DraftKings Early MLB Picks For April 26

There are only three early games, and only two are true afternoon games. Indians-Astros as 6pm Eastern has been added to give us a few more options, but there still isn’t a lot to choose from. DraftKings priced pitchers based on potential, but who is worth paying for? Let’s check out some stats!

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The money line was way up at 150.3 points. I did get one lineup over. The other one had about a third of that.

The winning lineup was one of the highest we’ve seen this year at 276.9. That was an astonishing 19.4 DraftKings points more than second place! The winner gambled on J.C. Ramirez, which I should have done since Erasmo Ramirez got scratched. He had a Tiger and Diamondback stack along with Trea Turner and Paul Goldschmidt. His worst hitter was Nick Castellanos with 13 DraftKings points. No one else was under 23!

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 Early Lineup

P: Lance McCullers Jr. ($10,300): McCullers has only faced two current Indians in Edwin Encarnacion and Austin Jackson. They are only 1-5, with Encarnacion hitting a solo homer off of him. Jose Quintana is way too overpriced with his early struggles and his history against the Royals. I will gladly take the chance on the cheaper – and better performing – McCullers.

P: Wily Peralta ($6,800): Trevor Bauer is probably the second best option, but I love Peralta’s chances for a win against Rookie Davis. He is going to give up some runs, and probably not strike out a whole lot of batters. I’m going for the offensive stacks and hoping that Peralta lasts five innings for the win.

C: Jett Bandy ($2,900): I don’t trust the day games and the prospects of the starting catchers going, but if they do, I am switching to Salvador Perez and downgrading to Alcides Escobar at shortstop. Salvador Perez is 19-57(.333) with two walks, four doubles, a triple, two homers, six runs, eight RBI, and even a steal. Bandy should be the starter today, but if he isn’t, I’m fine with going to Pina as well. As good as Perez’s numbers are, the Brewers are going to score a lot of runs today.

1B: Eric Thames ($5,000): Thames must be part bull. Every time he sees a Red(s) uniform, he goes nuts. How else do you explain his eight homers against them? For the record, the next closest people in the home run race have seven. Thames has more homers against the rest than anyone else has period! Rookie Davis doesn’t stand a chance.

2B: Jonathan Villar ($4,800): Villar is the leadoff hitter for a potent offense against a Rookie (literally) with a 6.43 ERA and 1.86 WHIP. This game isn’t going to help Rookie’s cause any.

3B: Mike Moustakas ($3,300): I left $100 open just in case Cheslor Cuthbert gets the start against the left handed Jose Quintana. It really doesn’t matter. Cuthbert is 4-14 with two solo homers against Quintana. Moustakas is 12-39(.308) with two walks, three doubles, three homers, six RBI, and eight runs scored on Quintana. I am going to use whomever starts at third for the Royals today.

SS: Hernan Perez (3,900): Lost in Eric Thames mania is just how good Perez has been lately. After a horrid start, Perez has two homers, seven RBI, and five runs scored in the last two games. There is a great chance that he is part of the thumping of the Reds again today.

OF: Scott Schebler ($4,200): Schebler is 4-9 with a walk, a double, a run scored, and three RBI against Wily Peralta. This could be today’s version of Tigers-Mariners from yesterday. I want exposure on both sides of this one.

OF: Billy Hamilton ($4,700): Hamilton has five hits in 12 at bats with a walk, two doubles, a triple, three runs scored, and a solo homer against Wily Peralta. Like I said before, Peralta is going to give up some runs. It would be foolish to ignore stats like this just because I have the pitcher throwing batting practice to Hamilton.

OF: Lorenzo Cain ($4,000): Cain is 17-56(.304) with a walk, seven doubles, four RBI, and eight runs scored against Jose Quintana. He is going to get something this afternoon.

Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level

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