The MLB is set for a loaded Sunday of action, with plenty of games already underway. There is some added juice for this slate with MLB’s rivalry weekend, as every team is matching up with their designated geographical rival. In total, there are 15 games on today’s slate with all 30 teams in action. This loaded schedule will build out to the Sunday Night baseball matchup, highlighting the Subway Series between the New York Mets and Yankees. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Baseball!
This article will look at my top Pick6 plays for today’s action, 5/18/25. You simply choose whether each set statistic will be more or less than the set number. With the stage set, here are my favorite picks on the MLB slate.
Michael King More Than 6.5 Strikeouts
It has been a strong start to the season for Padres right-hander Michael King, who has struck out 56 batters in 50.1 innings of work. He holds a 4-1 overall record with a 2.32 ERA and has a favorable matchup against this Mariners offense to continue building off this. Seattle ranks 25th in the MLB in strikeouts per game at 8.91. So far in this series, they have struck out eight and nine times.
King has tallied more than 6.5 strikeouts in five of his nine starts. He is coming off an eight-strikeout performance in just 5.2 innings pitched during his previous start and has fanned as many as 11 batters in a start already this season. King ranks in the 80th percentile in the MLB in strikeout percentage and 71st in whiff rate. Look for him to strike out more than 6.5 batters today and continue building off his excellent start.
Corbin Carroll More Than 0.5 RBIs
The Arizona Diamondbacks have one of the hottest offenses in the MLB with 37 runs and nine home runs in the past week alone. They will face a Colorado Rockies team that has struggled all season and is limping into this matchup with an 8-37 record. Colorado has given up 295 total runs already this season, which is 38 more than the second-worst rate in the MLB. Rookie Chase Dollander will be on the mound for the Rockies and has allowed 29 runs across his first 34.0 innings pitched. This includes nine home runs conceded.
Corbin Carroll has been largely responsible for this leap in production with three home runs and seven runs scored across the past week, each leading the team. Dollander relies heavily on his fastball, and Carroll is one of the better fastball hitters in baseball. Against fastballs this season, he is hitting .411 with six home runs. Carroll is leading the National League with 55 hits and has 32 RBIs on the season. While I think he has a strong chance of adding to his 14 home run total today, we will be a bit safer and take his chances to record an RBI tonight.
Shohei Ohtani More Than 0.5 RBIs
Shoehei Ohtani is coming off an uncharacteristic 0-for-6 performance last night, and don’t expect this to continue. Looking back before this, Ohtani had gone 6-for-12 with four home runs in his previous three games. On the season overall, the Dodgers’ star is leading the National League with 16 home runs and slashing .305/.404/.667.
Yusei Kikuchi will be getting the start for the Angels, whom Ohtani has had success against. In the 23 at-bats he has faced Ohtani, the Dodgers star is hitting .304 with three home runs. He has tallied eight RBIs across his past four games and has tallied an RBI in eight of his last 12 games. Look for him to get back on track tonight and add to his 29 RBI total on the season.
Will Smith More Than 1.5 Total Bases
Another Dodgers player with a clear path to production today is Will Smith. He has been excellent against left-handed pitchers this season, posting a 1.291 OPS and a 40.0% hard hit rate. This is particularly friendly as this matchup will be played at the second-best park for home runs. Despite the hard hit rate and strong track record for fly balls, the home runs have not stacked up for Will Smith this season. He has three home runs and 21 RBIs on the season overall.
Kikuchi is also vulnerable to fly ball hitters with a 39.6% elevated flyball rate and 10.3% barrel rate allowed. He is giving up 1.66 home runs per nine innings against right-handed hitters this season. I like Will Smith’s chances of getting a hold of one tonight and driving a deep shot into the gap or potentially overall the wall. Look for him to tally more than 1.5 total bases today, just as he has in three of his past five games.
Aaron Judge More Than 1.5 Total Bases
It has been a downright incredible start to the season for Aaron Judge, who is batting .402 with a .488 on-base percentage and 1.241 OPS so far this year. He leads all of baseball in hits, WAR, batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, and OPS+, while leading the American League in runs batted in. This has been a borderline historic start to the season, and the Yankees slugger is showing no signs of slowing down.
David Peterson will get the start for the Mets and has allowed 44 hits in his 44.1 innings pitched this season. Judge has had success against left-handers, slashing .480/.606/.1.280 so far this year. His OPS against lefties is an absurd 1.886. With 29 extra-base hits already this season and 22 multi-hit games, look for Judge to continue his impressive start to the season with more than 1.5 total bases tonight.
Pete Alonso More Than 0.5 RBIs
Another player off to an impressive start to the season is Pete Alonso. Following an offseason in which contract discussions turned sour, Alonso returned to the Mets and has proven his importance to the team. He is leading the National League with 16 doubles and slashing .308/.414/.574 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs.
Max Fried will be on the mound for the Yankees, and Alonso has fared well in their battles in the past. In 36 at-bats, Alonso has two home runs, seven RBIs, and an .853 OPS. In addition, the wind is expected to be blowing out in center field with gusts up to 20 mph. With Juan Soto slated to continue batting ahead of him in the lineup and hungry to make his mark against his former team, there is a good chance of Alonso seeing runners on base. Soto has just one hit in his six plate appearances in this matchup, but has also been walked four times. Give Alonso a solid chance of putting one over the wall himself, and a double should be enough to drive in a run if the situation aligns right.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid only in states where DraftKings Pick6 operates. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. See terms at pick6.draftkings.com.
