Josh Shepardson | Fri, Sep 12th 2025, 4:52am EDT

MLB DFS Picks & Underdog Player Props: Friday (9/12)

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

Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

Dylan Cease (SP – SD) vs. COL

Dylan Cease gets the most delectable cupcake to feast on tonight. The Rockies are dead last in wRC+ (77) with a 26.0 K% versus righties and dead last in wRC+ (64) with a 28.0 K% on the road in 2025. Colorado was also 29th in wRC+ (74) with a 25.3 K% in the previous 30 days. Thus, the Padres are listed as commanding -330 favorites, and the game’s total is 8.0 runs.

As for Cease, the positive numbers DFS gamers can cling to are his home splits. According to FanGraphs, in 162.1 innings at home since last year, Cease has spun a 3.44 ERA, 3.29 xFIP, 1.14 WHIP, 8.4 BB% and 31.0 K%.

Luis Castillo (SP – SEA) vs. LAA

Like Cease, Luis Castillo’s most favorable numbers to point to are his home splits. Castillo has recorded a 2.98 ERA, 3.59 xFIP, 1.07 WHIP, 5.8 BB% and 25.6 K% in 184 innings at home since last season. Castillo has a tasty matchup and favorable betting info tonight.

The Angels are 25th in wRC+ (94) with a 26.2 K% versus righties and tied for 18th in wRC+ (96) with a 26.1 K% on the road this year. They were also tied for 26th in wRC+ (84) with a 28.0 K% in the previous 30 days. So, the Mariners are listed as -164 favorites, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs.

Sandy Alcantara (SP – MIA) vs. DET

Sandy Alcantara has had a dreadful year. Yet, he’s persevered through it, and he’s finishing his 2025 spectacularly. In his past five starts spanning 33 innings, he’s had the following stats.

2.45 ERA
3.05 xERA
3.31 xFIP
3.34 SIERA
0.82 WHIP
Two wins
Four quality starts
4.7 BB%
25.6 K%
11.0 SwStr%
29.2 CSW%
114 stuff+
105 location+
114 pitching+

Alcantara has an unfavorable +175 betting line because he’s opposing Tarik Skubal. Yet, the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs, and Alcantara’s matchup is decent.

The Tigers are tied for 16th in wRC+ (101) with a 24.0 K% versus righties and tied for 18th in wRC+ (96) with a 23.6 K% on the road this season. The Tigers were better lately. Still, they were tied for 11th in wRC+ (108) with a 22.7 K% in the previous 30 days. So, while the Tigers have been better, they haven’t been an offensive juggernaut.

Suggested Lineup Stacks

Home (T-Mobile Park)
Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/SEA -164

The Mariners have a dreamy matchup tonight. Yusei Kikuchi has a 9.13 ERA, 6.92 xERA, 5.46 xFIP, 5.32 SIERA and 1.81 WHIP in his previous five starts. He had a 10.3 BB%, 15.9 K% and allowed 2.38 HR/9 in those disastrous starts. The veteran lefty also has a putrid 5.45 ERA, 4.43 xFIP and 1.67 WHIP in 77.2 innings on the road this season. The Mariners should crush him.

Home (Sutter Health Park)
Game Total/Moneyline: 10.0 Runs/ATH -120

The Athletics are in their hitter-friendly home ballpark tonight. According to Baseball Savant’s 2025 park factors, Sutter Health Park has the second-highest park factor for runs (117) and the 10th-highest for homers (110). The A’s matchup is pretty nifty, too. Brady Singer has a 5.18 ERA, 4.57 xFIP and 1.48 WHIP in 64.1 innings on the road this season.

Core Studs

Nick Kurtz has smashed 24 homers with a .455 OBP, .384 ISO, .455 OBP, .492 wOBA and 219 wRC+ in 298 plate appearances against righties in his rookie campaign.
Julio Rodriguez has ripped 22 round-trippers with a .324 OBP, .199 ISO, .341 wOBA and 126 wRC+ in 500 plate appearances against lefties since 2023.
Tyler Soderstrom has hit 20 dingers with a .358 OBP, .216 ISO, .366 wOBA and 133 wRC+ in 455 plate appearances against righties this year.

Value Plays/Punts

In 380 plate appearances against southpaws since 2023, Mitch Garver has hit 13 dingers with a .371 OBP, .177 ISO, .352 wOBA and 133 wRC+.
Jacob Wilson is rolling, tallying two homers, 10 runs, 11 RBIs, a .394 OBP, .149 ISO, .391 wOBA, .329 xwOBA and 150 wRC+ in his previous 72 plate appearances.
Jorge Polanco is on a heater, with six homers, 12 runs, 15 RBIs, one stolen base, a .345 OBP, .316 ISO, .401 wOBA, .373 xwOBA and 166 wRC+ in his previous 87 plate appearances.

Friday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Nick Kurtz (1B, DH – ATH): 1.5 Total Bases – Higher

Kurtz has had a massive year at the dish. He’s recorded 54 singles, 24 doubles, two triples, 30 homers, a .302 batting average, .263 xBA, .626 SLG, .558 xSLG and .324 ISO in 427 plate appearances this season. Conversely, Singer has surrendered 20 singles, 11 doubles, three triples, five homers, a .291 batting average and a .530 SLG to 155 left-handed batters on the road in 2025.

Julio Rodriguez (OF – SEA): 7.5 Fantasy Points – Higher

Rodriguez has launched seven long-balls with 18 runs, 25 RBIs, three stolen bases, a .342 OBP, .290 ISO, .402 wOBA, .393 xwOBA and 166 wRC+ in his previous 111 plate appearances. J-Rod has a plus matchup against Kikuchi. The veteran lefty has coughed up a .376 wOBA to 279 right-handed batters on the road this season.

Tyler Soderstrom (1B, OF – ATH): 7.5 Fantasy Points – Higher

Soderstrom is in good form. In his previous 98 plate appearances, he’s hit two homers with nine runs, 17 RBIs, two stolen bases, a .408 OBP, .148 ISO, .388 wOBA, .346 xwOBA and 148 wRC+.

Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.

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