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DraftKings Early MLB Picks For May 5

By Mike Marteny

Apr 27, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits a three run home run in the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits a three run home run in the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 Early MLB Picks For May 5

There are only two games in the early tournament as today, which limits the amount of options from what we normally have. Who should you spend on? Let’s hit the stats!

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

One of the four pitchers going this afternoon, Michael Fulmer, has never faced the Indians. That leaves us only three teams with past stats! You are going to have to build a team that includes no statistical analysis in the early tournaments today. We should still be able to provide a solid foundation! Jerad Eickhoff has only faced one current Cardinal (INF Ruben Tejada), who is 0-3 off of him. We are down to two teams!

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 30, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) pitches to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (54) pitches to a Washington Nationals batter during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Bet:

Jaime Garcia ($9,700): Garcia isn’t just a product of limited selection. I would advocate in using him in all-day lineups as well. The Phillies are only hitting .129 off of him in 31 at bats with a whopping  11 strikeouts. He will likely be owned in just about every early lineup, but I doubt you can afford to not use him. You have to separate yourself on the second pick.

Honorable Mention:

Michael Fulmer ($6,500): Let’s just say I would rather take a chance on the rookie than to roll with Bauer. The Tigers have lit him up (.327, 3 HR, 15RBI in 113 at bats). Gamble with Bauer if you must, but Fulmer pitched well in his debut against the Twins. Those who roll with Fulmer will be hoping that the Tigers leave him in for longer than five innings this time, but there is a good chance that Bauer gets bombed. I would take either Eickhoff or Fulmer first.

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

May 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-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.

The only stack will be Tigers against Trevor Bauer, and there are plenty of stats to support this. Miguel Cabrera‘s ($4,600) are among the worst off Bauer. He is 5-17(.294 with two walks, two doubles an a RBI. Nick Castellanos ($3,700) is also 5-17, but he has two a double and two RBI. Ian Kinsler ($4,500) is 7-19(.368) with a walk, a double, a home run, and three RBI off Bauer. J.D. Martinez ($4,300) is 7-16(.438) with two walks, a homer and four driven in. Victor Martinez ($4,100) is 5-18(.278) with four walks, a homer, and four RBI against Bauer. Stack those Tigers this afternoon!

Ryan Howard ($2,500) is the only Phillie worth using against Jaime Garcia. Just make sure that he is in the lineup first. He should be, considering the way he has punished the Cardinals so far in this series. He is only 3-15 in his career off of Garcia, but he has hit a home run off of him.

Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from out experts in that area! Brian Tulloch provides the picks, while Matt Rogers tells you where to save in his FanDuel Economics articles. Don’t play an FanDuel without them!

Next: FanDuel Trends At First Base In April

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