MLB DFS Picks, Sleeper & Underdog Player Props: Friday (9/6)

Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel has 12 games starting at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Sleeper and Underdog picks are also from the 12-game slate.

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Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks

Friday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

Zack Wheeler (PHI) at MIA
Zack Wheeler has pitched lights out lately. According to FanGraphs, in his previous five starts spanning 31.0 innings, he's had a 2.03 ERA, 3.08 xFIP, 2.98 SIERA, 0.97 WHIP, 3.3 BB%, 28.7 K%, 26.9 CSW%, 107 Stuff+, 107 Location+, 111 Pitching+ and five quality starts. Wheeler has a superb matchup tonight.

The Marlins are tied for 26th in wRC+ (88) with a 23.1 K% versus righties and 29th in wRC+ (86) with a 21.8 K% at home this year. Unsurprisingly, the Phillies are -230, and the game's total is 7.5 runs.

Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs. CWS
Nick Pivetta is a matchup-driven suggestion at an appealing salary. The White Sox are 30th in wRC+ (75) with a 23.9 K% versus righties and 30th in wRC+ (73) with a 25.4 K% on the road this season. They've somehow found a new low. In the previous 14 days, the White Sox were 29th in wRC+ (67) with a 21.9 K%.

It's a get-right matchup for a pitcher with a 5.63 ERA and ugly ERA estimators in his last three starts. Yet, Pivetta's pitch metrics were still elite. In that three-start period, Pivetta had 131 Stuff+, 101 Location+ and 106 Pitching+. The betting info is also optimal. The Red Sox are -270, and the game's total is 8.5 runs.

Mitch Spence (OAK) vs. DET

Tarik Skubal is the main attraction in Oakland tonight, but Mitch Spence is an intriguing SP2 at a punt salary. The 26-year-old righty has done his best work at home. In 15 appearances (nine starts) spanning 67.2 innings at home this year, Spence has had a 3.99 ERA, 3.79 xFIP, 1.32 WHIP, 6.7 BB% and 21.8 K%. The young righty has a favorable matchup tonight.

The Tigers are tied for 21st in wRC+ (93) with a 24.1 K% versus righties and tied for 24th in wRC+ (90) with a 25.2 K% on the road this season. The Athletics are underdogs (+145), but the game's total is a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs.

Suggested Lineup Stacks

• Home (Globe Life Field)
• Game Total/Moneyline: 9.0 Runs/TEX -172

The Rangers don't have a high-octane lineup. Still, they could look like a juggernaut against a rookie starting pitcher tonight. Samuel Aldegheri is making only his second big-league start after skipping Triple-A and logging only six career starts in Double-A. In the lefty's only start for the Angels, he had a putrid 3.8 SwStr% and 24.1 CSW%. Circling back to the minors, Aldegheri had a 4.61 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 10.4 BB% and 31.2 K% in six starts in Double-A. Thus, he should have a bumpy ride against a big-league lineup tonight.

• Home (Citi Field)
• Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/NYM -162

Fernando Cruz is getting the ball for the Reds tonight. The 34-year-old righty has made 61 relief appearances and two starts this season, with his two starts coming in his two most recent opportunities. He's essentially an opener, tossing 3.0 and 2.0 innings in his starts.

The veteran righty has allowed only one run in 5.0 innings in his two starts. Still, his full-season and second-half numbers are less flattering. In 17.0 innings in the second half, Cruz has had a 5.82 ERA, 3.18 xFIP, 1.59 WHIP, 11.4 BB%, 31.6 K% and allowed 1.59 HR/9.

The Mets have the offensive firepower to punish Cruz's lousy control and high traffic volume on the bases. New York is ninth in wRC+ (108) versus righties and tied for eighth in wRC+ (112) at home this year.

Core Studs

• Francisco Lindor has hit eight homers and stolen three bases with 24 runs, 20 RBIs, a .394 OBP, .311 ISO and 194 wRC+ in his previous 28 games and 127 plate appearances.
• In 573 plate appearances against lefties since 2022, Marcus Semien has hit 14 homers with a .351 OBP, .166 ISO and 121 wRC+.
• Wyatt Langford has swatted four homers with a .375 OBP, .244 ISO and 138 wRC+ in 96 career plate appearances against lefties.

Value Plays/Punts

• In 183 career plate appearances against lefties, Josh Jung has hit 13 homers with a .350 OBP, .279 ISO and 158 wRC+.
• Kyle Manzardo has played well in four games since he was recalled from Triple-A after raking in the minor's highest level. In 14 plate appearances for the Guardians in September, he's hit two homers with a .429 OBP, .558 ISO and 273 wRC+.
• In Jeff McNeil's previous 86 plate appearances, he's hit two homers with a .360 OBP, .167 ISO and 120 wRC+.

Friday's Top 3 Sleeper and Underdog Player Props

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Francisco Lindor: 7.5 Fantasy Points - More (Sleeper) (1.68x)

Francisco Lindor: 8.5 Fantasy Points - Higher (Underdog)

In addition to Lindor being white-hot, he's also not a slouch against righties. Since 2022, the switch-hitting shortstop has had a .342 OBP, .187 ISO and 123 wRC+ versus righties. Meanwhile, Cruz has coughed up an eye-popping .387 wOBA to 114 lefties this year.

Zack Wheeler: 1.5 Walks - Less (Sleeper) (1.59x)

Zack Wheeler: 1.5 Walks - Lower (Underdog)

Wheeler's control has been pristine lately. In his previous six starts totaling 39.0 innings, he's had 1.15 BB/9, a 3.4 BB% and allowed five walks. He's walked fewer than 1.5 batters in four of those six turns. Wheeler should avoid free passes again tonight against an offense allergic to walks. The Marlins have the lowest walk rate (6.4 BB%) against righties and the second-lowest walk rate (7.3%) at home this year.

Marcus Semien: 0.5 Runs - More (Sleeper) (1.83x)

Marcus Semien: 0.5 Runs - Higher (Underdog)

Semien is in the catbird seat to score runs atop the lineup against an overwhelmed pitcher tonight. The veteran second baseman's .351 OBP against lefties since 2022 is a stellar number, and he should have an easier time reaching base against Aldegheri tonight. As a result, Semien is a good bet to score a run tonight.

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