MLB DFS Picks for PrizePicks Opening Day: March 27, 2025

The wait is over and the MLB season is finally here with 28 teams hitting the field on Thursday. We’ve got today’s top MLB DFS picks for Opening Day, including player projections to target on PrizePicks for today’s slate, plus a home run pick.

Whether you’re backing pitchers' strikeouts for hitters to go yard, Thursday’s MLB Opening Day matchups are stacked with opportunities on PrizePicks. Below, we’ve got five picks to help you build your Lineups.

Don’t forget to head to the PrizePicks MLB board, lock in your picks, and submit your lineup to get in on the real money MLB action before the first pitch.

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PrizePicks MLB DFS Picks for Opening Day

Here are the top MLB DFS picks and predictions for Opening Day on PrizePicks. Use this analysis to build your Lineups on PrizePicks MLB on Thursday, March 27.

• Yankees P Carlos Rodon — 6.0 Strikeouts
• Brewers OF Jackson Chourio — 0.5 Hits
• Cardinals C Willson Contreras — 0.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs
• Pirates P Paul Skenes — 7 Strikeouts
• Home Run Pick: Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber

Yankees P Carlos Rodon — 6.0 Strikeouts

Last season, New York Yankees ace Carlos Rodón struggled against right-handed hitter, allowing a barrel rate north of 10%, surrendering hard contact on over half of swings, and posting a 36% fly‑ball rate in more than 650 plate appearances. 

These metrics paint a troubling picture for Rodón as he faces a Milwaukee Brewers lineup projected to feature six right-handed hitters. With Yankee Stadium’s wind forecasted at 10 miles per hour blowing out on Opening Day, these splits vs. righties are even more worrisome.

Brewers OF Jackson Chourio — 0.5 Hits (Goblin)

Rodón leaned heavily on his four‑seam fastball (50% usage) and slider (26% usage) last year — two pitches that opposing hitters punished. His fastball yielded a .270 expected batting average and nearly .600 expected slugging percentage.

He’ll face off against Brewers slugger Jackson Chourio, who posted a 47% hard‑hit rate and .350 expected batting average against left‑handed fastballs in 50+ plate appearances. Chourio also registered a 35% fly‑ball rate against Rodón’s slider in 23 plate appearances.

Note: Goblin picks reduce your payout on PrizePicks, as they are easier projections to hit.

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Cardinals C Willson Contreras — 0.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (Goblin)

Twins righty Pablo López showed similar splits in nearly 400 plate appearances against right‑handed hitters last year: a 10% barrel rate, 51% hard‑hit rate, and 30% fly‑ball rate. López’s four‑seam fastball accounted for 40% of his offerings.

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Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras is a right‑handed batter with a 13% barrel rate, .450 expected batting average, and .730 expected slugging in nearly 100 plate appearances. Contreras is a prime candidate to exploit López’s pitch selection.

Pirates P Paul Skenes — 7 Strikeouts

Paul Skenes — Pittsburgh’s elite pitching prospect — demonstrated overwhelming swing‑and‑miss ability in his first full MLB season. He posted a whiff rate above 32% against both left‑ and right‑handed hitters, making him one of the game’s most unhittable young arms.

Additionally, Skenes maintained a chase rate north of 25% to both sides of the plate, underscoring his ability to generate strikeouts with both his high-spin fastball and devastating breaking pitches. Now, Skenes added new pitches to his arsenal in spring taining, which could make him even tougher to hit.

The Marlins’ lineup proved exceptionally prone to strikeouts versus right‑handed pitching last season. Five different Marlins hitters posted individual strikeout rates above 30% against right‑handers, helping the team finish with a collective K‑rate of 26% in those matchups — one of the highest marks in the MLB.

Home Run Pick: Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber

Nationals pitching prospect MacKenzie Gore struggled somewhat against left‑handed hitters last season, allowing a 10% barrel rate, 46% hard‑hit rate, and generating just an 11% swinging‑strike rate. Gore’s four‑seam fastball comprised 55% of his pitches, with his curveball thrown 20% of the time. 

Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber feasted on left‑handed breaking pitches last year, posting a 33% barrel rate, 66% hard‑hit rate, and 66% fly‑ball rate. He also maintained a .320 expected batting average against left‑hand fastballs, making this an advantageous matchup on paper for Schwarber.

Note: Demon picks increase your payout on PrizePicks, as they are harder projections to hit.

Cash in on Opening Day MLB on PrizePicks

You’ve got the MLB picks for Opening Day. With teams aces on the mound from Los Angeles to the Bronx, and an exciting slate of action. Now it’s time to build your MLB lineup on PrizePicks. 

All you have to do is pick more or less on at least two player projections to win real money on the MLB action.

Whether you’re going with demons or goblins, there’s always real money sports action waiting for you on PrizePicks.

Follow Shayne Trail for more MLB Picks: @ShayneTrail