Let’s hit the weekend on a positive note and cash a 3x winner on Underdog. We get extra baseball on a 16-game slate with the Guardians and Twins playing two in Minnesota. There are a couple of interesting storylines brewing out west centering around both the Phillies and Dodgers. Los Angeles takes on a frustrated Pirates squad as the Dodgers are starting to feel some heat in the National League West. Meanwhile, the Phillies are hoping to put their recent struggles behind with another game in Arizona. Let’s build some top MLB Underdog pick’em predictions today!
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Underdog Fantasy MLB Pick’em Predictions Today
Looking for more MLB pick’em advice? Check out our other MLB articles or our MLB pick’em tools, and be sure to explore our guide to Underdog Fantasy as well.
Bryce Harper H/L Than 1.5 Total Bases
The numbers may not show it, but Bryce Harper’s contact is there. Loud outs, hard-hit baseballs — both are a reality for Harper; it’s just the ball isn’t falling right. Harper has hit safely in five of the seven games so far in August — including three rips last night in Arizona. With Ryne Nelson on the hill for the Diamondbacks, there should be plenty more opportunities for Harper at the plate. The overall metrics for Harper still look fantastic despite that recent slump, primarily his .363 xwOBA and .500 xSLG. This is not an easy matchup for Nelson giving up the righty-lefty side too.
The biggest thing about Harper hitting well is the trickledown effect. This is already a tough spot for the D-backs, and they now have to pitch differently to the first five hitters with Harper being this massive threat again. Harper can punish Nelson in any spot — driving in a run, getting on base, forcing a longer at-bat — or just forcing a different overall approach to the team. We saw this lacking when Harper was struggling, but it’s clearly returned. We go higher than 1.5 total bases.
Underdog Fantasy Pick’em Prediction: Bryce Harper Higher Than 1.5 Total Bases
Jack Flaherty H/L Than 4.5 Hits Allowed
This is not easy for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They blew out their bullpen in a bad loss Thursday night and now travel out west to face the Dodgers. Los Angeles is already tough but is coming into this series with a little heat behind them, starting to feel some pressure atop what was a secure lead in the West.
Jack Flaherty had zero issues in his first start with the Dodgers, giving up zero runs in a 10-0 slaughter of the Athletics. The Pirates are certainly a better team than Oakland, but Flaherty will get enough run support to distance his team from Pittsburgh. His counterpart, Mitch Keller, is giving up over one more run per start on the road, and this Dodgers team is looking motivated.
We stay lower than 4.5 hits allowed for Flaherty, as it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Pirates work or grind him down. With a 31.8% strikeout rate to a 4.5% walk rate, and a .270 xwOBA, it’s more likely the opposite.
Underdog Fantasy Pick’em Prediction: Jack Flaherty Lower Than 4.5 Hits Allowed
