There are 14 games starting at 7:05 pm ET or later tonight, creating a massive pick ’em lobby at Underdog Fantasy. While the options can feel overwhelming, this piece narrows the focus to the five most exciting selections.
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Friday’s Top Underdog Fantasy MLB Pick ‘Em Picks
Eury Perez: 5.5 Strikeouts – Higher
Perez is a strikeout machine and has elite bat-missing stuff. According to FanGraphs, in 15 starts spanning 74.0 innings, Perez has a 2.68 ERA, 3.40 xERA, 3.79 xFIP, 1.04 WHIP, 30.4 K% and 30.1 CSW% (15.9 SwStr%). Furthermore, in his previous four starts spanning 20.2 innings, Perez has had a 3.48 ERA, 3.48 xFIP, 0.92 WHIP, 35.8 K%, 31.4 CSW% (20.1 SwStr%), 103 Stuff+, 105 Location+ and 109 Pitching+.
Thankfully, Perez has consistently struck out batters at a high rate in his starts instead of producing boom-and-bust strikeout starts. As a result, Perez has exceeded 5.5 strikeouts in 10 of 15 starts, including doing so in both starts against the Nationals this year.
Tyler Glasnow: 37.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
Glasnow has pitched like an ace. In 15 starts spanning 86.2 innings this season, he’s had a 3.12 ERA, 4.15 xERA, 2.90 xFIP, 1.05 WHIP, 7.7 BB%, 32.6 K% and 33.6 CSW%. He’s also in good form.
Glasnow can shine tonight against a below-average offense. The Guardians are tied for 18th in wRC+ (96) versus righties in 2023. Cleveland is 23rd in wRC+ (92) at home this year. They’re also 26th in wRC+ (83) and have a 21.1 K% in the previous 30 days.
Finally, the betting info is excellent. According to Betting Pros, the Rays are -180, and the game’s total is 7.5 runs.
Cal Quantrill: 22.5 Fantasy Points – Lower
Quantrill is having a forgettable season. In 13 starts spanning 67.0 innings, he’s had a 6.45 ERA, 6.07 xERA and 5.38 xFIP. So, his ugly ERA is validated mainly by his wretched ERA estimators. The righty also doesn’t strike out many batters, posting a pitiful 12.4 K%.
He’ll have his work cut out against the Rays in his first start in the majors since landing on the Injured List (IL) with a shoulder injury after a start on July 5. The Rays are second in wRC+ (120) against righties in 2023. Tampa Bay is second in wRC+ (115) on the road this year. Additionally, they’re sixth in wRC+ (126) in the previous 30 days.
Logan Gilbert: 1.5 Walks Allowed – Lower
Gilbert doesn’t issue many free passes. In 26 starts spanning 155.0 innings, he’s walked 28 batters and had a 4.5 BB%. The righty has exceeded 1.5 walks only seven times in 26 starts. Gilbert also walked over 1.5 batters just four times in 14 road tilts.
Davis Schneider: 1.5 Total Bases – Higher
Schneider has raked this year. In 392 plate appearances in Triple-A this year, he’s had 21 doubles, one triple, 21 homers, a .275 batting average, .553 slugging and .278 ISO. Additionally, Schneider has done well in same-handed matchups, recording 14 doubles, one triple, 17 homers, a .297 batting average and .617 slugging in 269 plate appearances against righties in Triple-A this season.
Schneider has also ripped the cover off the ball in the bigs this season. In 57 plate appearances, the rookie has four doubles, six homers, a .426 batting average, .894 slugging and .468 ISO. Fortunately, Schneider also has stellar batted-ball data, producing a .296 xBA and .568 xSLG.
He can stay hot tonight at hitter-friendly Coors Field against a lousy pitcher. Chris Flexen has been torched by right-handed batters, yielding four doubles, 14 homers, a .333 batting average and .607 slugging to 188 of them in 2023.
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.
