Elly De La Cruz Underdog MLB Picks Today, 4/23: Baseball Projections + More
Welcome to Fantasy Alarm’s Underdog MLB Pick’em for Wednesday, April 23, 2025, where we spotlight two electrifying players poised to shine in today’s matchups!
First up, Cincinnati Reds’ speed demon Elly De La Cruz takes on the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park. Fresh off a 2024 season where he led the league with 67 stolen bases and showcased his power-speed combo with 25 homers, De La Cruz is a prime pick against a Marlins defense that struggled to contain base stealers last year.
Meanwhile, in Cleveland, New York Yankees’ Ben Rice faces the Guardians at Progressive Field.
After bulking up in the offseason and showing promising bat speed, Rice is a deep sleeper with pop, ready to capitalize on a park that played friendlier to homers in 2024.
Let’s dive into these picks and boost your Underdog lineups
Underdog Fantasy Picks for Wednesday, April 23: MLB DFS Projections
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Elly De La Cruz MLB Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher Than 0.5 Stolen Bases
The Marlins are having a terrible time holding base runners and today's starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara has been one of the worst pitchers this season when it comes to holding base runners.
De La Cruz swiped two bags yesterday and already has nine stolen bases on the season.
Look for him to get on first against a struggling Alcantara and look to immediately swipe a bag to pay off this pick.
Ben Rice MLB Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher Than 1.5 Total Bases
Rice hit a leadoff homer yesterday as he continues to be a menace at the top of the Yankees lineup.
Today he faces Guardians righty Luis L. Ortiz who really struggles against left-handed hitters which dates back to last year.
Lefties have an .500+ slugging percentage against Ortiz this season and he's allowing over 1.5 HR/9.
We could see Rice launch another one today to pay off the 1.5 Total Bases.
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Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.