FanDuel MLB lineup picks: April 4

Pitchers

Jake Arrieta $10500

Arrieta took the mound against the Cardinals a total of four times last year and he went 3-1 while allowing seven earned runs  overall. He only lasted past the sixth inning one time and averaged seven strikeouts per game. If Arrieta can limit his walks and extra base hits he will escape with a win, but the Cardinals will not go down without a fight. ***

Johnny Cueto $9200

Last year Cueto faced the diamondbacks four times, finishing 2-2 and allowing 13 earned runs total. These stats do not seem worthy of his hefty salary, but there may be some reason to that. Oddly enough, both of Cueto’s losses came at home and both wins came in Arizona, where these teams will be meeting tonight. **

Kenta Maeda $8600

Maeda faced the Padres four times last season, finishing 2-1 with one no decision and eight earned runs total. Maeda pitched against the Padres in one of the first games in April last year and only allowed five hits and zero runs in that game. Three of the four games were actually in San Diego, but the one that was in Los Angeles was actually Maeda’s best start. He went seven innings, gave up two hits and one run, and struck out 13 batters. Maeda will get the chance to repeat that performance as the Padres visit the Dodgers first this time around. ****

Tyler Anderson $6400

Anderson had one start against the Brewers last season in which he pitched very well and controlled the game. He ended up with the loss due to lack of run support but Anderson himself only gave up two runs. He pitched five innings, allowed three hits and two walks, and struck out 10 batters. He held the Brewers to a .136 team batting average and if he had avoided a solo home run off the bat of Ryan Braun the result of the game may have been a different story. One year later Anderson has improved as a starting pitcher and will be ready to take another crack at the Brewers lineup. ***