The pick ’em lobby at Underdog Fantasy is stacked on tonight’s busy night of MLB action. However, the following five player props were the most exciting choices. The suggested picks have a mix of higher and lower choices and are hitter-leaning, with only one pitcher selection.
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Tuesday’s Top Underdog Fantasy MLB Pick ‘Em Picks
Martin Maldonado: 0.5 Total Bases – Lower
Maldonado isn’t behind the dish for his offense. According to FanGraphs, he has a .177 batting average and only 45 hits in 285 plate appearances this year. Furthermore, Maldonado had a hit in only 36 of 82 starts this year. The backstop is unlikely to find success against Grayson Rodriguez tonight.
James McCann: 0.5 Singles – Lower
McCann has struggled at the dish this year. He has only a .218 batting average in 144 plate appearances. In addition, McCann has recorded a single in only 14 of 42 starts. McCann would have trouble rattling off a single against any pitcher, and Framber Valdez is a challenging assignment for righties. Houston’s lefty has allowed just a .223 batting average to 447 right-handed batters in 2023.
Matt Olson: 1.5 Total Bases – Higher
This year, Olson is tearing the cover off the ball with the platoon advantage. In 378 plate appearances against righties this season, Olson has 14 doubles, two triples, 33 homers, a .274 batting average, .644 slugging and .369 ISO.
The slugging first baseman also benefits from the matchup and park factors tonight. Mitch Keller has coughed up 21 doubles, two triples, 13 homers, a .269 batting average and a .493 slugging to 319 lefties this season. And left-handed batters have park factors of 1.178 for singles, 1.133 for doubles, 0.870 for triples and 1.096 for homers at PNC Park.
Ozzie Albies: 1.5 Total Bases – Higher
Albies isn’t close to the same class of hitter against righties as Olson. Nevertheless, he’ll benefit from the same advantageous matchup and park factors as his teammate. And Albies hasn’t been a slouch against righties. In 383 plate appearances against righties this year, Albies has 14 homers, three triples, 21 homers, a .226 batting average (.212 BABIP), .473 slugging and .247 ISO.
Wade Miley: 25.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
Miley had a successful return from a nearly one-month stint on the Injured List (IL), holding the Nationals to one run on three hits, two walks and five strikeouts in 4.0 innings on August 2. Unfortunately, the Brewers allowed him to throw just 60 pitches. On the plus side, Miley was efficient and came out of the start unscathed. He’ll presumably be awarded a longer leash tonight in a cupcake matchup.
The Rockies are 30th in wRC+ (67) and have a 27.2 K% against lefties this year. Colorado is also 30th in wRC+ (72) and had a 29.1 K% in the previous 30 days. And they’re 28th in wRC+ (81) and have a 26.9 K% on the road this year. Yes, Miley is significantly outkicking his ERA estimators this year. Still, he’s done the same in five of the last six years. So, perhaps, the ERA estimators aren’t picking up something skill-based Miley is doing. Regardless, handwaving the gap as flukey and good luck is unwise.
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.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
