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Andy's top DraftKings and FanDuel MLB DFS picks for today, Friday, 5/9/25. His favorite daily fantasy baseball lineup sleepers and value picks for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Happy Friday, RotoBallers! We have an action-packed 12-game MLB DFS main slate this evening to break down. If you are looking for the top pitchers to target, sneaky hitters, and stacks, you have come to the right place.
While the ace of the evening, Tarik Skubal, is not on the main slate, we have several intriguing pitchers to target, including an early-season AL Cy Young favorite in Houston. On the hitting side, we could see fireworks in Coors Field and Sutter Health Park.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on Friday, 5/9/2025. The main slate starts at 7:05 p.m. EDT. 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.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Max Meyer - MIA - RHP ($10.2K DK; $9.8K FD)
Even though Max Meyer has had two rough outings, he should be poised for a big bounce-back on Friday evening. Tonight, the young right-hander will face the struggling Chicago White Sox, who enter this game holding a 10-28 record.
When facing right-handed pitching, the White Sox have posted the sixth-highest strikeout rate and third-lowest wRC+. Even though he holds a hefty salary, he should be in a great position to produce.
Hunter Brown - HOU - RHP ($11K DK; $11K FD)
The other top pitcher to target is arguably one of the best pitchers in the sport. Through his first 43 innings of work, Brown has posted a stellar 1.67 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP. Across this stint, he has struck out 49 batters and allowed 10 walks.
This evening, he will face the Cincinnati Reds, who have posted the eighth-highest strikeout rate against righties this season. He will be a popular chalk play, but carries a high floor with strong upside.
Hunter Brown, 100mph Paint Ball. pic.twitter.com/qjZM6S7aDp
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 29, 2025
Tomoyuki Sugano - BAL - RHP ($7K DK; $8.5K FD)
The 35-year-old has not produced elite punchout numbers but has continued to deliver. Through his first 39 innings in the major leagues, Sugano has held a 3.00 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. During this stint, he has struck out just 21 batters.
This evening, he has a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Angels, who have generated the seventh-lowest wRC+. In addition, the Angels have posted the highest strikeout rate when facing right-handed pitching, which could open the door for Sugano to enjoy a productive evening in that department.
Luis Castillo - SEA - RHP ($8.4K DK; $9.2K FD)
My final pitcher to target is Luis Castillo of the Seattle Mariners. Castillo had a modest start to the season, holding a 4.44 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP across his first 26 1/3 innings. However, the 32-year-old has posted back-to-back quality starts and held a stellar 0.75 WHIP over that stretch.
This evening, he will face the Toronto Blue Jays, who have posted the fifth-lowest wOBA against right-handed pitching this season.
Also Consider: Jose Quintana MIL
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Adley Rutschman - BAL - C ($4.7K DK; $2.9K FD)
The Baltimore backstop is in a bit of a skid entering Friday but should be poised to bounce back facing Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks leans on his changeup (37.9% usage), which should set Rutschman up well for great success.
When facing changeups from righties this season, the 27-year-old has generated an elite .759 xSLG with a .472 xwOBA.
Manny Machado - SD - 3B ($5.7K DK; $3.9K FD)
The 32-year-old has been swinging a hot bat through the season's opening month, holding a .302/.369/.463 line with three home runs and seven stolen bases. He has generated an impressive .405 xwOBA with a .558 xSLG.
This evening, he should be considered a top play facing Colorado right-hander Antonio Senzatela. Senzatela throws his fastball more than 50% of the time. When facing fastballs from right-handers, Machado has generated an impressive .810 xSLG.
Tyler Soderstrom - ATH - 1B/OF ($4.6K DK; $3.5K FD)
The 23-year-old has been one of the most productive hitters in the sport and has a fantastic matchup this evening against Yankee right-hander Will Warren. Warren leans on his fastball (38.5% usage), which Soderstrom should be able to hit. When facing four seamers from righties this season, the former first-round pick has generated an impressive .731 xSLG.
Soderstrom enters this game, boasting an overall .392 xwOBA, .308 xBA, and a .551 xSLG, which are all within the 88th percentile among qualified hitters.
Tyler Soderstrom with his 9th HR of the season!!
103.9 MPH EV and 374 Feet
This is getting ridiculous.
pic.twitter.com/yvpJLK8yZl— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) April 17, 2025
Also Consider: Ben Rice - NYY - 1B/*C on FanDuel ($4.8K DK; $3.5K FD), Jacob Wilson - ATH - SS ($4.3K DK; $3.1K FD), Brice Turang - MIL - 2B ($4.7K DK; $3.1K FD)
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Fernando Tatis Jr. - SD -OF ($6.5K DK; $4.5K FD)
Similar to Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. has a prime matchup this evening. Tatis has hit fastballs well this season, generating an elite .919 xSLG with a .589 xwOBA.
The 26-year-old enters this game boasting a .319/.388/.548 slash line with eight long balls and eight stolen bases. Tatis is playing in a hitter's paradise at Coors Field and is a must-play this evening.
Trent Grisham - NYY - OF ($4.5K DK; $3.1K FD)
While Aaron Judge is the popular and chalk option in the Yankee outfield (see below), don't sleep on Trent Grisham. Grisham enters this game holding an impressive .292/.376/.640 slash line with 10 long balls. In this match, he will face Athletics right-hander Osvaldo Bido, who relies heavily on his fastball.
The 28-year-old has generated a strong .685 xSLG when facing fastballs from righties.
Trent Grisham in 2024: 9 HR in 76 games.
Trent Grisham on May 7, 2025: 10th HR in 31st game. pic.twitter.com/wFdngkcS7u
— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2025
Jackson Chourio - MIL - OF ($4.9K DK; $3.4K FD)
The 21-year-old has had a modest start to his sophomore campaign, slashing a .256/.273/.463 line with six long balls and three home runs. However, he should be in a great position to return to form this evening, facing Zack Littell of the Tampa Bay Rays.
When facing sliders from right-handed pitchers (Littell's primary pitch), the former top prospect has generated a .633 xSLG.
Also Consider: Jackson Merrill - SD - OF ($6K DK; $4.2K FD), Aaron Judge - NYY - OF ($6.4K DK; $4.7K FD), Kristian Campbell - BOS - 2B/OF (FD Only) ($4.5K DK; $3.3K FD)
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
San Diego Padres vs. Antonio Senzatela - COL - RHP
Senzatela enters this game holding a 5.50 ERA with a 1.86 WHIP. Through his first 34 1/3 innings this season, the right-hander has struck out just 17 batters. Under the hood, he has generated a 7.01 xERA (third percentile) and a .329 xBA (second percentile).
His primary pitch, his fastball, has generated a .546 xSLG, nearly 100 points higher than its current .468 SLG. As mentioned above, Machado, Tatis, and Merrill have hit right-handed fastballs very well this season and should find similar success against Senzatela.
New York Yankees vs. Osvaldo Bido - ATH - RHP/ Athletics vs. Will Warren - NYY - RHP
My second stack to target is actually a game stack between the New York Yankees and the Athletics. Both teams have very favorable hitting matchups playing in a minor league park. The Athletics will face Warren, who enters this contest holding a modest 5.65 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. Under the hood, he has generated a 28th percentile xERA and a 25th percentile xBA.
The Yankees will face Athletics right-hander Bido, who sits in the 22nd percentile in xERA and 32nd in xBA.
The current O/U on DraftKings sits at 11. Set your lineups accordingly.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Kyle Hendricks - LAA - RHP
While the Baltimore Orioles have had a disappointing start to the season, their lineup could break out of its slump at any moment, and facing Hendricks presents a strong opportunity to do so. Hendricks has held a 5.28 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP across his first 30 2/3 innings in Los Angeles.
Under the hood, the veteran right-hander sits in the 22nd percentile in xERA and the third percentile in strikeout rate. His primary pitch, his changeup, has generated a low 6.3% put-away rate.
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