DraftKings Main MLB Picks April 5: Is Lester a safe pick?

PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 02: The Pittsburgh Pirates stand during the National Anthem on Opening Day before inter-league play against the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park on April 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Main MLB Picks April 5: Is Lester a safe pick?

The main slate is the smaller one for the second straight day. The Orioles-Yankees game is exiled into a showdown matchup, so we only have three games in the later tournament. Thankfully, none of the night games are in danger of being rained out. We could have the first day without a rainout this week!

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We will provide you with several options to build your lineup here. Want to spend all your money on pitchers and play bargain bats? We will highlight who is worth the money. Want to punt arms and pay up for the big boppers? We can help you with that as well, and everything in between!

These picks are based largely on past stats. Obviously, these are not a true indicator of what will happen tonight, but they can provide good insight and trends to help us pick some winners.

For you first time players, if you would like a bonus of $20 DraftKings dollars, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn those DraftKings dollars into more!

Next: DraftKings Pitcher Plays

PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on March 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Robbie Ray ($11,700): Oh, this is a tough one. There is no part of me that trusts Robbie Ray tonight against the Cardinals. They are hitting .464 against Ray in 28 at bats with a homer and six runs. Even the strikeout potential isn’t as high as we would like. There is a little bit of face saving here since the game is in St. Louis, but I still don’t trust it.

Jon Lester ($10,600): Lester has only allowed four runs in 59 at bats to the Brew Crew, but they are hitting .288 off of him. There is a lot of potential for the Brewers here since the Marlins knocked around Lester on Opening Day. However, I trust Lester more than Ray. If using a top pitcher, I like Lester a bit more.

Middle Tier:

Adam Wainwright ($7,000): Wainwright has struggled some against Arizona. They are hitting .306 with three homers and seven runs but 12 strikeouts. Honestly, you are playing with fire with either pitcher in the game, but Ray has the strikeout potential.

Homer Bailey ($6,700): Bailey is 6-2 with a 2.48 ERA in ten career starts at PNC Park. The Pirates are hitting a solid .267 in 101 at bats against Bailey, but they only have three homers and ten runs to go with 25 strikeouts. There is very good potential for Bailey here tonight. He is a solid bet away from Cincinnati.

Bargain Pitchers:

Brent Suter ($6,300): The Cubs are hitting .279 with six RBI in 43 at bats against Brent Suter with only five strikeouts. We have seen some really good starts out of Suter and some clunkers as well. There is a risk with just about any pitcher tonight. Good luck! Hitters are going to decide this slate.

Steven Brault ($5,400): Brault has talent, but the Reds can really hit. That would be why Brault is so cheap. He dominated in three innings of relief against Detroit. Don’t expect Brault to go deep into this game, but he could get solid points for this price point.

PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 30: Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats against the Colorado Rockies during the MLB game at Chase Field on March 30, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Kris Bryant is expensive, and I think I would like a little better stats if I’m going to pay that much for a hitter. Bryant is 2-7, but only has one double for his trouble. Willson Contreras is 2-5 with a walk, a double, two runs scored, and two RBI in his career against Suter.

Paul Goldschmidt is 4-14(.286) with a walk, a double, three runs scored, and two solo homers against Adam Wainwright. Daniel Descalso is 2-4 with a walk and a solo homer off of Wainwright. If Descalso is in the lineup, he is worth a look.

Middle Tier:

Yadier Molina doesn’t come cheap, but he has two walks, a double, a run scored, and a steal off of Robbie Ray. Against Ray he should be cheaper than this…..

Eugenio Suarez is 1-2 with a double and a run scored against Steven Brault. Even the left handed Joey Votto is 2-3 with a RBI off of Brault.

Addison Russell is 2-4 with a walk and a run scored against Brent Suter so far. I wouldn’t trust a lot of Cubs today, but Russell is a solid one. Javier Baez has a pair or RBI against Suter as well.

Adam Frazier is 2-5 with a walk and a double against Homer Bailey. He is still batting leadoff for the Pirates, so there is some potential here.

Scooter Gennett is 2-5 with a double and a run scored against Steven Brault already. We have seen Gennett have some big days thus far. Is another in store?

Bargain Shoppers:

David Freese is 8-26(.308) with two walks, two doubles, two homers, three runs scored, and three RBI in his career against Homer Bailey. If Freese gets the start, he could be worth a look at this price.

MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 03: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits the game-winning home run in the ninth inning to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 at Miller Park on April 3, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

It could be a day to play the Brewers outfield. Ryan Braun is 7-16(.438) with a walk, two doubles, two runs scored, four steals, and a RBI off of Jon Lester. Lorenzo Cain is 5-16(.312) with three doubles, three runs scored, and a walk. Even Chistian Yelich is 2-6 with a run scored against Lester.

I do like A.J. Pollock against Wainwright. Pollock is 3-6 with a double and two runs scored in his career against Wainwright. David Peralta is 2-6, and could be worth a look since he will be at or near the top of the order.

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Middle Tier:

Starling Marte is 6-22(.273) with three doubles, a triple, a homer, three steals, a homer, five runs scored, and four RBI in his career against Homer Bailey. Gregory Polanco is 2-5 with a run scored, and could be worth a look.

Tommy Pham is perfect against Robbie Ray. He has three singles, a walk, and a run scored off of Ray. Dexter Fowler is 5-8 with a walk, a double, a solo homer, and two runs scored against Ray.

Bargain Shoppers:

I do like Adam Duvall and Billy Hamilton against Brault. They are cheap, and Brault could fall apart.

Next: Early DraftKings MLB Picks

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. We also have the tail end of the NBA season covered.