Josh Shepardson | Thu, Apr 9th 2026, 7:12am EDT

MLB DFS Picks & Underdog Player Props: Thursday (4/9)

There are only six MLB games on Thursday, split between the afternoon and the evening. Today’s MLB DFS picks will focus on the three-game slates at DraftKings and FanDuel that begin at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Underdog pick’em choices are also from the evening matchups.

Thursday’s Top MLB DFS Picks & Player Props

Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings (4/9)

Nolan McLean (SP – NYM) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Nolan McLean hit the ground running in his first taste of the Majors last year. According to FanGraphs, McLean recorded the following stats in eight starts spanning 48 innings in 2025:

5 wins
4 quality starts
2.06 ERA
3.56 xERA
2.78 xFIP
3.04 SIERA
1.04 WHIP
8.5% walk rate
30.3% strikeout rate
10.9% SwStr%
32.2% CSW%
109 stuff+
99 location+
109 pitching+

The 24-year-old righty is avoiding a sophomore slump so far. In two starts totaling 10.1 innings, McLean has one win, a 2.61 ERA, 2.28 xERA, 3.71 xFIP, 3.33 SIERA, 0.87 WHIP, 9.8% walk rate and a 29.3% strikeout rate. McLean also has a 12.4% SwStr%, 31.1% CSW%, 99 stuff+, 109 location+ and 116 pitching+ this year.

The bright lights of The Show haven’t caused McLean to wilt. He’s the top pitcher on tonight’s small slate, and he has favorable betting info. The Mets are -160 favorites, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs.

Randy Vasquez (SP – SD) vs. Colorado Rockies

Randy Vasquez has twirled a 3.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.4% walk rate and 14.5% strikeout rate in 71.1 innings at home since last season. His 5.40 xFIP is wretched, but Vasquez can avoid getting bit by the regression bug tonight because the Rockies are ill-equipped to punish him.

Colorado’s projected hitters are a combination of putrid, mediocre and inexperienced. Thus, the Padres are -190 favorites, and the game’s total is 8.0 runs.

Seth Lugo (SP – KC) vs. Chicago White Sox

Seth Lugo, much like Randy Vasquez, has enjoyed some luck-aided success at home. In 77.1 innings at home since last season, Lugo has tallied a 3.61 ERA, 4.75 xFIP, 1.36 WHIP, 11% walk rate and a 19.3% strikeout rate. There are certainly warts in Lugo’s profile. Nevertheless, the pitching options are slim on such a small slate.

Lugo is largely a matchup-driven suggestion, with a dash of intriguing betting info. Six of the projected starters for the White Sox have posted a 96 wRC+ or worse against righties since 2024, and four have amassed at least a 28.6% strikeout rate. As for the betting info, the game’s total of 9.5 runs is a reason to pause, but the Royals are -190 favorites, which supports playing Lugo in MLB DFS.

Suggested Lineup Stacks

Home (Petco Park)
Game Total/Moneyline: 8.0 Runs/SD -190

The Rockies haven’t officially announced a starter at the time of writing, but multiple outlets project Chase Dollander to toe the slab.

Dollander was rocked for a 6.52 ERA, 5.10 xERA, 4.97 xFIP, 4.99 SIERA and 1.55 WHIP in 21 starts last season. The righty has also permitted a .377 wOBA to lefties and a .332 wOBA to righties since last season.

Home (Kauffman Stadium)
Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/KC -190

Anthony Kay pitched well in Japan over the previous two years. However, he has a 5.44 ERA, 5.75 xERA, 4.78 xFIP and 5.58 SIERA in 94.1 MLB innings. The 31-year-old southpaw’s early returns in his return stateside aren’t impressive.

In two appearances (one start) lasting nine innings, Kay has a 4.00 ERA, 8.58 xERA, 5.23 xFIP, 5.58 SIERA and 1.33 WHIP. Kay’s 6% SwStr%, 22.6% CSW%, 100 stuff+, 100 location+ and 101 pitching+ don’t move the needle, either. The Royals can touch up Kay in their renovated home ballpark.

Core Studs

Bobby Witt Jr. has hit five homers with a .375 on-base percentage (OBP), .166 ISO, .362 wOBA and 133 wRC+ in 299 plate appearances against lefties since 2024.
Jackson Merrill has launched 35 home runs with a .338 OBP, .232 ISO, .367 wOBA and 140 wRC+ in 779 plate appearances against righties since 2024.
Fernando Tatis has mashed 39 taters with a .356 OBP, .211 ISO, .367 wOBA and 140 wRC+ in 860 plate appearances against righties since 2024.

Value Plays/Punts

Jonathan India is off to a solid start after his worst season at the plate in his career. He’s hit two homers and recorded seven runs, eight RBI, a .325 OBP, .176 ISO, .327 wOBA and 109 wRC+ in 40 plate appearances in 2026.
Lane Thomas has hit six home runs with a .351 OBP, .178 ISO, .343 wOBA and 121 wRC+ in 202 plate appearances against lefties since 2024.
Gavin Sheets has mashed 25 taters with a .318 OBP, .161 ISO, .316 wOBA and 106 wRC+ in 827 plate appearances against righties since 2024.

Thursday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Nolan McLean (SP – NYM): 15.5 Outs — Higher

Nolan McLean recorded 15 outs in his first start of the year and 16 in his second. He recorded at least 16 outs in seven out of eight starts last season, making this an easy choice.

Anthony Kay (SP, RP – CWS): 14.5 Outs — Lower (1.06x Payout)

Anthony Kay totaled 14 outs in his only start of the year, and he recorded 13 in a long relief appearance. Kay fell short of 15 outs in both appearances, despite his ERA significantly besting all of his ERA estimators.

If Kay couldn’t exceed 14.5 outs when luck was on his side, why should he be expected to do so in a hitter-friendly ballpark that could start the regression process tonight? Getting boosted odds for this play is gravy.

Jonathan India (2B, 3B, OF, DH – KC): 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs — Higher (1.05x Payout)

Jonathan India has eclipsed 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs in four of his last eight games. He’ll get a lift from facing Anthony Kay tonight.

India has a .257 batting average, .372 OBP, .131 ISO, .340 wOBA and 114 wRC+ in 298 plate appearances against lefties since 2024.

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

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