Thursday’s MLB DFS main slates at DraftKings and FanDuel feature four games, starting at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Underdog pick’em selections are also from those four games.
Thursday’s Top MLB DFS Picks & Player Props
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings (5/21)
Spencer Strider is far from a flawless pitcher. However, the Braves are -150 favorites, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.5 runs. The betting info is quite appealing on a four-game slate, with lackluster pitching options.
Strider’s matchup is also favorable. The Marlins are tied for 18th in wRC+ (97) with a 20.6% strikeout rate versus righties and 24th in wRC+ (87) with a 23.3% strikeout rate on the road in 2026.
Strider also has some encouraging numbers in his three starts spanning 14.2 innings this season. His 2.45 ERA and 2.89 xERA are the lowest among tonight’s probable starters.
Strider also has a fantasy-friendly 31% strikeout rate this year, supported by his 13.7% SwStr% and 28.6% CSW%. Strider will likely be chalky. He’s the top pitching option in cash games and an appealing pick in GPPs.
Eduardo Rodriguez‘s 2.53 ERA in nine starts spanning 53.1 innings this season is severely outkicking his 4.50 xERA, 4.37 xFIP and 4.73 SIERA. The veteran lefty’s 1.54 WHIP and 17.5% strikeout rate are also uninspiring. Yet, Rodriguez is a matchup- and betting info-influenced selection.
The Rockies are tied for 27th in wRC+ (74) with a 29.3% strikeout rate versus lefties and tied for 20th in wRC+ (91) with a 27.4% strikeout rate on the road this year. Colorado was also 30th in wRC+ (61) with a 28.2% strikeout rate in the previous 30 days. The Diamondbacks are -185 favorites, and the game’s total is nine runs.
Luis Severino‘s full-season marks leave much to be desired. However, he’s been in good form. In his previous five starts spanning 30 innings, Severino has logged the following stats:
- 2 wins
- 2 quality starts
- 3.00 ERA
- 3.50 xERA
- 4.06 xFIP
- 4.17 SIERA
- 1.47 WHIP
- 8.5% walk rate
- 20.8% strikeout rate
- 8.8% SwStr%
- 24.2% CSW%
- 107 stuff+
- 112 location+
- 116 pitching+
Severino has an ideal matchup and rock-solid betting info tonight. The Angels are 29th in wRC+ (87) with a 26.4% strikeout rate versus righties and 30th in wRC+ (68) with a 27.2% strikeout rate at home this season.
Los Angeles is also 29th in wRC+ (76) with a 31% strikeout rate in the last 30 days. The A’s are listed as -110 favorites and the game’s total is eight runs.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
RosterResource projects Spencer Miles to start for the Blue Jays. He’s made 12 relief appearances and one start for the Blue Jays in his rookie campaign.
Injuries prevented Miles from getting experience in the upper minors before Toronto selected him in the Rule 5 draft. Even though he’s done well in relief, starting against the Yankees is a different challenge.
Five of New York’s projected starters have posted at least a 103 wRC+ against righties since 2024, with three forthcoming high-end hitters among that group.
Obviously, gamers shouldn’t use Spencer Strider and stack against him. However, GPP gamers shouldn’t turn their nose up at stacking the Marlins.
No stack will go completely overlooked on a four-game slate, but the Marlins are unlikely to be a popular stack if Strider is chalky, as he likely will be. Strider’s 17.2% walk rate could eventually lead to problems, possibly as early as tonight.
Furthermore, Miami’s left-handed batters and switch-hitters will face a pitcher who’s coughed up a .345 wOBA to 324 left-handed batters since last season, enhancing the appeal of stacking them.
Core Studs
- Aaron Judge has hammered 90 homers with a .435 on-base percentage (OBP), .344 ISO, .454 wOBA and 201 wRC+ in 1,188 plate appearances against righties since 2024.
- Ben Rice has launched 36 long-balls with a .348 OBP, .259 ISO, .370 wOBA and 141 wRC+ in 673 plate appearances against righties since 2024.
- Jazz Chisholm has hit 47 dingers with a .331 OBP, .223 ISO, .346 wOBA and 123 wRC+ in 924 plate appearances against righties since 2024.
Value Plays/Punts
- Nolan Arenado is a DraftKings-specific punt, as he’s priced appropriately at FanDuel. The veteran third baseman has tallied seven homers, 25 runs, 25 RBI, a .351 OBP, .199 ISO, .364 wOBA, .339 expected wOBA and 131 wRC+ in 45 games and 171 plate appearances this season.
- Michael Harris has slugged nine homers with 20 runs, 26 RBI, three stolen bases, a .322 OBP, .196 ISO, .355 wOBA and 125 wRC+ in 171 plate appearances this season.
- Anthony Volpe has made the most of his late start to his 2026 campaign, and he might not give the starting shortstop job back to Jose Caballero. In 27 plate appearances this year, Volpe has a .444 OBP, .100 ISO, .377 wOBA, 142 wRC+ and two stolen bases.
Thursday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Spencer Strider can be useful in DFS via strikeouts without exceeding 16.5 outs. So, his inclusion in this section doesn’t disqualify the previously discussed DFS interest.
Strider has recorded fewer than 16.5 outs in two of his three starts. His shaky control and high strikeout rate can cause him to rack up pitches quickly and exit early, even when he’s pitching well.
Ben Rice broke out last year, but he’s entering the upper echelon of MLB hitters this year.
In 45 games and 188 plate appearances this season, Rice has recorded:
- 20 singles
- 10 doubles
- 16 homers
- 36 runs
- 33 RBI
- 2 stolen bases
- .388 OBP
- .365 ISO
- .440 wOBA
- 184 wRC+
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a terror for southpaws. In 344 plate appearances against lefties since 2024, Guerrero has hit 14 homers with a .424 OBP, .208 ISO, .403 wOBA and 165 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.
