Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate starts at 7:07 p.m. ET at DraftKings and FanDuel and has 12 games. The suggested pick ’em choices from Underdog are also from the 12-game slate.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Friday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
Shane Bieber was spectacular in his season debut on August 22, holding the Marlins to only one run on two hits (one homer), zero walks and nine strikeouts. Per FanGraphs, Bieber had a blistering 17.2 SwStr% and 33.3 CSW% against the Marlins, and his average fastball velocity (92.7 miles per hour (MPH)) was his highest since 2021. Bieber was also dominant on his rehab assignment. Sadly, he has a challenging matchup tonight.
The Brewers are tied for eighth in wRC+ (108) with a 20.5 K% versus righties and tied for second in wRC+ (112) with a 19.8 K% on the road in 2025. Furthermore, Milwaukee was first in wRC+ (135) with an 18.2 K% in the previous 30 days. Nevertheless, the Blue Jays are listed as -135 favorites, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs. Thus, Bieber has a massive ceiling befitting usage in GPPs.
Robbie Ray has outkicked his 4.32 xFIP in 97 innings at home since last year. Still, the lefty’s 3.43 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 24.7 K% at home since 2024 were rock-solid. In addition, Ray has demonstrated the ability to exceed his underlying data, and he has a 2.93 ERA, 3.65 xERA, 4.22 xFIP and 4.13 SIERA in 27 starts this year. Ray has a sweet matchup and DFS-friendly betting info tonight.
The Orioles are tied for 20th in wRC+ (83) with a 24.4 K% versus lefties and 27th in wRC+ (82) with a 23.7 K% on the road this year. Baltimore was also tied for 23rd in wRC+ (90) with a 24.5 K% in the previous 30 days. So, the Giants are listed as -160 favorites, and the game’s total is 7.5 runs. Ray is an outstanding pick in all game types at both DFS outlets, and I prefer to save salary in cash games at DraftKings by spinning from Bieber to Ray.
Jonah Tong is making his debut in The Show tonight, and he shouldn’t face significant pitch restrictions. According to MiLB.com, in Tong’s previous four starts from August 5 through August 23, he threw 82, 72, 90 and 88 pitches.
The 22-year-old has pitched brilliantly in 22 starts (20 in Double-A and two in Triple-A) spanning 113.2 innings (102 in Double-A and 11.2 in Triple-A) in 2025, amassing a 1.43 ERA, 2.16 xFIP, 0.92 WHIP, 10.6 BB%, 40.5 K%, 17.1 SwStr% and 34.8 CSW%. In addition to Tong’s sparkling numbers, FanGraphs ranks him as the second-best prospect for the Mets and the 51st-best prospect across MLB. So, he has a pedigree. Tong’s matchup is adequate, and his betting info is stellar.
The Marlins are tied for 13th in wRC+ (103) with a 20.5 K% versus righties and 11th in wRC+ (101) with a 20.2 K% on the road this season. Miami was also tied for 19th in wRC+ (95) with a 20.1 K% in the previous 30 days. Finally, the Mets are -165 favorites, and the game’s total is 8.0 runs.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
Jack Leiter is a trainwreck on the road. In 67.2 innings on the road since last year, Leiter has a 5.45 ERA, 5.05 xFIP, 1.66 WHIP, 13.4 BB% and 21.0 K%. In addition, he’s surrendered a .333 wOBA to 107 lefties and a .322 wOBA to 113 righties on the road this year. Hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park, owner of the second-highest park factor for runs (119) and a park factor of 112 for homers this year, per Baseball Savant, will likely exacerbate Leiter’s road woes.
- Home (Daikin Park)
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.0 Runs/HOU -178
The Astros have a plus matchup against Tyler Anderson tonight. The veteran lefty has a 4.01 ERA, 5.07 xFIP, 1.34 WHIP, 10.3 BB% and 18.2 K% in 150.1 innings on the road since last year. Anderson is also in a rut, getting roughed up for a 6.63 ERA, 5.51 xFIP, 5.43 SIERA, 1.37 WHIP, 12.0 BB% and 19.3 K% in his previous four starts. Finally, Anderson has permitted a .411 wOBA to 175 left-handed batters and a .312 wOBA to 402 right-handed batters this season.
Core Studs
- Nick Kurtz has clobbered 22 homers with a .452 OBP, .371 ISO, .489 wOBA and 217 wRC+ in 284 plate appearances against righties in his rookie season.
- Yordan Alvarez has ripped 17 round-trippers with a .399 OBP, .240 ISO, .409 wOBA and 169 wRC+ in 401 plate appearances against southpaws since 2023.
- Tyler Soderstrom has hit 20 dingers with a .365 OBP, .227 ISO, .375 wOBA and 138 wRC+ in 427 plate appearances against righties this season.
Value Plays/Punts
- Mark Vientos is on a white-hot heater, drilling six dongs with eight runs, 17 RBIs, a .404 OBP, .524 ISO, .520 wOBA and 246 wRC+ in his previous 47 plate appearances.
- After getting a taste of the Majors last year, Jacob Wilson has found his footing in same-handed matchups this season. In 332 plate appearances against righties in 2025, Wilson has hit nine homers with a .349 OBP, .132 ISO, .343 wOBA and 116 wRC+.
- Mauricio Dubon isn’t a world-beater at the plate, but he has a .330 OBP, .134 ISO, .327 wOBA and 110 wRC+ in 329 plate appearances against southpaws since 2023.
Friday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet
Yordan Alvarez (OF, DH – HOU): 8.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
Alvarez’s excellence against Anderson is even more impressive than his dominant numbers against lefties noted above. According to Baseball Savant, Alvarez has hit three homers with a .572 wOBA and .422 xwOBA in 24 career plate appearances against Anderson.
Nick Kurtz (1B, DH – ATH): 9.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
Kurtz hasn’t hit a rookie wall. Instead, he’s crushing the ball down the stretch. In his previous 106 plate appearances, he’s hit four homers with 22 runs, 11 RBIs, a .462 OBP, .202 ISO, .427 wOBA and 174 wRC+.
Tyler Soderstrom (1B, OF – ATH): 7.5 Fantasy Points – Higher
Soderstrom, like Kurtz, is in a groove. In his previous 100 plate appearances, Soderstrom has hit four homers with 13 runs, 17 RBIs, one stolen base, a .420 OBP, .233 ISO, .429 wOBA and 175 wRC+.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
