This article is part of our PrizePicks MLB series.
We have the customary busy Friday night across the majors, leaving us with plenty of options to choose from on PrizePicks. For those unfamiliar with the platform, it provides a unique spin on DFS in which you pick two, three or four players and predict if each will go over or under their projected fantasy score.
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Here are some players to target and avoid while creating your entry.
Players to Target
Austin Meadows vs. Reynaldo Lopez (White Sox): Over 7.5 FP: After getting off to a scorching start this season, Meadows was recently mired in a dreadful slump. At one point, he went 37 straight games without a home run. During that stretch, he had a .638 OPS and a 25.2 percent strikeout rate. However, he's finally come back to life by hitting three homers in his last four games. Lopez has been awful with his 5.57 FIP and he has allowed a .389 wOBA against left-handed hitters, so I like the over on this reasonable number.
Aaron Judge vs. Kyle Freeland (Rockies): Over 10.5 FP: This game between the Yankees and Rockies has the potential to be a slug fest, especially on a hot night in the Bronx. The Rockies will try to slow down the Yankees with Freeland, who was so bad earlier this season that he was demoted to Triple-A. He was recalled to start Saturday against the Reds and struggled once again by allowing five runs across four innings. Judge has a career 188 wRC+ at home, making the over very appealing.
Mookie Betts vs. John Means (Orioles): Under 11 FP: Trying to keep up with the Yankees has been futile at this point for the defending champs. However, they'll have a chance to string together a few wins against the Orioles and their abysmal pitching staff. While Betts might very well have a good weekend, this is an awfully big number for him to hit with Means on the mound. Means has been the one Orioles pitcher who has performed well, posting a 2.94 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Add in the fact that he's allowed 1.2 HR/9 and taking the under with Betts could prove to be profitable.
Players to Avoid
Anthony Rendon vs. Julio Teheran (Braves): 7.5 FP: This is a low score for Rendon to hit. He's having a monster campaign with a .412 wOBA and 154 wRC+. For a player with his power, his 14.4 percent strikeout rate is extremely impressive. While I'd lean towards taking the over here, Teheran being on the mound for the Braves makes me pause. He can be prone to bad starts and his 4.72 FIP isn't very encouraging, but he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his last 13 starts. It might be best to just avoid picking a side with Rendon.
Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Patrick Corbin (Nationals): 8.5 FP: The good news with Acuna is that he has at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games. The bad news is that with only one multi-hit performance, he batted just .240 during that stretch. Still, he did have three home runs and this matchup against Corbin could work in his favor based on his career 159 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers. With that being said, Corbin is rolling right now having allowed six runs and recording 45 strikeouts across 34 innings in his last five starts. This one could go either way, making it one to possibly avoid with so many other viable options.
Brendan McKay vs. White Sox: 34.5 FP: One of the more exciting players in the Rays' organization, McKay is being recalled from the minors to make this start. He pitched well in his first stint in the majors, allowing three runs and recording 13 strikeouts over 16 innings in three starts. It is important to note that one of those starts came against a left-handed heavy Rangers' lineup at Tropicana Field while another came against the putrid Orioles. When he faced the Yankees, he allowed three runs in five innings. The White Sox have some dangerous hitters and their 101 wRC+ against lefties ranks them inside the top-10 in baseball. One stat working in McKay's favor is that the White Sox have also struck out the 10th-most times in baseball (868). On a limited slate, taking a chance on McKay might be worth it. However, that's not the case here, so the risk might not be worth the reward.
