The first Wednesday of the MLB regular season features a huge day of afternoon baseball, with 10 games on the main DFS slate that begins at 1:10 p.m. ET. We’re back to the top of several teams’ rotations, providing some elite options on the mound, but there are some good hitter matchups to attack as well. With 20 teams in the player pool and some great options to break down, let’s dive in and find some top MLB DFS picks.
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PITCHER
Stud
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners, $10,000 – Skubal had a tough matchup in his Opening Day start when he had to take on the Dodgers. He gave up four earned runs on six hits in five innings, with a walk and just two strikeouts. I’m willing to go back to Skubal on Wednesday, though, in a much better matchup in Seattle.
Skubal went 18-4 on his way to the AL Cy Young last year with a 2.39 ERA, 2.49 FIP and 10.7 K/9 in his 31 starts, so he earned enough favor for one slip-up. He looked just fine in spring training, too, posting a 2.33 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings. The Mariners have struggled at the plate in the early part of the season, hitting an AL-worst .166 as a team, with a 27.4% strikeout rate.
If you have the salary, Skubal is a good place to spend for a stud starting pitcher in a good bounce-back spot. His ceiling and matchup make him the top arm in my MLB DFS Picks.
Value
Ryan Pepiot, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, $7,200 – Pepiot got the call on Opening Day against the Rockies after Shane McClanahan’s nerve issue landed him on IL. Pepiot stepped up with 22.7 fantasy points in a no-decision against the Rockies, holding them to one runs on six hits in six innings while racking up eight strikeouts.
Pepiot showed good strikeout upside last season with 142 strikeouts in 130 innings while going 8-8 with a 3.60 ERA and 3.95 FIP in 26 starts. The Pirates have only scored 15 runs in their first six games of the season while hitting .189 as a team. It’s a great spot for Pepiot as a value option, and he brings elite upside from a very affordable price point.
INFIELD
Stud
Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals at Milwaukee Brewers, $6,000 – Witt has gotten off to a fast start to the season, so if you’re looking for an elite bat with great form, he’s a great option in today’s MLB DFS Picks to slot in at SS on Wednesday afternoon against Freddy Peralta ($8,800) and the Brewers. Witt has picked up a hit in each of his five games this season, going 6-for-21 (.286) with two doubles, two runs, three RBI, and a 50% hard-hit rate per Statcast.
Stud
Manny Machado, San Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians, $4,900 – Machado and the Padres are one of just two undefeated teams in the MLB after opening an impressive 6-0. Machado is 8-for-21 (.381) over those six games, with three doubles and four stolen bases. He only had 11 stolen bases last year, which was the first time in three years that he reached double-digit steals. The aggression on the bases is nice, but it also shows how healthy Machado is in the early part of the season.
Value
Luken Baker, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Angels, $2,300 – Baker is 3-for-5 in his limited opportunities this season, but he should get the start on Wednesday against lefty Yusei Kikuchi ($7,400). After hitting 30+ homers in the minor leagues in each of the last two seasons, Baker showed huge improvements in bat speed this spring in his attempt to transition successfully to the major league level. He tore up the Grapefruit League, hitting .273 with four homers and a .402 wOBA. He picked up two hits in his start on Monday and came off the bench with a key two-run double on Tuesday night. The hulking 1B brings a very high ceiling and is an elite value when St. Louis is up against a lefty. If Baker keeps producing, he could force his way into more playing time.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians, $5,100 – Fresh off his new extension, Merrill is a great option to stack with Machado or to use independently as the Padres take on Ben Lively ($6,500) and the Guardians. Merrill is 8-for-20 (.400) in the early going this season with a home run, six RBI and a 44.4% hard-hit rate, per Statcast. The 21-year-old broke through with a huge second half last season and hit four home runs in the Cactus League this spring. He brings both power and a great average while hitting in the heart of a productive Padres offense.
Stud
Matt Wallner, Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox, $4,300 – Wallner has been hitting leadoff against righties this year for the Twins and will be back in that spot against Sean Burke ($6,200) for the deciding game in this AL Central three-game set. Wallner has huge power potential when he connects. He posted some of the best batted-ball metrics in the MLB last season. His big improvement so far this season, though, has been his walk rate. He has drawn five walks to go with his 2-for-13 (.154) start, with both hits going for doubles. His improved plate approach could result in a breakout season for Wallner, and he brings good upside at this mid-range salary on Wednesday afternoon.
Value
Kyren Paris, Los Angeles Angels at St. Louis Cardinals, $2,200 – Paris has been a good cheap play while filling in for Jo Adell ($3,800; hip). Adell was able to return on Tuesday night, but Paris still made an impact with a single, a stolen base, and a run scored after entering as a pinch runner. Paris is 4-for-9 (.444) in his five games this season and has a triple, a home run, and three RBI. The 23-year-old brings nice upside if he’s in the lineup to give someone a break on Wednesday afternoon and will get a decent matchup against Sonny Gray ($7,800).
