DraftKings Picks April 12th
Wednesday brings an eventful slate of MLB action, and SCFE has your DraftKings Picks April 12th piece. With only one ace on the slate, I recommend paying up for Max Scherzer and looking for a cheaper option with upside. With hitting, I’m going to be spending my money on star infielders. A couple players I really like for today’s matchups are Paul Goldschmidt, Daniel Murphy, and Francisco Lindor. I’d recommend targeting Cleveland, Arizona, San Francisco, and Colorado for hitters if you’re unsure. I hope you all make some solid picks, and make some money today!
Pitchers
Max Scherzer, WAS vs STL ($12,600)
Scherzer is the lone ace in the slate, which has helped shoot his price up. Even against the Cardinals, Scherzer has the best chance to hit thirty Fantasy points, so he’s the pitcher to pay up for. My recommended play with Scherzer is to start him and then a cheaper pitcher with upside. He’ll likely be the main play at pitcher today in a less than talented pitcher crop.
Ivan Nova, PIT vs CIN ($8,000)
I really like Nova’s matchup at home against a weak Reds lineup. Pittsburgh has had a reputation of maximizing the talent of the available pitchers, and Nova has been great since the last half of last season. I’m looking for Nova to have a very good shot of twenty fantasy points today at home against Cincinnati.
Other Pitchers I Like
Danny Salazar, CLE vs CWS ($8,700)
Michael Fulmer, DET vs MIN ($9,500)
Tom Koehler, MIA vs ATL ($6,900)
Catchers
Kyle Schwarber, CHC vs LAD ($4,600)
Schwarber has been playing great baseball atop a dangerous Cubs lineup. His batting position forces opposing pitchers to pitch to him, as he hits before Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. He has been one of the best catchers in fantasy, so look for him to continue producing.
J.T., Realmuto, MIA vs ATL ($3,600)
Realmuto has surprisingly been the best catcher in Fantasy through the first week and a half. He has always been a great hitter for average, but his hot streak and low price is hard to resist. He has a great matchup against Jaime Garcia, who has struggled greatly in the last year.
Other Catchers I Like
Wilson Contreras, CHC vs LAD ($3,800)
Stephen Vogt, OAK @ KC ($3,300)
Brian McCann, HOU @ SEA ($3,300)
First Basemen
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI @ SF ($4,600)
As a Giants fan, I know having Matt Cain on the mound is usually a good sign for the other team. Goldschmidt is off to a hot start this season, and did well against the Giants in the first series. I will be recommending to start a number of Diamondbacks, so don’t miss out on the best batter in their lineup here.
Carlos Santana, CLE vs CWS ($4,800)
It’s hard not to appreciate how hot the Cleveland Indians have been to start the season. Santana’s start is definitely a big part of it, and this is why he’s back in my DFS lineups. Santana has hit over .300 for his career against Derek Holland, and this seems like an offensive explosion for Cleveland. Santana is a smart start today at home against the White Sox.
Other First Basemen I Like
Brandon Belt, SF vs ARI ($3,800)
Kendrys Morales, TOR vs MIL ($3,900)
Edwin Encarnacion, CLE vs CWS ($4,900)
Second Basemen
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs STL ($4,500)
An elite second baseman worth targeting in this slate is Daniel Murphy, who has been on fire since coming to Washington. This whole lineup will be worth targeting against Leake, who hasn’t been great in St. Louis. Look for Murphy to be a prime infield option in the slate.
Ian Kinsler, DET vs MIN ($4,200)
Kinsler has been the brightest spot in this aging lineup, as he has been one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball. Kinsler gets another good matchup against Kyle Gibson, who he has hit .321 off of over 28 at-bats. Kinsler will get a lot of at-bats for a price that won’t put you over budget. Look for him to continue his success in this game.
Other Second Basemen I Like
Robinson Cano, SEA vs HOU ($4,400)
Joe Panik, SF vs ARI ($3,600)
Howie Kendrick, PHI vs NYM ($3,500)
Third Basemen
Nolan Arenado, COL vs SD ($5,300)
Targeting Arenado in DFS when he’s at home never really needs any reasoning. Even though he has a high price tag, all you need to say Arenado at home against San Diego. This whole offense is worth consideration for DFS formats, but none more so than Arenado.
Jake Lamb, ARI @ SF ($3,700)
Lamb makes this list for the same reason as Goldschmidt does, the aging struggles of Matt Cain. Lamb is hitting .375 off Cain in a small sample size, but with Cain and Shelby Miller both pitching, you have to expect this to be an offensive showdown. Lamb is a good option against righties, and this low price is the cherry on top.
Other Third Basemen I Like
Ryon Healy, OAK @ KC ($3,500)
Kyle Seager, SEA vs HOU ($4,100)
Jonathan Villar, MIL @ TOR ($4,200)
Shortstops
Francisco Lindor, CLE vs CWS ($4,800)
There are fewer batters that have had a better start to the season than Francisco Lindor. The Indians’ shortstop is averaging 13 fantasy points per game on DraftKings, and is hitting .400 against Holland in a small sample size. If you have the funds, pay up for Lindor in a game that should feature a lot of offense.
Chris Owings, ARI @ SF ($3,200)
For a cheap infield option, look no farther than Chris Owings, who has gotten off to a hot start. Owings has good history against Matt Cain, as he has hit .455 against him in his career. If you need a cheaper option today, look for Owings to have a solid impact.
Other Shortstops I Like
Corey Seager, LAD @ CHC ($4,300)
Addison Russell, CHC vs LAD ($3,800)
Eduardo Nunez, SF vs ARI ($3,800)
Outfielders
A.J. Pollock, ARI @ SF ($3,800)
There are a couple cheaper outfield options that I really like in this slate, and Pollock leads off the group. Pollock has a great matchup against Matt Cain, who he has hit .400 against over 15 at-bats. Maybe I’m a little too pessimistic with Cain, but Pollock should be in line for a big game.
Nick Markakis, ATL @ MIA ($3,700)
Markakis is just one of the Braves outfielders I like in this matchup against Tom Koehler. The Veteran outfielder is 10 for 17 against Koehler with only one strikeouts. These are numbers absolutely worth targeting as this track record should prove to continue today.
Other Outfielders I Like
Ender Inciarte, ATL @ MIA ($3,900)
Adam Jones, BAL @ BOS ($4,600)
George Springer, HOU @ SEA ($4,300)
Mitch Haniger, SEA vs HOU ($3,700)
With my mind being pretty set on the pitchers I’m targeting, the flexibility in my lineups will be the batters. There are a lot of options I like in this slate, which presents tons of combinations. My recommendation is look for cheaper options at outfield, and spend your money on infield stars. Best of luck to everyone, go make that money!
