Today’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel starts at 12:20 p.m. ET and features only five games. The suggested players are narrowed to fit the slate size. Gamers can also get in on the fun at Underdog Fantasy with the forthcoming touted picks.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel starts at 12:20 p.m. ET and features only five games. The suggested players are narrowed to fit the slate size. Gamers can also get in on the fun at Underdog Fantasy with the forthcoming touted picks.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Tarik Skubal (DET) vs. MIN
Tarik Skubal is the top pitcher on this afternoon's small slate in a potential pitching duel. The game's total is just 7.0 runs, but the Tigers are -130.
According to FanGraphs, in two starts spanning 12.1 innings this season, Skubal has a 2.92 ERA, 1.70 xERA, 2.44 xFIP, 2.51 SIERA, 0.73 WHIP, 4.4 BB%, 32.6 K% and 33.7 CSW%. The lefty's pitch modeling is also good. He has 108 Stuff+, 97 Location+ and 102 Pitching+ this season. In addition, the Twins have had an exploitable 23.8 K% against lefties this season, enhancing the appeal of Skubal.
Hunter Brown (HOU) at KC
Hunter Brown has a wretched 6.43 ERA with ugly ERA estimators and a 15.4 BB% in two starts this season. The righty's bloated walk rate is baffling. Brown's 61.5 F-Strike% and 45.8 Zone% this season are essentially the league average (61.6 F-Strike%) and above average (42.0 Zone%). So, Brown's walk rate should considerably drop.
The young righty's pitch modeling is also encouraging. He has 102 Stuff+, 101 Location+ and 104 Pitching+ this season. Today's game is a turnaround opportunity for Brown. Only three of Kansas City's projected starters have had higher than a 105 wRC+ against righties since 2021 or since debuting in the majors, and the highest mark is a 116 wRC+. Finally, the Astros are -130.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
The Mets and Braves were washed out yesterday, and both clubs are rolling with Wednesday's projected starters. Allan Winans had a 5.29 ERA, 4.24 xERA, 3.97 xFIP and 3.88 SIERA in six starts as a rookie last season. He allowed 1.39 HR/9 and was crushed by left-handed batters, permitting them a .391 OBP, .595 slugging and .413 wOBA. As a result, New York's left-handed batters and switch-hitter Francisco Lindor are the most enticing stacking options.
Core Studs
- In 553 plate appearances against righties on the road since 2021, Yordan Alvarez has had a .407 OBP, .339 ISO and 186 wRC+. Meanwhile, Brady Singer has allowed lefties a .337 wOBA since last year.
- Brandon Nimmo has excelled with the platoon advantage on the road. In 621 plate appearances against righties on the road since 2021, he's had a .398 OBP, .185 ISO and 144 wRC+.
Value Plays/Punts
- Ezequiel Duran is an above-average hitter against lefties, with a .321 OBP, .226 ISO and 119 wRC+ against them since reaching the majors in 2022. Moreover, in 96 plate appearances against lefties at home in his career, he's hit seven homers with a .365 OBP, .306 ISO and 158 wRC+.
- Brett Baty has a cheap salary and offers left-handed exposure to Winans. He also has a .372 OBP and 120 wRC+ this season and a track record of hitting in the upper minors.
Thursday's Top 3 Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Ozzie Albies: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher
Ozzie Albies is a menace for southpaws in his home digs. In 190 plate appearances against lefties at home since 2021, he's hit 17 doubles, one triple and 10 homers with a .358 batting average, .631 slugging and .274 ISO.
Brandon Nimmo: 0.5 Runs - Higher
Nimmo was highlighted as a core stud above. His excellence against righties and Winans's struggles against lefties should get Nimmo on base. Furthermore, Nimmo's placement atop New York's lineup positions him for multiple bites at the apple to score a run. Additionally, he has the club's other best hitters behind him to drive him in.
Francisco Lindor: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher
Lindor is one of the hitters behind Nimmo. The switch-hitting shortstop will take left-handed cuts against the right-handed Winans. The 92 lefties who faced Winans in 2023 had six doubles, one triple, four homers, a .357 batting average and .595 slugging. Meanwhile, Lindor has had a .243 batting average, .420 slugging and .177 ISO against righties since 2021.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
