Thursday is another travel day, so that means split-slate MLB DFS, with a five-game featured slate locking at 7:05 p.m. ET on DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo. Before you build lineups, several Stokastic tools can help identify daily MLB DFS Top Stacks, key pitchers and MLB DFS picks. Let’s dig into the player projections and popularity for DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo lineups, including the Giants in Milwaukee.
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers and Top Stacks
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers
Main Slate Primary Pitching Target: RHP Logan Gilbert vs. Oakland Athletics — 3.8 implied runs
First Pitch: 9:40 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $9,900 | FanDuel $10,600 | Yahoo $45
Of course, the matchup against the Oakland Athletics is always one of the first we look to on any slate. RHP Logan Gilbert has been an outstanding part of a sneaky-good Mariners staff, and even in a neutral matchup, he would compare favorably with RHP Aaron Nola. Tonight this is far from a neutral matchup situation, as Nola and the Phillies are on the road facing a loaded Atlanta lineup.
Since making his debut back for Seattle in the 2021 season, Gilbert has posted a 3.78 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings across 65 starts. This season the 26-year-old has seen a jump to 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings, along with a 3.09 xERA, 2.68 FIP and 2.94 xFIP, which are the best of his career.
The Athletics are in a 2-15 stretch, during which they have plated more than a trio of runners on only three occasions. Enjoy!
Early Slate Pitching Target: LHP Blake Snell at Washington Nationals — 4.2 implied runs
First Pitch: 4:05 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $8,900 | FanDuel $9,000 | Yahoo $37
Pitching is pretty thin with the split-slate action today, but even if Thursday’s player pool were combined, it would still be a mostly bare cupboard. Once again we have a situation where LHP Blake Snell is going to be wildly popular, which means we will want to be on both sides of this matchup.
The highs and lows of the Snellevator experience have been all over the place this season, and while the erstwhile ace has had only one “bad” outing, he has only one “good” outing as well. Even though he is regularly throwing 100 pitches in starts, he has his worst walk, strikeout and home run rates since his 2017 sophomore campaign back in his Tampa Bay days.
Washington has been above average against southpaws, with their current collection of batsmen producing a 113 wRC+ since the start of last season. They also are striking out 17.9% of the time during this period, which is the third lowest in the league. Luis Garcia (24.8%), Stone Garrett (31.1%), Alex Call (21.1%) and C.J. Abrams (22.8%) all strike out above league average. If Snell regains his typical form, he should be in line for a strong showing — if he struggles and it is the Washington bats that are locked in, this could be trouble.
MLB DFS Picks: Top Stacks
Main Slate Primary Target: San Francisco Giants at RHP Julio Teheran — 5.5 implied runs
First Pitch: 7:40 p.m. ET
Good Gawd, is that … is that Julio Teheran’s music? What is he doing here in Milwaukee?!?! Isn’t he supposed to be languishing in the Padres minor league system? In a fun twist, Teheran is back in The Show after opting out of his minor league deal with San Diego and being signed by the Brewers. Teheran is still only 32 years old, but after an inglorious 10 appearances during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with the Angles when he was saddled with a 10.1 ERA, Teheran made one appearance in 2021 with Detroit. In 2022 he threw 32.2 innings in the Mexican League, suiting up for both Tijuana and Monterrey. This last offseason he showed enough in the Dominican Winter League that the Padres took a chance.
DFS gamers should not be taking a chance on Teheran and instead look to the Giants hitters. Lefties have typically given Teheran fits, but during his final couple of seasons in The Show, righties also were teeing off. LaMonte Wade, Michael Conforto and Mike Yastrzemski are the trio to target from the left side of the plate, while their counterparts J.D. Davis, Thairo Estrada, Mitch Haniger and Casey Schmitt will be just fine from the right side.
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Early Slate Target: St. Louis Cardinals at RHP Luke Weaver — 5.8 implied runs
First Pitch: 12:35 p.m. ET
This season RHP Luke Weaver has been a gas can in search of a match. Through six appearances, spanning 31.2 innings, he has allowed nine home runs while averaging nearly six extra-base hits per nine innings. The only silver lining is that he has a strikeout per inning and that he is paid to play baseball.
Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are getting the day off with the early start, so that is moving several players into more prominent slots in the batting order. Infielders Nolan Gorman and Paul DeJong are the pair to build around for DFS and in the home run market.
Lars Nootbaar is likely to get at least five plate appearances in his leadoff role, and Juan Yepez is the punt du jour for his power upside. Brendon Donovan, Alec Burleson and switch-hitter Tommy Edman are also worthy of our attention to fill out full stacks.
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Final Thoughts for Thursday, May 25 | MLB DFS Picks
Outside of some roving showers in the Denver area, today’s action looks to be precipitation free.
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