Quick Summary of Today’s Top Underdog MLB Picks: 

The 2026 MLB season rolls on with the All-Star break in the rearview. It’s been an entertaining first half of baseball with plenty of highlights, storylines, and breakout players to watch. Let’s now focus on the Sunday, August 2nd slate of games with our top Underdog MLB Picks. We’ll break down a pair of MLB DFS projections to lock in as you enjoy today’s action. 
 

 
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Underdog Fantasy MLB Picks: Sunday, 8/2

Chase Burns MLB Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher Than 6.5 Strikeouts

Chase Burns is coming off one of his worst starts of the season, allowing five runs to the Guardians on Tuesday. Let’s count on the Cincinnati Reds’ ace to bounce back at home against a division rival. The right-hander can rack up strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates today. 

The Pirates have a league-high 29.1% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching since the All-Star break. Their 5.5% walk rate vs. righties in this stretch is also the third-lowest in the majors. Overall this season, Pittsburgh has a 23.5% strikeout rate in the split, which is the sixth-highest in baseball. 

As for Burns, the strikeouts have been down lately. However, he still has a 28.1% K rate on the year, which ranks in the 85th percentile. Plus, he’s posted a 31.7% whiff rate (91st percentile) and a 34.1% chase rate (84th). Burns has faced the Pirates three times this season, and he struck out seven or more in each matchup. He’s also recorded seven or more strikeouts in 13-of-20 starts this season. 

Yordan Alvarez MLB Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher Than 8.5 Fantasy Points

Yordan Alvarez remains the frontrunner in the AL MVP race, and it’s easy to see why. The Houston Astros’ slugger has been one of baseball’s most dangerous hitters all season. Sunday’s matchup against Texas Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker sets up well for another productive performance from Alvarez. 

Rocker enters with a 4.03 ERA on the year. He’s struggled recently, posting a 4.86 ERA over his last seven starts. That includes a shaky outing against Houston in July when he was tagged for seven runs on eight hits. Alvarez wasted no time in that matchup, launching a two-run homer in the first inning. 

Alvarez has been dominant against right-handed pitching this season, hitting .337 with a 1.132 OPS. He’s also been lights-out at home, batting .375 with a 1.215 OPS in Houston. Combining those splits gives Alvarez a slash line of a .396 batting average and 1.271 OPS against righties at home. 

It all points to another strong day at the plate for Alvarez. He enters this game red-hot, hitting .396 with a 1.341 OPS over his last 15 games. He’s also gone for 3-for-4 with two home runs against Rocker in their career matchups. As for Rocker, he’s allowing a .273 average and .804 OPS to lefty hitters.