If the MLB playoffs started today, the Yankees would face the Astros in the Wild Card Round, which could make for a fantastic fantasy (and reality) clash.
Both teams will be in action Wednesday, with two of their star players dealing with very different matchups.
Yankees OF Aaron Judge will face an underwhelming option in Twins SP Taj Bradley, while Astros 2B Jose Altuve will take his hacks against a former Cy Young winner in Rangers SP Jacob deGrom.
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Yankees OF Aaron Judge vs. Twins Projection: 8.5 Hitter Fantasy Score
- Judge is 1-for-3 with 5 walks, 1 RBI and 1 run scored over the first two games of this series with the Twins.
- Across his last 20 games, the 2024 American League MVP is 22-for-64 (.344) with a .522 OBP, 8 home runs, 10 RBI, and 24 runs scored.
- Judge currently has a 1.127 OPS, putting him on pace to have an OPS of at least 1.019 for the fourth straight season.
- The righty slugger has an average exit velocity of 95.4 mph, which is the second-highest mark in baseball behind Pirates OF Oneil Cruz (95.8 mph).
- Bradley has a 1.30 WHIP and has seen his strikeout rate fall from 26.6% last season to 20.3% this year.
Astros 2B Jose Altuve vs. Rangers Projection: 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs
- Altuve has struggled down the stretch, hitting 8-for-53 (.151) with a .207 OBP, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, and 8 runs scored over his last 15 games.
- Although the former All-Star is batting .303 with a .355 wOBA for his career, he is hitting .263 with a .328 wOBA this season.
- Altuve has recorded a .217 ISO versus left-handed pitchers this season, but he only has a .168 ISO against righties.
- deGrom has a 0.92 WHIP for the season and has allowed more than 3 runs in just three of his 28 starts.
Guardians SP Gavin Williams vs. Tigers Projection: 94.5 Pitches Thrown
- This is an important series for the Guardians, who are only 2.5 games behind the Red Sox for the final Wild Card spot in the American League. They are also three games behind the Astros for the second spot.
- Williams has logged at least six innings in seven of his last 10 starts.
- During that 10-start span, Williams threw at least 95 pitches seven times.
- The last time he faced the Tigers, Williams threw 97 pitches while throwing six shutout innings.
- The Tigers have recorded a .788 OPS against left-handed pitchers, but righties have limited them to a .720 OPS.
Rockies SP McCade Brown vs. Marlins Projection: 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed
- Brown began the season pitching at the High-A level in the minors. He only made it up to Double-A before the Rockies brought him to the majors.
- The young righty has made four starts for the Rockies, allowing 20 hits and 9 walks over 13 2/3 innings.
- He gave up at least 3 earned runs in three of his four outings.
- Two of his starts came against the Padres, who have scored the eighth-fewest runs in baseball. Another was against the Pirates, who have scored the fewest runs.
- Not only will this game be played at hitter-friendly Coors Field, but the Marlins have already proven to have a more potent lineup on the road than at home, sporting a .719 OPS on the road, compared to a .696 OPS in Miami.
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The playoff race remains front and center Wednesday and several of the biggest names in the league will look to make their mark.
Judge is primed to continue his productive series against the Twins as the Yankees try to get closer to locking up the top AL Wild Card spot.
Things might be more difficult for Altuve and the Astros, who will face off against deGrom.
Wednesday’s slate provides plenty of other matchups to consider on PrizePicks. Just pick More or Less for at least two MLB player stat projections to build your Lineup and win real money if your picks are correct.
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