Today for MLB pick’em plays we are turning to PrizePicks MLB, where the Twins-Rangers game is offering up several great spots for targeting super-duper stars. Luckily, Stokastic and PrizePicks are teaming up to offer new users a great promo: You can use the PrizePicks promo code ‘STOKASTIC’ when you sign up to get a deposit match up to $100! Now let’s dive into some plays for PrizePicks’ MLB pick’em contest.
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MLB Pick’em Predictions for PrizePicks MLB | September 1
Max Scherzer O/U 8.5 Strikeouts
Scherzer is, for the most part, back on top of his game now that he is in Texas. Through five Rangers starts, he has a 2.64 ERA, .503 OPS allowed and 11.7 strikeouts per nine, which are basically in line with his various Cy Young-winning seasons. That said, mixed in there is a 3.2-inning, four-run outing that saw Scherzer whiff just four, and he is still “only” averaging eight strikeouts per game in a Rangers uniform despite going for more than 8.5 in three of five games.
The real driving force of this massive number is Minnesota being the opponent. The Twins strike out a whopping 27% of the time — which essentially means every pitcher is putting up All-Star-caliber strikeout numbers against them. However, Stokastic’s Pick’Em Pro is just a little wary of a strikeout number being so high on a pitcher who has been pretty up and down all season. It is projecting Scherzer for 7.1 strikeouts, giving the less on 8.5 a 54% chance of hitting.
Best MLB PrizePicks Play: Max Scherzer Less Than 8.5 Strikeouts
Corey Seager O/U 1.5 Total Bases
The other side of the Twins-Rangers pitching matchup is looking pretty juicy. Joe Ryan had a hot start to 2023, but he has cratered the last month or so. Since the start of July, Ryan has a 6.82 ERA, 6.35 FIP, 1.001 OPS and 13 home runs surrendered in just seven starts. Plus, his batting average on balls in play (BABIP) surrendered is over .400. The strikeouts are still there, but the power has been so abundant that Ryan is essentially one of the league’s premier gas cans at this point. That has resulted in him allowing four earned runs or more in four of his last six starts.
And then there is Seager, who is both slugging .651 (second in MLB) and leading the American League in batting average — a perfect recipe for more plays on total bases. All told, Seager has recorded multiple total bases in 53 of 90 games (58.9%), which is one of the best rates in the game. An uber-susceptible righty only adds to Seager’s value, and that is earning him a 2.1-base projection on Pick’Em Pro.
Best MLB PrizePicks Play: Corey Seager More Than 1.5 Total Bases
Rafael Devers O/U 7.5 Fantasy Points
Like with Seager, this is all about targeting a hitter-friendly lefty-right matchup. Jordan Lyles has been one of the best pitchers to target with bats all season, and even better, the Royals are letting him go deep into games now. Lyles has pitched eight-plus innings in two of his last four starts, and he allowed four runs both times. In fact, Lyles has somehow allowed at least four runs in 19 of 25 starts, and yet he has finished at least the fifth inning in 22 of 25.
All this is to say that Devers will likely get at least three cracks at a vulnerable righty. Devers did not have the best August, only recording nine extra-base hits in 26 games, but he averaged an RBI every other game, so the run production was still solid. He is Boston’s biggest threat, so it simply makes sense to target him as the Red Sox face off with Lyles. Pick’Em Pro projects Devers for 10.6 fantasy points, easily surpassing this 7.5 number.
Best MLB PrizePicks Play: Rafael Devers More Than 7.5 Fantasy Points
