MLB DFS Picks, PrizePicks & Underdog Player Props: Tuesday (5/21)

Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel has eight games starting at 7:05 p.m. ET. The top player props at PrizePicks and Underdog are also from the medium-sized slate.

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• MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks

Tuesday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs. CWS
Yusei Kikuchi is in excellent form entering tonight. According to FanGraphs, in his previous five starts spanning 30.1 innings, the lefty has had a 2.97 ERA, 3.46 SIERA, 1.05 WHIP, 1.7 BB%, 21.5 K%, 29.1 CSW%, 110 Stuff+, 106 Location+ and 108 Pitching+.

The veteran lefty is in a smash spot tonight. This season, the White Sox are last in wRC+ (60) with a 24.5 K% against lefties and last in wRC+ (68) with a 24.8 K% on the road. In the previous 14 days, Chicago was 28th in wRC+ (82) with a 20.3 K%. The Blue Jays are -175 tonight, and the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.

Clarke Schmidt (NYY) vs. SEA
Clarke Schmidt is a high-upside GPP pick tonight. In his past five starts totaling 30.2 innings, he's had a 2.05 ERA, 3.27 SIERA, 0.85 WHIP, 5.9 BB%, 27.1 K%, 30.9 CSW%, 110 Stuff+, 97 Location+ and 100 Pitching+.

The righty's matchup isn't perfect, but it amplifies his ceiling. This year, the Mariners are 17th in wRC+ (98) against righties and tied for 11th in wRC+ (100) on the road. Yet, Seattle has had a 29.1 K% against righties, a 26.8 K% on the road and a 28.5 K% in the last 14 days. The betting info is rock-solid as well. The Yankees are -160, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.

Alec Marsh (KC) vs. DET

Alec Marsh is an ideal SP2 in all game types on DK. In his last three starts lasting an underwhelming 14.2 innings, he's had a sterling 1.23 ERA, 3.75 SIERA, 1.09 WHIP, 8.3 BB%, 25.0 K%, 28.7 CSW%, 101 Stuff+, 109 Location+ and 107 Pitching+. Despite his low innings output, Marsh has pitched at least 5.0 innings in back-to-back starts and five of seven turns in 2024.

He can have a useful start on DK's platform in a five-and-dive turn in an average matchup. This year, the Tigers are 16th in wRC+ (99) with a 24.5 K% against righties and 16th in wRC+ (97) with a 24.3 K% on the road. Like the matchup, the betting info is midpack. The Royals are -110, and the game's total is 9.0 runs.

Suggested Lineup Stacks

• Home (Minute Maid Park)
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/HOU -210

The Astros lost a slugfest on Monday night, but their offense wasn't an issue. In fact, it's a high-upside stack tonight. This season, they're first in wRC+ (131) at home and fifth in wRC+ (114) against righties. Furthermore, in the previous 14 days, they were second in wRC+ (130).

Griffin Canning has outkicked his ERA estimators. In his past five starts totaling 27.2 innings, his 3.25 ERA was much better than his 5.19 xFIP and 5.36 SIERA. The righty had an ugly 4.4 K-BB% in those turns. The Astros can tee off on him tonight.

• Home (Oakland Coliseum)
• Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/OAK -135

The Athletics face a lucky pitcher. In Cal Quantrill's previous five starts, his 2.35 ERA was smoke and mirrors. Instead, Quantrill's 4.04 xFIP and 4.27 SIERA indicated his work's caliber.

The A's are cheap to stack and pack some punch. Oakland is tied for 12th in wRC+ (101) against righties and sixth in wRC+ (114) at home in 2024. They're not slowing down, either. In the previous 14 days, they were tied for 12th in wRC+ (102). Finally, six of their projected starters have had at least a 101 wRC+ against righties since 2021 or debuting in the majors, and five have had at least a 110 wRC+.

Core Studs

• Kyle Tucker is a force at the dish this season. In 210 plate appearances in 2024, he's hit 15 homers and stolen nine bases with a .421 OBP, .329 ISO and 193 wRC+.
• Since 2021, Yordan Alvarez has had a .378 OBP, .289 ISO and 160 wRC+ against righties.
• Freddie Freeman smacked his fifth homer of the year last night in a multi-hit effort, elevating his OBP to .409, ISO to .166 and wRC+ to 151.

Value Plays/Punts

• Abraham Toro is putting together a classic age-27 breakout campaign. In 179 plate appearances this year, he has a .346 OBP, .151 ISO and 132 wRC+.
• Tyler Soderstrom is another piece of cheap exposure to Quantrill, with a rock-solid lineup spot. In 33 plate appearances for the A's this season, Soderstrom has hit one homer with a .333 OBP, .200 ISO, 133 wRC+ and .360 xwOBA.
• Max Schuemann is a palatable punt. In 53 plate appearances against righties in his rookie season, he has a .415 OBP and 150 wRC+.

Tuesday's Top 3 Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks Player Props

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Kyle Tucker: 9.5 Fantasy Points - Higher (Underdog Fantasy)

Kyle Tucker: 8.5 Fantasy Points - More (PrizePicks)

Tucker is the first of two holdovers from the core studs. In addition to his dominance at the dish this year, he has a track record of punishing righties. Since 2021, Tucker has had a .375 OBP, .235 ISO and 146 wRC+. He also has a plus matchup. Canning has coughed up a .367 wOBA to 124 lefties this year.

Yordan Alvarez: 9.0 Fantasy Points - Higher (Underdog Fantasy)

Yordan Alvarez: 7.5 Fantasy Points - More (PrizePicks)

Alvarez is the other carryover from the core studs and can also exploit Canning's struggles with lefties. In 205 plate appearances this year, Alvarez has a .337 OBP, .177 ISO, 120 wRC+ and .377 wOBA. Those aren't bad numbers, but he's been unlucky, evidenced by his .377 xwOBA.

Juan Soto: 8.5 Fantasy Points - Higher (Underdog Fantasy)

Juan Soto: 8.0 Fantasy Points - More (PrizePicks)

Juan Soto's first season in pinstripes is a smashing success. In 224 plate appearances this season, he has a .415 OBP, .235 ISO and 176. Soto has also stolen four bases. Bryan Woo has pitched well in two starts. However, he's struggled in his young career against lefties, namely on the road. The 110 lefties Woo faced on the road last year had a .391 OBP, .484 slugging and .377 wOBA.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.