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A full day of action with some big names on the board can lead to tough choices for your daily fantasy baseball team. Whether you plan on entering contests during the day, night or both, here is a look at some of the best and worst options for Saturday.

Pitchers to Draft

Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians ($11,300)

Of all the top names available (Kluber, Matt Harvey, Cole Hamels, Chris Sale), Hamels is likely the only one who isn’t a great option due to a tough matchup with the red-hot Washington Nationals. If you have to pick one of these aces, though, Kluber is likely the best option thanks to his recent strikeout run.

Over the last two starts, Kluber has an insane 30 strikeouts and one walk, which equals a lot of fantasy points. He is also trusted to a higher pitch count than Harvey, which could mean more innings pitched.

Shelby Miller, Atlanta Braves ($9,300)

He is one of the hottest pitchers in baseball right now and not showing any signs of slowing. Over the past three starts, Shelby Miller has allowed just one total run and eight hits in 25 innings.

With the Milwaukee Brewers striking out at a high rate all year, Miller’s success should continue Saturday.

Mike Wright, Baltimore Orioles ($6,100)

It’s obvious Mike Wright won’t end his career with a 0.00 ERA and it’s possible his 7.1 shutout innings in his major league debut will be as good as it gets. Still, the Orioles coaching staff was impressed with what they saw last week from the rookie.

“I think he just handled himself so well,” pitching coach Dave Wallace explained, via Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. “His anxiety level wasn’t what one would think for first start in the big leagues. He was pretty much under control emotionally and knew the pitches he had to make.”

Combining Wright’s confidence and control (six strikeouts and no walks last start) with an opponent in the Miami Marlins that has been awful lately, the 25-year-old pitcher has a chance to replicate his success.

Pitcher to Avoid

Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals ($9,500)

At some point, Stephen Strasburg will come out of his funk and pitch an absolute gem. This might even come Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

However, there is no reason to waste this much money on such a big risk, especially considering his 5.98 ERA and the fact he has made it through six innings just twice in eight starts in 2015. Waiting for better days seems like a smarter decision.

Hitters to Draft

Nelson Cruz, OF, Seattle Mariners ($5,400)

While Nelson Cruz has been great against just about everyone this season, he has been truly outstanding against lefties, hitting over .500 with six home runs. This is not good news for Mark Buehrle, a southpaw with a 5.46 ERA this year and has struggled against everyone. 

Even though Cruz has struggled in the past against Buehrle, he should be able to take advantage of a favorable matchup in a hitter’s park.

Justin Upton, OF, San Diego Padres ($4,500)

It took a while but Justin Upton is now getting comfortable with his surroundings, matching his power and speed with a great approach at the plate as well. He is consistent enough to provide your team with at least a few points while always being capable of a huge game.

This reasonable price against an inexperienced pitcher makes it a good play.

Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies ($3,400)

For most of the season, Chase Utley has seemed like the worst hitter in baseball. If he hadn’t proved himself in the past, the second baseman would be sitting on a couch watching on TV by now.

However, Utley has started to turn things around with a few multi-hit games over the past week. This could end up being a good sleeper who allows you to spend big on other positions.

Hitter to Avoid

Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox ($5,100)

A year ago, Jose Abreu was one of the most feared hitters in the game. The Cuban simply hasn’t replicated this success in 2015 with very few extra-base hits in the first two months of the year.

Although he has gotten consistent at the plate with his singles, he is not worth the lofty price until he starts showing more power.

Team to Stack

San Francisco Giants

Not counting his May 3 start against the Los Angeles Angels were he left with a hand injury in the second inning, Colorado Rockies starter Jordan Lyles has allowed at least four earned runs in three straight starts. All told the Rockies have lost six of the last seven games the right-hander has started.

This presents a good chance for the Giants to continue their recent hot streak. Although this lineup doesn’t consist of many power hitters, playing at Coors Field should provide an opportunity for a few long balls Saturday.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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The more successful daily fantasy baseball teams are not always the ones filled with obvious names. When looking to fill out a lineup for Tuesday’s contests, you shouldn’t be afraid to find some cheaper talent to allow you to spend big in other places.

Pitchers to Draft

Sonny Gray, Oakland Athletics ($10,100)

The Houston Astros have a lot of exciting young players, but they also swing and miss a lot. This is good for Sonny Gray, who has been pitching like a legitimate Cy Young candidate this season.

Although Minute Maid Park is a tougher location for pitchers than he is used to in Oakland, Gray should be just fine with his 1.61 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Add in the fact he has at least nine strikeouts in each of his last three games, and he is worth the price.

Miguel Gonzalez, Baltimore Orioles ($6,200)

While Miguel Gonzalez has put up a few duds this year, he has been great at home, totaling a 2-0 record with a 2.18 ERA in three starts. This technically doesn’t include his 7.2 shutout innings as the “home” team playing a game in Tampa Bay in early May.

Against a Seattle Mariners team that has struggled to get on base all year, Gonzalez could be a nice sleeper pick.

Pitchers to Avoid

Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals ($9,000)

All of the nice things said about Miguel Gonzalez can be repeated about Gio Gonzalez. He has been inconsistent but had a few good games at home. If you’re lucky, you can catch him during a great performance where you can carry your team into the money.

Unfortunately, the Nationals starter has allowed four earned runs or more in three of his seven starts, including his last time out. For a hefty portion of your budget, you might be better off going with a safer option, especially in a 50-50 type of contest.

Yordano Ventura, Kansas City Royals ($6,600)

A turnaround is eventually coming for Yordano Ventura. He is a talented young pitcher with nasty stuff and will at some point improve upon his 5.36 ERA. At the current price, fantasy owners are going to get a great value.

As enticing as it is, though, it’s impossible to recommend picking a player who hasn’t had a quality start in any of his last three appearances. Wait for better days with Ventura.

Hitters to Draft

Ryan Howard, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies ($4,400)

Despite the recent hot streak, the Philadelphia Phillies don’t have enough lineup depth to recommend stacking your team with their players. Although, this would be a great opportunity playing at a hitter’s park like Coors Field against an uninspiring starter like Chad Bettis.

Still, players like Freddy Galvis ($4,200) and Ryan Howard could be quality plays, especially considering the first baseman’s recent quality run of hitting with a few extra-base hits mixed in.

Delino DeShields, 2B/OF, Texas Rangers ($3,900)

Sometimes, you just have to run with a hot streak and hope it keeps going. Delino DeShields wasn’t expected to do much as a Rule 5 pickup this offseason, but he has been incredible over the past few weeks. As Jared Sandler of 105.3 The Fan noted, a patient approach has turned things around:

This has led to an incredible May with DeShields batting .333 with a .458 on-base percentage to go with eight stolen bases. This will help your fantasy team as long as he keeps it up.

Hitters to Avoid

Michael Brantley, OF, Cleveland Indians ($5,300)

Despite the fact the left-handed hitter has been crushing fellow lefties this year, it’s only a matter of time until Michael Brantley falls back to his career totals of solid, but not great, production against southpaws. After facing Chris Sale Monday, things don’t get any easier against Chicago White Sox starter Jose Quintana and his .094 opponent batting average against lefties.

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Colorado Rockies ($4,700)

While he is always more productive at home, Troy Tulowitzki‘s recent quad injury has seemingly kept him from being the elite shortstop he has been in past years. Even if he does play, it doesn’t make sense to spend this much money for a struggling hitter against a surprisingly effective Aaron Harang.

Team to Stack

Oakland Athletics

When you take a team full of quality hitters and put it in a much smaller ballpark, it can lead to some big performances throughout the lineup. Houston Astros starter Roberto Hernandez shouldn’t prevent a strong showing from top names like Stephen Vogt, Josh Reddick, Marcus Semien and others.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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With a full schedule and many top names in action Saturday, picking a daily fantasy baseball team could end up being quite a challenge. No matter who you select, there will likely need to be a lot of compromising in value across the board.

Here is a look at the best and worst players to pick for May 16.

Pitchers to Draft

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners ($11,600)

This seems like an obvious pick, but there are a number of high-priced talents on the board Saturday, and you want to make sure to get the right one. Felix Hernandez simply has one of the best rates of return thanks to his consistency and ability to load up the fantasy points every game.

Hernandez has gone at least seven innings in five of his seven starts, earning a win in six of them. Add in 50 strikeouts in 48.2 innings, and he is a safe bet every time out.

Mike Leake, Cincinnati Reds ($7,400)

If you are going after a big name with one pitching spot, you more than likely will have to find a cheaper option with your second pitcher. This is where Mike Leake comes in after an impressive stretch.

While he isn’t going to rack up a ton of strikeouts, he makes up for it by keeping opponents off the scoreboard. He has allowed just one earned run in the past 22 innings and should continue this streak against a San Francisco Giants squad that has struggled on the road this season.

Pitchers to Avoid

David Price, Detroit Tigers ($10,000)

No one will call David Price a bad pitcher, but this might be a week to avoid him in fantasy when there are other top options. He is coming off a slight hamstring injury that caused some troubling numbers in his last start, via C.J. Nitkowski of Fox Sports 1:

Pitching on the road against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals means there is too much risk for a high cost.

Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres ($8,400)

We can look past the 1-6 record because Andrew Cashner has actually pitched well this season. With a 3.07 ERA and a home start, this seems like a decent value pick for Saturday. The problem comes from a tough matchup against the Washington Nationals, who are finally starting to hit their stride.

With Max Scherzer starting for the Nationals, chances for a win will be low, and a great performance is not likely.

Hitters to Draft

Todd Frazier, 1B, Cincinnati Reds ($5,000)

Not only has Todd Frazier been one of the top power hitters in baseball this season, he has had a good approach at the plate to get on base and score runs as well. Every so often, he’ll even sneak in a stolen base.

With a reasonable price for his production, fantasy owners should jump at the chance to get the talented player.

Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals ($3,400)

You would normally try to avoid lefty-lefty matchups like Mike Moustakas faces with CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees. However, southpaws haven’t bothered the third baseman this season, as he is hitting well over .300 against both righties and lefties.

With Sabathia struggling his way to a 5.20 ERA, don’t be afraid of this matchup.

Hitters to Avoid

Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs ($5,000)

While he has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball this season, he will have a tough matchup against Gerrit Cole, who is proving to be among the top young pitchers in the league. Not only is he 5-1 with a 2.32 ERA, but the right-hander has been tough on opposing lefties this year and hasn’t allowed a single extra-base hit in 66 at-bats.

Don’t expect much more success from the Cubs star.

Hanley Ramirez, OF, Boston Red Sox ($3,700)

The past few games have seen Hanley Ramirez bounce back from his cold streak to once again become a feared hitter in the middle of the Red Sox lineup. That said, picking someone against Felix Hernandez always remains a bad decision.

Team to Stack

Toronto Blue Jays

Between Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and others, the Blue Jays hit a lot of home runs. They will play the weekend in Minute Maid Park, which is among the league leaders in allowing home runs. Saturday’s starter for the Houston Astros is Scott Feldman, who has allowed six home runs this year, all of which came at home. 

Nothing is guaranteed in baseball, but we seem primed for a lot of long balls in this game.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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A lack of true aces on the board could make Tuesday a big day for the hitters in daily fantasy baseball. If you find the right value for pitchers and combine it with some big-time performers at the plate, you could be in for a nice showing on May 12.

Pitchers to Draft

Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs ($8,600)

Betting on a struggling pitcher represents a decent amount of risk, but it also is a chance to get great value for a small portion of your budget.

While Jake Arrieta has seen his ERA inflate from 2.03 to 3.41 in his past two starts, it seems like this has mostly been just bad luck. His fielding-independent pitching mark of 2.53 is directly in line with his ERA from last year (exactly 2.53), while his 13 strikeouts and two walks over the past two games remains encouraging.

With Arrieta‘s price being as low as it has been all year, this seems like a good chance to strike.

C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angels ($7,500)

With the exception of one poor start against the Kansas City Royals, C.J. Wilson has had a strong year to this point. He has allowed two runs or fewer in every other appearance for a total of six earned runs in 34.1 innings.

Against a Colorado Rockies lineup that has fallen apart lately, Wilson should be in line for another positive performance.

Pitchers to Avoid

Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox ($9,400)

The five-game suspension for his role in a brawl with the Royals won’t affect him too much, but his struggles in recent games are cause for concern. Chris Sale has allowed 13 earned runs in 8.1 innings over the last two starts while looking nothing like the ace pitcher he has been in the past.

On the plus side, there doesn’t appear to be any injury problems, as Scott Merkin of MLB.com learned:

Still, you might be better off waiting around for more success before spending this much money.

Mike Fiers, Milwaukee Brewers ($8,500)

Even though Mike Fiers is set to match up against the aforementioned Sale, you don’t want to bet on either pitcher to get a win or even a quality start in this one.

Only once this year has Fiers made it out of the sixth inning, which is the only start he earned more than 13 fantasy points on DraftKings. This represents way too much of a risk to bet on at this point.

Hitters to Draft

Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Nationals ($5,300)

The cost is high, but so is the potential for Bryce Harper during this incredible stretch. He is unsurprisingly coming off an NL Player of the Week award thanks to these impressive statistics:

There is little chance Rubby De La Rosa does anything to slow down the hottest hitter in baseball.

Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles ($4,300)

Although he has slowed down a bit from his incredible start, Adam Jones remains one of the top hitters in baseball and is always a threat to post a lot of RBI in a quality lineup. The chances are even greater against an opposing pitcher he has crushed in the past.

In 37 at-bats against Mark Buehrle, Jones has 16 hits (.432 batting average) with two home runs and only three strikeouts. This dominance against the southpaw should continue Tuesday night.

Hitters to Avoid

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates ($5,300)

While Andrew McCutchen is obviously coming alive at the plate with a number of extra-base hits as of late, he still has a long way to go to reach his MVP level.

Even against questionable Phillies starter Sean O’Sullivan, he isn’t worth the lofty price tag.

Eric Hosmer, 1B, Kansas City Royals ($5,100)

Picking one of the more consistent hitters in the sport against a young pitcher seems like a safe bet, especially when you consider how well Eric Hosmer has fared against right-handers this year.

The problem is opposing pitcher Nick Martinez hasn’t quite been a pushover this season, amassing a 1.47 ERA in six starts. Considering he has actually fared better against lefties (.184 batting average against) than righties (.284 BAA), fantasy owners should find other options.

Team to Stack

Los Angeles Angels

Kyle Kendrick kicked off the year on a high note by shutting out the Brewers over seven innings on Opening Day. Unfortunately, the rest of the year hasn’t been as kind, as the former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher has built up an 8.73 ERA.

Over his last five appearances, he has an 11.08 ERA and isn’t getting much better.

Although the Los Angeles Angels have a lot of right-handers in the lineup, they should be just fine against the struggling starter.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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With a handful of aces on the board who aren’t performing to their ability, daily fantasy baseball players might be better off spending their money elsewhere Saturday.

Big names like Madison Bumgarner, Clayton Kershaw and Johnny Cueto have all put together huge games and are always capable of more, but they have each been inconsistent this season. If you add some sleepers in your lineup instead of spending money on these stars, you could be better off with a deeper lineup.

Regardless of your strategy, here is a look at some quality options for your May 9 team.

Pitchers to Start

Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros ($8,600)

The start of the year has been as good as Dallas Keuchel possibly could have imagined. The 27-year-old pitcher currently has a 0.80 ERA in six games and hasn’t allowed more than one run in the past four starts.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports thinks he has been the best pitcher in the league to this point:

It’s obviously difficult to sustain this level of success, but he is showing no signs of slowing down, and fantasy owners should stay on the bandwagon as long as he’s performing well.

Jake Odorizzi, Tampa Bay Rays ($7,500)

All six of Jake Odorizzi‘s starts to this point have been against the American League East, and he has survived to the tune of a 2.21 ERA. Although the Texas Rangers have come alive lately, this lineup should still be easier to face than any the pitcher has seen to this point.

With his ability to keep opponents off the basepaths (0.89 WHIP), Odorizzi should be able to keep putting up zeroes. 

Pitcher to Avoid

Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves ($9,000)

The Washington Nationals struggled in the early part of the season, but the lineup is coming alive as it continues to get healthy. This is bad news for any pitcher facing them, including Saturday’s starter Julio Teheran.

In six appearances, the Braves star only has three quality starts while struggling with his control. Until he gets more consistent, it might be best to avoid Teheran for the current price.

Hitters to Start

Yasmani Grandal, C, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,200)

One game will make Yasmani Grandal‘s stats look much better as he finished Thursday with four hits, two home runs and eight RBI. However, it’s important to note the catcher has been performing well for a while with a consistent approach at the plate.

Competing in the hitter-friendly Coors Field will only give him a better chance of putting up some big numbers.

Dee Gordon, 2B, Miami Marlins ($4,200)

It’s important to see if he is starting as Dee Gordon who was held out of Friday’s game with a leg injury, but if he is in the Marlins lineup you need to have him in yours.

Gordon has been incredible this season with a .437 batting average and has been even better as of late, via Ace of Stats:

Although he doesn’t provide much power, his consistency and ability to steal bases makes him a great option at second base.

Hitter to Avoid

Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays ($5,200)

Boston Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly has struggled this season, which makes selecting Toronto Blue Jays hitters especially appealing Saturday. However, Edwin Encarnacion has the cost of one of the top hitters in the game without playing like it this season.

Even though he is back over the Mendoza Line, he hasn’t shown much power all year and would represent a big risk to break out in his next game.

Team to Stack

Boston Red Sox

Drew Hutchison has not fared well over his past few starts. After allowing six earned runs in each of the last two games, the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher has a 7.47 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP. He has now allowed at least four earned runs in four of his six appearances.

In a park that has historically been a good one to hit home runs, the Boston Red Sox should be able to put up some big numbers against the struggling Hutchinson. 

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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While looking for upside is important for your daily fantasy baseball team, you want to pick players you can trust.

Although the first month is littered with fluke stats and small sample size results, we are now getting to see which players are for real. Whether they have had good numbers or not, you need to be able to predict the ones who will succeed in the future.

Based on what we have seen to this point, these are players to pick and avoid in Tuesday’s contests.

Pitchers to Draft

Danny Salazar, Cleveland Indians ($8,600)

A pitcher who can rack up strikeouts makes a bad start tolerable and turns a good game into a great one. Danny Salazar has helped fantasy owners in this way so far with 28 strikeouts in 19 innings over three starts.

Considering the youngster finished last season with 9.82 strikeouts per nine innings, you can trust this to keep up as he helps out your team.

Michael Pineda, New York Yankees ($7,600)

While Michael Pineda hasn’t exactly had huge games so far this year, he has been better than his 3.73 ERA would indicate. Thanks to a 32-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, he has an FIP of 2.20 to rank among the best in the majors.

He has been a bit unlucky this year, but this is a chance to get great value for a talented pitcher before his price starts going up.

Pitchers to Avoid

Jeff Samardzija, Chicago White Sox ($8,700)

The last start was certainly a strange one. The Chicago White Sox were forced to play in an empty stadium against the Baltimore Orioles due to rioting within the city. This resulted in a miserable game for Jeff Samardzija where he allowed seven earned runs.

After explaining his disappointment from a competitive side, the pitcher told Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune his thoughts on pushing it out of his mind:

The other side of me looks at it for what it was from afar – a unique game and unique situation. For me, it was about that routine and being off for over a week, and that’s why it’s easy to turn the page and move on to the next one. … You want to get back in that rhythm and get in that five-, six-day routine.

Even if he can bounce back mentally, Samardzija hasn’t been great all year, allowing a lot of hits and striking few people out. Going against a solid Detroit Tigers lineup, you might as well avoid the risk.

Chad Billingsley, Philadelphia Phillies ($7,300)

Tuesday will be Chad Billingsley‘s first start of the season and his first appearance in the majors since April of 2013. Even if he pitches well, it’s unlikely the staff will allow him to throw too many pitches after such a long break.

There are way too many other safer picks available at similar prices to go with this much of a risk.

Hitters to Draft

Lucas Duda, New York Mets ($4,000)

Although he only has two home runs this year, Lucas Duda is becoming a better all-around hitter. His batting average is up to .304 from .253 last season. It’s only a matter of time before he starts knocking balls out of the park.

Against Bud Norris and his 12.18 ERA, Duda could be in for big things.

Stephen Vogt, C, Oakland Athletics ($3,900)

Trevor May has been a solid pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, but his 4.43 ERA is nothing spectacular. This means he shouldn’t be able to slow down Stephen Vogt, one of the top hitters in baseball so far this season.

The left-handed hitter has been crushing righties this year and should be ready for another huge day at a premium position.

Hitters to Avoid

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers ($4,500)

Although Ryan Braun has been coming alive at the plate a bit lately with his power stroke, he is still struggling with his consistency. That isn’t likely to change against Zack Greinke, who has held Braun to one hit in seven at-bats against him.

Mark Trumbo, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks ($5,200)

Every at-bat for Mark Trumbo represents a chance for a long home run. However, the current cost puts him among the best hitters in baseball, and he simply hasn’t been that this season.

If you’re going to take a long-shot bet on your team, make it a cheaper one.

Team to Stack

Houston Astros

This has been one of the hottest teams in baseball with Jose Altuve, Jake Marisnick and George Springer putting up huge numbers. The players aren’t just getting hits, they are also stealing bases and getting runs.

There is no reason for this to stop Tuesday at home against former Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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In a day with a lot of high-priced talent for both hitters and pitchers, it’s important to find value across the board as well.

Daily fantasy baseball competitors will remain in good shape drafting guys like Felix Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw, Paul Goldschmidt and Mike Trout, but here is a look at cheaper options who could give you some value on May 4.

Pitchers

Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros ($8,000)

The Houston Astros are the hottest team in baseball with 10 wins in a row, a streak that could continue against the Texas Rangers and one of the worst records in the league. They certainly will be in good shape with Dallas Keuchel on the mound, who has been incredibly consistent lately, according to Richard Justice of MLB.com:

Although he isn’t likely to keep up his 0.73 ERA for the entire season, the value is there to keep betting on the red-hot player and team for as long as this lasts.

Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals ($7,600)

It seems Carlos Martinez is going to be sticking around in the Cardinals rotation. In four starts, the former reliever has gone at least six innings while giving up two or fewer runs each time out.

The 23-year-old pitcher clearly has a lot of talent, and St. Louis is going to keep taking advantage of it. Look for Martinez to try to lower his current 1.73 ERA while going for his fourth victory in a row.

Hitters

Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees ($3,800)

You might not like him, but that has nothing to do with making money in daily fantasy. The fact remains that Alex Rodriguez has done a good job getting big hits this year and can be extremely productive with a home run or two.

Monday will represent a good opportunity for the veteran hitter, as he faces R.A. Dickey, a struggling pitcher who has allowed Rodriguez to go 8-for-24 against him in his career. Even the knuckleball shouldn’t prevent a big game from the talented veteran.

Dee Gordon, 2B, Miami Marlins ($4,500)

Second base is usually a spot to save some money, especially with players like Devon Travis and D.J. LeMahieu available. However, Dee Gordon has been simply unstoppable this year and even better over the past week.

In his last eight games, Gordon has gone an incredible 20-for-31 (.645 batting average) with four stolen bases. With Jordan Zimmermann not quite pitching to his ability yet this season, Gordon can keep up his ridiculous run.

Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,300)

Not only has Joc Pederson been absolutely crushing the ball lately, but he will now get more chances to contribute at the top of the order for the Dodgers. Just as importantly, he is focused on keeping up his recent success.

“I still need to put together quality at-bats,” Pederson told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. “It’s a long season. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

With his recent power surge and a favorable matchup against Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse, this could be a good chance for another big day.

Team to Stack: Toronto Blue Jays

New York Yankees pitcher Chase Whitley was solid in his first start of the year, holding the Tampa Bay Rays to just one run in five innings. However, his 5.23 ERA from last season shows he is unlikely to keep it up.

This could be big for the Toronto Blue Jays, who have had arguably the best offense in baseball. With power-hitting threats like Jose Bautista ($5,500), Josh Donaldson ($5,100), Russell Martin ($4,700), Devon Travis ($4,000) and others, you could end up getting a lot of points if these players go deep.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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As we get deeper into the MLB regular season, it becomes easier to tell which players will be consistent performers and which were flukes. This is important to consider when filling out your daily fantasy team.

The players who succeeded in a small sample size are starting to fall back to earth, which means it might be time to avoid them. However, those who have kept up their play to this point might now be able to be trusted, especially if they are still cheap.

Value is the most important thing if you want to win, so here is a look at the best and worst picks for May 2.

Top Pitchers to Draft

Collin McHugh, Houston Astros ($7,900)

After a breakout season last year, Collin McHugh is proving he is for real this time around. In four starts he has a 3-0 record and a 2.92 ERA thanks in part to his 23 strikeouts to just four walks.

As good as Nelson Cruz has been to start the year, the Seattle Mariners lineup isn’t all that scary. McHugh should be able to take care of business at home.

Dan Haren, Miami Marlins ($6,900)

It seems this season you will be in good shape most nights picking the pitcher facing the Philadelphia Phillies. The struggling squad is averaging just 2.8 runs per game and is in the midst of a four-game losing streak.

Considering Dan Haren is off to a solid start to the year with a 3.38 ERA in four games, this should be a good chance for another quality start.

Pitchers to Avoid

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies ($10,000)

For this price, a starter better be a sure thing to give you a lot of points. Cole Hamels simply can’t guarantee that at this stage of his career.

The 31-year-old pitcher has allowed at least four runs in two of his five starts, allowing a total of seven home runs in this stretch. Add this to the fact he is unlikely to get many wins with the Phillies this year, and this is a bet you shouldn’t make.

Miguel Gonzalez, Baltimore Orioles ($9,000)

The Orioles are likely satisfied with what Miguel Gonzalez has provided in his four starts, especially his 10-strikeout performance against the New York Yankees in early April. However, this is the only start where he has been a true breakout fantasy player.

This makes his jump in price insane considering he hadn’t cost more than $6,400 in any start to this point in the year. He would be a solid value pick in most situations, but this isn’t one of them.

Top Hitters to Draft

DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Colorado Rockies ($3,200)

Although DJ LeMahieu probably won’t bat .400 for the season, the fact he is still flirting with this average is pretty impressive. The young second baseman has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2015 season, and you should continue to ride the hot hand as long as possible.

For a ridiculously cheap price, this is worth the bet.

Jake Marisnick, OF, Houston Astros ($3,900)

If you don’t have LeMahieu as your biggest surprise, Jake Marisnick might have that distinction. With a home run Friday, the outfielder now has a nine-game hitting streak that includes both power and speed as he racks up extra-base hits and stolen bases.

Even if opposing pitcher Taijuan Walker continues to pitch well, Marisnick should continue to put up good numbers.

Hitters to Avoid

Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays ($4,800)

With three doubles in the last two games, Jose Bautista is finally coming alive for the season. However, he still has just a .188 batting average for the season. You pretty much need a home run from him to justify his cost, and that will not be easy against Corey Kluber.

Alex Gordon, OF, Kansas City Royals ($4,200)

You usually want to draft a hot hitter, and Alex Gordon is as hot as they come with multi-hit games in five of his last eight starts. However, he has struggled this season against lefties and will face one of the toughest in the game in David Price.

Waiting for another day might be a better option.

Team to Stack

New York Yankees

Red Sox pitcher Wade Miley has struggled immensely this season, failing to make it out of the third inning in two of his four starts. He comes into Saturday with an 8.62 ERA, allowing seven earned runs in his only home start.

This is good news for the Yankees, who will get a chance to light up Miley in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.

While you might be concerned about the amount of lefties in New York’s lineup going against the southpaw, Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury are a combined 18-for-44 (.409) against lefties this year, while Chris Young has absolutely crushed them to the tune of .476 with three home runs.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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With few aces in action on Saturday, we could be in for some high-scoring baseball games and a wild day in daily fantasy.

This type of schedule creates an even bigger necessity of picking the right pitcher, while there are also plenty of opportunities to stack your lineup against a weaker one. Here is a complete look at advice of who to pick and who to avoid for April 24.

Pitchers to Draft

Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians ($7,800)

Although Trevor Bauer had a few disappointing seasons after coming into the league as a highly regarded prospect, he is finally showing that potential this season, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today noted:

There are still issues with control, but he has been racking up strikeouts at a high rate and keeping runs off the board—two things that lead to a big fantasy day.

With the Detroit Tigers coming back to earth after an impressive start, this is a good chance to get a huge day for a reasonable price.

Shelby Miller, Atlanta Braves ($7,300)

It’s easy to gain fans in a new location when you pitch like Shelby Miller. The former St. Louis Cardinals starter has allowed three runs in his first three starts for the Braves, earning victories in two of them.

Although his inability to go deep into games remains an issue, he still has an impressive 1.69 ERA and a .211 batting average against. Going up against the hapless Philadelphia Phillies lineup should allow him to continue his recent success.

Pitchers to Avoid

CC Sabathia, New York Yankees ($8,400)

Although CC Sabathia might not deserve his 0-3 record, he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire in his first three starts. Even his most recent performance where he allowed just two runs in eight innings still featured seven hits and three walks allowed.

His ability to pitch deep into games allows him to remain a safe bet in fantasy lineups, although he is unlikely to put together huge efforts anymore. This is especially true against the red-hot New York Mets.

For his price, it might be best to avoid the former All-Star.

Ian Kennedy, San Diego Padres ($8,000)

After missing the past couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, Ian Kennedy will return to the Padres rotation against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The problem is he will be difficult to trust right out of the gate, especially against a quality team like the Dodgers.

Look for Kennedy to be on a limited pitch count and struggle to put up big fantasy numbers in a shortened outing.

Hitters to Draft

Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants ($4,600)

Jorge De La Rosa has only made one start this year for the Colorado Rockies, and it was simply awful. He allowed nine runs (seven earned) in just two innings before being removed. Whether his groin injury is still an issue or not, it’s clear he is not quite ready to compete at a high level.

With Buster Posey just getting out of his mediocre start, he could be in for a big day against the left-handed starter, especially in the batter-friendly Coors Field.

Devon Travis, 2B, Toronto Blue Jays ($3,600)

The price hasn’t gone up too much for Devon Travis, but it’s time to get on the bandwagon. The second baseman has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season and should continue to rake over the weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays’ shuffled rotation.

While some might question Travis’ start as a fluke, ESPN’s Mark Simon notes the balls he is hitting into play have been hit hard:

He isn’t likely to flirt with a .400 batting average all season, but there is no reason to expect an immediate decline anytime soon.

Hitters to Avoid

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers ($4,400)

The Milwaukee Brewers did finally snap the eight-game losing streak, and Ryan Braun has had a few multi-hit games this year. However, the all-around struggles of the lineup will limit opportunities for both runs and RBI, especially without hitting many home runs this year.

Most importantly, betting against Adam Wainwright is usually not a smart move.

Ian Desmond, SS, Washington Nationals ($4,700)

His work at the plate has been much better than in the field this year, and he remains one of the more consistent hitters in the league. The problem is the cost as the most expensive shortstop in the early contests.

Fantasy owners could use this position to save in their budget and grab some players who have been even more successful this year like Zack Cozart or Jose Iglesias.

Team to Stack

Atlanta Braves

David Buchanan has improved each start this season, but that is a low bar considering he currently has a 9.22 ERA through three games. He is yet to make it out of the sixth inning and is simply struggling to keep runners off the bases.

This is good news for the Atlanta Braves, who have the opportunity to put up big numbers in a hitter’s ballpark.

Fantasy owners can have a big day if they especially focus on lefties like Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis, A.J. Pierzynski and others.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

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A loaded list of probable pitchers on Friday will make for some tough decisions when it comes to your daily fantasy baseball lineup.

The two starting pitcher spots can make or break your team, so you have to make sure to get the right players on the right night. However, a few aces and other big names create some questions about whether you want to spend big or find value.

No matter what you want to do with your team, here is a look at the top options at various price ranges for April 24.

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners ($11,300)

This certainly qualifies as an obvious pick, but you don’t have to be sneaky to win money. Sometimes the best answer is right in front of you the whole time.

After a quad issue limited him in his April 12 start, Felix Hernandez bounced back with an impressive performance against the Texas Rangers, allowing just two hits in seven innings while striking out 12. Pitching at home against a Minnesota Twins lineup that has struggled all year should present another opportunity for a huge day.

Just be ready to save money elsewhere in your lineup.

Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals ($8,300)

The last two games have been very uncharacteristic for Jordan Zimmermann.

First, he was rocked by the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park, allowing eight runs in 2.1 innings. In his most recent start against the Philadelphia Phillies, he only allowed two earned runs in 6.1 innings but walked four in a loss.

The good news is that control has never been a real issue for Zimmermann, and it shouldn’t be a lingering problem. Additionally, his next start will be against the Miami Marlins in a ballpark that doesn’t allow many home runs. 

Zimmermann is too talented to let these poor starts pile up, so you can expect a turnaround for a decent price.

Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres ($8,100)

After a 1-2 start, Andrew Cashner should have plenty of issues with the defense behind him. Out of the 12 runs allowed in 17 innings, seven of them have been unearned.

On the plus side, the pitcher still has a solid 2.65 ERA and 20 strikeouts through three starts. Most importantly, he will return home to spacious Petco Park, where he has a career ERA of 2.01, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

It won’t be easy outdueling Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Cashner has the tools to put together a strong outing, win or lose.

Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals ($7,200)

The St. Louis Cardinals have a habit of finding quality pitchers seemingly out of nowhere. Well, they did it again with Carlos Martinez, who moved from the bullpen to become an effective starter so far.

Martinez has gone six innings in each of his first two starts while allowing a combined seven hits and three runs. Although it might not always be smooth sailing as a member of the rotation, don’t expect much trouble in his next start against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Considering Milwaukee comes into the series with just three wins and an average of 2.9 runs per game, Martinez should be just fine on Friday.

Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers ($7,100)

DraftKings is finally starting to raise the price for Shane Greene (he cost $6,000 in his last start), but he still remains a bargain if he continues to pitch at his current level.

ESPN’s Buster Olney noted how well the 26-year-old pitcher has fared to start the season:

In three starts, Greene has totaled 23 innings with just one earned run. While you can wait for him to fall back to earth if you want, don’t be afraid to ride the hot streak for as long as it lasts. With the Detroit Tigers providing plenty of run support, he should be a solid bet to earn his fourth win.

Chris Heston, San Francisco Giants ($4,900)

If you are really looking to save money Friday and want a bargain at pitcher, it makes sense to take a chance on Chris Heston.

The 27-year-old rookie currently ranks second in the National League with a 0.87 ERA through three starts, and he will face a Colorado Rockies offense that has slowed down significantly since the first week of the season.

Although it is always a risk betting on a pitcher at Coors Field, the extremely low price might make it worth the chance.

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 

DraftKings is hosting one-day MLB contests! Claim your free entry by clicking on the link and making a first-time deposit!

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