RADIO
Andy's top DraftKings and FanDuel MLB DFS picks for today, Monday, 5/12/25. His favorite daily fantasy baseball lineup sleepers and value picks for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Happy Monday, RotoBallers! Today we have an eight-game slate featuring some of the game's top pitchers, including Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Michael King of the San Diego Padres.
On FanDuel, the two "early" games are included on the main slate but are excluded on DraftKings. This means the high-powered Phillies and the high-flying Detroit Tigers are only available on FanDuel.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on Monday, 5/12/2025. The main slate starts at 7:10 p.m. EDT (*6:40 p.m. on FanDuel). The lineup picks will showcase elite players to 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.
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 50% off using code SUMMER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Michael King - SD - RHP ($9.5K DK; $10.4K FD)
After enjoying a breakout campaign in 2024, King has picked up right where he left off in 2025. Through his first 44 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander has posted a 2.22 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP. He has struck out 48 batters and served up 14 walks.
This evening, he will face the Los Angeles Angels, who have posted the highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. Start him with confidence.
Michael Wacha - KC - RHP ($7.9K DK; $8.7K FD)
Michael Wacha is carrying some solid momentum into Monday's contest against the Astros. Over his last three starts, the 33-year-old has posted a strong 1.40 ERA with a stellar 0.93 WHIP. During this stretch, Wacha has struck out just 14 batters but has allowed just one long ball.
Wacha should be in a prime position to stay hot against the Astros, who have generated the fourth-lowest ISO against righties. While he does not carry the high strikeout upside as King does, Wacha should be in store to deliver another quality start.
Tyler Mahle - TEX - RHP ($9.2K DK; $8.5K FD)
After missing most of the 2024 season working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2023, Tyler Mahle has established himself as a nearly-season Cy Young dark-horse. Through 42 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander has struck out 32 batters and held a 1.48 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP.
This evening, Mahle will face the struggling Colorado Rockies, who have posted the second-highest strikeout rate when facing right-handed pitching. Like King, he will be chalk, but he is one of the safest options on the slate.
Also Consider: David Peterson (NYM), Paul Skenes (PIT), Colin Rea (CHC)
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
Ben Rice - NYY - 1B (1B/C on FanDuel) ($5K DK; $3.4K FD)
Ben Rice snapped his power skid on Sunday when he hit a grand slam. Through his first 36 games of the campaign, Rice has enjoyed a breakout season, launching nine home runs with a .258/.355/.550 slash line.
He should be in a prime position to stay hot facing Seattle right-hander Emerson Hancock. Hancock relies heavily on his sinker, which should set Rice up for success. When facing sinkers from righties, the 26-year-old has generated a stellar .869 xSLG and a .609 xwOBA.
Ben Rice cooks up his first career GRAND SLAM 💪 pic.twitter.com/gf9io5wsx2
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2025
Dansby Swanson - CHC - SS ($4.3K DK; $3.1K FD)
While Swanson's modest .242/.298/.452 line might not seem overly impressive, but his .343 xwOBA and 49.1% hard-hit rate suggest his power totals should continue to surge. This evening, he should be in a prime position to see his positive regression kick in facing Miami right-hander Cal Quantrill.
Quantrill has struggled to command his fastball, which should present an excellent matchup for Swanson. When facing fastballs from right-handed pitching, Swanson has generated a .645 xSLG (only behind Kyle Tucker among Cubs who have seen at least 135 fastballs).
Corey Seager - TEX - SS ($5.1K DK; $3.3K FD)
Corey Seager enters this game day-to-day with a hamstring injury. However, if he is cleared to start, he should be considered a top play. This evening, he will face Colorado pitching prospect Chase Dollander, who has struggled through his first taste of the big leagues. His fastball has generated a high .755 xSLG.
Seager has generated an elite .847 xSLG and a .542 xwOBA when facing fastballs from righties.
Also Consider: Josh Jung - TEX - 3B ($3.4K DK; $2.9K FD), Carson Kelly - CHC - C ($5.3K DK; $3.5K FD), Ketel Marte - ARI - 2B ($5K DK; $3.5K FD), Eugenio Suarez - ARI - 3B ($4.2K DK; $3.5K FD)
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Aaron Judge - NYY - OF ($6.5K DK; $4.8K FD)
Like Rice, Aaron Judge will find great success against Hancock's sinker. When facing sinkers from right-handed pitching, Judge has generated .836 xSLG with a .563 xwOBA. Entering Sunday, Judge carried an impressive .373/.439/.882 line over his last 13 contests.
While his salary will be high, Judge should be a lock this evening simply due to his matchup.
Seiya Suzuki- CHC - OF ($5.6K DK; $3.6K FD)
Like Judge, Kyle Tucker will be a popular play this evening, given his impressive start to his tenure in Chicago. However, if you were to take the contrarian approach, I would target his fellow outfield teammate, Seiya Suzuki.
Suzuki has found great success against Quantrill's most-used pitch, the split-finger. When facing split-fingers from right-handed pitching, Suzuki has generated an elite 1.065 xSLG. However, he has not found as much success (compared to Tucker) against fastballs.
ANOTHER homer for Seiya Suzuki 😤 pic.twitter.com/fYdMJRHTpO
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2025
Pavin Smith - ARI - (1B/OF on FanDuel), (1B only on DraftKings) ($4K DK; $3K FD)
Pavin Smith has been a popular play of mine given his playing on the strong side of a platoon. This evening, he is slated to face San Francisco right-hander Justin Verlander. When facing fastballs from righties (Verlander's primary pitch), Smith has generated a strong .674 xSLG.
Through the opening month, Smith has generated an elite 16.4% barrel rate and a .366 xwOBA, both of which are well above the average marks.
Also Consider: Adolis Garcia - TEX - OF ($4K DK; $2.9K FD), Kyle Tucker- CHC - OF ($6.3K DK; $4.4K FD), Cody Bellinger - NYY - (OF only on DraftKings, 1B/OF on FanDuel) ($4.3K DK; $2.9K FD), Corbin Carroll - ARI - OF ($5.8K DK; $4.1K FD)
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
New York Yankees vs. Emerson Hancock - SEA
Hancock enters this contest carrying a 5.70 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP. He has struck out just 17 batters across his first 23 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he has generated a 4.17 xERA and a .282 xBA, both of which are below the average marks.
His primary pitch, his sinker (43.6% usage), has generated a hefty .529 xSLG and a .409 xwOBA.
Fave Combo - Rice, Judge, Wells, Bellinger
Chicago Cubs vs. Cal Quantrill - MIA
Quantrill relies primarily on his split-finger and fastball. His fastball has generated a high .722 xSLG, which should provide Swanson and Tucker with high scoring chances. While his primary pitch, his split-finger, has been more effective, Suzuki has found great success against that pitch.
Entering this contest, Quantrill sits in the 11th percentile in xERA and the sixth percentile in xBA.
Fave Combo - Swanson, Tucker, Suzuki, Busch, Kelly
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Justin Verlander - SFG
While the Texas Rangers were highly considered to be my No. 3 stack, I am giving the slightest edge to the Snakes. The Diamondbacks are slated to face Verlander, who has posted a 4.50 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. Under the hood, Verlander sits in the 35th and 39th percentiles in xERA and xBA, respectively.
His primary pitch, his fastball (50.0% usage), has generated a high .592 xSLG and a .402 xwOBA. However, through his first 42 innings, this pitch has generated a lower .481 SLG and a .342 wOBA, which suggests it could face even more regression.
As shown below, several Diamondbacks have found success against fastballs from right-handed pitchers.
Fave Combo - Marte, Carroll, Smith, Suarez
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
