Today’s MLB DFS main slate is different at DraftKings and FanDuel. It has seven games starting at 1:05 p.m. ET at DK and eight at 12:35 p.m. ET at FD. The Underdog pick ’em selections are also from the afternoon contests.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Nick Pivetta (BOS) at MIA
Nick Pivetta hasn't gotten the ideal results lately. Nevertheless, his pitch modeling has been elite. According to FanGraphs, in his previous five starts, Pivetta has had 129 Stuff+, 106 Location+ and 109 Pitching+. The righty has also done his best work on the road. In 25 appearances (14 starts) spanning 105.2 innings on the road since last season, Pivetta has had a 3.58 ERA, 3.46 xFIP, 1.03 WHIP, 5.5 BB% and 30.2 K%.
Pivetta has a get-right matchup this afternoon. This season, the Marlins are tied for 27th in wRC+ (82) with a 22.4 K% versus righties and 26th in wRC+ (86) with a 20.9 K% at home. Miami was also last in wRC+ (66) with a 25.1 K% in the previous 14 days. Thus, the Red Sox are -160, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs. DET
Bailey Ober is in good form entering today's start. In his previous five starts totaling 31.0 innings, Ober has had a 3.19 ERA, 3.52 xFIP, 3.55 SIERA, 1.06 WHIP, 9.2 BB%, 28.3 K%, 30.9 CSW%, 92 Stuff+, 105 Location+ and 100 Pitching+. The 28-year-old righty has also spun three straight quality starts.
He can maintain momentum today in a favorable matchup. The Tigers are 25th in wRC+ (88) with a 24.2 K% versus righties and 26th in wRC+ (81) with a 24.6 K% on the road this year. Detroit was also 29th in wRC+ (68) with a 21.4 K% in the previous 14 days. Finally, the Twins are -190, and the game's total is 8.5 runs.
Framber Valdez (HOU) at TOR
Framber Valdez's performance has been up and down this year. Still, he's twirled quality starts in two of his previous three opportunities and eight in 14 starts. One of his best starts of the season was on April 2, when he held the Blue Jays scoreless for 7.2 innings on six hits, zero walks and five strikeouts. Valdez's upside is worth chasing in GPPs at his bargain salary.
Furthermore, he has a decent matchup and rock-solid betting info. The Blue Jays are tied for 21st in wRC+ (93) with an 18.5 K% versus lefties and 17th in wRC+ (101) with a 21.0 K% at home this year. However, they were ninth in wRC+ (120) with a 25.0 K% in the past 14 days. Nonetheless, the Astros are -120, and the game's total is 8.5 runs.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
The Yankees have one of the top offenses in MLB this year. The Bronx Bombers are first in wRC+ (122) versus righties and fifth in wRC+ (119) at home. They were also 15th in wRC+ (109) in the previous 14 days. Seven of their projected starters have had at least a 100 wRC+ against righties since 2022, five have had at least a 107 wRC+ and three have had at least a 168 wRC+. Finally, Frankie Montas is an unimposing matchup as an approximately average starting pitcher.
Core Studs
- Since 2022, Aaron Judge has had a .425 OBP, .369 ISO and 202 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.
- Yordan Alvarez has hit 19 homers and stolen four bases with a .380 OBP, .252 ISO and 159 wRC+ in 361 plate appearances this year.
- Since 2022, Juan Soto has had a .428 OBP, .264 ISO and 170 wRC+ against righties.
Value Plays/Punts
- In Ben Rice's first 31 plate appearances against righties in the majors, he's had a .452 OBP, .120 ISO and 168 wRC+.
- In 76 plate appearances in Daniel Schneemann's rookie season, he's hit three homers and one stolen base with a .355 OBP, .250 ISO and 143 wRC+.
- Brooks Lee hit his way to the majors. In 94 plate appearances in Triple-A this year, he hit seven homers and stole one base with a .394 OBP, .306 ISO and 159 wRC+.
Thursday's Top 3 Underdog Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Juan Soto: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher (Scorcher 1.1x)
In addition to Soto's sterling track record against righties, he's raking this season. In 380 plate appearances this year, he's hit 12 doubles, three triples and 20 homers with a .300 batting average, .560 slugging and .260 ISO. Meanwhile, Montas has allowed nine doubles, six homers, a .258 batting average and .437 slugging to 176 lefties this season.
Alex Verdugo: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher (Scorcher 1.25x)
Alex Verdugo also has access to Montas's struggles with lefties. In 1,164 plate appearances against righties since 2022, Verdugo has hit 75 doubles, five triples and 29 homers with a .277 batting average, .438 slugging and .160 ISO. We project Verdugo to have 1.85 total bases today.
Yordan Alvarez: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher
In 927 plate appearances against righties since 2022, Alvarez has hit 41 doubles, two triples and 66 homers with a .289 batting average, .602 slugging and .312 ISO. He's also on fire, eclipsing 1.5 total bases in three straight games and six of his past seven. Finally, Alvarez has teed off on Chris Bassitt. According to Baseball Savant, Alvarez has hit one double and five homers with a .444 batting average, .435 xBA, 1.333 slugging and 1.200 xSLG in 20 plate appearances against Bassitt.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
