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FanDuel MLB Picks: Fantasy baseball, April 2

By Cory Eavenson

Sep 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) during the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) during the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) during a spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

First Base

High-Salary Option

Anthony Rizzo $4100

You can never go wrong starting Rizzo, but Opening Day is definitely a day you do not want to avoid him. Rizzo in 14 at-bats against Carlos Martinez has two home runs and one triple. Last year Rizzo scored 18 Fantasy Points on Opening Day and he only had one total base. With the amount of production that Rizzo will provide, his large price tag at first base is still almost on the low end. *****

Mid-Range Option:

Brandon Belt $2900

Last year on opening day, Belt had three hits including two doubles, one RBI and scored two runs. Belt reached base on 40 percent of his plate appearances against the Diamondbacks last year. Not only can Belt hit the ball, but he can take pitches resulting in a high number of walks in an offense that is bound to drive him in often for a run when he’s on base! ***

High-Value Option

Greg Bird $2400

In spring training this year, Bird has 21 hits and seven home runs in 49 at-bats. He has a batting average of .429 along with 10 runs and 13 runs batted in. If Bird can continue this type of production once the regular season opens up, his price will skyrocket, so buy in to him while he is cheap! The only downside is that he is facing Chris Archer who is a much better on the mound than most of the pitchers he has faced throughout spring training. But the price definitely makes it worth the risk. **

Second Base

Mid-Range Option

Ben Zobrist $3100

Last year Zobrist had a .349 batting average versus the Cardinals in 63 at-bats. Against Carlos Martinez specifically, his batting average raises to .385. Ben has five hits in 13 at-bats in his career versus Martinez and I expect the Cubs to roll in this game. Stack, stack, stack!. ***

High-Value Option

Joe Panik $2500

Last year on opening day, Panik had a solo home run. He has the potential to knock one out of the park again this year, especially against a suspect Zach Grienke that Panik hit a home run off of last year in 10 at-bats. The potential that Panik carries at his price is well worth the risk. **