It is a full slate of MLB games taking place today, with 16 different matchups taking place across the day. Five of these games hold a 1:35 first pitch, and 12 of the matchups begin before 3:00 p.m. ET.
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 20th. 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.
Shohei Ohtani More Than 0.5 Runs Batted In
Shohei Ohtani is back from his brief stint on the paternity list, and he will resume his place leading off for the Dodgers and serving as the face of baseball. Through the 20 games he has played this season, Ohtani has tallied 23 hits, six home runs, and eight RBIs.
Tyler Mahle is on the mound for the Rangers, who has fared well against the Dodgers’ star throughout his career. In six plate appearances, Ohtani has just one hit and has struck out twice. While he has not reached his peak level of play yet this year, Ohtani still ranks in the 94th percentile or greater in xBA, xGL, barrel percentage, hard-hit percentage, bat speed, average exit velocity, and batting run value.
The Dodgers and Rangers have split the series to this point and will settle things today. Ohtani is a threat to drive himself in every time he steps to the plate, and the bottom three hitters combined for three hits in yesterday’s game. I like his chances of driving in one of these in front of him if the opportunity presents itself, and delivering with an RBI today.
Corey Seager More Than 1.5 Total Bases
The Texas Rangers are off to a strong start to the season, and Corey Seager is a large reason why. Across his first 69 at-bats, the three-time Silver Slugger is hitting .318 with 21 hits, four home runs, and a .905 OPS. Seager has tallied more than 1.5 total bases in nine of the 19 games and has a favorable matchup in this game.
Tyler Glassnow will take the mound for the Dodgers. He gave up a pair of home runs in his last outing and unraveled for five earned runs in the previous game against the Phillies. In his career, lefties have hit .294 wOBA against Glassnow with 67 extra base hits allowed.
Seager has always had success against right-handed pitchers. He is hitting .300 lifetime and has tallied 143 of his 204 career home runs against right-handed pitchers. Look for him to continue building off his strong start to the season and deliver by recording more than 1.5 total bases today.
Mike Trout More Than 1.5 Total Bases
Mike Trout has already had a Hall of Fame career, but is proving he still has plenty in the tank. He is off to a strong start to the season this year, recording eight home runs and 16 RBIs across his first 74 at-bats.
He will face off against another notable MLB veteran today with Justin Verlander on the mound for the Giants. Verlander relies on a high number of four-seam fastballs, with these making up 51.1% of the pitches thrown against righties. Trout has a career 183 wRC+ against four-seamers and 156 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers last season. Trout is coming off a two-home-run performance yesterday and will look to build off this today. Count on him to sit on the right pitch and deliver a multi-base hit today.
Justin Verlander More Than 5.5 Strikeouts
While I may not love the matchup with Mike Trout, the same is not the case for the rest of the Angels’ lineup. It has been a shaky start to the season for the 42-year-old, but he has had success generating strikeouts. Through his first four games, Verlander has struck out 17 hitters in 18.2 innings pitched.
In contrast, the Angels have a 25.1% strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers, which is the fourth-most in the MLB. Over the past week, this number has climbed to 34.8%, which is dead last. He has tallied as many as nine strikeouts in a game this season. Look for him to dig in during this favorable matchup and start to get his season back on track by recording more than 5.5 strikeouts tonight.
Mikey Moniak More Than 1.5 Total Bases
It has been an excellent start to the season for Mikey Moniak. The Rockies centerfielder has tallied 11 hits, three home runs, and seven RBIs across his opening 43 at-bats. Moniak has been especially effective against right-handed pitchers, producing a .948 OPS and a 57.7% hard-hit rate.
This is especially notable with Jake Irvin taking the mound for the Nationals. The 28-year-old is producing a concerning 5.90 xERA and allowing a hard hit rate of 47.8%. Moniak has had some struggles in the early parts of his career, but the former number one overall pick looks to be finding his footing. I am buying this to be here to stay and look for him to continue taking advantage of one Coors Field being hitter-friendly. Moniank enters this game on a four-game hitting streak and had a triple and four RBIs yesterday. Look for him to continue off his strong start to the season and tally more than 1.5 total bases today.
Kyle Freeland More Than 3.5 Strikeouts
Kyle Freeland is set to make his fifth start of the season for the Rockies and has performed respectably. Through his first four starts, he has pitched 24.0 innings with a 4.88 ERA and tallied 17 strikeouts. Freeland has struck out as many as seven in a game already this season and still has some room to grow with his 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings, below his 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings in his career or his season best 7.8 rate.
The Nationals have done a decent job avoiding strikeouts this season, ranked ninth in the league in strikeout rate. Even still, there are six players on the roster with 12 or more strikeouts already, and they are coming off a 10-strikeout night yesterday. Look for Freeland to have some success today and tally more than 3.5 strikeouts for the third start this season.
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.
