Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel has 12 games starting at 7:05 p.m. ET. The dozen-game slate is the source of tonight’s suggested PrizePicks and Underdog pick ’em player props.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Friday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Cole Ragans (KC) at BOS
Cole Ragans is validating his breakout last season with the Royals. The lefty has also pitched well lately. In his previous five starts spanning 30.2 innings, Ragans has had a 3.82 ERA, 3.53 xFIP, 3.61 SIERA, 1.21 WHIP, 9.5 BB%, 28.6 K%, 29.2 CSW%, 108 Stuff+ 96 Location+ and 101 Pitching+.
Fenway Park is a challenging venue for pitchers. Additionally, the Red Sox have an average offense against lefties, ranking 16th in wRC+ (98) against southpaws this year. However, Boston also has a 29.0 K% against lefties. They also haven't hit well at home, ranking tied for 23rd in wRC+ (95) with a 24.9 K% at home this year. So, the Royals are -118, and the game's total is 9.0 runs. It's not flawless betting info, but Ragans's strikeout potential elevates his floor and ceiling.
Sean Manaea (NYM) vs. COL
Sean Manaea's 1.57 ERA in his past five starts was extremely lucky, evidenced by his 4.30 xFIP and 4.46 SIERA. Nevertheless, Manaea also had a stellar 24.1 K% and 27.9 CSW%. Therefore, gamers shouldn't discount Manaea's ability to avoid regression for one more start in a plus matchup.
The Rockies are tied for 25th in wRC+ (86) with a 25.1 K% versus lefties and tied for 28th in wRC+ (81) with a 26.2 K% on the road this year. Colorado was also 30th in wRC+ (75) with a 24.5 K% in the previous 14 days. Thus, the Mets are -250, and the game's total is 9.0 runs.
Hunter Brown (HOU) vs. TEX
Hunter Brown took it on the chin in his last start, ceding seven runs on 12 hits, one walk and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings against the Astros. The seven runs were seven times as many as he allowed in his previous five starts. Gamers shouldn't overreact to one dreadful start after a stretch of eight consecutive quality starts, including a stretch of allowing only one run in five starts spanning 31.0 innings.
The matchup is mixed for Brown. Sadly for him, the Rangers were third in wRC+ (128) with a 20.8 K% in the previous 14 days. However, Texas is tied for 18th in wRC+ (95) with a 19.8 K% versus righties and 19th in wRC+ (93) with a 20.5 K% on the road. As a result, the Astros are -150, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
Kyle Hendricks has been torched this year. In 16 appearances (11 starts), the soft-tossing veteran has had a 7.53 ERA, 5.15 xERA, 4.47 SIERA and allowed 1.85 HR/9. Hendricks has yielded a .386 wOBA to lefties and a .354 wOBA to righties this year. Thus, the Red Birds are stackable from top to bottom.
- Road (PETCO Park)
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/ATL -130
Atlanta's offense has been dealt a few blows this year, leaving them less potent than when they were at full strength. Still, they have a drool-inducing matchup tonight. In 12 starts this season, Randy Vasquez has had a 4.66 ERA, 6.33 xERA, 4.72 SIERA, 1.60 WHIP, 14.8 K% and allowed 1.71 HR/9. Moreover, he's coughed up a .491 wOBA to lefties and a .315 wOBA to righties this season.
Core Studs
- Austin Riley is locked in. In 115 plate appearances in the previous 30 days, he's hit nine homers with a .409 OBP, .366 ISO and 204 wRC+.
- Since 2022, Willson Contreras has had .359 OBP, .199 ISO and 129 wRC+ against righties.
- In Jarred Kelenic's past 120 plate appearances, he's hit six homers and stolen five bases with a .325 OBP, .200 ISO and 122 wRC+.
Value Plays/Punts
- Alec Burleson has settled into a groove. In his last 116 plate appearances, he's hit six homers and stolen five bases with a .325 OBP, .223 ISO and 132 wRC+.
- Since 2022, Paul Goldschmidt has had a .345 OBP, .195 ISO and 125 wRC+ against righties.
- Brendan Donovan has had a .371 OBP, .139 ISO and 127 wRC+ against righties since 2022.
Friday's Top 3 Underdog and PrizePicks Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Aaron Judge: 10.5 Fantasy Points - Higher (Underdog)
Aaron Judge: 9.0 Fantasy Points - More (PrizePicks)
In 337 plate appearances against lefties since 2022, Aaron Judge has mashed 30 taters with a .415 OBP, .373 ISO and 191 wRC+. He's also destroying everything in sight this year, hitting 32 homers and stealing five bases with a .422 OBP, .360 ISO, .452 wOBA, .460 xwOBA and 199 wRC+ in 409 plate appearances. Judge can add to his dominant numbers in a plus matchup against Cade Povich. The lefty has yielded a .353 wOBA to 83 right-handed batters this year.
Willson Contreras: 7.0 Fantasy Points - Higher/More
In addition to Contreras's rock-solid numbers against righties, he's also in a groove. In 45 plate appearances this month, Contreras has slugged three homers with a .400 OBP, .297 ISO and 175 wRC+.
Austin Riley: 7.5 Fantasy Points - Higher/More
Riley's heater was highlighted above. He also has a track record of succeeding against righties. Since 2022, Riley has had a .337 OBP, .220 ISO and 125 wRC+ against right-handed pitching.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
