Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel has seven games starting at 6:05 p.m. ET. The medium-sized slate is also the source of the suggested player props at PrizePicks and Underdog.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Tanner Houck (BOS) vs. OAK
Tanner Houck is having a career year as a starter. According to FanGraphs, in 18 starts spanning 111.0 innings this season, Houck has had a 2.68 ERA, 3.79 xERA, 3.27 SIERA, 1.05 WHIP, 5.1 BB%, 23.3 K%, 30.5 CSW%, 109 Stuff+, 103 Location+ and 107 Pitching+. The 28-year-old righty has had a 5.19 ERA in his previous five starts, but his 3.93 xFIP and 4.02 SIERA were more encouraging marks.
Houck can get back on track in a cushy matchup tonight. This season, the Athletics are 23rd in wRC+ (92) with a 26.9 K% versus righties and 26th in wRC+ (86) with a 28.1 K% on the road. As a result, the Red Sox are -210, and the game's total is an admittedly concerning 10.0 runs.
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) vs. ATL
Brandon Pfaadt is in rock-solid form. In Pfaadt's previous five starts totaling 29.0 innings, he's had a 3.10 ERA, 4.02 xFIP, 4.35 SIERA, 1.34 WHIP, 9.1 BB%, 19.8 K%, 30.0 CSW%, 107 Stuff+, 105 Location+ and 107 Pitching+. Pfaadt's stellar plate discipline and pitch modeling alleviate concern about the gap between his ERA and ERA estimators.
Pfaadt has a matchup to make the most of tonight. The Braves are tied for 20th in wRC+ (95) with a 24.3 K% versus righties and tied for 21st in wRC+ (90) with a 23.1 K% on the road this year. Atlanta was also tied for 25th in wRC+ (91) with a 26.1 K% in the previous 14 days. Sadly, the Diamondbacks are +114, but the game's total is an unimposing 8.0 runs.
Shane Baz (TB) vs. NYY
After a shaky start to Shane Baz's rehab assignment to open the year, he settled into a groove. In his last five starts, totaling 23.0 innings in Triple-A, Baz had a 1.57 ERA, 1.78 FIP, 1.30 WHIP, 10.4 BB% and 36.5 K%. In his return to the majors, he allowed three runs on seven hits, one walk and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings in Texas against the Rangers. He had a 26.1 CSW%, 113 Stuff+, 96 Location+ and 99 Pitching+.
Baz can take advantage of a slumping offense if he tightens his control. The Yankees were 18th in wRC+ (104) with a 19.9 K% in the previous 14 days. The Rays are slight underdogs (EVEN). Still, the game's total of 8.0 runs isn't too shabby.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
The Mariners don't have any favorable splits applicable for tonight's matchup. Nevertheless, it's a get-right spot. Jack Kochanowicz will make his first big-league start tonight, and he didn't exactly conquer the upper minors. In fact, Kochanowicz didn't set foot in Triple-A and was knocked around in Double-A. In 32 starts in Double-A, the debuting rookie had a 5.41 ERA and 4.72 FIP. Seattle should tee off on a pitcher unqualified for The Show.
Core Studs
- In 346 plate appearances this season, Rafael Devers has hit 21 homers with a .376 OBP, .294 ISO, .400 wOBA, .393 xwOBA and 156 wRC+.
- Since 2022, Yordan Alvarez has had a .400 OBP .310 ISO and 175 wRC+ against righties. He left yesterday's game early with a hip issue, so gamers must confirm he's in Houston's lineup.
- Luke Raley hits in the heart of Seattle's order, and he's had a .320 OBP, .218 ISO and 121 wRC+ against righties since 2022.
Value Plays/Punts
- In 414 plate appearances against lefties since 2022, Randal Grichuk has hit 20 homers with a .357 OBP, .249 ISO and 141 wRC+.
- Mitch Garver has been a three-true-outcomes machine lately. In 121 plate appearances since June 1, he's hit seven homers with a 13.2 BB%, 29.8 K%, .306 OBP, .255 ISO and 115 wRC+.
- Keston Hiura has hit his way back to the majors. In fact, he's nestled in the middle of the Angels' lineup. Hiura is an all-or-nothing slugger with a punt salary.
Thursday's Top 3 Underdog and PrizePicks Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Rafael Devers: 8.5 Fantasy Points - Higher (Underdog)/More (PrizePicks)
In addition to Devers's excellent numbers this year, he's hammered righties in recent years. Since 2022, Devers has had a .375 OBP, .267 ISO and 149 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. Conversely, Luis Medina has allowed a .328 wOBA to 296 lefties since reaching the majors last year.
Jarren Duran: 9.0 Fantasy Points - Higher (Underdog)
Jarren Duran: 8.5 Fantasy Points - More (PrizePicks)
Jarren Duran is having a huge season at the plate. In 423 plate appearances, he's hit 10 homers and stolen 22 bases with a .339 OBP, .196 ISO, .350 wOBA, .348 xwOBA and 122 wRC+. Moreover, Duran has had a .335 OBP, .211 ISO and 122 wRC+ against righties since 2022.
Joey Loperfido: 0.5 Total Bases - Higher/More
Roddery Munoz is helpless against lefties. Munoz has coughed up an eye-popping .309 batting average to 92 lefties this year. Joey Loperfido has excelled against righties, tallying a a .309 batting average in his rookie campaign.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
