Hayden Wesneski Underdog MLB Picks Today, 8/27: Baseball Projections + More

Thursday's top two Underdog plays come from the same marquee Bronx matchup, with both starters offering real strikeout paths against lineups trending hot over the last two weeks, for Underdog Fantasy. Before you lock in your Higher or Lower calls, cross-check the numbers with our MLB Player Prop Tool and track how our staff is doing on the board with the MLB Expert Picks Tracker.

Hayden Wesneski MLB Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher than 4.5 Strikeouts

Wesneski was sharp in his last outing, holding Oakland off the board through five innings on just one hit, continuing a promising stretch since his own return from Tommy John surgery. His season strikeout rate is modest at 19.5 percent, but the Yankees carry a 24.1 percent strikeout rate against right-handed pitching that has jumped to 27.4 percent over the last two weeks. That kind of extreme recent strikeout trend gives even a contact-oriented arm real upside tonight. New York's lineup has also been more aggressive than usual lately, a profile that plays into a pitcher who commands the zone well.

Gerrit Cole MLB Underdog Fantasy Pick: Higher than 5.5 Strikeouts

Cole has looked fully like himself in his return from Tommy John surgery, backing a 3.11 ERA with 100 strikeouts across 92.2 innings and holding Baltimore to one run in six innings his last time out. Houston's season-long 21.9 percent strikeout rate against right-handed pitching has climbed to 25.3 percent over the last two weeks, one of the hottest recent trends in baseball. New York has also won six of its last seven games, giving Cole plenty of run support and a longer leash. That combination of a full return to ace form and a lineup trending toward more strikeouts gives him a clear path to clearing this number.

Unlock Your $50 Guaranteed Bonus & More With Underdog Promo

Come hang out in our free Fantasy Alarm Discord to talk through these selections and swap entries with our analysts!