MLB DFS Picks 4/5/25: Expert Lineup Advice for DraftKings & FanDuel

MLB DFS Picks 4/5/25

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom throws to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 17, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

MLB DFS Picks 4/5/25: Expert Lineup Advice for DraftKings & FanDuel can be used for the 15 games today.  FantasyTeamAdvisors is very excited to be able to provide you with some MLB content once again. Let’s dig in!

Make sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today’s slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @advisors_team

 

MLB DFS Picks 4/5/25: Expert Lineup Advice for DraftKings & FanDuel


When playing MLB DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) on FanDuel and DraftKings, there are several strategies you can employ to increase your chances of success. Here are a few key strategies to consider:

  1. Research and Study: Familiarize yourself with the players, teams, and matchups. Analyze player statistics, recent performance, and factors like weather conditions, ballpark tendencies, and pitching matchups. Stay updated on injury news and lineup changes to make informed decisions.
  2. Focus on Starting Pitching: Starting pitchers have a significant impact on DFS performance. Target pitchers with high strikeout potential, favorable matchups, and a track record of consistent performance. Look for pitchers who can go deep into games and limit runs scored by the opposing team.
  3. Consider Ballpark Factors: Ballpark dimensions and factors can greatly influence a player’s performance. Some ballparks are known for being hitter-friendly, while others favor pitchers. Take these factors into account when selecting your lineup, particularly when choosing power hitters or pitchers susceptible to giving up home runs.
  4. Look for Value Plays: Identify undervalued players who have the potential to outperform their price tag. These can be players who are in favorable matchups, hitting higher in the batting order, or experiencing recent success. Finding value plays allows you to roster top-tier players while staying within the salary cap.
  5. Diversify Lineups: Consider creating multiple lineups with different player combinations. This strategy, known as lineup diversification, helps reduce risk and increases the chances of hitting on the right combination of players. It’s important to strike a balance between diversification and maintaining exposure to top performers.
  6. Pay Attention to Vegas Lines: Keep an eye on the Vegas lines and over/under totals for games. High-scoring games can provide more opportunities for hitters, while low-scoring games may favor pitchers. Target games with high run totals or favorable odds for potential offensive explosions.
  7. Monitor Late Lineup Changes: Stay vigilant and adjust your lineup accordingly if there are any late lineup changes or player scratches. This ensures you have active players in your lineup and maximizes your potential points.

Remember, DFS success requires a combination of skill, research, and a bit of luck. It’s essential to continually evaluate your strategies, learn from your mistakes, and adapt to changing circumstances to improve your MLB DFS performance on FanDuel.


If you would like to hear the analysis on each of these picks below, make sure to watch the video as we break it down even more! 

MLB DFS Picks 4/5/25

 

Pitching Recommendations:

 

  • Bryce Miller (Seattle Mariners): Priced at $8,500 on DraftKings and $9,700 on FanDuel, Miller has demonstrated strong home performance with a career 2.76 ERA. Facing the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park—a venue known for suppressing home runs—he’s positioned for success, especially against a Giants lineup that has struggled against right-handed pitchers early this season.

  • Chris Bassitt (Toronto Blue Jays): With salaries of $8,000 on DraftKings and $8,600 on FanDuel, Bassitt is coming off a solid start where he struck out seven over six innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He faces the New York Mets at Citi Field, a ballpark where he holds a career 2.74 ERA over 108 innings.

  • Brady Singer (Kansas City Royals): Singer is set to face the Milwaukee Brewers, a team with a 27% strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers. In his season debut, Singer delivered an impressive performance, recording eight strikeouts over seven innings while allowing just one hit against the Texas Rangers.

Other Pitchers I would use: Aaron Nola, JP Sears (GPP), Jacob deGrom, Tanner Bibee, AJ Smith-Shawver


MLB DFS Picks 4/5/25

Infielders:

  • Elly De La Cruz – SS, CIN vs. Elvin Rodriguez
    ($3.9K DK / $2.7K FD)
    De La Cruz has struggled in Milwaukee, but he’s in a strong bounce-back spot against Elvin Rodriguez. Last season, he posted a .275 average with 19 home runs against right-handed pitching, and he’s off to a solid start in 2025, hitting .350 with two homers. Rodriguez allowed four runs over four innings in his last outing, making this a favorable matchup for Elly.

 

  • Tyler Soderstrom – C/1B, OAK vs. Germán Márquez
    ($3.9K DK / $3.4K FD)
    Soderstrom reached base three times last night, finishing with two hits, a walk, and 15 fantasy points. He’s batting .296 with a .667 slugging percentage, showing major improvement over last season. With consistent production and growing power, Soderstrom is emerging as a key bat in the Athletics’ lineup.

  • Otto Lopez – 2B, MIA vs. AJ Smith-Shawver
    ($3.3K DK / $2.9K FD)
    Lopez has quietly been productive to start the season and remains a strong value play at his current price. He’s hitting .303 with 10 hits, a .552 slugging percentage, and a 163 wRC+. Lopez also posted a .289 average against right-handed pitching last year. While not a primary power threat, he has shown some pop early in 2025 and offers solid upside in a favorable matchup.

 

Outfielders:

  • Mike Trout – OF, LAA vs. Tanner Bibee
    ($5.3K DK / $4K FD)
    Trout has homered in two straight games and appears to be finding his rhythm at the plate. Despite a slow start (.160 average), he’s recorded a hit and scored at least 18 FanDuel points in each of his last three outings. If he’s turning the corner, this is the time to roster him before his salary rises with continued production.
  • Julio Rodríguez – OF, SEA vs. Robbie Ray
    ($5K DK / $3.4K FD)
    Rodríguez broke out with a three-hit performance, including a home run, in yesterday’s game against San Francisco. He hit .268 with a .735 OPS against lefties last season, and Oracle Park offers a more favorable hitting environment than Seattle. With momentum on his side, Julio is well-positioned for another strong outing.
  • Jung Hoo Lee – OF, SFG vs. Bryce Miller
    ($3.9K DK / $2.7K FD)
    Lee offers strong value for GPP formats, even in a tougher matchup. He’s recorded at least one hit in all but one game this season and still managed 12+ fantasy points in the lone exception. He batted .277 against right-handers in 2024 and brings solid contact skills and speed, giving him multi-category upside if he reaches base.

Top Props Today:

 

Riley Greene (OF/DH – DET) – Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI
Greene is off to a strong start, hitting .344 with 3 home runs. He’s exceeded 1.5 hits + runs + RBI in four straight games and five of seven overall. Today, he faces right-hander Marcus Stroman—against whom Greene has had success this season, with all his homers coming off righties.

Matthew Boyd (SP – CHC) – Over 4.5 Strikeouts
Boyd draws a tough matchup against the low-strikeout Padres (MLB-low 46 Ks). However, he’s cleared this line in six consecutive starts dating back to last season. This pick leans on Boyd’s recent form over San Diego’s contact-heavy approach.

Paul Goldschmidt (1B – NYY) – Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI
Goldschmidt is hitting leadoff or cleanup for the Yankees and faces lefty Bailey Falter today. He’s historically strong vs. left-handers, going 3-for-7 with a double against Falter and 4-for-7 with a homer vs. lefties so far this season.

You can find even more plays we like at each position on our cheat sheet as part of FTA+ memberships. Make sure to check the memberships out for DFS or DFS+ Sportsbetting. This includes cheat-sheets and our FanDuel and DraftKings Batter Trends. Use these to build the best optimal MLB DFS lineup each and every day.

MLB DFS Picks 4/5/25: Expert Lineup Advice for DraftKings & FanDuel

STACKS:

 

Stacking in MLB DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) refers to selecting multiple players from the same team in your lineup. Here are some reasons why stacking can be an effective strategy:

  1. Offensive Synergy: Stacking players from the same team increases the potential for offensive synergy. When a team has a productive inning or scoring spree, all the stacked players benefit. Hits, runs, and RBIs by one player can lead to additional opportunities for other players in the stack, amplifying the potential for fantasy points.
  2. Maximizing Run Production: By stacking players from a high-scoring team or a lineup with favorable matchups, you increase the chances of capturing a significant portion of the team’s run production. This strategy is especially useful when facing a weak opposing pitcher or when playing in hitter-friendly ballparks.
  3. Weather and Ballpark Factors: Stacking can help leverage favorable weather conditions or ballpark factors. If a game is played in a hitter-friendly park or has high wind speeds, stacking players from the teams involved can lead to increased offensive output. Conversely, if a game is played in a pitcher-friendly park or has unfavorable weather, stacking opposing pitchers may be beneficial.
  4. Cost Efficiency: Stacking allows you to focus your budget on a specific team’s offense rather than spreading it across multiple teams. By concentrating your resources, you can roster more impactful players and potentially access top-tier hitters who may be expensive individually.
  5. Differentiation and Tournament Upside: Stacking can help differentiate your lineup in large-field tournaments. If the stacked team performs exceptionally well, it can provide a unique combination of players that differentiates your lineup from others. This differentiation can lead to higher tournament upside and increased chances of finishing atop the leaderboard.
  6. Increased Upside Potential: When a stack performs well, the fantasy points accumulate rapidly. By combining multiple players from a high-scoring team, you increase the potential for a big offensive output, resulting in higher fantasy point totals.

It’s important to note that stacking is not without risks. If the stacked team struggles offensively, it can significantly impact your lineup’s performance. Additionally, stacking may limit exposure to players from other teams who have standout performances. To mitigate these risks, diversifying your lineups and carefully assessing matchups and player performance are crucial.

Ultimately, stacking can be a valuable strategy in MLB DFS to leverage offensive synergy, maximize run production, and increase the potential for high-scoring lineups.

 

 

  1. Athletics vs German Marquez
  2. Atlanta Braves vs Cal Quantrill
  3. Cincinnati Reds vs Elvin Rodriguez

 

 

Check out our Cheat Sheet for individual players and core plays for lineups.


To get the Bacon Station, Cheat-Sheets, and Optimal Lineups, sign up today! FTA+

Want to see which players we like by position?  Check out our Cheat Sheet.

REMEMBER: These are lineups we use but feel free to pick and choose plays and make your own lineups. Don’t ALWAYS follow these as they don’t hit 100% of the time. We do use these but sometimes late scratches happen and it’s too late to update the lineup. Good luck and bring home the bacon.

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