DraftKings Late MLB Picks For May 4

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 Late MLB Picks For May 4

There are seven games in the early tournament today, so that means a lot of stats to go through, and a lot of tough decisions to make. 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.

Aaron Sanchez has never faced the Rangers, and after his last outing, you may be tempted to use him. Just remember that his history favored him in his last start. There is nothing to go off of here, making it a risk against an explosive offense like Texas.

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

Best Bets:

Jose Fernandez ($11,200): Jose is the most expensive pitcher of the day, but he may just be worth it. He has only faced the Diamondbacks once, but he only allowed two runs on four hits while striking out ten. There is a good chance he will be able to match that performance. His strikeout potential bumps him up to the top option of the night. Though I think Felix Hernandez may outscore him at a slightly lower price for those of you playing the all day tournament.

Mike Fiers ($8,300): The Twins are marginally better on offense than they were a couple of weeks ago, but they are still not enough of a deterrent to using a marginal pitcher against them. Especially when said pitcher has held them to a .224 batting average in 58 at bats with only three RBI while striking out 13. Fiers has the potential for a big scoring game tonight.

Honorable Mention:

Clay Buchholz ($7,900): The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Wait, on second thought, it is just Clay Buchholz, who has given up ten runs in his last two starts. A reprieve could come tonight against the White Sox, a team that is hitting just .195 off of him in 118 at bats with only two homers, eight RBI, and 17 strikeouts. His lack of strikeouts puts him in the lower tier, but there is potential here for a good game…..or another five run meltdown.

Rubby De La Rosa ($7,700): Rubby bordered on dominant in his last start, but he has shown small stretches like that at times in his career. We have also seen him come unceremoniously crashing back to earth with no notice. That said, the Marlins are only hitting .211 against him in 57 at bats with two homers, three RBI, and ten strikeouts. Betting on Rubby against doesn’t look like a sucker bet after all.

Dark Horses:

Phil Hughes ($7,600): Hughes has absolutely dominated this incarnation of the Astros. In 37 at bats, they have just five hits (.135). However, three of those are home runs, but he has struck out 11. Hughes will give up runs, but history shows he will also rack up strikeouts. It all depends on if you think his offense can beat Mike Fiers or not.

Adam Morgan ($4,800): Morgan faced the Cardinals once last year, and he bordered on brilliant. He allowed only two runs on three hits while striking out four. Jhonny Peralta took him deep, but Peralta is still on the disabled list. He may be worth a look against Leake here, especially with the way the Phillies have looked in this series.

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

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.

You knew I was going to be recommending a stack against Colby Lewis, right? He has bucked his career trend in his last two starts against the White Sox and Angels, but he did flirt with disaster in those two outings. Is this where he reverts back to his career numbers? Jose Bautista ($4,500) is 4-12 with nine walks and two solo home runs off of Lewis. There are points to be had there. Kevin Pillar ($3,500) is a perfect 3-3 with a solo home run off Lewis. Michael Saunders ($3,600) is 5-20, but he does have three walks, a double, a triple, a homer, and three RBI. The sleeper pick here is Justin Smoak ($3,000). Smoak is 7-16(.438) with two walks, two doubles, two homers, and four RBI in his career against Lewis.

Even when CC Sabathia was at his best, he had trouble with the Orioles. You know I’m advocating a stack here. Adam Jones ($4,000) is 19-61(.311) with four walks, four doubles, a triple, four homers, and a whopping 14 RBI off of CC. If he is going to get going any time soon, it likely starts here. Manny Machado ($4,500) is 9-30(.300) with three doubles, a homer, and seven RBI off Sabathia. Nolan Reimold ($3,100) should get a start tonight considering he is 12-32(.375) with two walks, two doubles, a triple, two homers, and five RBI against CC.

Consider a Phillies short stack against Mike Leake tonight. Maikel Franco‘s ($3,700) 4-6 with a double is nothing to write home about, but Ryan Howard ($3,400) is 7-21 with two walks, a double, two homers, and five RBI against Leake in his career.

Next: More Notes For 5-3

Howie Kendrick ($3,000) is one of the few Dodgers with any kind of history against Drew Smyly. Kendrick has faced Smyly nine times and has come away with three hits, including a double, a homer, and three RBI. If Kendrick starts for the Dodgers, he is worth using in your lineup as well.

Steven Souza ($3,900) has only faced Alex Wood twice, but he did get a solo home run for his only hit.

J.T. Realmuto ($3,100) is 2-6 with a walk, a homer, and two RBI against Rubby De La Rosa. If he melts down tonight, chances are Realmuto will be involved.

George Springer ($4,300) is 1-3 against Phil Hughes. His hit is a two run home run. His other two at bats ended in strikeouts. It is a microcosm of how Phil Hughes’s night in Houston will go.

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: Early DraftKings Picks For May 4

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