It’s a busy slate of baseball on Wednesday, with all 30 clubs taking the field. As the postseason creeps ever-so closer, now is the time for players to put it all on the line. The same goes for fantasy managers. With so many big names in action, picking the right players for your lineups is harder than ever. Who should you back, and who should you fade?
There’s plenty of ways to get in on Wednesday’s games with DraftKings MLB Pick6 fantasy baseball selections before tonight’s contests!
Daulton Varsho more than 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs
If there’s a weakness in an otherwise solid Toronto lineup, it’s a lack of left-handed power. Aside from Addison Barger, the Jays haven’t gotten much pop from the few southpaws currently on their roster. Although he’s not much of a contact hitter, Daulton Varsho certainly helps in that regard. The centerfielder is slashing .234/.286/.589, smacking 15 homers in just 45 games.
Will Varsho’s Adam Dunn impression continue through September? Probably not. Still, it’s never a bad thing to jump on a batter in the midst of a hot streak. Over his last five games, the 29-year-old is hitting .278 with two dingers and eight RBIs. Twins starter Simeon Woods-Richardson struggles mightily against left-handed batters (.440 SLG). Keeping that in mind, Varsho is set up nicely for another productive evening on Wednesday.
Taijuan Walker less than 3.5 strikeouts thrown
A season-ending injury for Zack Wheeler has derailed what was an elite Phillies rotation. From now until October, Philadelphia will need more from some lesser-known arms. That includes spot starter Taijuan Walker. The former All-Star has seen his skills diminish significantly in recent seasons. Regardless, he’s still a capable hurler (3.44 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). The righty has pitched five innings while allowing three runs or less in each of his last six outings.
Tonight’s matchup carries some extra weight. If the Mets have any shot at winning the NL East, a win here would go a long way. Given his previous history, Walker might not be an ideal choice to take the hill on Wednesday. Over his last six meetings with New York, he’s posted a 8.10 ERA. In five of those appearances, the veteran failed to record more than two strikeouts. Even if he does manage to pitch well, don’t expect many whiffs from Walker.
Vinnie Pasquantino more than 1.5 total bases
A strong second half has kept Kansas City alive in the American League playoff race. That’s due in large part to an improved offense. The Royals still own one of the sport’s weaker lineups, but they’ve made some real improvements. Post-All-Star break, the team ranks eighth in the league with 5.08 runs scored per game. Other than Bobby Witt Jr., KC’s second-best hitter has been Vinnie Pasquantino. The first baseman is hitting .262 with 28 homers and 92 RBIs this season.
On a power-starved squad, Vinnie P plays a major role. It’s no coincidence that he’s notched a career-best 28.6% flyball ratio. That could serve him well during Wednesday’s matchup with the White Sox. It’ll be Aaron Civale on the bump, making his 13th start for the South Siders. His numbers are mediocre, at best (5.02 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). A struggling flyball pitcher against Kansas City’s top slugger? An extra-base hit feels reasonable for Pasquantino.
Ryan Bergert more than 4.5 strikeouts thrown
Let’s stay in the Windy City for this AL Central showdown. It’s remarkable that the Royals still possess one of the Junior Circuit’s top rotations. Injuries to Cole Ragans (shoulder) and Kris Bubic (shoulder) would derail most other pitching staffs. Fortunately for Kansas City, trade acquisition Ryan Bergert has been spectacular. Over his first four appearances for KC, the righty has a 2.82 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 22 strikeouts.
One of Bergert’s four games came against the White Sox on August 17th. That resulted in a terrific 5.1-inning, seven-strikeouts showing from the youngster. Chicago is averaging 3.96 runs per game this season, the American League’s third-worst mark. Over his last 43.2 innings of work, Bergert has tallied 48 K’s. A handful of punch outs is more than obtainable against this light-hitting lineup.
Geraldo Perdomo more than 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs
Despite trading away several standout hitters, the Diamondbacks remain one of baseball’s highest-scoring clubs. That’s due in large part to Geraldo Perdomo, one of the National League’s most underrated players. The All-Star is slashing .291/.393/.450 with 14 homers, 86 RBIs and 23 steals. Add it all up, and you have a shortstop that can do a little bit of everything.
Hitting atop this lethal D-Backs lineup, Perdomo is given plenty of opportunity to rack up counting stats. That could be the case against Brewers pitcher Quinn Priester. Arizona’s switch-hitter owns a stellar .836 OPS from the left side of the plate. In comparison, Milwaukee’s starter has a middling 4.29 ERA this month. Perdomo enters tonight on a five-game hitting streak. There’s a good chance he pushes that up to six on Wednesday.
Colin Rea less than 2.5 earned runs allowed
For all their strengths, the Cubs aren’t exactly a pitching-rich squad. Instead, Chicago has had to get the most out of several veteran starters this season. Journeyman Colin Rea has become a valued member of this rotation. Through 127.1 innings, the 35-year-old has put up a 3.96 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 93 strikeouts. The right-hander has allowed less than four runs in just over 73% of his outings.
Rea is no ace, but he’s certainly reliable. Boring consistency is usually all it takes to silence the Giants. Since July 1st, the team has scored the third-fewest total runs in baseball (184). Opposing starters have held San Francisco to two runs or fewer in five of their last seven games. Chicago doesn’t need a terrific outing to silence these lackluster bats. Expect a solid, if not spectacular, stat line from Rea tonight.
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 DraftKings Pick6
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!
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