DraftKings Early MLB Picks For May 25

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 25

There are 14 games tonight with the Rays and Marlins playing a matinee, 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.

Surprisingly, Steven Matz has never faced the Nationals. Tyler Duffey has never faced the Royals, and was hit hard by the Blue Jays in his last outing. Use caution in both cases.

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 19, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Bets:

Jake Arrieta ($13,100): Yes, it’s a rivalry game, but Arrieta has dominated the Cardinals so far. They are only hitting .178 against Arrieta in 135 at bats with just five runs scored and six extra base hits, with none leaving the park. The 38 strikeouts is not an elite total, but if no one is getting on base, they wont score runs either.

James Shields ($8,600): Shields has held the Giants to a .233 average in 180 at bats with a homer and 13 RBI, but has only struck out 33. Still, that leaves him as a good option in a light slate in a winnable matchup with Peavy.

Honorable Mention:

Tanner Roark ($8,700): The Mets have hit a respectable .255 against Roark in 98 at bats, but have managed just four runs and struck out 22 times. His matchup against Steven Matz is a tough one, but the potential is here for Roark to live up to his price.

Carlos Martinez ($6,600): Martinez pitched very well against the Cubs earlier this year (one run in seven innings with five strikeouts on April 20th), but his matchup with Arrieta tempers his value. So what if he doesn’t get a win? The Cubs are hitting .250 off of Martinez in 92 at bats with two homers, 12 RBI, and 19 strikeouts. This is not a great matchup for Martinez, but he certainly could be a bargain at this price.

Dark Horse:

Jake Peavy ($6,400): Peavy has absolutely dominated the Padres in his career. They are hitting a measly .156 against Peavy in 90 at bats with just one homer (one of Matt Kemp‘s five hits in 21 at bats), only two runs, and 22 strikeouts. If you are willing to look past his ugly ERA so far this year, Peavy could pay off big for you here.

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

May 22, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) puts on his cap after the national anthem prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-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, Colby Lewis has been good this year, but everything about the past stats says stack here. Kole Calhoun ($4,100) is 12-31(.387) with two doubles, a triple, a homer, and five RBI against Lewis. Johnny Giavotella ($3,300) is 5-11 with a double and three RBI. Albert Pujols ($4,200) is 10-29(.345) with two walks, a double, three homers, and seven RBI against Lewis. Mike Trout is 13-33(.394) with four walks, a double, two triples, four homers, and 11 RBI against Lewis. You at the very least need to play Trout!

The Indians are still missing Michael Brantley, who shredded Jose Quintana, but there are others worth stacking against the White Sox lefty. Rajai Davis ($3,200) is 13-41(.317) with two walks, three doubles, a triple, a home run, and two RBI against Quintana. Jason Kipnis is cheaper at $3,300, but he is 9-34(.265) with four walks, a double, a triple, and four driven in. Mike Napoli ($3,300) is 3-9 with a double, a homer, and two RBI. Carlos Santana ($3,400) is only 4-23(.174), but he does have a homer and five RBI.

Rougned Odor ($3,900) is 10-21(.476) with two walks, three doubles, a homer, and four RBI off of Hector Santiago. Ryan Rua ($3,300) is 4-10 with a double, a homer, and two RBI. Adrian Beltre ($4,400) is 8-34(.235), but he has six walks, three doubles, and three solo home runs. Ian Desmond ($5,000) is 3-7 with a double and a RBI off of Santiago so far.

Next: More Notes For 5-24

May 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) singles during the fourth inning during the game against the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Adams ($2,400) has been about the only somewhat successful Cardinal against Jake Arrieta. Adams is 5-15 with two walks, a double, and three RBI off of the Cubs ace.

Jose Abreu ($3,400) is 10-28(.357) with a walk, two doubles, three homers, and seven RBI against Corey Kluber. Melky Cabrera ($2,700) is 9-19(.474) with three doubles, a triple, and three RBI against Kluber.

Justin Upton ($3,100) could be worth the price if he plays. Upton is 2-4 off of Aaron Nola with a homer and three RBI from his time with Atlanta.

Brandon Crawford ($3,200) is 3-8 with two walks and a solo homer off of James Shields. Gregor Blanco ($2,700) is 5-12(.417) with a triple and four RBI against Shields.

Dexter Fowler ($4,400) is 5-14(.357) with three walks, a double, and two RBI off of Carlos Martinez. Anthony Rizzo ($4,300) has done the bulk of the damage with two homers and six RBI despite only four hits in 15 at bats.

Ryan Howard ($3,200) is 9-31(.290) with 11 walks, two doubles, two homers, and four RBI against Anibal Sanchez from his days with the Marlins. Does Howard still have it?

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!