DraftKings Early MLB Picks For May 16

We have two early games today. Atlanta and Toronto play early so they can head to Atlanta for tomorrow. Cleveland and Tampa play earlier than the rest of the night games, so DraftKings put them in their own little tournament. This will play like a NBA slate with very little separation. We should expect the money line to be a little bit over 100. If we get the two right pitchers and a couple of homers, we are looking good!

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

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Next: DraftKings Early Lineup

P: Jake Odorizzi ($8,900): Marco Estrada has a solid history against the Braves, but it can’t touch Odorizzi’s numbers against Cleveland, and Odorizzi is nearly $2,000 cheaper! Odorizzi has held the Indians to a .191 average in 47 at bats with two homers, but they have scored six runs. The eight strikeouts are pretty solid, but I am also going with Odorizzi since he is on a roll lately. He has not given up more than two runs in a game since his opener against the Yankees.

P: Danny Salazar ($9,200): Odorizzi’s numbers against Cleveland are good, but Salazar’s against the Rays are dominant. The Rays are just 3-33(.091) with three runs and 12 strikeouts! Expect a low scoring affair at Progressive Field, but then again, most experts said that yesterday.

C: Derek Norris ($3,200): We don’t know who is starting in the day game, and honestly, both of those options will be weak no matter who they are. So I will go with Norris over Yan Gomes because I trust his power a little more.

1B: Carlos Santana ($4,600): Santana is about the only Indian that has hit Odorizzi well. He is only 1-5 with a walk, but that hit was a two run homer. Edwin Encarnacion has also homered off of Odorizzi, but he is just 4-27 against him lifetime.

2B: Brandon Phillips ($3,700): Phillips is 9-25(.360) with a double, two homers, four runs scored, and five RBI from their days in the N.L. Central together. A lot has changed since then. Estrada is a better pitcher than he was when he was with Milwaukee, and Phillips is older with a little less power and a little less speed. I still like Phillips’ chances to get something today though.

3B: Darwin Barney ($3,600): Barney is 5-17(.294) with a triple, a solo homer, and four runs scored against Jaime Garcia. Garcia is easily the weakest pitcher on the slate, so if you are stacking anyone, it should be Toronto’s right handed bats.

SS: Tim Beckham ($3,700): Beckham has never faced Salazar, I just like the upside. All six of his home runs have come since tax day, and his average is up to .267. He will strike out a lot, but if he makes contact, it could go a long ways.

OF: Jose Bautista ($4,700): Bautista is only 2-8 against Jaime Garcia, but he has two walks, a homer, two runs scored, and two RBI. Joey Bats is hot right now, and facing a lefty that has been knocked around lately. Garcia has not surrendered a home run since April 17th, but I have a feeling that will change in an A.L. Park.

OF: Kevin Pillar ($4,500): Well, he is right handed and he leads off for an offense that could score a lot of runs today. I will pay the premium here this afternoon.

OF: Kevin Kiermaier ($3,900): Kiermaier has not been blanked since the calendar rolled over to May. I like those odds!

Next: FanDuel MLB Picks and Pivots

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