, and it may not get better against the Dodgers. Adrian Gonzalez ($3,700) is 4-12 with two walks, a double, a homer, and four RBI off of Teheran. Yasmani Grandal ($3,000) is 3-7 wtih a double and two RBI. Yasiel Puig ($3,600) is 4-6 with two walks, a double, and a solo homer off of Teheran.

Consider Ian Kinsler ($3,900) and Victor Martinez ($3,300) against Yordano Ventura. Kinsler is 5-13(.385) with four RBI against Ventura. V-Mart has two homers and five RBI. Use him as a nice, cheap option at 1B today.

The sky may be falling in San Francisco for Matt Cain. The Diamondbacks are hitting .343 against him in 105 at bats. Paul Goldschmidt ($4,500) and Rickie Weeks ($2,000) is particular have hit Cain hard. Goldschmidt is 8-30(.267) with six walks, three doubles, a triple, a homer, and seven RBI against Cain. Weeks, if he starts, could be a good play too. He is 7-24(.292) with three doubles and five RBI vs. Cain.

Stack some Astros against Derek Holland. Jose Altuve ($5,200) is 7-21 with two walks, two doubles, a triple, a homer, and three RBI against Holland. Carlos Correa ($4,600) is 4-5 with a walk, a double, two home runs, and three RBI against Holland. Carlos Gomez ($4,000) is 4-6, but has yet to drive in a run. Even Colby Rasmus ($3,800) has a home run off of the lefty.

David Ortiz ($4,200) has actually hit lefty Drew Smyly well. He is 5-11(.455) with two walks, a double, a homer, and two RBI off of him. Mookie Betts ($4,900) is 5-12(.417) with a homer and two RBI off of him. It’s an expensive stack, but they have done almost all of the damage to Smyly by the Red Sox.

Next: More Notes For 4-19

Apr 14, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Avisail Garcia (26) runs to first in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Avisail Garcia ($3,600) could be a nice lower priced option. He is 2-3 against Matt Shoemaker in his career. Both hits are home runs, and he has driven in four.

Jose Bautista ($5,300) is 2-3 with a homer and two RBI against Baltimore starter Mike Wright.

Two underowned players could be Alexei Ramirez ($2,800) and Melvin Upton, Jr. ($3,600). Ramirez is 13-31(.419) with two doubles and five RBI against Francisco Liriano. Upton is 8-24 wtih three doubles and a pair of RBI against Liriano. They may be good, cheap alternatives.

The four Cubs that have faced Jaime Garcia before are only 4-26(.154), but Miguel Montero ($3,000) is 2-2 with a solo home run off of Garcia.

Mat Latos has never given up a home run to a current Angels player, but Andrelton Simmons ($3,100) is 5-9 wtih two walks, two doubles, and two RBI against him.

While the injured Jhonny Peralta has done a lot of damage (two homers, eight RBI) against Jason Hammel, you may also consider using Yadier Molina ($3,500) or Randal Grichuk ($3,200) against him. Molina is 6-13(.462) with three doubles and a RBI. Grichuk is 2-6 with a triple, a homer, and three RBI.

Next: FanDuel Economics MLB Edition For April 18

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for the NBA playoffs and FanDuel baseball!