Play Ball!  Opening day of Major League Baseball is finally here.  It is going to be an exciting season here on eDraft.  We bring you fantasy daily picks for FanDuel.com and if you haven’t signed up yet, be sure to follow the link to the right receive a 100% deposit bonus on your initial deposit.  This is an amazing deal that you can’t miss so be sure to check it out and make yourself some extra cash.

The first full day of baseball will be an exciting one. There are 13 games today with plenty of ace pitchers going head to head and star players looking to have a hot start. The cap for FanDuel is $35,000 with only one player at each position like a real MLB lineup (with the exception of outfielders where you can start any three players that are outfield eligible.)  I have a list of some star players and good value players that may be under the radar.  Let’s get into it!

The scoring system for FanDuel is as follows:

Hitters: Single = 1pt, Double = 2pts, Triple = 3pts, Homerun = 4pts, RBI = 1pt, Run = 1pt, Walk = 1pt,
Stolen Base = 2pts, Hit By Pitch = 1, Out (calculated as at bats - hits) = -.25pt
Pitchers: Win = 4pts, Earned Run = -1pt, Strike Out = 1pt, Innings Pitched = 1pt

Good Value Players

Pitcher

Justin Masterson, $6,900: Pitchers will cost you the most because you can only have one and they control four categories of the daily plays.  This is the best value I found for your buck at the pitcher position.  Masterson has been lights out this spring and will definitely transcend that into opening day against the Oakland Athletics.

Catcher

Victor Martinez, $3,200: Martinez figures to slide into the four spot in the lineup behind Miguel Cabrera after the trade of Prince Fielder.  At this spot, Martinez should see plenty of RBI opportunities.  In James Shields last two starts in spring training he allowed 13 total hits in 10 innings pitched so Martinez has a good opportunity to get some hits and maybe drive in some runs in this powerful Detroit lineup.

First Base

Mike Napoli, $3,300: Napoli homered in his final two games of spring training so maybe that will continue into opening day.  Opposing pitcher for the Orioles Chris Tillman has struggled all of spring training stretch of spring training, giving up tons of hits and runs.  Boston has a great lineup and can produce plenty of runs and scoring opportunities.

Second Base

Chase Utley, $3,500: The second base position is quite thin.  Luckily for the Phillies (and unfortunately for the Rangers) starting pitcher Yu Darvish has been placed on the disabled list causing him to miss opening day.  Enter Tanner Scheppers who is making his first start on the mound after he spent last season in the bullpen.  Utley hasn’t been spectacular in spring training but since he and the Phillies get an opening day break from not seeing Darvish, perhaps Utley can come through.

Third Base

Chris Johnson, $3,100: In my opinion, Johnson is one of the most underrated ball players in the MLB.  He had an outstanding 2013 campaign batting .321.  Manager Fredi Gonzalez may put him in the cleanup spot which will give him the most opportunity to be productive.  He faces the Brewers’ Yovani Gallardo who had a terrible 2013 by giving up runs left and right.  This will be the best value you find at third base.

Shortstop

Chris Owings, $2,700: Like second base, shortstop is another position that is weak.  Owings won the position battle for shortstop for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  He is a very deep player who is cheap but will produce hits.  If you’re spending money in other places, this deep sleeper will be who you want to start.

Outfield

Austin Jackson, $3,200: With Ian Kinsler moving atop the lineup, as expected, Jackson is set to slide down to the number five hole. The 27-year-old was red hot during spring play and while it may have trouble reaching the 90 run threshold for a fifth straight season, he should still see plenty of run scoring opportunities and a significant jump in RBI production is likely in store.

My Lineup: $35,000 Cap

Pitcher – Justin Masterson, Indians, $6,900

Catcher – Victor Martinez, Tigers, $3,200

First Base – Mike Napoli, Red Sox, $3,300

Second Base – Jason Kipnis, Indians, $4,100: Kipnis had a breakout 2013 season and looks to have an even better one here in 2014.  Entering what figures to be his prime and hitting third in the Cleveland lineup, Kipnis should be one of the top second basemen options for the 2014 season.  He matches up against a solid starter in Sonny Gray of the Athletics who had a great 2013 but remains to be seen how he will fare in the role of a frontline starter.

Third Base – Chris Johnson, Braves, $3,100

Shortstop – Elvis Andrus, $3,900: Having Andrus under $4,000 is a steal.  Yes he is coming off a long break from his suspension but he will produce right away for the Rangers.  His spring training play wasn’t impressive but stats don’t matter until opening day.  Andrus provides solid power to the Rangers lineup and we will witness it against the Phillies, the Rangers opening day opponents.

Outfield – Curtis Granderson, $3,500: Granderson missed the majority of last season due to injury and you can bet he is itching to get back on the field and prove his worth to his new team, the New York Mets.  He hasn’t had a great spring training but his value is great for an outfielder.  Granderson has good power and can leg out a single to a double.  He will also get you a stolen base if he reaches first base.

Outfield – Starling Marte, $3,700: Marte is one of the young breaths of fresh air for the Pirates.  He can hit, he can steal bases, and he can rack up daily fantasy points.  If you have the money left over to maneuver your roster, add Marte.

Outfield – Austin Jackson, Tigers, $3,200

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