Today’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel has six games, starting at 12:35 p.m. ET. The Underdog player props in this piece will also be from the six-game afternoon slate.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Paul Skenes (PIT) vs. SF
Paul Skenes made quick work of the minors and has hit the ground running in the majors. According to FanGraphs, in seven Double-A starts spanning 27.1 innings this year, he had a 0.99 ERA, 2.15 xFIP, 0.91 WHIP, 7.6 BB%, 42.9 K% and 17.3 SwStr%. In his first two starts in The Show, Skenes has had a 2.70 ERA, 2.77 xERA, 1.60 SIERA, 0.90 WHIP, 7.7 BB%, 46.2 K%, 32.1 CSW%, 111 Stuff+, 103 Location+ and 111 Pitching+ through 10.0 innings.
The Giants are a slightly below-average matchup for righties. Nevertheless, the Pirates are -158, and the game's total is 8.5 runs. Skenes has the goods to tie up San Francisco.
Luis Gil (NYY) vs. SEA
Luis Gil had a brilliant turn his last time on the bump, allowing only one run on five hits, one walk and an eye-popping 14 strikeouts. The young righty has struck out at least five batters in eight of nine starts this year. While his 2.39 ERA has outkicked his ERA estimators, Gil's 2.94 xERA was superb, and his 3.75 SIERA was decent.
Gil has an opportunity for another eye-catching strikeout total today. This season, the Mariners have a 28.7 K% against righties and a 26.5 K% on the road. Seattle has also had a 27.0 K% in the previous 14 days. The betting info is rock-solid as well. The Yankees are -135, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
In Ryan Feltner's previous five starts spanning 27.2 innings, he's had a 6.18 ERA, 4.59 SIERA, 1.48 WHIP, 5.0 BB% and 13.2 K%. The righty's lousy strikeout rate puts him at the mercy of batted balls. Meanwhile, the Athletics are 12th in wRC+ (102) against righties and tied for fifth in wRC+ (115) at home this season. So, Feltner's approach could burn him against a surprisingly potent offense.
Core Studs
- Marcell Ozuna hammered his 15th homer of the season last night. In 195 plate appearances this year, he has had a .405 OBP, .318 ISO and 191 wRC+.
- In 424 career plate appearances against righties since debuting in the majors in 2021, Oneil Cruz has had a .340 OBP, .232 ISO and 135 wRC+.
- Brent Rooker is destroying everything in sight this year. In 159 plate appearances in 2024, Rooker has hit 11 homers with a .365 OBP, .294 ISO and 172 wRC+.
Value Plays/Punts
- In 52 plate appearances in Kyle McCann's rookie season, he has hit three homers with a .385 OBP, .217 ISO and 164 wRC+.
- Switch-hitter Abraham Toro has a DFS-friendly lineup spot atop Oakland's order and a cushy matchup. Feltner has allowed a .340 wOBA to lefties this season.
- Luis Arraez is a steal at FD. Since 2021, he's had a .388 OBP, .105 ISO and 132 wRC+ against righties.
Thursday's Top 3 Underdog Fantasy Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Luis Arraez: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher
Arraez is the first of three holdovers. In addition to the lefty's stellar numbers against righties since 2021, Frankie Montas has coughed up a .247 batting average and .452 slugging to lefties this season. After a four-hit effort last night, Arraez has a .330 batting average and .408 slugging this season. Furthermore, he's had over 1.5 total bases in 26 of 49 games.
Brent Rooker: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher (Scorcher 1.2x)
In 615 plate appearances against righties since 2021, Rooker has hit 28 doubles and 35 homers with a .237 batting average, .244 ISO and 124 wRC+. The righty slugger has struck out at a high rate, but Feltner has struck out only 18.7% of the righties he's faced this year.
Kyle McCann: 0.5 Total Bases - Higher
In 49 plate appearances against righties this year, McCann has a .318 batting average. He's had a hit in half of his starts, but the scales tilt toward the over because of his matchup. Feltner has yielded a .297 batting average to lefties this season.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.