We’ve got a five-game featured MLB DFS slate this evening.
However, it’s not your basic small slate. We’ve got the best pitcher in the American League taking the mound in Minnesota. We’ve got the altitude at Coors Field. We’ve got rain in the forecast at literally every ball park on the schedule. It’s going to be fun, people.
Let’s dive in and break down everything you’ll need to know to set your lineups.
Make your DraftKings MLB DFS picks here: MLB $150K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
PITCHER
Stud
Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals, $8,400 – This is the cheapest Luzardo has been since the first week of the regular season. Ironically, that was also the last time that the left-hander saw the Nationals, when he struck out a season-high 11 batters over five crisp innings. It was a sign of things to come for Luzardo, who has been very good in 2025 when he hasn’t been tipping his pitches. In fact, across 133.0 innings of work, the LHP owns a 3.05 FIP and a 26.8% strikeout rate. On paper, this is a great matchup for any LHP. Washington’s best bats are primarily left-handed and no team has more left-on-left plate appearances this season than the Nationals (636). Overall, Washington sports a .293 wOBA and an 86 wRC+ against southpaws.
Value
Bailey Ober, Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers, $7,200 – This is probably a slate where you’re going to pay up for two pitchers above $8,000, but if you wanted to save a little salary, Ober might be worth the risk. Don’t get me wrong, the right-hander has been awful the past couple of months, even surrendering seven earned runs to this same Tigers team less than three weeks ago. Ober’s also conceded more opponent home runs per nine than any other pitcher in MLB with at least 100 innings thrown (2.01). Still, it’s not like Detroit has been tearing the cover off the ball since the All-Star break — that one prior day against Ober notwithstanding. In the season’s second-half, the Tigers have paired MLB’s second-highest strikeout rate (25.9%) with an underwhelming 93 wRC+. If you squint and then cross your fingers, there’s some upside here.
INFIELD
Stud
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies, $6,400 – The past couple of seasons, the rule of thumb with Marte had been that you want to use him in DFS when the Diamondbacks were facing a lefty. In 2025? Suddenly he’s a monster against RHPs. Go figure. In 253 plate appearances within the split, Marte is slashing .321/.427/.604 with a .283 ISO and a 183 wRC+. Marte also has a 199 wRC+ in August with six multi-hit performances. I’d say the man is red-hot, but this is sort of just who he is now. In any case, Bradley Blalock ($5,000) is in trouble on Thursday. The 24-year-old already is burdened with an 11.76 ERA at Coors this season, and things might still get worse.
Value
Zach McKinstry, Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins, $4,100 – If you’re someone who is going to fade the aforementioned Ober on Thursday, McKinstry should probably be an asset you get heavy exposure to. Yes, like most Tigers, the utility man has struggled since the Midsummer Classic, but McKinstry was an All-Star this season for a reason and he can provide value both in the batter’s box and on the base paths. McKinstry is also 7-for-16 with four extra base hits and a 1.250 OPS off Ober in his prior matchups with the long-time Twins starter. That includes going 3-for-3 with a home run off Ober back on July 28.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Juan Soto, New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves, $5,800 – There’s no denying that Soto is having a down season by his own lofty standards and the fact that’s he’s managing just a .207 average since the All-Star break isn’t doing him any favors with Mets fans. Still, it’s a little funny to be having this conversation when Soto literally owns the league’s highest expected slugging percentage versus RHPs among all qualified hitters (.713). Even when he’s not at his best… He’s the best? Going back to the beginning of 2024, Bryce Elder ($6,000) has an ERA well over 6.00 across 29 starts. If ever there was a night for Soto to get his surface numbers back on track — it’s this one.
Value
Jordan Beck, Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, $4,200 – Look, positive notes are pretty hard to come by in a season where you’re flirting with the worst record in modern MLB history, but Beck has been a silver lining for Colorado. The former 2022 competitive balance pick has looked like he belongs in the big leagues, especially when given the opportunity to face an LHP. In 107 plate appearances within the split, Beck’s .400 wOBA and 146 wRC+ are the best qualified marks on the Rockies. Tonight, the lefty in question will be Eduardo Rodriguez ($6,900). Has E-Rod been unlucky in 2025? Most definitely. However, it’s mid-August and he’s rocking a 5.68 ERA. This simply isn’t an arm that you have to fear.
