Daily Fantasy MLB Player Picks for Thursday 4/5/12

It’s Opening Day in Major League Baseball. Well, not really, as we have already had three regular season games played, but for traditional fans, this is the day with all of the pomp and circumstance, with bunting, flags and a fairly full schedule with ball games on the television from early afternoon through the night. Enjoy the unofficial holiday!

Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers 1:05pm ET

The Red Sox are 8-3 in their past 11 trips to Comerica Park, so that might bode well for fantasy owners of SP Jon Lester ($285K). However, he’ll be up against American League Cy Young winner and MVP SP Justin Verlander ($354K), so it might be a good idea to avoid Lester. This one has the potential to be a very low-scoring game. 1B Prince Fielder ($104K) makes his team debut for the Tigers, and he might be a solid addition at this price level. Red Sox 3B Mike Aviles ($70K) will draw the start at shortstop, and could be a nice roster addition. OF Carl Crawford (wrist) starts on the 15-day disabled list, so avoid him at $92K.

Atlanta Braves at New York Mets 1:10pm ET

Mets SP Johan Santana ($220K) will operate with an 85 to 90 pitch cap, as he makes his first major league start since Sept. 2010, so he might be a good pitcher to avoid due to the restrictions. Braves SS Tyler Pastornicky ($70K) won the starting shortstop job, and might be an attractive mid-level add. Mets 1B Ike Davis ($93K) has shown little effects of Valley Fever, which he was diagnosed early in the spring. He should be a fine play barring any setbacks. Mets OF Andres Torres (calf) was slowed by a strained left calf in the spring, but he’ll avoid the DL. Still, he is a risky play until he can prove his health through a full game.

Philadelphia Phillies at Pittsburgh Pirates 1:35pm ET

The Pirates roll out SP Erik Bedard ($235K) as their opening day starter, but there is no way to justify using him when you could go with Santana in a more favorable matchup, for example. Phillies 2B Chase Utley (knee) starts out on the 15-day disabled list, so avoid him at $99K. SS Jimmy Rollins will hit third to start the season, making him an intriguing pick at $96K. Manager Charlie Manuel declined to offer a starting lineup for opening day, so we’ll have to read the tea leaves. He has said he is reluctant to use 1B Jim Thome ($70K) after lefty starters, such as Bedard. That means either 3B Ty Wigginton ($70K) or LF John Mayberry Jr. ($68K) will draw the start at first base.

Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs 2:20pm ET

Cubs SS Starlin Castro ($89K) will be a popular pick at a rather light position, especially on this day. Nationals OF Jayson Werth ($84K) might be a solid selection at this price level. Cubs 1B Bryan LaHair (back) is dealing with a back issue, and he is considered questionable for opening day. 2B Jeff Baker might be called upon to fill in for LaHair, and could be a solid lineup addition at just $70K.

Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians 3:05pm ET

Blue Jays LF Eric Thames ($78K) won the starting left field job during the spring, and he is a solid roster addition. RF Jose Bautista ($108K) was battling some general soreness this week, but he is expected to be in the lineup and play a prominent role. Indians SS Asdrubal Cabrera ($86K) was the American League’s top offensive shortstop last season, but he won’t cost you very much at all. Blue Jays SP Ricky Romero ($255K) is a big-time strikeout pitcher, but since the Blue Jays are 10-21 in their past 31 trips to Cleveland, Romero might be a bit too pricey. 3B Brett Lawrie ($100K) will be a popular pick, as there has been a lot of hype surrounding the youngster.

Miami Marlins at Cincinnati Reds 4:05pm ET

The Marlins newfangled offense was a dud Wednesday against St. Louis, posting just one run and four hits. SS Jose Reyes ($109K) managed a pair of hits in his debut. SS/3B Hanley Ramirez ($102K) can’t be much worse than his regular season debut, as he was hitless in four at-bats with a strikeout. Look for him to bounce back rather nicely with at least one extra-base hit. Reds SS Zack Cozart ($69K) has a tremendous spring, and he might be a nice sleeper play.

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres 7:05pm ET

On paper, Padres SP Edinson Volquez ($197K) looks to be overmatched going against SP Clayton Kershaw ($319K) of the Dodgers, but Volquez could surprise. If he is pitching up to his capability, he could rack up solid strikeout numbers. Speaking of strikeouts, Dodgers OF Matt Kemp, runner-up for MVP honors in the NL last season, struck out 26 times during the spring. However, don’t let that dissuade you from grabbing him at just $100K, a relative bargain for a player of his caliber. Padres LF Yonder Alonso ($82K) came over from the Reds in an offseason trade, and will be one to watch as he finally gets a chance to play regularly.