DraftKings Early MLB Picks For July 16

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 July 16

There are only three games in the last tournament before the All Star Break. We have to choose wisely to separate ourselves from the rest of the pack. Let’s take a look at the past stats to see if we can find a few players that may not be widely owned.

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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 two free $20 entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $20 into more!

Next: Pitcher Picks

Jul 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers (43) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Best Bet:

Lance McCullers ($9,800): The Mariners are only 13-66(.197) against McCullers with just one homer, five runs, and an alarming 27 strikeouts. McCullers faced this same Seattle team back on July 4th and racked up 34.2 DraftKings points. He gave up one run through seven innings and struck out ten. Don’t be surprised if he does it again.

Honorable Mention:

Chris Tillman ($10,600): The Rays are only hitting .236 against Tillman in 216 at bats, but they have hit nine homers and driven in 25 against him. The 48 strikeouts is a solid number, and with as well as Tillman has pitched this year, it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t belong in the top tier. Tillman went 6.2 scoreless innings against the Rays and gave up just two hits while striking out nine back on April 27th. Then he was roughed up by the Rays on June 25th. Which Tillman will you get?

R.A. Dickey ($8,300): The A’s are only hitting .223 against Dickey in 130 at bats with modest totals of two homers and 11 RBI. He also only has 28 strikeouts. It’s pretty much a given that Dickey will give up two or three runs, but with that offense behind him, he always has a puncher’s chance at a win and has decent strikeout totals. You can do much worse on a short slate.

Dark Horse:

Sonny Gray ($5,400): The Blue Jays have hit a modest .241 against Gray in 79 at bats, but they have only struck out 17 times. The two homers and seven RBI are average numbers, but the man that has hit him hardest, Jose Bautista, is still out of the lineup. Gray will likely post numbers close to Dickey at a fraction of the cost. Dickey is a little more of a sure thing though.

Next: More Notes For 7-16

Jul 8, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) rounds the base after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Jones ($3,100) is 12-31(.387) with a walk, a double, three homers, and eight RBI against Matt Moore. J.J. Hardy ($2,600) is just 8-31(.258), but he has a walk, two doubles, a homer, and six RBI. Also, look out for Matt Wieters ($2,400). Wieters is 8-23(.348) with three walks, a double, two homers, and three RBI off of Moore.

Jose Altuve ($5,100) is 14-32(.438) with a walk, five doubles, a homer, and seven RBI off of Hisashi Iwakuma. Marwin Gonzalez ($2,800) could be a great bargain if he is in the lineup. Gonzalez is 10-19(.526) with two doubles, a homer, and two RBI off of Iwakuma. George Springer, Colby Rasmus, and Luis Valbuena have also homered off of Iwakuma, but they are a combined 9-48 and likely not worth the risk.

Evan Longoria ($3,200) is 17-57(.298) with five walks, four doubles, seven home runs, and 10 RBI off of Chris Tillman. He has only allowed two more home runs to the rest of the current Rays in 159 at bats. Steven Souza ($2,800) is only 4-16, but he has two walks, a double, a homer, and three RBI against Tillman.

Darwin Barney ($2,900) is perfect off of Sonny Gray. He has a walk, a single, and a solo homer off of him. The Bright side for Gray is that he doesn’t have to face Jose Bautista, who has hit him very well over the years.

Backup catcher Ryan Hanigan ($2,700) has hit CC Sabathia pretty well. He is 6-16(.375) with a double and a solo homer against him. David Ortiz ($4,900) is only 16-70(.229) with five walks, three doubles, two homers, and seven RBI off of Sabathia. Dustin Pedroia ($4,200) is 17-61(.279) with six walks, three doubles, and three RBI.

Jacoby Ellsbury ($3,700) is 5-11 with a walk, a double, and two solo homers against Eduardo Rodriguez. Alex Rodriguez ($4,500) has enjoyed similar success. ARod is 5-11 as well with a walk, a double, a homer, and three RBI off of Eduardo.

Danny Valencia ($3,400) is 2-6 against R.A. Dickey. Both of those hits are home runs. He has also walked three times and driven in three.

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 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!