There’s just a couple things to note before we dive into some MLB DFS picks for tonight’s nine-game slate on DraftKings. First and foremost, these contests lock at 6:40 p.m. ET, so make sure to get dinner ready a little earlier than usual. Second, there’s a decent chance of rain this evening in Pittsburgh. Keep that tilt on your radar — both literally and figuratively.
PSA over. Let’s break down everything else you’ll need to know for your lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $225K Knuckleball [$50K to 1st]
PITCHER
Stud
Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs, $10,500 – This is a play about variance. Well, as much variance as a pitcher as good as Wheeler can create. Wheeler hasn’t made a start since May 29 after going on the paternity list last week. The veteran RHP looked awful in that outing, surrendering four walks and six earned runs across 5.1 innings of work. It was actually the second time in 2025 that Wheeler had been roughed up by the Braves. Against all other competition? He sports a 1.93 ERA. For the season as a whole, Wheeler’s 2.29 xERA is the lowest qualified mark in baseball. At age 35, he’s posting a career-high 32.1% strikeout rate. Don’t overthink it. He’s amazing. Still, his price tag, his matchup and the presence of Chris Sale ($10,000) should help keep Wheeler’s ownership low on Monday. Make sure to take advantage.
Value
Eury Perez, Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates, $7,000 – As I stated above, there is rain in the forecast in Pittsburgh, which gives this Perez start yet another question mark. The right-hander hasn’t thrown a pitch for the Marlins since all the way back in 2022, when the then 20-year-old was maintaining a 3.15 ERA with a 28.9% strikeout rate — and incredible stat line regardless of age. Perez has made eight rehab appearances in the minors in 2025, including three at Triple-A, working into the fifth and facing 20 opponents his last time out. I struggle to say that Perez is fully built up, yet he should be able to toss around 80 pitches on Monday at PNC Park. The Pirates have a league-low .114 ISO across the past 30 days. Perez couldn’t ask for a better matchup in his return. Prospective owners couldn’t ask for a better price.
INFIELD
Stud
Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians vs. Cincinnati Reds, $5,400 – It’s unclear how long Wade Miley ($6,200) is going to be pitching in this game, but the prospect of a Ramirez at-bat against a lefty is too good to ignore. Since the start of 2024, Ramirez is slashing .366/.405/.670 with a 195 wRC+ off southpaws. “But what happens when Miley leaves the game?” Well, that’s when Ramirez’s switch-hitting ability comes in handy. The fact he’s stolen 87 bases the last three seasons isn’t too shabby, either. The man is a DFS gold mine.
Stud
Jonathan Aranda, Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox, $4,500 – This is one of those times that BvP results line up perfectly with the larger statistical picture. Aranda hits RHPs exceedingly well, with a 131 wRC+ and all 17 of his career home runs coming within the split. Meanwhile, Brayan Bello ($6,600) has had his issues with LHBs, specifically giving up a .299 average and a .380 wOBA to the lefties he’s seen so far in 2025. So, it makes sense that Aranda is 5-for-12 off Bello in the duo’s past AL East meetings. Brandon Lowe ($4,800) is another Tampa left-hander that has hit Bello hard, coming into tonight’s tilt slashing .412/.444/.706 off the Red Sox’s starter.
Value
Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays at St. Louis Cardinals, $3,100 – This seems really inexpensive for Kirk. Honestly, the whole Blue Jays’ lineup feels too cheap on Monday night, especially when you consider how poorly Andre Pallante ($7,200) has been pitching lately. Since April 17, Pallante owns a grotesque 5.80 ERA, which is backed up 5.14 FIP and a microscopic 14.2% strikeout rate. He’s also allowed opposing RHBs to slash .337/.393/.592 in that span of time. Kirk isn’t going to steal you any bases or hit many home runs, but the backstop is batting .363 with a 149 wRC+ in his last 30 games. He’ll be hitting in the clean-up spot tonight, too.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners, $5,600 – After a somewhat underwhelming sophomore campaign, Carroll has been an absolute monster to begin 2025. As evidenced by 18 home runs in just 286 plate appearances, Carroll comes into tonight’s action in possession of a 97th percentile expected slugging percentage (.593) and a 95th percentile barrel rate (16.6%). As you would expect, the former NL Rookie of the Year has also been at his best against RHPs, registering a .997 OPS and a 172 wRC+ within the split. Emerson Hancock ($6,400) is the right-hander on Monday. In 10 starts, Hancock has conceded 2.03 long balls per nine to opposing LHBs.
Value
Addison Barger, Toronto Blue Jays at St. Louis Cardinals, $3,300 – While the aforementioned Pallante’s main troubles have come in right-on-right matchups, I can’t get over how low Barger’s price tag is on Monday. Since May 9, Barger ranks 12th among all qualified hitters in slugging percentage (.600). In that same stretch, he also sits 14th in ISO (.300) and 19th in wRC+ (166). It isn’t the largest sample in the world, but when you have 96th percentile average exit velocity (94.0), I’m more willing to believe. At this point, in an opposite-hand matchup, Barger’s salary should be hovering around $5,000 — not $3,000.
