Today’s MLB DFS main slate at DraftKings and FanDuel starts at 12:10 p.m. ET and has only five games. Even on the small slate, there are a few eye-catching player props at Underdog.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs. COL
Edward Cabrera's ERA estimators and underlying data are much better than his ugly 5.28 ERA. According to FanGraphs, in three starts spanning 15.1 innings this season, he has a 3.38 xERA, 3.00 SIERA, 1.43 WHIP, 53.8 GB%, 9.0 BB%, 31.3 K%, 34.0 CSW%, 101 Stuff+, 101 Location+ and 103 Pithing+.
Cabrera has a plus matchup and sparkling betting info. The Rockies are 27th in wRC+ (81) and have a 27.4 K% against righties this year, and they're tied for 22nd in wRC+ (86) and have a 26.7 K% on the road. Finally, the Marlins are -170, and the game's total is 8.0 runs.
Carlos Rodon (NYY) at BAL
Carlos Rodon is rebounding from a nightmare first season for the Yankees. In six starts spanning 32.2 innings this season, the lefty has a 2.48 ERA, 3.45 xERA, 4.45 SIERA, 1.19 WHIP, 10.3 BB%, 22.1 K%, 24.1 CSW%, 115 Stuff+, 95 Location+ and 99 Pitching+. Rodon's numbers aren't perfect, but they're rock-solid.
He has a challenging matchup today. Thankfully, Rodon is coming off his two best starts this year. The Yankees are also -146, albeit with a slightly scary game total of 9.5 runs. Rodon isn't a risk-free choice, but he's a stellar selection on this particular slate.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
The Cubs have the softest matchup on this slate. Adrian Houser has the highest ERA (8.37), xERA (6.54), SIERA (6.05) and WHIP (1.90) in 2024 among today's probable starters. Moreover, since last season, he's allowed a .350 wOBA to lefties and a .312 wOBA to righties.
Core Studs
- Michael Busch has DFS-friendly power. In 112 plate appearances this year, he's hit six homers with a .321 OBP, .224 ISO and 123 wRC+.
- Jesse Winker isn't in 2020-2021 form, but he's much closer to that this year than in the previous two years. In 121 plate appearances this season, he has hit three homers with a .372 OBP, .149 ISO and 126 wRC+.
- In 731 plate appearances against righties since 2021, Christopher Morel has had a .306 OBP, .220 ISO and 111 wRC+.
Value Plays/Punts
- Luis Garcia has a .333 OBP, 111 wRC+ and five stolen bases in 90 plate appearances this year.
- Since 2021, Ian Happ has had a .351 OBP, .191 ISO and 118 wRC+ against righties.
Thursday's Top 3 Underdog Fantasy Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Edward Cabrera: 6.5 Strikeouts - Higher
Cabrera is a strikeout whiz and faces a strikeout-prone lineup today. In 58.2 innings at home since last year, Cabrera has had 11.66 K/9 and a 31.5 K%. Additionally, he's struck out 10, seven and four batters in three starts this season.
Jesus Sanchez: 1.5 Total Bases - Higher (Scorcher 1.1x)
Jesus Sanchez has above-average power, especially with the platoon advantage at home. In 457 career plate appearances against righties at home, he's hit 24 doubles, seven triples and 19 homers with a .260 batting average, .495 slugging and .235 ISO. Conversely, Peter Lambert has allowed a .288 batting average and .508 slugging to 204 lefties since last year.
Adley Rutschman is unquestionably a handful for lefties. However, his patience and ho-hum power could work against exceeding 1.5 total bases. In 178 career plate appearances against lefties at home, the switch-hitting catcher has hit nine doubles, zero triples and six homers with a .309 batting average, .487 slugging, .178 ISO and 14.6 BB%. He might need multiple singles to go over 1.5 total bases, and his willingness to work free passes won't help him eclipse 1.5 total bases, either.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
