DraftKings Early MLB Picks April 9: Play Ian Happ!

CHICAGO, IL – JULY 24: Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox on July 24, 2017 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks April 9: Play Ian Happ!

Our 12 games here are not an even split. There are two afternoon games going today, both in the Windy City. It could be chilly, but there is no rain in the forecast. How do we attack this short slate? Let’s take a look.

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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 tips are based mostly on past performance. This is a nice tool for building a lineup, but should not be the only pieces of information you use. Stacking against a bad pitcher is always a good idea!

For you first time players, if you would like a free $20 in DraftKings dollars, use this link for the referral bonus with your first deposit of $5 or more! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn those DraftKings dollars into more!

Next: DraftKings Pitcher Plays

CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 02: Tyler Chatwood #21 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the first inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Tyler Chatwood ($10,300): Chatwood has by far the best stats against today’s opponent. The Pirates are only hitting .233 off of Chatwood in 43 at bats with just one run and 11 strikeouts. Chatwood is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in his two career starts at Wrigley. On top of that, Chatwood has a 1.50 career ERA against the Pirates.

Middle Tier:

Chris Archer ($9,700): Archer has been hit hard by the White Sox, a team that has overall just destroyed baseballs this year. The Sox are hitting .275 with six homers and nine RBI in only 69 at bats. The 19 strikeouts make Archer worth taking a chance on since he can still get good numbers without a win.

Bargain Pitchers:

Miguel Gonzalez ($6,800): Gonzalez could have some value here. The Rays are only hitting .220 in 41 at bats with only one homer and three runs to go with six strikeouts. The issue here is that Gonzalez doens’t have the strikeout upside to salvage his DraftKings numbers should he get himself in trouble. Considering the White Sox number against Archer, Gonzalez is certainly worth a look.

Ivan Nova ($6,500): The Cubs are only hitting .216 with four homers and eight runs in 97 at bats to go along with 19 strikeouts. Nova is like Gonzalez, where he doesn’t have a lot of strikeout upside, but he has proven that he can get outs against the Cubs.

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 05: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the Detroit Tigersduring the Opening Day home game at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 5, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Jose Abreu is about the only top tier guy I would consider unless Anthony Rizzo plays. Rizzo is 3-8 with a double, a run scored, and a RBI against Nova. Abreu is 5-18(.278) with a homer, two runs scored, and three RBI against Archer.

Middle Tier:

Yolmer Sanchez is 5-14(.357) with three homers and four RBI in his career against Chris Archer. I’m all over Sanchez at a fairly weak position this afternoon.

Addison Russell is 2-5 with a solo homer off of Ivan Nova. Despite Ben Zobrist and his five walks, he is only hitting .171 off of Nova in his career with only one RBI.

Bargain Shoppers:

If Tyler Saladino is in the lineup, he is definitely worth a look. Saladino is 2-3 with a solo homer off of Chris Archer.

Jordy Mercer is 2-3 with a walk, a double, and a RBI against Tyler Chatwood. If David Freese plays, he is 3-9 against Chatwood, but has no counting stats.

Adeiny Hechavarria is 2-5 with a run scored and a RBI in his career off of Miguel Gonzalez. C.J. Cron could also be worth a cheap flier. Cron is 2-6 with a walk and a steal against Gonzalez.

Next: Top catchers and outfielders

MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 07: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Chicago Cubs swings at a pitch during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 7, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Ian Happ is 3-8 with two homers and four RBI against Ivan Nova already. Kyle Schwarber is 2-6 with two walks, a solo homer, and two runs scored off of Nova. If Willson Contreras plays, he is 2-5 with a run scored off Nova.

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Middle Tier:

Avisail Garcia is 4-11 with a walk, a double, a solo homer, and two runs scored off of Archer.

Gregory Polanco is 2-6 against Chatwood as well, but has no counting stats.

Bargain Shoppers:

Corey Dickerson is worth a look against Chatwood. Dickerson is 1-2 with a run scored against Chatwood.

Leury Garcia bats at the bottom of the order, but he is certainly worth a look against Archer. He is 2-5 with a double off of Archer.

Carlos Gomez is 1-3 with a two run homer in his career against Miguel Gonzalez. Wilson Ramos is worth a look as well. He is 1-2 with a walk and two runs scored.

Next: MLB DFS Picks and Pivots

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. We also have the NBA still winding out the season, but DFS is still going strong!