Underdog Fantasy MLB Picks August 23: Pablo Lopez and Zack Gelof Top Picks Today
We have a smaller slate of games on Thursday night, but there are still some interesting matchups for our top MLB picks and MLB Underdog plays. As you enjoy some afternoon baseball, check out these top MLB player picks on Underdog Fantasy for tonight's action. Our top MLB picks today feature Minnesota Twins pitcher Pablo Lopez and Oakland Athletics rookie Zack Gelof. Don't miss out on these top MLB player picks on Underdog Fantasy for “Pick'Em” contests tonight. Check out the latest MLB weather report and the confirmed MLB lineups when placing those MLB daily picks or setting daily fantasy baseball lineups as well. Plus, the MLB daily projections and MLB Batter vs Pitcher page will help you find the best matchups for MLB picks and MLB DFS lineups. Let's dive into the top MLB player picks on Underdog Fantasy for Thursday, August 24th.
MLB Underdog Fantasy Top Picks August 24
Pablo Lopez, Minnesota Twins – HIGHER than 6.5 Strikeouts
You might think a matchup against the Texas Rangers tonight would have us fading Pablo Lopez. Nope, we’re actually going in the opposite direction. The Rangers have been very good against right-handed pitching all season, but not so much lately. Over the past week, Texas has a whopping 31.4% strikeout rate vs right-handers as well as a .259 wOBA (2nd-worst) and .205 BA (3rd-worst) in the split over this stretch. Over the past two weeks, the Rangers still only have a .293 wOBA, .237 BA, and 25.2% K rate vs righties. The team overall is also stuck in a six-game losing streak right now. Look for Lopez to capitalize on a struggling offense. The Minnesota Twins righty has thrown three straight scoreless outings coming into tonight and he boasts a 1.22 ERA and 2.62 FIP over his last six starts. In terms of strikeouts, Lopez has 7+ Ks in seven of his last eight starts and in 10 of 12 outings since mid-June. He’s also struck out at least seven in 17 of 25 starts overall this season. Lopez’s 29.9% K rate this year is a career-high for him and he should keep it going in a surprisingly favorable matchup.
Zack Gelof, Oakland Athletics – HIGHER than 1.5 Total Bases
Zack Gelof has not disappointed since being called up to the majors at the All-Star break. The Oakland Athletics rookie has also been pretty profitable to back when it comes to Underdog Fantasy picks lately. Gelof is hitting .351 with a .675 SLG in the month of August and he’s hitting .393 with a .571 SLG over the past seven contests. The A’s second baseman has recorded multiple total bases in 11 of his last 16 games coming into tonight, with four homers and seven doubles in this recent stretch. After going 0-for-4 yesterday, Gelof should bounce back in a favorable spot. Chicago White Sox starter Jesse Scholtens has a 4.64 ERA and 1.41 WHIP this month across four starts. The right-hander also has reverse splits and is allowing a much higher average (.299) and slugging percentage (.496) to righty hitters than lefties (.202 BA, .242 SLG). Meanwhile, Gelof is on the better end of his splits with a .312 BA, .699 SLG, .446 wOBA, and .387 ISO against right-handed pitching this year.
MLB Best Bets
If you are looking for some MLB Best Bets today, check out our MLB betting picks for today's slate of games.
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Player News
Luke Jackson (hand) played catch on Wednesday.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy expressed optimism that Jackson will avoid a trip to the injured list and could potentially be ready to pitch again on Friday against the Astros. It’ll likely be Robert Garcia handling any save opportunities in the interim.
Ben Joyce underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery on Wednesday.
It’s a significant blow to Los Angeles’ razor-thin high-leverage depth behind veteran closer Kenley Jansen. The hard-throwing 24-year-old righty hit the injured list back in mid-April with right shoulder inflammation, so it qualifies as a massive surprise that he would up requiring a season-ending procedure. The track record for pitchers coming back from shoulder surgery is extremely checkered, to put it mildly, relative to other types of injuries. It could be a while before Joyce is back on a big-league mound for the Angels.
Marlins activated LHP Ryan Weathers from the 15-day injured list.
Weathers will make his season debut on Wednesday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field after missing the opening six weeks of the year with a forearm strain. The 25-year-old southpaw put together a breakout campaign last year, recording a sparkling 3.63 ERA and 21.8 percent strikeout rate across 86 2/3 innings (16 starts). He should be rostered in all fantasy formats, especially since he looked extremely sharp in recent minor league rehab outings.
Marlins optioned LHP Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Jacksonville.
Veneziano heads back to the minors to make room for Ryan Weathers to make his season debut on Wednesday night against the Cubs. The 27-year-old lefty has compiled a serviceable 4.86 ERA across 16 2/3 innings (20 appearances) this season for the Marlins.
Parker Meadows said Wednesday that he’s getting close to starting a minor league rehab assignment.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Meadows will be re-evaluated and go through pre-game work before determining his next steps. The 25-year-old power/speed combo center fielder has been on the shelf since spring training working his way back from a nerve-related issue in his right upper arm. There isn’t a definitive timetable for his return, but it’s theoretically possible he’s ready to make his season debut at some point in June.
Rhys Hoskins went 4-for-4 with a homer, a double, five RBI and a walk in powering the Brewers past the Guardians 9-5 on Wednesday.
Hoskins was batting .182 and slugging .205 on this day a month ago. He’s since hit .349 with five homers, six doubles, 20 RBI and 13 walks in 26 games. He’s even stolen two bases. It looked like Hoskins might have been done as a mixed-league first baseman after his mediocre 2024, but he’s definitely worth playing now.