As per usual, we’ve got ourselves a split slate on Wednesday. Technically, the afternoon’s action gets underway in Pittsburgh at 12:35 p.m. ET, yet this article will focus on the eight-game DraftKings’ featured slate at gets going just slightly later at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Here are three players you have to consider for your MLB DFS lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st] (Early)
SP Hunter Brown, Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners, $10,000
Brown is the most expensive asset on this slate for a reason. After breaking out in the second-half of 2024, the right-hander has picked up right where he left off, pitching to a 3.00 ERA and a 2.40 FIP over his first 12.0 innings of 2025. Honestly, you could make the case that Brown’s been even better than before. It’s a small sample, but Brown’s average fastball velocity (97.7) is up from last season and that’s also led to higher marks in swinging strike rate (13.4%) and overall strikeout rate (33.3%). In general, less opponent contact means greats things. The 26-year-old seems poised for greatness.
Specific to Wednesday, Brown has the pleasure of facing-off with the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Seattle’s offense through 12 games has been about as underwhelming as we’ve come to expect, with the team struggling to hit above the Mendoza line (.199). The Mariners have not hit for power, either, managing just a .130 ISO. In two outings in Seattle in 2024, Brown allowed one earned run over 12.0 innings with 14 strikeouts. Historically, he likes this matchup.
OF Lawrence Butler, Athletics vs. San Diego Padres, $5,100
There’s a couple factors to think about here. First and foremost, every game played at Sutter Health Park is essentially a Home Run Derby — I’m only sort of kidding. It’s just a five-game sample, but there’s been 67 runs scored in the Athletics’ five home starts in 2025, which averages out to an eye-popping 13.4 runs per contest. Secondly, Randy Vasquez ($6,300) is due for some regression. Though the RHP has only surrender a pair of earned runs over 10.2 innings this season, Vasquez has also walked more opponents (9) than he’s struck out (5). That’s no way to live. When Vasquez does finally allow that back-breaking three-run home run — and he will — it’ll probably be to a left-handed bat like Lawrence. All six hits Vasquez has conceded have been to LHBs and, in 2024, lefties combined for a .413 wOBA off the Padres’ RHP. Butler should be licking his chops.
1B/3B Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals, $4,000
Are the Dodgers about to get swept by the Nationals? I have my doubts. Mostly due to the presence of Jake Irvin ($6,000) in Washington’s lineup card. Irvin has not looked good in his first two outings of 2025, posting an 11.64 xERA in 10.0 innings of work. Now, that’s obviously some small sample size hijinks; however, the underlying issue for Irvin is clear: He can not get LHBs out. It was the case in 2024 when lefties managed 1.61 home runs per nine off the RHP and it’s still the case now, with opposing left-handed hitters combining to slash .440/.462/.920. Los Angeles has many LHBs to choose from, yet let’s focus on Muncy, who is one of the cheaper options. The veteran was slow out of the gate, but things have been better lately, as Muncy has notched five hits — including a pair of doubles — in his last four games.
