Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate starts at 6:45 p.m. ET at DraftKings and FanDuel and has four games. The suggested pick ’em choices from Sleeper and Underdog are from the night’s slate.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs. ATL
Zack Wheeler is carving up the opposition this season. According to FanGraphs, in 11 starts spanning 70.2 innings this year, Wheeler has had the following stats.
- 2.42 ERA
- 2.14 xERA
- 2.51 xFIP
- 2.51 SIERA
- 0.88 WHIP
- Six wins
- Nine quality starts
- 5.2 BB%
- 32.7 K%
- 13.7 SwStr%
- 28.7 CSW%
- 109 stuff+
- 108 location+
- 118 pitching+
Wheeler is also a stalwart at home. In 128 innings at home since last year, he’s twirled a 2.18 ERA, 2.97 xFIP, 0.88 WHIP, 5.8 BB% and 30.4 K%.
Wheeler has an average to slightly favorable matchup tonight, and it could be better if the Braves sit a starter or two in the second game of their doubleheader today. Atlanta is tied for 15th in wRC+ (104) with a 21.7 K% versus righties and tied for 18th in wRC+ (90) with a 22.2 K% on the road this year. Finally, while he’s opposing a fellow ace, the Phillies are -120, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.
MacKenzie Gore (WAS) at SEA
MacKenzie Gore’s numbers have improved every season, and he’s reached another level this season. In 11 starts spanning 62.1 innings in 2025, he’s had the following stats.
- 3.47 ERA
- 3.49 xERA
- 2.43 xFIP
- 2.51 SIERA
- 1.25 WHIP
- Two wins
- Six quality starts
- 8.2 BB%
- 36.2 K%
- 15.8 SwStr%
- 29.4 CSW%
- 101 stuff+
- 103 location+
- 105 pitching+
Gore’s elite bat-missing stuff and impressive strikeout rate are tailor-made for tonight’s matchup.
While the Mariners are eighth in wRC+ (114) versus lefties and 15th in wRC+ (110) at home this season, they’ve had a 25.2 K% against southpaws and at home. Seattle has a strikeout-prone lineup, and Gore can take advantage of it. Additionally, the betting info is rock-solid, with the Nationals listed at -110, and the game’s total sitting at a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
Ryan Gusto has started and relieved this year, and he’s struggled as a starter. In six starts, lasting only 25.2 innings, Gusto has had a 5.96 ERA, 4.01 xFIP, 3.84 SIERA, 1.60 WHIP, 8.5 BB% and 23.9 K%. The gap between his ERA and ERA estimators suggests he’s been unlucky. Nevertheless, his opponents have roughed him up. Moreover, the 77 lefties who’ve faced Gusto in his rookie campaign have torched him for a .413 wOBA, making Tampa Bay’s lefties the most appealing stacking options from the Rays.
Core Studs
- Jonathan Aranda has hit seven homers with 25 runs, 30 RBIs, a .397 OBP, .188 ISO and 163 wRC+ in 189 plate appearances this season.
- In 60 plate appearances since May 13, Brandon Lowe has slugged six homers with 14 runs, 12 RBIs, one stolen base, a .433 OBP, .393 ISO and 250 wRC+.
- Josh Lowe has had a .327 OBP, .192 ISO and 122 wRC+ against righties since 2023.
Value Plays/Punts
- Alec Bohm has launched 19 longballs with a .327 OBP, .217 ISO and 124 wRC+ in 404 plate appearances against lefties since 2023.
- Jeremy Pena has seven homers, 28 runs, 27 RBIs, seven stolen bases, a .363 OBP, .148 ISO and 133 wRC+ in 235 plate appearances this season.
- In 83 plate appearances since April 28, Cam Smith has had nine runs, seven RBIs, a .373 OBP, .093 ISO and 127 wRC+.
Thursday’s Top 3 Sleeper and Underdog Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Brent Rooker: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs – Higher (Sleeper) (1.66x)
Brent Rooker: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs – Higher (Underdog) (0.87x)
Brent Rooker is having another stellar season at the dish. In 56 games and 246 plate appearances, he has 35 singles, nine doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 34 runs, 27 RBIs, a .254 batting average, .286 expected batting average (xBA), .321 OBP, .464 SLG and .544 expected slugging (xSLG). Rooker’s matchup isn’t terrifying, either. Jose Berrios has allowed 112 hits, a .252 batting average, .302 OBP and .419 SLG to 479 righties since last year.
Josh Lowe: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs – Higher (Sleeper) (1.71x)
Josh Lowe: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs – Higher (Underdog)
An injury has abbreviated Josh Lowe’s season. Nevertheless, he’s hit well this year. In 13 games and 50 plate appearances in 2025, Lowe has had nine singles, three doubles, zero triples, two homers, seven runs, three RBIs, a .298 batting average, .307 xBA, .340 OBP, .489 SLG and .513 xSLG. He’s also had success against righties, tallying a .277 batting average, .328 OBP and .468 SLG in 811 plate appearances against righties since 2023.
Brandon Lowe: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs – Higher (Sleeper) (1.74x)
Brandon Lowe: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs – Higher (Underdog)
Lowe is on an unreal heater. He’s exceeded 1.5 hits plus runs and RBIs in eight straight starts and 12 of his last 14. Lowe also has had a .247 batting average, .324 OBP and .473 SLG against righties since 2023.
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
