Josh Shepardson | Thu, Jul 9th 2026, 4:44am EDT

MLB DFS Picks & Underdog Player Props: Thursday (7/9)

Thursday’s MLB DFS main slate features seven games on DraftKings and FanDuel, starting at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Underdog pick’em selections are also from the night’s games.

Thursday’s Top MLB DFS Picks & Player Props

Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings (7/9)

Nathan Eovaldi (SP – TEX) vs. Los Angeles Angels

Nathan Eovaldi is an ace on the hill in his home ballpark. According to FanGraphs, in 95.2 innings at home since last season, Eovaldi has logged a 3.10 ERA, 2.94 xFIP, 0.98 WHIP, 5.3% walk rate and 27.7% strikeout rate.

The veteran righty has a plus-matchup and plus-betting info tonight. The Angels are tied for 22nd in wRC+ (96) with a 25% strikeout rate versus righties and second in wRC+ (110) with a 24.6% strikeout rate on the road in 2026.

They are also tied for 21st in wRC+ (96) with a 25.4% strikeout rate in the previous 30 days. The Rangers are -145 favorites, and the game’s total is seven runs.

Jesus Luzardo (SP – PHI) at Cincinnati Reds

Jesus Luzardo is locked in. The lefty has recorded the following stats in his last five starts, spanning 30.1 innings:

3 wins
3 quality starts
1.78 ERA
1.98 xERA
2.39 xFIP
2.78 SIERA
1.12 WHIP
9.6% walk rate
36% strikeout rate
14.3% SwStr%
34.4% CSW%
114 stuff+
109 location+
119 pitching+

Luzardo has a desirable matchup and mixed betting info tonight. The Reds are 10th in wRC+ (102) with a 24.4% strikeout rate versus lefties and 28th in wRC+ (83) with a 25.7% strikeout rate at home this season.

Furthermore, the Reds are dead last in wRC+ (79) with a 26.5% strikeout rate in the previous 30 days. The Phillies are -170 favorites, but the game’s total is an eyebrow-raising 9.5 runs.

Carson Whisenhunt (SP – SFG) vs. Colorado Rockies

RosterResource projects Carson Whisenhunt to start for the Giants tonight. He’s made only one start this season after an uninspiring five starts for the Giants in 2025.

The lefty’s 4.42 ERA, 4.90 xERA, 4.98 xFIP and 1.46 WHIP in 16 appearances (15 starts) in Triple-A this season aren’t encouraging marks. Still, Whisenhunt is cheap and has a tasty matchup, putting him in the mix for SP2 consideration in GPPs on DraftKings.

The Rockies are dead last in wRC+ (82) with a 26% strikeout rate versus lefties and tied for 14th in wRC+ (98) with a 23.9% strikeout rate on the road this season. Colorado is in outstanding form, so Whisenhunt is risky.

Nevertheless, Whisenhunt has a low bar to clear to provide DFS teams with value, and Colorado’s ineptitude against southpaws, coupled with the salary he opens up to jam in stud hitters, is reason enough to roll the dice.

Suggested Lineup Stacks

Road (Great American Ball Park )
Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/PHI -170

The Phillies have a sweet matchup tonight. Brady Singer owns a 5.03 ERA, 5.55 xERA, 4.59 xFIP and 4.51 SIERA in 17 starts in 2026.

The righty has also coughed up a .362 wOBA to 141 right-handed batters and a .391 wOBA to 233 left-handed batters. Cincinnati’s bullpen is also tied for 24th in ERA (4.66). Philadelphia should feast tonight.

Home (Oracle Park)
Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted/SFG -138

I suggested stacking the Dodgers against Ryan Feltner last night, only to have the Rockies push Feltner back a night. The veteran righty’s 4.27 ERA in 12 starts this season has outkicked his 4.90 xERA, 4.42 xFIP and 4.62 SIERA.

Colorado’s bullpen is also lousy, ranking 26th in ERA (4.91). Feltner and the bullpen are get-right matchups for San Francisco’s lineup.

Core Studs

Kyle Schwarber has launched 79 long balls with a .354 on-base percentage (OBP), .293 ISO, .371 wOBA and 137 wRC+ in 1,133 plate appearances against righties since 2024.
Bryce Eldridge has ripped seven round-trippers with 25 runs, 19 RBI, a .355 OBP, .189 ISO, .354 wOBA and 126 wRC+ in 200 plate appearances in 2026.
Corbin Carroll has hit 47 homers with a .336 OBP, .246 ISO, .351 wOBA and 124 wRC+ in 1,172 plate appearances against righties since 2024.

Value Plays/Punts

Jake Cronenworth continues to be underpriced. He logged a double and a run last night. Cronenworth has been outstanding in July, recording hits in three straight games and six out of eight contests this month, including three multi-hit efforts. He has also homered twice.
Luis Lara forced Milwaukee’s hand to call him up by hitting nine homers with 24 stolen bases, a .432 OBP, .150 ISO, .408 wOBA and 143 wRC+ in 346 Triple-A plate appearances this season.
Kyle Karros is having a breakout age-23 campaign. He’s hit eight homers with 46 runs, 31 RBI, three stolen bases, a .363 OBP, .176 ISO, .351 wOBA and 108 wRC+ in 306 plate appearances.

Thursday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props

Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet

Kyle Schwarber (OF – PHI): 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs — Higher

Kyle Schwarber hit his 32nd home run of the season last night. He’s ripped off 85 hits, 57 runs, 58 RBI, a .254 batting average, .370 OBP, .575 slugging rate and .320 ISO in 397 plate appearances this season.

Bryce Harper (1B – PHI): 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs — Higher

Bryce Harper has tallied 86 hits, including 20 home runs, with 57 runs, 57 RBI, a .264 batting average, .371 OBP, .509 slugging rate and .245 ISO this season.

Conversely, Singer has ceded 63 hits, a .300 batting average, .362 OBP and .548 slugging rate to 233 left-handed batters in 2026.

Jesus Luzardo (SP – PHI): 7.5 Strikeouts — Higher

Jesus Luzardo struck out nine batters in his last start. He’s cleared 7.5 strikeouts in four of his last five starts, including three of his last four road tilts.

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

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