This article is part of our PrizePicks MLB series.
There will be no shortage of options to choose from on PrizePicks with a full slate of action in the majors Friday. 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.
If this is your first time playing on PrizePicks, be sure to sign up using our promotional offer. New members who sign up and make their first deposit get a free 2-pick entry to win $25 and a 25% first deposit instant match. For the instant match promotion, the maximum deposit is $4,000 for $1,000 in Promo Money. If downloading the app, use promo code: WIRE.
Here are some players to target and avoid while creating your entry.
Players to Target
Mookie Betts vs. James Paxton (Yankees): Over 9.5 FP: The last time we saw Paxton on the mound against the Red Sox, he was torched for seven runs over four innings at Fenway Park. Oddly enough, he had an impressive nine strikeouts. The problem was that he allowed four home runs, three of which were hit by Betts. Betts has quietly already scored 101 runs this season and is in the middle of a prolonged hot streak that has seen him hit 37-for-97 (.381) with six home runs, 10 doubles, 20 RBI and 30 runs scored across his last 23 games. While this is a lofty projection, I still like the over.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. vs. Aaron Brooks (Orioles): Over 7.5 FP: This one stands out as maybe the most appealing option of all. Guerrero has taken off at the plate, hitting 20-for-48 (.417) with five home runs, four doubles and a staggering 21 RBI over his last 12 games. The Blue Jays didn't have the most potent of lineups at the start of the season, but calling up their young trio of Guerrero, Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette has added a huge spark to the team. Brooks enters with a bloated 5.55 FIP, making this an over that almost seems too good to pass up.
Joey Votto vs. Kevin Gausman (Braves): Over 7 FP: It's hard to predict what type of outing the Braves are going to get from Gausman whenever he steps onto the mound. He's had some really impressive starts this season, but he's also been prone to massive blow ups, including allowing at least six runs in three of his last five outings. The last time he faced the Reds, they got to him for six runs (five earned) across 5.1 innings. With Votto hitting 16-for-54 (.296) with two home runs and three doubles over his last 13 games, taking the over on this relatively low projection could prove to be profitable.
Players to Avoid
Mike Trout vs. Mike Clevinger (Indians): 8 FP: This is a tricky one. Normally, a projection this low for Trout would make the over a slam dunk. However, facing Clevinger is no easy task. Trout is also just 13-for-57 (.228) with a .318 OBP across his last 15 games. The one wrinkle there is that 10 of his 13 hits went for extra bases, six of which were home runs. I'm having a hard time settling on a side here, so it might be best to just avoid Trout altogether.
Josh Donaldson vs. Alex Wood (Reds): 9.5 FP: With a hole at third base, the Braves decided to take a chance on Donaldson to bounce back from a couple of injury-plagued seasons. They've been rewarded with him posting a .264 ISO and a .371 wOBA. He's really cranked things up in the power department down the stretch, recording a .680 slugging percentage across his last 20 games. The problem is this is a pretty high projection for him to hit. He also has a 117 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, which would be his lowest mark versus southpaws since the 2012 season. With so many other quality options, adding him to your entry seems like an unnecessary risk.
Josh Bell vs. Steven Matz (Mets): 7.5 FP: At first glance, this seems like an easy over. Bell is in the midst of a breakout season for the Pirates that has seen him record a lofty .303 ISO. However, he has just a .330 wOBA against left-handed pitchers compared to a .402 wOBA versus righties. He's also mired in a terrible slump that has seen him hit 11-for-68 (.162) with no home runs over his last 20 games. Even with his struggles of late, he could turn things around with one swing of the bat, leaving this as a matchup to avoid.
