Baseball is back in a big way Friday with a robust 15 games on the schedule. That leaves us with a bevy of options to choose from on PrizePicks. For those unfamiliar with the platform, it provides a unique spin on DFS in which you pick two, three or four players and predict if each will go over or under their projected fantasy score.
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Here are some players to target and avoid while creating your entry.
Players to Target
Anthony Rendon vs. Nick Pivetta (Phillies): Over 9.0 FP: The wheels have started to come off again for Pivetta. After initially looking sharp upon being recalled from the minors, he's allowed 20 runs (19 earned) across 23.1 innings in his last four starts. One of those outings came against these same Nationals, who got to him for six runs and two home runs over 5.1 innings. Rendon is having the best power season of his career with a .307 ISO and received some valuable time off during the break to rest nagging hamstring and quadriceps injuries, so look for him to start off the second half with a big performance and hit the over.
Trea Turner vs. Pivetta (Phillies): Over 9.0 FP: Turner has provided the Nationals with plenty of big performances lately, recording at least two hits in six of his last 11 games. He also recorded four doubles and four steals during that stretch to go along with a .365 OBP. If the Nationals are going to be in for a big offensive showing here, it will likely mean plenty of production from Turner at the top of the lineup. This isn't a crazy-high number, making the over the way to go.
Aaron Judge vs. Aaron Sanchez (Blue Jays): Over 9.0 FP: Things couldn't have gone much worse for Sanchez in the first half, as he recorded a 5.56 FIP and a 1.75 WHIP. He's once again had control issues with a 13-percent walk rate and his 14 home runs allowed are only one away from his career high when he allowed 15 homers across 192 innings in 2016. His propensity for giving up home runs could be his downfall against Judge, who has a career .667 slugging percentage at Yankee Stadium. With one swing of the bat potentially getting him to the over, this one is extremely appealing.
Players to Avoid
Phillies Bullpen vs. Washington Nationals: 17.5 FP: We now have the ability to take a side on an entire team's bullpen! With how poorly Pivetta has been pitching, it wouldn't be all that surprising to see him have a short outing. If that's the case, that could mean the Phillies going to some of their weaker relievers early. However, that could also mean that they have extra opportunities to accumulate strikeouts. This is not a big number if Pivetta does pitch well considering a save is worth four points. While this is an exciting new option to take an entire bullpen, I'll sit this one out.
Austin Meadows vs. Dylan Bundy (Orioles): 8.5 FP: On the one hand, this seems like a great matchup for Meadows. Bundy has allowed 20 home runs over 91 innings after giving up 2.1 HR/9 last season. However, Meadows has really cooled off after a hot start. He's been downright awful of late, hitting 16-for-91 (.176) with no home runs over his last 24 games. He also has a whopping 29 percent strikeout rate during that stretch. This feels like it could go either way, so I'm avoiding it.
Stephen Strasburg vs. Philadelphia Phillies: 38 FP: When healthy, Strasburg can shut down even the most potent of lineups. He's been just that this season, already logging 116.1 innings. To no surprise, he has a sparkling 3.18 FIP and 1.04 WHIP. However, he's wasn't on top of his game heading into the break, allowing at least four runs in three of his last six starts. He was also roughed up by the Phillies in Philadelphia earlier this season, giving up six runs over four innings. There are plenty of other viable options to consider, leaving this as one to stay away from.
