Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate starts at 7:07 p.m. ET at DraftKings and FanDuel and has 10 games. The suggested pick ’em choices from Underdog are also from the 10-game slate.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Sonny Gray has thrived at home. According to FanGraphs, in 160.1 innings at home since last year, the veteran righty has had a 2.81 ERA, 2.93 xFIP, 1.06 WHIP, 5.4 BB% and 28.6 K%.
Gray’s matchup and betting info are favorable tonight. The Padres are tied for 23rd in wRC+ (99) with an 18.8 K% versus righties and tied for 24th in wRC+ (89) with a 20.6 K% on the road this season. San Diego was also tied for 22nd in wRC+ (93) with an 18.9 K% in the previous 30 days. The Cardinals are listed as -140 favorites, and the game’s total is set at 8.5 runs.
Yusei Kikuchi is in stellar form. The lefty has had the following stats in his previous five seasons spanning 28.1 innings.
- 3.49 ERA
- 2.97 xFIP
- 3.11 SIERA
- 1.24 WHIP
- Two wins
- One quality start
- 7.6 BB%
- 30.3 K%
- 14.4 SwStr%
- 28.2 CSW%
- 97 stuff+
- 108 location+
- 105 pitching+
Kikuchi’s matchup is challenging, and the betting info is mixed. The Mariners are eighth in wRC+ (106) with a 24.6 K% versus lefties and first in wRC+ (121) with a 21.3 K% on the road this year. Seattle was also tied for fifth in wRC+ (112) with a 23.3 K% in the previous 30 days. On the plus side, the Angels are -130. However, the game’s total is 9.5 runs. On a small slate, I’m willing to bet on Kikuchi’s talent instead of using a less talented pitcher in a better matchup.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
Jason Alexander has an 8.40 ERA, 5.27 xERA, 5.81 xFIP, 5.46 SIERA and 1.80 WHIP in six appearances (one start) spanning 15 innings this year. He’s a punching bag for lefties and righties, ceding a .419 wOBA to the former and a .347 wOBA to the latter. The Athletics can light up the scoreboard in a mouthwatering matchup.
- Home (Angel Stadium)
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/LAA -130
Logan Evans outperformed his ERA estimators before he was optioned to Triple-A, and the other shoe has dropped since his recall. In three starts since the Mariners summoned him from the minors, Evans has had a 5.02 ERA, 5.34 xFIP, 5.05 SIERA and 1.67 WHIP. The Angels can be the latest offense to take advantage of Evans’s struggles.
Core Studs
- Nick Kurtz has clobbered 19 homers with 39 runs, 50 RBIs, two stolen bases, a .355 OBP, .333 ISO, .405 wOBA and 160 wRC+ in 260 plate appearances this season.
- Yoan Moncada has hit eight homers with a .350 OBP, .290 ISO, .381 wOBA and 146 wRC+ in 123 plate appearances against righties this year.
- Tyler Soderstrom has launched 17 long-balls with a .355 OBP, .231 ISO, .368 wOBA and 134 wRC+ in 327 plate appearances this season.
Value Plays/Punts
- Jacob Wilson has tallied 10 homers, 46 runs, 44 RBIs, five stolen bases, a .353 OBP, .128 ISO, .346 wOBA and 119 wRC+ in 392 plate appearances this season.
- Jo Adell is putting together a breakout campaign this year, with 21 homers, 38 runs, 58 RBIs, three stolen bases, a .309 OBP, .241 ISO, .340 wOBA and 117 wRC+.
- Rookie Brice Matthews has hit three homers with five runs, eight RBIs, a .259 OBP, .375 ISO, .339 wOBA and 118 wRC+ in 29 plate appearances for the Astros.
Thursday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Nick Kurtz (1B – SF): 9.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
Kurtz has been borderline unstoppable with the platoon advantage. The left-handed-hitting rookie has hit 15 homers with a .397 OBP, .370 ISO, .449 wOBA and 190 wRC+ in 190 plate appearances against righties this year. And, again, Alexander has yielded a .281 batting average, .395 OBP, .594 SLG and .419 wOBA to 38 lefties this season.
Brent Rooker (OF, DH – MIN): 7.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
Alexander has also permitted a .258 batting average, .361 OBP, .419 SLG and .347 wOBA to 36 right-handed batters in 2025. Brent Rooker doesn’t have the platoon advantage, but he’s outstanding against righties. He has a .341 OBP, .241 ISO, .363 wOBA and 138 wRC+ against right-handed pitching since 2023. Rooker has hit 16 homers with a .333 OBP, .212 ISO, .352 wOBA and 123 wRC+ in 358 plate appearances against righties in 2025.
Jo Adell (OF – LAA): 6.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
A massive part of Adell’s breakout this year is newfound success in same-handed matchups. In 278 plate appearances against righties in 2023, Adell has hit 16 homers with a .307 OBP, .227 ISO, .335 wOBA and 114 wRC+. Finally, Evans has allowed a .255 batting average, .317 OBP, .427 SLG and .322 wOBA to 120 righties, and he’s struck out only 19.2% of them this season.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
