# Top Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks: Hitters and Pitchers to Target Today

Welcome back to our daily fantasy baseball breakdown, where we analyze the matchups, statistics, and recent performances to bring you the best possible DFS plays. Today, we’re focusing on four elite hitters who are poised for big performances and two starting pitchers who offer tremendous value. Let’s dive into the data and help you build a winning lineup!

Understanding Today’s MLB Slate

Before jumping into specific player recommendations, it’s important to consider the overall context of today’s games. Weather conditions look favorable across most ballparks, with minimal rain risks and moderate temperatures. We have several games being played in hitter-friendly environments including Coors Field, Great American Ball Park, and Yankee Stadium, which always deserve extra attention when building DFS lineups.

Remember that lineup confirmations can change right up until game time, so always check the latest news before locking in your selections. With that housekeeping out of the way, let’s get to our top picks for today’s action.

Top 4 Hitters for Today’s DFS Slate

1. Juan Soto (OF, New York Yankees)

Soto has been absolutely crushing the ball lately, and today’s matchup makes him a premier play across all DFS platforms. Here’s why Soto stands out:

• Facing a right-handed pitcher with a 5.12 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this season
• Hitting .321 with a 1.042 OPS against right-handed pitching this year
• Playing at Yankee Stadium, where his left-handed power perfectly suits the short right field porch
• Has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games with 7 home runs during that stretch
• His hard-hit rate of 51.2% ranks among the best in baseball

While Soto comes with a premium price tag, his consistency and ceiling make him worth the investment. The Yankees have one of the highest implied team totals today, and Soto is likely to be involved in much of that production. His combination of power and plate discipline creates a high floor with massive upside.

2. Shohei Ohtani (DH/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers)

The two-way superstar may not be pitching this season, but his bat remains elite, and today’s matchup is particularly enticing:

• Facing a left-handed pitcher against whom he historically excels (9-for-22 with 3 home runs in their previous meetings)
• Hitting .328 with a .687 slugging percentage over his last 15 games
• Has stolen 12 bases already this season, adding valuable DFS points through his speed
• The Dodgers have a team total of 5.1 runs, suggesting good run-producing opportunities
• His barrel rate of 16.8% indicates consistent quality contact

Ohtani provides the rare combination of power, average, and speed that can single-handedly carry a DFS lineup. While he’ll be popular in contests today, his ceiling is so high that he’s difficult to fade despite the likely high ownership percentage.

3. Gunnar Henderson (SS, Baltimore Orioles)

The young Orioles shortstop has been developing into one of baseball’s brightest stars, and today’s matchup puts him in position for a big performance:

• Facing a pitcher who has surrendered a .298 batting average to left-handed hitters this season
• Playing at Camden Yards, where he’s hitting .316 with a .988 OPS this year
• Has multi-hit games in 4 of his last 7 starts
• Batting in the leadoff spot for one of baseball’s most potent offenses
• Offers rare power at the shortstop position with 18 home runs already this season

Henderson’s combination of lineup position, ballpark, matchup, and recent form makes him an excellent play. His price hasn’t quite caught up to his production level on some DFS platforms, potentially offering some salary relief compared to other elite options.

4. Yordan Alvarez (OF, Houston Astros)

Alvarez is one of baseball’s most fearsome hitters, and today’s matchup sets up perfectly for him to showcase his power:

• Facing a right-handed pitcher who has allowed a .543 slugging percentage to left-handed batters
• Hitting .343 with a 1.087 OPS against right-handed pitching this season
• Playing in a hitter-friendly environment that boosts left-handed power
• Has reached base safely in 17 consecutive games
• His 92.5 mph average exit velocity ranks among the highest in MLB

Alvarez might fly slightly under the radar today with other premium options available, but his matchup and consistent production make him an excellent tournament play. His power upside is virtually unmatched when he connects, giving him the potential for a slate-breaking performance.

Top 2 Pitchers for Today’s DFS Action

1. Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies)

Wheeler has been nothing short of dominant this season, and today’s start offers the perfect combination of safety and upside:

• Facing a Marlins team that ranks 28th in runs scored and has the 4th highest strikeout rate in MLB
• Boasting a 2.68 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 10.4 K/9 this season
• Has pitched at least 6 innings in 14 of his 17 starts this year
• The Marlins’ implied team total is just 2.9 runs, among the lowest on the slate
• Citizen’s Bank Park has actually played more pitcher-friendly this season than in previous years

Wheeler offers the rare combination of a high strikeout floor with excellent ratios and a strong probability of a win. The matchup against Miami’s struggling offense puts him in prime position to rack up strikeouts while limiting damage. While he’ll command a premium salary, Wheeler’s consistency and ceiling make him worth the investment for cash games and tournaments alike.

2. Logan Gilbert (Seattle Mariners)

Gilbert has emerged as one of the American League’s most reliable starters, and today’s matchup offers tremendous upside:

• Facing a Tigers lineup that ranks 25th in wOBA against right-handed pitching
• Has posted a stellar 2.86 ERA and 0.94 WHIP across 18 starts this season
• Pitching at T-Mobile Park, one of baseball’s most pitcher-friendly environments
• Has recorded at least 7 strikeouts in 11 of his 18 starts
• The Tigers have the 3rd highest chase rate in MLB, playing into Gilbert’s elite breaking pitches

Gilbert comes at a slightly lower price point than the absolute top-tier arms, yet offers similar upside in this favorable matchup. Detroit struggles against quality pitching, and Gilbert’s ability to generate swings and misses should lead to a high strikeout total. The Mariners are also favored to win, increasing Gilbert’s potential for a win bonus on DFS sites.

Building Your Optimal DFS Lineup Strategy

When constructing your daily fantasy baseball lineups today, consider these strategic approaches:

For Cash Games (50/50s, Double-Ups):