Friday features an eight-game Major League Baseball slate, and here are the three best plays if you’re looking for a home run in fantasy baseball or any DFS contest.
Why Aaron Judge Is a Strong Home Run Bet vs. the San Francisco Giants (+240)
Aaron Judge went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in Wednesday’s season opener against the San Francisco Giants. He became the first reigning MVP to post a Golden Sombrero in the first game of a new season.
Judge is too good to deliver back-to-back performances like this. He should find his swing and start producing in the middle of the New York Yankees’ order sooner rather than later.
Don’t be surprised if he bounces back Friday by going yard, as San Francisco will have Robbie Ray on the mound, who posted a 1.09 HR/9 across 182.1 innings and 32 starts in 2025. Plus, Judge has a history of hitting well against Ray.
Why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Could Go Yard vs. the Athletics (+340)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will face a pitcher he knows well in Luis Severino. Aside from the fact that Severino spent most of his career in the AL East with the New York Yankees, both players were teammates on the Dominican Republic team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Familiarity aside, the numbers also back up Guerrero as a potential home run threat for Friday’s slate. Guerrero has already homered off Severino and has hit well against him throughout his career.
Guerrero isn’t short on power by any means, as he hit 23 homers in 156 games in 2025 and has hit 20-plus dingers in five straight seasons.
Why Yordan Alvarez Is a Good Home Run Bet vs. the Los Angeles Angels (+285)
Yordan Alvarez might not be the most consistent hitter, but he has raw power to all fields and is a legitimate threat to go deep every time he steps into the batter’s box. He has also had success against Yusei Kikuchi throughout his career.
With the Houston Astros aiming to bounce back from Thursday’s loss, look for the slugger to have a big game Friday. Alvarez could’ve had a homer on Thursday’s Opening Day, but the roof in Daikin Park said otherwise.
Jake Meyers and Isaac Paredes are also strong bets to go yard against Kikuchi if you’re looking to stack the Houston lineup in DFS.
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