DraftKings MLB Picks For April 18

We have our first 15 game DraftKings slate of the year! We have two aces going in what look like very good situations, but are they really? Where can we save some money to pay for pitching or vice versa? Let’s hit the stats!

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The money line in the big tournament yesterday was at 109.9. One lineup was derailed by average performances. The other was done in by poor pitching and no hitting.

The winning lineup was back up over 200 at 203.8. He hit right on Ivan Nova and Robbie Ray. He also had the huge game from Freddie Freeman and really good lines from the low owned Taylor Motter and Nomar Mazara.

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. Check out this post from Matt McGarvey for great tips about whether to use a hot player in DFS or not.

For you first time players, if you would like $10 worth of free entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $10 into more!

Next: DraftKings MLB Lineup 1

P: Michael Fulmer ($8,900): Fulmer has held Tampa to five hits in 32 at bats(.156) with just a solo homer by Evan Longoria (his only hit in six at bats). The kicker? Fulmer has 12 strikeouts in those 32 at bats. He has dominated the Rays so far. You can’t say the same for Darvish against Oakland or Max Scherzer against the Braves.

P: Yu Darvish ($10,700): Darvish gave up only one run to Oakland ten days ago, but it was enough for him to take the loss. What really stands out to me here is that Darvish has 41 strikeouts against Oakland’s current roster in only 135 at bats. That should mitigate the damage done by any runs he gives up. Yu seems to be in top form after a hit and miss 2016 recovering from elbow surgery. I like him more than Max Scherzer tonight.

C: Brian McCann ($3,300): McCann has crushed Ricky Nolasco in his career. McCann is 23-68(.338) with two walks, five doubles, a whopping eight homers, and a ridiculous 26 RBI against Nolasco. Those are some of the better numbers you will find against anyone in the league! All for this low price!

1B: Chris Carter ($4,100): Sooner or later, Carter will get things going in New York. It could be tonight. Carter is only 3-13(.231) against Miguel Gonzalez, but he has hit two solo homers. I’m going to chase the homers again tonight and hope he comes through. He’s due.

2B: Ben Zobrist ($4,100): Zobrist is 4-12 with five walks, a homer, and two RBI in his career against Jimmy Nelson. Nelson has been solid against the Cubs, but nothing really sticks out here. However, he gave up just one run to them two starts ago. Can he do it again?

3B: David Freese ($3,000): Freese has feasted off of Mike Leake. He is 15-28(.536) with a walk, three doubles, a homer, and six RBI against him. Freese is a great way to save some money to pay up for a pitcher tonight.

SS: Xander Bogaerts ($3,900): This seems really cheap for Bogaerts, especially when you consider that he is 8-17(.471) with two doubles and a solo homer against Marcus Stroman. The Red Sox as a whole have hit Stroman well, so I don’t trust using him here. Bogaerts looks safe here.

OF: Hunter Pence ($3,900): Pence is 6-19(.316) with a walk, two doubles, a homer, and five RBI against Jason Hammel from his days in the National League. Pence likely still remembers how to hit him.

OF: Carlos Beltran ($3,700): Beltran is 18-51(.353) with six walks, a homer, and three RBI against Ricky Nolasco. He hasn’t dominated Nolasco the way that McCann has, but the Astros could score a whole lot of runs tonight. If they do, Beltran will be involved in some capacity.

OF: Giancarlo Stanton ($4,200): Why is Stanton so cheap against Yovani Gallardo? He is 5-16(.313) in his career against Gallardo with two walks, a double, and a solo homer against Gallardo. Gallardo also has a nasty 6.30 ERA this year. He is going to give up some runs.

Next: DraftKings MLB Lineup 2

The second lineup is going to be simple tonight. This slate is littered with pitchers that have terrible ERA’s this year. Past stats be damned, I am going to do a series of mini-stacks against these struggling pitchers, then build my pitching staff based on what I have left.

P: Andrew Triggs ($5,000): Most are going to be on his mound opponent Yu Darvish, but Darvish’s numbers aren’t enough greater against Oakland that they are worth paying for. Triggs has not given up a run this season. If that’s not enough, Triggs hasn’t given up a hit to the current Rangers roster. Not one hit! They are 0-16 with three strikeouts. The only Ranger that got a hit off him in the start last year was Carlos Beltran. There isn’t a lot of strikeout potential here, nor is there a lot of win potential, but there should be a lot of cheap outs.

P: Michael Fulmer ($8,900): Fulmer is still my favorite pitcher of the day, and I can have him without sacrificing my offense. Sign me up!

Josh Tomlin has a 18.47 ERA so far this year. He can’t get anyone out, and the Twins have a lot of power in this lineup.

More from FanSided

There will be a lot of players from the Reds and Orioles here. First off, it’s in Cincinnati, a noted hitter’s park. Second, Ubaldo JImenez has a 10.38 ERA. Bronson Arroyo‘s isn’t much better at 9.90. Watch for flying objects if you are attending this one! There is a chance that the Orioles could move up Kevin Gausman‘s start to tonight. If that happens, I’m moving off Cincinnati. At this point, that solution looks likely.

C: Welington Castillo ($3,800):

1B: Chris Davis ($4,700):

2B: Brian Dozier ($4,600):

3B Manny Machado ($4,900):

SS: Trevor Story ($4,100): Hyun-Jin Ryu hasn’t had a great year either. Ryu’s ERA is right around the 7.00 mark, making any Rockies righthander a solid speculative play. The game is in L.A., so it lacks some luster, but Story has the pop to hit it out of anywhere. I really considered using Arenado at third.

OF: Mark Trumbo ($4,600):

OF: Mike Trout ($5,200): Trout going against a struggling Joe Musgrove is a good play. Heck, Trout against anyone is a good play. I can afford him, so why not?

OF: Giancarlo Stanton ($4,200): Another double up here since I had $4,200 left. Stanton can hit it out of anywhere. The Safeco Field factor doesn’t worry me with Trout.

Next: FanDuel MLB Picks and Pivots

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our NBA, NHL, and EPL picks!