MLB Expert Picks Preview: Tuesday, April 14th
Every day when the MLB schedule features four or more games, you can find expert picks for the day’s games on DraftKings below. These expert picks will provide a solid foundation for your lineups, and will include analysis and insight you can use in any sort of contest. You can expect these picks and analysis to be posted every day by 2 PM Eastern, or 10 AM for early slates.
Tuesday, April 14
STARTING PITCHERS
Matt Harvey vs Philadelphia, $9,300
There are a couple of other contestants for top billing, but I simply can’t justify fading the Mets ace in a cash game this evening (Not to say you you can’t play him in GPPs too). He looked pretty electric in his first start vs the Nationals, and the Phillies field one of the more inept lineups in baseball. Vegas confirms what you already knew. The Mets are a heavy favorite (-230) in a game with a paltry over/under (6.5). Don’t get cute here. Make sure to have plenty of exposure to The Dark Knight. As for finding Harvey a Robin to pair him with….
Jake Arrieta and Carlos Carrasco are next in line and both worthy of consideration. I’ll be really tempted to pay up for both of my SPs, hopefully collect ALL the Ks, and punt a position or two to squeeze them in. The drop-off from #3 SP to #4 is awfully steep so I’m likely to dig even further. This is especially true in GPPs, but if there is one cheapie that may wander into a cash lineup it’s Shane Greene, who is just way too cheap for his ability. He’s had his issues with lefties which is somewhat concerning, but Greene has strikeout stuff, and the Pirates have K’d more than anyone on the short season, so the upside is there. Other GPP options I’m considering are Daniel Norris and Trevor Cahill, as they will help you load up some bats, or stack a pricy team.
CATCHER
Buster Posey vs Colorado Rockies, $4,300
No, he’s not facing a LHP, nor is he hitting in a premium hitting environment (or even a neutral ballpark), but DK is factoring the negative that is playing in AT&T Park into the price, which makes me intrigued. It also doesn’t hurt that Posey will square off vs Christian Bergman, one of the day’s weakest pitchers, who exhibited extreme reverse splits last season.
If you are going to double down on two stud SPs, catcher might be a spot to look to save some money. Derek Norris is cheap and keeps finding himself in a favorable batting spot (either 2nd or 5th, behind or in front of Justin Upton and Matt Kemp). In fact, Derek boasts an impressive .372 MUwOBA vs Jeremy Hellickson, which is the highest catcher on the board according to the RG rankings.
FIRST BASE
Edwin Encarnacion vs Tampa Bay, $5,500
He’ll be awfully tricky to get into your cash lineups (assuming you spend up for your arms), but this is friendly reminder that the Jays are one of the most stackable team in play tonight, but DK is well aware of this, and thus jacked the prices way up. This puts most of them in the GPP category, but if you are able to splurge on one Toronto bat, I find Encarnacion’s bat the most intriguing.
Prince Fielder is jumping out to me as an intriguing GPP play. Opposing SP Drew Rucinski is making his debut in a game that has the highest over/under on the board, and The Magic Eight Ball is saying “outlook not so good”. In the same game, Mark Kanha should start in the two hole and take his hacks vs Nick Martinez, which works as a punt play if you need one. Steve Pearce demands your attention as CC Sabathia severely struggled vs righties last season, and Pierce is a number of Orioles that will be salivating in the box tonight.
SECOND BASE
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