MLB DFS Picks & Underdog Player Props: Monday (9/22)

Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate starts at 7:15 p.m. ET at DraftKings and FanDuel and has three games. The suggested pick ’em choices from Underdog are also from the three-game slate.

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Today’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks

Monday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings

Chris Sale (SP – ATL) vs. WAS

Chris Sale is in superb form. According to FanGraphs, he’s spun the following statistics in his previous four starts spanning 25.2 innings.

  • 1.75 ERA
  • 1.93 xERA
  • 1.83 xFIP
  • 0.74 WHIP
  • Zero wins
  • Three quality starts
  • 2.1 BB%
  • 37.9 K%
  • 14.9 SwStr%
  • 35.0 CSW%
  • 103 stuff+
  • 118 location+
  • 116 pitching+

Sale has a mouthwatering matchup and favorable betting info tonight.

The Nationals are dead last in wRC+ (75) with a 25.3 K% versus lefties and 15th in wRC+ (97) with a 22.4 K% on the road this year. Washington was also 27th in wRC+ (83) with a 27.3 K% in the previous 30 days. Thus, the Braves are listed as -250 favorites, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs.

Justin Verlander (SP – SF) vs. STL

Justin Verlander has had a forgettable campaign. Yet, instead of playing out the string, he’s cooked with gas down the stretch. In his previous five starts spanning 31 innings, Verlander has had the following stats.

  • 0.87 ERA
  • 3.25 xERA
  • 4.73 xFIP
  • 4.62 SIERA
  • 1.03 WHIP
  • Two wins
  • Four quality starts
  • 9.6 BB%
  • 22.4 K%
  • 10.3 SwStr%
  • 28.4 CSW%
  • 107 stuff+
  • 96 location+
  • 97 pitching+

Obviously, Verlander has enjoyed exceptional luck. Still, Verlander’s xERA, stuff+, CSW% and strikeout rate were decent or better during his heater. He can stay hot in a Charmin-soft matchup tonight.

The Cardinals are tied for 21st in wRC+ (97) with a 21.4 K% versus righties and tied for 25th in wRC+ (89) with a 22.8 K% on the road this season. St. Louis was also 28th in wRC+ (81) with a 25.1 K% in the previous 30 days. Finally, the Giants are -150 favorites, and the game’s total is only 7.5 runs.

Suggested Lineup Stacks

The Braves have a deep lineup of hitters who’ve hammered southpaws. Seven of their projected starters have tallied at least a 122 wRC+ since 2023 or since debuting in the Majors versus left-handed pitching. MacKenzie Gore has pitched well at times this year, but he’s wildly inconsistent and capable of a dud.

Core Studs

  • Ronald Acuna has belted 13 bombs with a .390 OBP, .200 ISO, .374 wOBA and 139 wRC+ in 315 plate appearances against southpaws since 2023.
  • Rafael Devers has tallied a .377 OBP, .257 ISO, .380 wOBA and 144 wRC+ against righties since 2023.
  • Ozzie Albies is in a groove. He’s popped six dingers with 18 runs, 24 RBIs, two stolen bases, a .328 OBP, .223 ISO, .352 wOBA, .374 xwOBA and 126 wRC+ in his previous 122 plate appearances.

Value Plays/Punts

  • Ha-Seong Kim has hit three homers with 12 runs, 12 RBIs, a .370 OBP, .156 ISO, .361 wOBA, .315 xwOBA and 132 wRC+ in his previous 73 plate appearances.
  • Marcell Ozuna is having a rock-solid season. He’s hit 20 homers with 58 runs, 65 RBIs, a .353 OBP, .169 ISO, .332 wOBA, .365 xwOBA and 112 wRC+ in 570 plate appearances.
  • Patrick Bailey is on fire. He’s hit four homers with 13 runs, 16 RBIs, one stolen base, a .313 OBP, .184 ISO, .328 wOBA, and 112 wRC+ in his previous 83 plate appearances.

Monday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Ronald Acuna (OF – ATL): 9.5 Fantasy Points – Higher

Acuna has ripped 18 round-trippers with 69 runs, 37 RBIs, eight stolen bases, a .409 OBP, .215 ISO, .392 wOBA, .397 xwOBA and 153 wRC+ in 384 plate appearances this season. Conversely, Gore has surrendered a .321 wOBA to 494 right-handed batters this season.

Marcell Ozuna (OF, DH – ATL): 5.5 Fantasy Points – Higher

Ozuna has a track record of crushing lefties. He’s hit 20 homers with a .379 OBP, .226 ISO, .378 wOBA and 141 wRC+ in 436 plate appearances against them since 2023.

Rafael Devers (1B, 3B, DH – SF): 7.5 Fantasy Points – Higher

Devers is cruising. He’s launched seven long-balls with 23 runs, 22 RBIs, a .356 OBP, .238 ISO, .362 wOBA, .367 xwOBA and 136 wRC+ in his previous 118 plate appearances.


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