Thursday’s MLB DFS main slates on DraftKings and FanDuel differ. This piece focuses on the DraftKings main slate, which includes three games starting at 12:15 p.m. ET. The Underdog player props are also from the afternoon contests.
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Analyzer
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Assistant
- Fantasy Baseball Lineup Assistant
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
Thursday’s Top MLB DFS Picks & Player Props
Thursday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings (9/10)
Zack Wheeler (SP – PHI) vs. Houston Astros
Zack Wheeler has bounced back from a disastrous eight-run start on August 24th, and he’s given the home crowd a reason to cheer this season. According to FanGraphs, in 10 home starts spanning 59 innings this year, Wheeler has twirled a 3.05 ERA, 3.12 xFIP, 1.08 WHIP, 9.7% walk rate and 31.6% strikeout rate.
The righty’s matchup is mixed. On one hand, the Astros are eighth in wRC+ (105) with a 21.9% strikeout rate versus righties and tied for fourth in wRC+ (103) with a 20.2% strikeout rate on the road this year.
On the other hand, Houston is tied for 25th in wRC+ (85) with a 23% strikeout rate in the previous 30 days and tied for 25th in wRC+ (84) with a 22.8% strikeout rate in the last 14 days. Still, the Phillies are -178 favorites, and the game’s total is 8.5 runs.
Logan Gilbert (SP – HOU) vs. Texas Rangers
Logan Gilbert has been rock-solid or better across 28 starts this year. He’s recorded the following stats in 28 starts spanning 165 innings this season:
- 11 wins
- 12 quality starts
- 3.71 ERA
- 3.74 xERA
- 3.54 xFIP
- 3.47 SIERA
- 1.07 WHIP
- 6.4% walk rate
- 26.6% strikeout rate
- 13.6% SwStr%
- 28.4% CSW%
- 110 stuff+
- 103 location+
- 111 pitching+
Gilbert has a relatively challenging matchup today. The Rangers are tied for 17th in wRC+ (99) with a 22.3% strikeout rate versus righties, but they’re tied for sixth in wRC+ (102) with a 23.3% strikeout rate on the road this season.
Furthermore, Texas ranks ninth in wRC+ (105) with a 22.4% strikeout rate over the previous 30 days and fourth in wRC+ (121) with a 21.6% strikeout rate over the last 14 days. Despite the challenging matchup, the Mariners are -130 favorites, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 6.5 runs.
Suggested Lineup Stacks
- Home (Citizens Bank Park)
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/PHI -178
The Phillies have a plum draw today. Cristian Javier owns a 5.98 ERA, 4.98 xERA, 4.83 xFIP and 4.49 SIERA in nine starts and five relief appearances this season.
Javier has also been at his worst on the road, with a 6.65 ERA and 5.61 xFIP in 23 innings, yielding a .372 wOBA to 110 batters faced.
- Home (T-Mobile Park)
- Game Total/Moneyline: 7.0 Runs/SEA -130
Jacob deGrom has been pulverized on the road. In 13 road tilts spanning 63 innings this season, deGrom has been knocked around to the tune of a 5.86 ERA, 3.73 xFIP and 1.46 WHIP.
The 38-year-old righty has allowed a .326 wOBA to 162 left-handed batters on the road and a .362 wOBA to 115 right-handed batters on the road.
Core Studs
- Kyle Schwarber has drilled 53 dingers with a .369 on-base percentage (OBP), .340 ISO, .392 wOBA and 146 wRC+ in 643 plate appearances against righties at home since 2024.
- Bryce Harper has hammered 36 homers with a .409 OBP, .306 ISO, .427 wOBA and 169 wRC+ in 560 plate appearances against righties at home since 2024.
- Yandy Diaz has ripped 23 round-trippers with a .374 OBP, .223 ISO, .383 wOBA and 151 wRC+ in 495 plate appearances against southpaws since 2024.
Value Plays/Punts
- Dominic Canzone has launched 21 long balls with 50 runs, 65 RBI, two stolen bases, a .325 OBP, .220 ISO, .345 wOBA and 129 wRC+ in 461 plate appearances this year.
- J.P. Crawford has hit 10 home runs with 42 runs, 33 RBI, one stolen base, a .344 OBP, .120 ISO, .313 wOBA and 106 wRC+ in 419 plate appearances this season.
- Cole Young has hit 17 homers with a .317 OBP, .142 ISO, .310 wOBA and 104 wRC+ in 578 plate appearances against righties since reaching the Majors last year.
Thursday’s Top 3 Underdog Player Props
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Kyle Schwarber (1B, OF – PHI): 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs — Higher
Kyle Schwarber launched his 44th homer of the year yesterday. He has piled up 127 hits, 88 runs, 92 RBI, a .242 batting average, .356 OBP, .288 ISO, .377 wOBA and 136 wRC+ in 140 games and 628 plate appearances in 2026.
Schwarber has surpassed this number in five straight games.
Bryce Harper (1B, OF – PHI): 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs — Higher
Bryce Harper has rattled off 139 hits, including 27 homers, with 86 runs, 82 RBIs, a .271 batting average, .388 OBP, .224 ISO, .383 wOBA and 140 wRC+ in 146 games and 623 plate appearances this season.
Cole Young (2B – SEA): 0.5 Total Bases — Higher
Cole Young has tallied 130 hits and a .247 batting average in 145 games and 580 plate appearances this year. He’s recorded at least one hit in back-to-back games and five of his past eight.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
