There are only six MLB games on Thursday, split between the afternoon and the evening. Today’s MLB DFS picks will focus on the three-game slates at DraftKings and FanDuel that begin at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Underdog pick’em choices are also from the evening matchups.
There are only six MLB games on Thursday, split between the afternoon and the evening. Today’s MLB DFS picks will focus on the three-game slates at DraftKings and FanDuel that begin at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Underdog pick’em choices are also from the evening matchups.
Nolan McLean hit the ground running in his first taste of the Majors last year. According to FanGraphs, McLean recorded the following stats in eight starts spanning 48 innings in 2025:
The 24-year-old righty is avoiding a sophomore slump so far. In two starts totaling 10.1 innings, McLean has one win, a 2.61 ERA, 2.28 xERA, 3.71 xFIP, 3.33 SIERA, 0.87 WHIP, 9.8% walk rate and a 29.3% strikeout rate. McLean also has a 12.4% SwStr%, 31.1% CSW%, 99 stuff+, 109 location+ and 116 pitching+ this year.
The bright lights of The Show haven’t caused McLean to wilt. He’s the top pitcher on tonight’s small slate, and he has favorable betting info. The Mets are -160 favorites, and the game’s total is a pitcher-friendly 7.0 runs.
Randy Vasquez has twirled a 3.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 8.4% walk rate and 14.5% strikeout rate in 71.1 innings at home since last season. His 5.40 xFIP is wretched, but Vasquez can avoid getting bit by the regression bug tonight because the Rockies are ill-equipped to punish him.
Colorado’s projected hitters are a combination of putrid, mediocre and inexperienced. Thus, the Padres are -190 favorites, and the game’s total is 8.0 runs.
Seth Lugo, much like Randy Vasquez, has enjoyed some luck-aided success at home. In 77.1 innings at home since last season, Lugo has tallied a 3.61 ERA, 4.75 xFIP, 1.36 WHIP, 11% walk rate and a 19.3% strikeout rate. There are certainly warts in Lugo’s profile. Nevertheless, the pitching options are slim on such a small slate.
Lugo is largely a matchup-driven suggestion, with a dash of intriguing betting info. Six of the projected starters for the White Sox have posted a 96 wRC+ or worse against righties since 2024, and four have amassed at least a 28.6% strikeout rate. As for the betting info, the game’s total of 9.5 runs is a reason to pause, but the Royals are -190 favorites, which supports playing Lugo in MLB DFS.
The Rockies haven’t officially announced a starter at the time of writing, but multiple outlets project Chase Dollander to toe the slab.
Dollander was rocked for a 6.52 ERA, 5.10 xERA, 4.97 xFIP, 4.99 SIERA and 1.55 WHIP in 21 starts last season. The righty has also permitted a .377 wOBA to lefties and a .332 wOBA to righties since last season.
Anthony Kay pitched well in Japan over the previous two years. However, he has a 5.44 ERA, 5.75 xERA, 4.78 xFIP and 5.58 SIERA in 94.1 MLB innings. The 31-year-old southpaw’s early returns in his return stateside aren’t impressive.
In two appearances (one start) lasting nine innings, Kay has a 4.00 ERA, 8.58 xERA, 5.23 xFIP, 5.58 SIERA and 1.33 WHIP. Kay’s 6% SwStr%, 22.6% CSW%, 100 stuff+, 100 location+ and 101 pitching+ don’t move the needle, either. The Royals can touch up Kay in their renovated home ballpark.
Check out our best picks on the MLB Underdog Cheat Sheet 
Nolan McLean recorded 15 outs in his first start of the year and 16 in his second. He recorded at least 16 outs in seven out of eight starts last season, making this an easy choice.
Anthony Kay totaled 14 outs in his only start of the year, and he recorded 13 in a long relief appearance. Kay fell short of 15 outs in both appearances, despite his ERA significantly besting all of his ERA estimators.
If Kay couldn’t exceed 14.5 outs when luck was on his side, why should he be expected to do so in a hitter-friendly ballpark that could start the regression process tonight? Getting boosted odds for this play is gravy.
Jonathan India has eclipsed 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs in four of his last eight games. He’ll get a lift from facing Anthony Kay tonight.
India has a .257 batting average, .372 OBP, .131 ISO, .340 wOBA and 114 wRC+ in 298 plate appearances against lefties since 2024.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
Josh Shepardson
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@BChad50
Josh is a savvy, grizzled veteran in the realm of make-believe sports. He’s thoroughly experienced playing in season-long re-draft leagues, keeper formats and daily games. His fantasy advice for baseball and football has been found at many locations around the internet. He’s finished in the top 10 accuracy scores among experts here, at Fantasy Pros, in three of four years competing with his colleagues including a first-place finish in 2012.
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MLB DFS Picks & Underdog Player Props: Thursday (4/9) – FantasyPros
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