First of all, I’d like to wish everyone a happy Earth Day. Today, it is time to make my impact on the Earth by revealing my 4-22-15 Daily Fantasy Picks. This covers the contest that starts at 7:05 PM EST/4:05 EST and the totals are based off of DraftKings.
Disclaimer: These picks are subject to change based off of weather and last minute line-up decisions.
Starting Pitcher
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers $12,500
There is always some risk of drafting Kershaw since his price consists of 25% of the salary cap. There is also the concern that he has not had his normal results over his first three starts (4.42 ERA/3.46 FIP). Even with this, he has been useful as he has continued to rack up Strikeouts (12.76 K/9). However, tonight presents the opportunity for Kershaw to revert to his normal dominant self. First of all, the Dodgers will be playing at AT&T Park where he has a 0.83 ERA in 12 career games. It also helps that the Giants have thus far been one of the worst teams in baseball.
Jimmy Nelson, SP, Milwaukee Brewers, $7,000
As a Brewers fan, I generally have very little faith in picking Brewers players for my picks as their performance has been absolutely putrid this season. However, I am willing to make an exception for Nelson as he has been one of the few players who has been watchable. In his first two starts, he has a 1.50 ERA/2.02 FIP which includes a very dominant performance against the Pirates. At the very least, he should give you some strikeouts. This season, he has a 9 K/9 which is very close to what he produced in the minors last season (9.24).
Catcher
Stephen Vogt, C, Oakland Athletics, $3,600
To say the very least, Vogt has been off to a scorching hot start this season. He has hit .366 with 4 HR in his first 12 games. He has been even stronger against righties, hitting .389 which should serve him well tonight as he is facing a struggling RHP in Jered Weaver who comes into this game with a 6.61 ERA/5.84 FIP.
First Base
Kendrys Morales, 1B, Kansas City Royals, $4,200
Morales has been off to a strong start this season, as he has hit .358 with 2 HR and 9 RBI in his first 13 games. The hot streak should continue for at least one more game as the Royals will be facing off against Mike Pelfrey who is currently sporting a 6.62 FIP and has more Walks than Strikeouts this season.
Second Base
Yangervis Solarte, 2B, San Diego Padres, $3,700
Solarte is off to a hot start this year, hitting .345 in his first 12 games. In addition, he gets the advantage of playing in Coors Field tonight and going up against some mediocre pitching in Kyle Kendrick.
Third Base
Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit Tigers, $3,800
Castellanos has gotten off to a solid start in his second season to the tune of a .295 AVG and .850 OPS. Tonight, the Tigers face Adam Warren who comes into tonight’s game sporting a 6.45 FIP and has walked more batters than he has struck out.
Shortstop
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox, $3,700
For tonight’s line-up, many of my picks have matched players off to strong starts offensively versus pitchers who appear likely to struggle on any given night. This theme continues with the pick of Bogaerts. This year, he has hit .319 with 8 RBI in 12 games and the Red Sox happen to be going up against Nate Karns who comes into tonight’s action with a 4.58 ERA/5.17 FIP.
Outfield
Micheal Cuddyer, OF, New York Mets, $4,200
When the Mets signed Cuddyer during the off-season, I thought it was going to be a disaster for all parties involved. While that could still happen in the long-term, the early returns have been strong as he has a .899 OPS in his first 12 games and the Mets have ridden a hot streak to be in first place. It also helps that the Braves starter Eric Stults 6.30 ERA/6.82 FIP has been very ineffective this season.
Odubel Herrera, OF, Philadelphia Phillies, $3,400
Even though the Phillies have been as bad as advertised, Herrera has been a bright spot hitting .302 and stealing 3 bases.
Travis Snider, OF, Baltimore Orioles, $3,900
Snider has been off to a solid start this season, hitting .306 in his first 11 games. In addition to the Orioles playing at the Rogers Centre, he also gets the benefit of going up against a young Pitcher in Aaron Sanchez who is off to a very slow start 6.23 ERA/6.60 FIP.
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