To start off with, I’d like to wish everyone a happy World Book Day. With that in mind, I hope you all enjoy reading my 4-23-15 Daily Fantasy Picks.
These picks are based off the contest starting at 7:05 PM EST/4:05 PM PST. The salary totals are based off of DraftKings and covers the following contests.
Athletics-Angels, Orioles-Blue Jays, Red Sox-Rays, Royals-White Sox
Disclaimer: These picks are subject to change based on weather forecasts and last minute line-up decisions.
Starting Pitcher
Chris Sale, SP, Chicago White Sox, $11,000
Initially, I was hesitant to start Sale due to the high price tag and the fact that the Royals are off to a very strong start and him recently coming back from an injury. However, Sale is also the strongest Starting Pitcher available to start tonight and he is off to a very excellent start. He has a 2.25 ERA/2.32 FIP and he has continued to rack up strikeouts at a very high rate (10.50 K/9).
Jake Odorizzi, SP, Tampa Bay Rays, $8,200
While Sale is the only top-tier Pitcher available, Odorizzi is not very far behind. Even though his price tag has gone up (he was at $7,000 as recently as April 13), he is worth the increased price tag as he appears to be on the cusp of a breakout season. His strong start is for real as he has a FIP of 2.11 and he continues to be an excellent source of strikeouts as he has 8.27 K/9 this season.
Catcher
Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals, $3,600
Normally, I would not pick a hitter going up against one of the Pitchers I’m starting (such as Chris Sale). However, the crop of Catchers is thin. The other quality of the other starting Catchers for this slate of games is pretty weak and Perez is off to a scorching start with a .968 OPS in his first 14 games.
First Base
Adam LaRoche, 1B, Chicago White Sox, $3,800
LaRoche may only be hitting .200 but has displayed some power with 3 HR already. He has a couple of advantages tonight. He is facing RHP Yordano Ventura. LaRoche excelled against Righties last year, hitting .280 with 21 HR in 357 PA and he is playing at home (U.S. Celluar Field) which tends to be hitter friendly.
Second Base
Brett Lawrie, 2B, Oakland Athletics, $3,700
The overall quality of 2B available is nothing to write home about. Normally, I would have opted to get Dustin Pedroia for $100 more. However, with Pedroia and the Red Sox going up against Jake Odorizzi and the Rays I decided to go in a different direction. Lawrie got the pick as he is capable of hitting for power and many of the other 2B eligible players are either injured (i.e. Ben Zobrist, Omar Infante) or players that I’m not comfortable putting in my line-up (i.e. Gordon Beckam).
Third Base
Ryan Flaherty, 3B, Baltimore Orioles, $3,300
Flaherty has been red-hot to start this season, with a .333 AVG & 1.086 OPS in his first 8 games. Also, the Orioles are playing at the Rogers Centre which tends to favor offense. On most nights, I would give further consideration to Mike Moustakas and Xander Bogaerts for slightly more. However, both of these players are going up against Pitchers (Sale & Odorizzi) that are in my line-up and that I’m banking on to have a strong game.
Shortstop
Erick Aybar, SS, Los Angeles Angels, $3,900
Aybar has struggled this year to the tune of a .544 OPS over his first 14 games. However, he has shown recent signs of turning around as he went 3 for 7 in the first 2 games of the Angels series against the Athletics. Tonight’s match-up works in his favor as the Athletics are starting RHP Jesse Chavez. In 2014, Aybar was solid against righties hitting .289.
Outfield
Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles, $4,800
Jones has put opposing pitchers on notice so far this season. He has hit .442 with 5 HR & 16 RBI over his first 14 games. In addition, he is very comfortable hitting at Rogers Centre. Over the last three seasons, he has hit .330 with 10 HR in 109 AB at Rogers Centre.
Avisail Garcia, OF, Chicago White Sox, $4,300
Garcia was the best available player that I could fit into this spot. Originally, this spot was reserved for Steven Souza Jr. However, with him exiting yesterday’s game with a right forearm cramp, it was time to find another option. Tonight’s match-up does work in Garcia’s favor as Ventura has not had a great start to this season (4.80 ERA/5.61 FIP).
David DeJesus, OF, Tampa Bay Rays, $3,300
Dejesus has been a pleasant surprise to start this season as he has a 1.064 OPS in only 25 PA. His price is low as he typically is only used against righties. With the Red Sox starting RHP Clay Bucholz, there is a high probability of finding himself in tonight’s line-up.
Main Photo
