DraftKings Early MLB Picks For May 18

May 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos (9) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins 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 18

There are only four games today, so that limits our options. 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.

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

May 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright (35) pitches against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright (35) pitches against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Bet:

Steven Wright ($10,100): Wright was knocked around by the Astros in his last start, but he has held the Royals to 5-19(.263) with just one RBI (by Mike Moustakas, who is on the disabled list). He has also struck out only two. However, in this light slate, he is one of the best options. Just don’t be expecting a large point total, but it could be in proportion to the others of the afternoon.

Honorable Mention:

Ian Kennedy ($8,100): Or do you prefer the other side of the coin? The Red Sox are hitting .240 off of Kennedy in 104 at bats with two homers and 12 RBI, but have only struck out 14 times. Even more bad news is that Pablo Sandoval owns ten of those strikeouts.

Rich Hill ($8,000): The Rangers have only hit .231 off of Hill in 26 at bats with one guy doing all the damage. He also racked up nine strikeouts in those 26 at bats. Hill could pay off here.

Dark Horses:

Jeremy Hellickson ($7,000): Hellickson has plenty of experience against the Marlins from his days with the Rays in interleague play. The Fish are only hitting .216 off of him in 102 at bats with three homers and seven RBI. They have only struck out 15 times, but Hellickson isn’t known as a strikeout pitcher anyway. He could be a sneaky pick for solid points.

Tom Koehler ($6,200): Koehler has struggled this year, but in his start against the Phillies on May 1st, he allowed only one run in seven innings. The Phils are only hitting .230 off of him in 122 at bats with one homer, but they have driven in 15 runs. The silver lining? Koehler has racked up 31 strikeouts on them!

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

May 12, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-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 meaningful stack of the afternoon is the Tigers against Ricky Nolasco. Nolasco gave up five runs to the Tigers back on May 1st in 5.2 innings. The Tigers are now hitting a robust .354 with three homers and a whopping 26 RBI against Nolasco in 144 at bats. Who has the history against him? We can’t play the whole Detroit starting nine, after all.

Mike Aviles ($2,400) is 8-14 with a double, a home run, and four RBI against Nolasco. Ian Kinsler ($5,000) is 7-20(.350) with three doubles and four RBI. The already red-hot Victor Martinez ($3,600) is 7-14 with three walks, two doubles and a RBI. Nick Castellanos ($3,700) is only 3-11(.273), but he has two homers and an impressive eight RBI off Nolasco. Justin Upton ($3,600) is 5-17(.294) with two walks and four RBI, and could be worth a look as well.

Next: More Notes For 5-18

May 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Joe Mauer (7) singles in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Joe Mauer (7) singles in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Look out for Joe Mauer ($2,900) today. He is 24-68(.353) with 12 walks, five doubles, three homers (all of the ones that the Twins have hit against him), and ten RBI off of Justin Verlander. Kurt Suzuki ($2,200) could be a good afternoon pick too. He is 11-36(.306) with a walk, two doubles, and five RBI against Verlander.

Prince Fielder ($3,100) is 5-16(.313) with a walk, a triple(!), a homer, and three RBI off of Rich Hill.

Marcell Ozuna ($4,100) is 3-7 with a homer and two RBI against Jeremy Hellickson. Giancarlo Stanton has also taken him deep, but it is his only hit in seven at bats against Hellickson.

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: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level

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