MLB DFS Picks, Spotlight Pitchers & Top Stacks: Mariners + Guardians Stacks (June 22)

Sunday features two waves of games with the featured tournaments locking at 1:35 p.m. ET on DraftKings and FanDuel, followed by a festive five-game late slate. As always, the best way to find top MLB DFS picks is via Stokastic’s industry-leading tools and MLB DFS projections to figure out how to build MLB DFS stacks, identify top pitchers and build strong daily fantasy baseball lineups top to bottom. The Stokastic MLB DFS Top Stacks Tool loves the Seattle Mariners in the Windy City as Wrigley Field has been a launching pad for this series. In the afternoon action, the Los Angeles Dodgers stand out against Mike Soroka, with the Cleveland Guardians providing an alternative path to DFS glory. On the pitching front, Chris Bassitt is the best choice for the featured tournaments, while Robbie Ray rules the roost for the late slate.

MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers and Top Stacks | June 22

MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers

Elder has bounced between Atlanta and Triple-A Gwinnett, which has been disappointing for the 2023 All-Star. It was a similar situation last year as well, with the now 26-year-old not quite able to hold onto a rotation spot but also not fitting in as a reliever. Yesterday it was announced that LHP Chris Sale would be missing time with a fracture to the left side of his rib cage, which should secure a couple more turns in the rotation for Elder to prove his worth. On tap is a matchup in Miami, where the roof is expected to be closed against a Marlins squad that has the fifth-worst run scoring efficiency in the league against right-handed pitchers.

The projected lineup for Miami has a 19.7% strikeout rate versus righties this season, though Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby and Dane Myers have a collective 30% strikeout rate, which gives some potential upside to Elder.

Up north, veteran RHP Chris Bassitt gets to ply his trade against the second-worst offense in the league. Chicago set all sorts of records for futility last year, though it looks like the Colorado Rockies are going to be revising quite a few of those abysmal marks. Bassitt is clearly on the backside of his solid career, and the 36-year-old does not provide much in the way of strikeout stuff with a 22.1% rate across his last 1,132 batters faced. Fortunately for DFS gamers, the White Sox have Luis Robert Jr. (34.1%, 518 plate appearances), Ryan Noda (36.8%, 106 PAs) and Austin Slater (32.7%, 101 PAs) doing a fine wind farm impersonation at the plate. It looks like youngster Kyle Teel (28.1%, 32 PAs) may be joining this troupe as well, which bodes well for Bassitt.

Manager Alex Cora has been hesitant to play youngsters Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony in lefty-lefty matchups, so it is likely that one or even both will get the day off. Kristian Campbell was sent back down to the minors to work on his swing, and Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu are not particularly adept in against fellow lefties.

The projected lineup for Boston has a 29.1% strikeout rate against southpaws over the last season-plus, with pretty much everyone aside from switch-hitting journeyman Abraham Toro striking out at a 25% or higher clip.

For those seeking differentiation, RHPs Ryan Gusto and Kyle Hendricks are squaring off in Anaheim. Hendricks is winding down his solid career, and Gusto looks like a young Hendricks. Each hurler will be facing a mostly right-handed lineup, which gives them the platoon advantage.

Shohei Ohtani will be starting for the Dodgers, though he is unlikely to go more than two innings unless he is efficient with his expected 35 to 40 throws. RHP Ben Casparius is expected to serve as the bulk pitcher, which would put him in line to be the pitcher of record in the fifth inning and eligible to earn the win.

The final option worthy of consideration on Sunday is RHP Lucas Giolito in San Francisco. The former ace missed last season with an elbow injury suffered in spring training. In the prior year while playing for three different franchises, Giolito allowed the most home runs in the league.

This season has been a nice comeback for the 30-year-old, who appears to have put the longball issue to rest. He has his lowest strikeout rate of the last five seasons but has upped his ground ball rate while also limiting walks. San Francisco has the best pitching weather of the five California locations this afternoon.

MLB DFS Picks: Top Stacks

Main Slate Contrarian Target: Seattle Mariners

It is going to be a scorcher again at Wrigley Field with game-time temperatures in the low 90s. There is a 12 to 16 mph breeze out to center field, which is actually a little less than it was on Friday and Saturday, when these teams combined for 30 runs and a dozen round-trippers and 11 other extra-base hits.

Cal Raleigh has a trio of taters so far in this series, hitting his 30th on Saturday and becoming the first catcher as well as the first switch-hitter to reach that milestone before the All-Star Break. The Big Dumper is also the first to reach 30 home runs in 75 games since both Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez accomplished that feat in 2001.

In addition to the favorable weather, RHP Colin Rea will be on the mound for the Cubbies, with his below-league-average strikeout rate and a .203 ISO ceded to the last 508 lefties to face him. Luke Raley has returned from his injury, bringing his light-tower power back to the lineup, with switch-hitter Jorge Polanco also doing his best work from the left side of the plate. Dominic Canzone is a desirable discount dandy, while regulars J.P. Crawford, Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena can be employed to round out full stacks.

Stokastic’s MLB DFS Single Lineup Simulator is a game-changing tool that transforms lineup construction through powerful, data-driven simulations — essential for serious DFS players. See how the Simulator analyzes this single lineup for today’s MLB DFS slate:

Late Slate Secondary Target: Cleveland Guardians

Pitching in Sutter Health Park has not been fun for LHP JP Sears, who has been saddled with 12 of his 18 home runs in the offense-friendly venue. Temperatures will be in the mid-80s at first pitch, and while that is not as warm as the games to the east, it is still enough to push the implied run total into double-digits for this matchup.

Sears rarely walks anyone, posting a 6.1% rate across his last 1,089 batters faced, and while that would be a good thing for most pitcher, it is a detriment to the 29-year-old and highlights how few bats he actually misses. For those wondering, since the start of last year, he has a 17.9% strikeout and 9.1% swinging strikeout rates with an abysmal .205 ISO.

Look to the top 6 in the Guardians lineup: Switch-hitters Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana lead the way, along with outfielders Steven Kwan and Lane Thomas. David Fry is also in play, though he is likely to be removed for a pinch-hitter when a right-handed reliever replaces Sears. Gabriel Arias is the punt du jour across the main DFS sites for the afternoon action.

Today’s Top Sports Betting Picks

If you’re serious about making sharp MLB DFS picks, you already know that long-term success starts with using the right tools. The same approach applies to sports betting — and that’s where Portfolio EV shines.

Take a bet like Bryce Elder under 5.5 total hits allowed. On the surface, it’s a simple play. But behind the scenes, it’s a +EV bet — meaning it’s mathematically profitable based on the best odds available. And with Portfolio EV, you’re not relying on one-off picks. You’re stacking dozens — even hundreds — of +EV wagers at scale using the Mass Entry tool, turning small edges into long-term profit.

Just like one DFS lineup won’t win you a GPP, one smart bet doesn’t build a bankroll. But a consistent process does. This isn’t about chasing hot streaks. It’s about making smart, data-backed decisions every day and letting the math do the heavy lifting.

In his 11 starts this season, Elder gave up six-plus hits four times, though he allowed five on four additional occasions. He also suffered seven and six base knocks during two May starts in Triple-A. This wager is more about going against the Marlins than it is hoping that Elder regains his All-Star form.