Home Run by Cardinals' Pagés Rewards 12 Bettors with $83,334 in Bonus Bets
The St. Louis Cardinals series-opening 11-4 win over the Detroit Tigers Monday night turned out to be significant for a number of reasons.
The Cardinals not only proved they could compete with the owners of MLB's best record, but thanks to Pedro Pagés two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, 12 lucky DraftKings bettors walked away with $83,334 in bonus bets.
Beginning May 2, DraftKings Sports book has been running a 'King of the Diamond' promotion on select days, allowing participants to earn a share of $1 Million in bonus bets.
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Those who opt-in, select anywhere from one to five players to hit a home run. If that player hits a home run and their team is the highest scoring team in the majors that night, participants win a share of the $1 Million prize.
12 participants selected Pagés to hit a home run Monday. Because Pagés was the only St. Louis player to hit a home run and the Cardinals put up 11 runs, the most of any MLB team that night, the 12 participants each won $83,334 in bonus bets.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Gordon Graceffo (44) and catcher Pedro Pages (43) celebrateJeff Curry-Imagn Images
Adding to the rarity, the 26-year old catcher isn't exactly known as a 'power hitter.' Through Wednesday, Pagés has 10 home runs in 322 at-bats, giving him a career HR/PA (home run per plate appearance) rate of .029. By comparison, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has a HR/PA rate of .073.
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Pagés did slug 16 round-trippers in 117 games with Double-A Springfield in 2023, but has never eclipsed 20 home runs in a full professional season since being drafted in the sixth round by the Redbirds in 2019.
For those interested, the next DraftKings 'King of the Diamond' promotion is expected to occur Friday, May 23.
Related: Cardinals Make Encouraging Announcement on No. 3 Prospect
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