The MLB season is in full swing as each team looks to hit their stride on the year. The marathon of the regular season has kicked off with the early takeaways of the season already becoming clear. 15 games are taking place across today’s Sunday slate with plenty of the action already underway.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the action this evening. One of the more unique features on DraftKings this year is Pick6 Fantasy Baseball!
This article will look at my top Pick6 plays for action on April 6th. 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 remaining slate.
Jose Ramirez More Than 1.5 Total Bases
The Guardians will face the Angels tonight after getting off to a 3-5 start to the season. Jose Ramirez has tallied eight hits across his first 28 plate appearances. He has launched four home runs and a pair of doubles jumping out to hitting splits of .348/.429/.957.
Tyler Anderson is set to get his second start of the season for the Angels tonight. Anderson went 5.0 innings in his first start allowing six hits with two of them being home runs. Ramirez has faced Anderson in six at-bats in their careers. He has tallied three hits against Anderson with one home run already.
With Ramirez off to a strong start to the season and having success against Anderson already in his career, I like him to record more than 1.5 total bases tonight.
Mike Trout More Than 1.5 Hits, Runs, & RBIs
At age 33, three-time MVP Mike Trout still has some gas left in the tank. He got off to a slow start to the season but has recorded a hit in four straight games and home runs in three straight games entering this matchup.
Luis Ortiz is set to get the start for the Guardians and will be looking for better results after a disastrous first game this season. Ortiz pitched just 4.2 innings being lit up for nine hits and seven earned runs in his season debut.
With Trout seeing the ball well of late and facing a struggling pitcher, I like his chances of recording more than 1.5 combined hits, runs, and RBIs tonight.
Jordan Hicks More Than 5.5 Strikeouts
Jordan Hicks is set to suit up for his second start of the season after throwing six scoreless innings in his season debut. Hicks tallied six strikeouts in this game and will be looking to bounce back this season after logging a career-low 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings last season. Hicks was striking out 12.7 hitters per nine innings the season before and I have my eyes on him for a bounceback season this year.
He has a great chance to add to this today as Hicks and the Giants take on the Mariners. Seattle is off to a 3-6 start to the season and has scored 28 total runs which ranks 27th in the MLB. As a team, they have struck out 79 times already this season which comes out to 8.7 strikeouts per game.
Look for Hicks to build off his strong start against a Mariners team that has not hit their stride on the season yet. Count on him to record more than 5.5 strikeouts for the second straight game.
Brendan Donovan Less Than 6.5 Batter Fantasy Points
The Cardinals and Red Sox are squaring off for a double-header with the first matchup already underway. Brendan Donovan was out of the lineup for the first matchup but is expected to return to his spot in the order in the late game. He is off to a strong start to the season with two home runs, six RBIs, and .267/.303/.770 splits thus far.
Even with the solid start, Donovan has been held to less than 6.5 fantasy points on DraftKings scoring in four of the seven games he has played. With the double-header in mind, the Red Sox are expected to roll out Hunter Dobbins in the second game. The 25-year-old is set to make his MLB debut after producing a 3.08 ERA and striking out 120 batters across his 125.1 innings pitched in AA and AAA last year. Expect the unfamiliar pitcher to cause some problems and for Donovan to come back to form a bit after the strong start. The 6.5 fantasy point line is high enough and expect him to be held to less than this.
Nolan Arenado More Than 0.5 Home Runs
Another player set to square off against the new pitcher is Nolan Arenado. The five-time Sliver Slugger has tallied 10 hits in his 28 at-bats but just one home run so far with this coming on the first game of the season.
In his career, Arenado has tallied 32 hits, seven home runs, and 20 RBIs, while hitting .368 in 21 matchups against the Red Sox. Arenado has led the league in home runs three times in his career and has hit a home run in five of his last 10 matchups with Boston (today’s first game excluded). Look for him to add to this tonight and I am taking a swing on Arenado putting one over the fence.
Rafael Devers More Than 7.5 Batter Fantasy Points
It has been a tough start to the season for Rafael Devers. He is posting a -0.1 WAR and has struck out 16 times across his first 30 at-bats with just five hits to his name. His hitting splits are currently .167/.324/.200.
The Cardinals will roll with Miles Mikolas on the mound tonight for his second start of the season. He pitched 5.1 innings in his first game giving up two runs. This will be the third game Devers has faced Mikolas with the two-time Silver Sluggers having logged three hits and a home run. Even with his struggles, Devers has tallied more than 7.5 fantasy points in three of the nine games he has played. Expect better results tonight and for Devers to record more than 7.5 fantasy points.
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.
