MLB DFS Picks Today: Daily Fantasy Baseball Strategy and Tips For FanDuel, DraftKings (8/1/25)

Jamie's top DraftKings and FanDuel MLB DFS picks for today, Friday, 8/1/25. His favorite daily fantasy baseball lineup sleepers and value picks for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.

How fun was that trade deadline?? This Yankee fan is ecstatic about the bullpen moves the team made -- we're finally a force in that department again. Fans of the Mets, Padres, Mariners, Astros, and Rangers also have reason to celebrate, and props to the Athletics as well. They moved a stud reliever, but got one of the highest-touted prospects in the game in Leodalis De Vries.

Tonight is a big one for DFS players. It's the first night of play with the fallout of all of yesterday's trades, and there will be more values than usual that open up for some of the selling teams. Be sure to jump into our RotoBaller Discord, as we'll be helping you build the best possible versions of lineups this evening.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/1/2025, with the slate starting at 7:07 PM ET. The lineup picks will showcase elite players, mid-priced options, and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is always essential.

DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Hunter Brown, SP - HOU ($10,500 DK/$10,000 FD)

Hunter Brown and the Astros head to Boston for a weekend series, and Brown finds himself backed by several new offensive additions. Boston has enough lefties to keep it interesting against Brown, but their IRT is only 3.7, and this is a perfect storm for strikeout opportunities.

Brown is zooming along this year with a 30.8% K rate and 11.9% swinging strike rate (both career highs), and his 2.54 ERA is backed by a sparkling 2.97 FIP and 2.92 xFIP. Boston has the sixth-highest K rate as a team against RHP, so Brown's floor is sky high even if he gives up a few runs.

Gavin Williams, SP - CLE ($7,800 DK/$8,800 FD)

Gavin Williams is the first pitcher we get to use against the Twins. Minnesota gutted its team yesterday, which has changed the DFS landscape for us. There are still some remaining lefty threats, but Carlos Correa and Harrison Bader are gone, and Byron Buxton (ribs) is currently on the IL.

The Twins moved 11 players ahead of the Trade Deadline! pic.twitter.com/xIcadpMrUG

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 1, 2025

Williams quietly has strikeout upside, as he's struck out just under a batter per inning. He'll also have the benefit of pitching in his home park, which is a downgrade for the Twins hitters. The bottom of the Minnesota order may be filled with players we may not have heard of, which makes Williams an ideal cheap SP2.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):

• Carlos Rodon, SP - NYY ($10,200 DK/$10,100 FD)
• Logan Gilbert, SP - SEA ($10,000 DK/$10,200 FD)
• Robbie Ray, SP - SF ($8,800 DK/$9,000 FD)

Want more MLB DFS tools and content? Our MLB Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Lineup Optimizer, and access to our Premium Discord Chatrooms, where members can chat with our MLB analysts. Win more with expert tools and advice from proven winners!

DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Nick Kurtz, 1B - ATH ($5,900 DK/$4,100 FD)

Nick Kurtz has three straight games of single-digit DK points (gasp). However, he's at home, and he's facing a questionable righty, so it's wheels up all the way. Anthony DeSclafani will take Merrill Kelly's rotation spot for Arizona, and his first task is to pitch in the heat and a Triple-A ballpark. Not ideal.

DeSclafani has barely pitched since 2023, and he's had a long career of getting bashed by lefties. In 11 seasons, DeSclafani has allowed a .346 wOBA and 1.59 HR/9 to them, and Kurtz has a gaudy .489 wOBA and .411 ISO against RHP in his rookie season. His price is premium, but worth it.

The Big Amish continues to churn out extra-base hits!

Nick Kurtz is having one of the best months we've ever seen from a player - let alone a rookie! pic.twitter.com/Kn0uS3HimY

— MLB (@MLB) July 26, 2025

Spencer Horwitz, 1B - PIT ($4,200 DK/$2,600 FD)

The Pirates, winners of five straight, will head to Coors Field for the weekend and have a slate-high IRT of 6.3 runs. Other than slugger Oneil Cruz, the prices for Pittsburgh hitters are VERY palatable despite the incredible park boost, and Spencer Horwitz looks like the best one.

Horwitz has entrenched himself in the leadoff spot for Pittsburgh, and leading off in Coors is always a prime target for DFS players. Horwitz should get five plate appearances, and poor Antonio Senzatela keeps having to pitch in Colorado. The Rockies righty has a 5.51 FIP and a paltry 11.3% K rate this season.

This is about the only scenario where Horwitz will stand out as a top play on a slate, but he does have a capable .351 wOBA against RHP this season. The Rockies also shipped off their best home reliever (Jake Bird), who had a 2.48 ERA in Coors this season.

Edgar Quero, C - CWS ($2,700 DK/$2,700 FD)

Pirates hitters? White Sox catchers? What are we doing here? This is a DK-specific play since FD doesn't require a catcher, and his price isn't a value over there. However, Edgar Quero should be the first player you click for cash contests on DraftKings due to his price tag and expected batting order spot.

Quero is hitting second or third for the young White Sox, and the rookie has a .422 wOBA against LHP this season. Opposing pitcher Tyler Anderson has given up over a 40% HHR to righties this season, and it's expected to be hot and humid at Angels Stadium tonight. You're not stacking White Sox, but Quero is a perfect cash play or one-off value.

• Ketel Marte, 2B - ARI ($5,800 DK/$3,800 FD)
• Eugenio Suarez, 3B - SEA ($6,000 DK/$3,800 FD)
• Carlos Correa, SS - HOU ($3,500 DK/$2,700 FD)
• Tyler Locklear, 1B - ARI ($2,500 DK/$2,000 FD)

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Shohei Ohtani, 1B/OF (DK), OF (FD) - LAD ($6,500 DK/$4,700 FD)

The Athletics are not the only team hosting a game in a Triple-A park tonight. The Rays are back "home" at George M. Steinbrenner Field and play host to the Dodgers for an upcoming weekend series. Shohei Ohtani against a righty in that park with the heat and humidity? Yes please.

Shane Baz has been a reverse-split pitcher and is much better against lefties with a 28.4% K rate. This is Ohtani we're talking about, though. The two-way sensation has a .445 wOBA and .389 ISO against RHP this season, and the Dodgers have an IRT of 5.2 runs in Tampa. Don't let his recent "slump" discourage you, either.

Oneil Cruz, OF (DK), SS/OF (FD) - PIT ($6,300 DK/$3,400 FD)

If you're finding reasons not to spend on Ohtani, the logical pivot is Cruz, who is the best hitter on the Pirates squad. The velocity with which he hits the ball will play exceptionally well in Coors, and he's a solid platoon option against Senzatela with a .349 wOBA and .208 ISO against RHP.

THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND 🤯

Oneil Cruz HITS THIS BASEBALL 513 FEET and 118 MPH 🚀 pic.twitter.com/2mtVUCSyEn

— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2025

Cruz is the only one who is priced efficiently for the Pirates, so he's not a necessity for cash. If you're making a GPP stack of Pirates, though, Cruz is a necessity right in the middle.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., OF - ARI ($4,000 DK/$2,900 FD)

Arizona's lineup is a lot lighter with the departures of Suarez and Josh Naylor, but they're still sporting some upside as they'll take on the A's in the Triple-A park of Sacramento. The stack upside is depleted a bit, but it's also possible we get some cheaper options to use without sacrificing top pitching.

Gurriel should get a prime lineup spot for Arizona now (likely in the two or three hole), and he's been very capable against LHP with a .358 wOBA and 37% HHR. Jacob Lopez has missed bats at a high rate, but a 23% GB rate and 12.7% HR/FB rate won't play well in his home park.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Bryan Reynolds, OF - PIT ($4,700 DK/$2,800 FD)
• Andrew McCutchen, OF - PIT ($4,400 DK/$2,700 FD)
• Brent Rooker, OF - ATH ($4,700 DK/$3,300 FD)
• Heliot Ramos, OF - SF ($4,100 DK/$3,000 FD)

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

1. Pittsburgh Pirates at Antonio Senzatela

The Pirates are the easy top stack of the night. They've won five straight games, are hitting, and now get to go to Coors Field, where they have a slate-high 6.3 IRT. Outside of Cruz, the rest of the Pittsburgh lineup is too cheap, and their prices on FD are downright egregious. Senzatela has an 11.3% K rate and 5.51 FIP, and the Rockies bullpen lost pieces yesterday.

Favorite Combo: Horwitz, McCutchen, Reynolds, Cruz

2. Athletics vs. Anthony DeSclafani

After Coors, the best game to target is the one in Sacramento, as the Athletics do battle with Arizona in their Triple-A home park. The A's have an IRT of 5.2 runs against Anthony DeSclafani and feature lefty upside near the top. DeSclafani is raw enough that you can attack with power righties as well (hello, Brent Rooker).

Favorite Combo: Butler, Kurtz, Rooker, Soderstrom

3. Arizona Diamondbacks at Jacob Lopez

This stack loses some luster with the power of Suarez and Naylor removed, but on the flipside, the bats are so cheap that you can attack this environment without sacrificing high-end pitching. Locklear is expected to play immediately, and he's minimum-priced on both sites. Arizona still has existing studs left as well.

Favorite Combo: Marte, Carroll, Gurriel, Locklear

More Fantasy Baseball Analysis