MLB Expert Picks Preview: Monday, April 20th
Every day when the MLB schedule features four or more games, you can find expert picks for cash games on FanDuel below. These position-by-position picks come with insight and analysis to help you learn the reasoning behind the selections. You can expect these picks and analysis to be posted every day by 2 PM Eastern, or 10 AM for early slates.
Monday, April 20
Pitcher
Jake Arrieta ($9,200) – Monday’s slate does not offer much in the way of solid starting pitching, therefore locking in the pitcher with the best skill set might make the most sense. Arrieta is that guy. He was much improved last season and carried a very nice K/9 of 9.59. He will also have the benefit of pitching in the pitcher friendly PNC Park tonight.
Hisashi Iwakuma ($8,300) – Iwakuma is off to a rocky start in 2015. That being said, he the pitcher tonight with the highest likelihood for a win when the Mariners host the Astros. The game has been set with an over/under of seven and the Mariners coming at -153 favorites. If you can overlook the early season struggles, Iwakuma is a fine SP option tonight.
Catcher
Victor Martinez ($3,900) – Victor Martinez had the highest wOBA (.476) against LHP last season in all of baseball, therefore it only makes sense to target him against a lefty with a declining skill set, C.C. Sabathia. The Tigers’ lineup is built to dominate LHP, and I expect C.C. to have a difficult time retiring this potent lineup.
Derek Norris ($2,800) – If you’re new to MLB DFS, you will quickly realize the importance of targeting players at Coors Field. This game has highest over/under (9.5) by a full run. Derek Norris is an excellent hitter against LHP and should draw a decent lineup spot as well.
First Base
Carlos Santana ($3,200) – Carlos Santana has a very nice FanDuel price of $3,200. He will be hitting fourth against a weak lefty, John Danks, who continues to be a bad major league pitcher. This game has a solid over/under of 8.5 and will be played in the hitter friendly U.S. Cellular Field.
Kendrys Morales ($2,700) – The KC bats are also in a great spot tonight, at home against Kyle Gibson. Gibson was actually solid last week against this same Royals team (6.2 IP and 1 ER), however I expect tonight to be a different story. The Royals offense has been rolling this season and Morales continues to get a great lineup spot (fifth).
Second Base
Ian Kinsler ($3,900) – Price aside, Kinsler is the number one second baseman on this slate. The Tigers appear to have one the best offenses in all of baseball and they’re built to mash against LHP. As previously mentioned, Sabathia’s skill set is on the decline and I expect the Tigers to make quick work of him tonight.
Brian Dozier ($3,100) – Dozier is purely a price point play for me tonight. At $3,100 on FD, he is priced much too cheap and requires consideration unless he is facing a dominant RHP, which is not the case tonight. Dozier is much better against LHP, but I have no issue targeting him tonight against Edison Volquez.
Third Base
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