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DraftKings Early MLB Picks For May 26

By Mike Marteny

May 21, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) throws against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) throws against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-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 26

There are only three afternoon games today, which really limits our options. How can you get the most from your lineup today? Let’s check the past histories!

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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.

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Next: Pitcher Picks

May 24, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) looks on prior to the Yankees taking on the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) looks on prior to the Yankees taking on the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Bet:

Jose Fernandez ($13,200): Fernandez has fared well against the Rays. The current team is hitting only .217 against him with nine strikeouts in 24 bat bats. The only damage was a solo home run by Evan Longoria, his only hit in five at bats against Fernandez. He would be the elite option even if it weren’t a light slate.

Honorable Mention:

Gerrit Cole ($9,900): I passed on Smyly here despite similar stats because Cole has a much better chance at a win against Corbin and the Diamondbacks. That said, the Snakes are hitting a comfortable .306 I 85 at bats of off Cole with 15 strikeouts. They only have one homer, but have scored 11 runs. This makes Cole a risk to give up runs.

Dark Horse:

CC Sabathia ($8,300): Don’t look now, but CC has only allowed one run over 13 innings in his last two starts. His career numbers against the Blue Jays are also good. The Jays are hitting only .226 off of Sabathia in 164 career at bats with only three homers and 11 RBI, from a righty dominated lineup. Sabathia has also picked up 41 strikeouts. There is risk involved against a top offense, but considering J.A. Happ‘s numbers against the Yankees, CC should have a solid shot at a win as well.

Next: More Notes From 5-26

May 24, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) scores a run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) scores a run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Beltran ($4,000) is 9-27 with two walks, a double, three homers, and six RBI against J.A. Happ. He may be the best hitter of the afternoon. He is as far as past stats are concerned. Brett Gardner ($4,000) is 5-14(.357) with two doubles, a triple, and a solo homer against Happ. Aaron Hicks ($3,100) is 3-6 with a homer and two RBI off of Happ.

Jean Segura ($3,500) could be a good option if he is able to play. Segura is 7-20(.350) with two doubles and two RBI against Gerrit Cole. Wellington Castillo ($2,900) is 5-14 with a double and three RBI. Jake Lamb ($3,300) hit a solo homer off of Cole in three at bats.

Martin Prado ($3,300) is 2-4 with a homer and two RBI against Drew Smyly. Ichiro Suzuki ($2,700) has ten hits in the last three games, and is 3-7 in his career off of Smyly.

For $2,800, you may want to take the chance that Evan Longoria can take Jose Fernandez deep again. The price is right, that’s for sure.

Jordy Mercer, Gregory Polanco, and Sean Rodriguez are a combined 4-8 with three homers and four RBI against Patrick Corbin. This may be a stack worth looking in to.

Russell Martin ($3,200) is 3-12 with a solo homer against Sabathia. Justin Smoak ($3,500) is also 3-12, but he has a homer and two RBI. Jose Bautista has the other Jays homer off of Sabathia, but he is a horrible 3-31(.097) against Sabathia. He has as good of a chance as zero as double digits.

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!