Tonight is loaded with MLB games. Thus, the Underdog Fantasy MLB pick ’em lobby is filled with choices. This piece narrows the selections to five. All the suggested picks are hitter props, with four higher plays and one lower.
Get 100% Deposit Match up to $100 at Underdog 
Friday’s Top Underdog Fantasy MLB Pick ‘Em Picks
Austin Hedges: 0.5 Hits – Lower
Hedges burned me earlier this week when I suggested the lower for 0.5 hits. However, Yu Darvish was scratched from the start because of an illness. Having a short memory is imperative to making the best picks. So, I’m going back to the well for Hedgers having zero hits tonight.
Hedges had recorded a hit in only 20 of 49 starts when he had a plate appearance. According to FanGraphs, the defensive-minded catcher has a .188 batting average against right-handed pitchers this season. He’s also had only a .193 batting average in same-handed matchups in his career. Finally, Hedges is the No. 9 hitter for the Pirates. So, he’s frequently had three plate appearances or fewer this year and is a candidate to be lifted for a pinch-hitter.
LaMonte Wade: 0.5 Walks – Higher
Wade is an exceptionally patient hitter. According to FanGraphs, Wade has the second-lowest outside-zone swing percentage (19.1 O-Swing%) and the second-lowest swing percentage (36.6%) among qualified hitters in 2023. Wade’s patience has resulted in drawing a walk in 36 of 68 starts this year.
The left-handed-hitting outfielder has 41 walks (17.8 BB%) in 242 plate appearances against righties this year. Meanwhile, Carlos Carrasco has issued 14 walks to 98 lefties (14.3 BB%) this year. So, the matchup is ideal for Wade working a free pass tonight.
Ronald Acuna: 1.5 Total Bases – Higher
Acuna is putting together an MVP-caliber campaign. And he’s killing righties. In 285 plate appearances against righties this year, Acuna has 19 doubles, one triple, 15 homers, a .336 batting average, .597 slugging and .261 ISO.
Bryan Hoeing is an unimposing matchup for Acuna tonight. The right-handed pitcher has allowed six doubles, two triples, six homers, a .288 batting average and .542 slugging to 130 righties faced since debuting in the majors last year.
Austin Riley: 1.5 Total Bases – Higher
Riley can make the most of the same soft matchup Acuna will enjoy tonight. In addition to struggling with righties, Hoeing has performed poorly on the road. In 18.0 innings on the road, Hoeing has allowed three doubles, four homers, a .307 batting average and .507 slugging to 82 batters.
Riley is a great candidate to rough him up tonight. In 661 plate appearances against righties at home since 2021, Riley has had 30 doubles, 34 homers, a .287 batting average, .509 slugging and .222 ISO.
Corey Seager: 1.5 Total Bases – Higher
Seager is ripping the cover off the ball this year. In 151 plate appearances against righties in 2023, he has 17 doubles, seven homers, a .346 batting average, .638 slugging and .292 ISO. Moreover, Seager has been unstoppable with the platoon advantage at home. In 86 plate appearances against righties at home this year, Seager has 11 doubles, six homers, a .432 batting average, .824 slugging and .392 ISO.
Any righty would have a difficult time taming Seager at the plate. Ronel Blanco is an unlikely candidate to keep Seager in check. The righty has a 4.63 ERA, 5.16 xERA and 4.92 xFIP in 35.0 innings this year. Blanco has spent time in the bullpen and the rotation. He’s coughed up a .476 slugging to 95 batters faced when starting. Thus, the matchup is good for Seager tonight.
Whether you’re new to fantasy baseball or a seasoned pro, our Fantasy Baseball 101: Strategy Tips & Advice page is for you. You can get started with our Sabermetrics Glossary or head to a more advanced strategy – like Maximizing Your Potential in Multi-Lineup Contests – to learn more.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
