FanDuel MLB DFS Picks: Friday 8/15/25

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Let's check out the top options on today's main slate.

Note: All MLB odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise.

Top MLB DFS Picks

Pitcher Breakdown

Jacob deGrom ($10,400)

Jacob deGrom is the only pitcher with a salary above $10,000 on Friday's slate, but I don't believe we need to prioritize him, especially with the idea of wanting to fit in bats from Coors Field. Despite deGrom posting a formidable 27.2% strikeout rate, 5.7% walk rate, and 3.28 xERA, it's tough to envision him producing a ceiling performance versus a Toronto Blue Jays squad that has the best wOBA (.374), best wRC+ (142), third-best ISO (.201), and lowest strikeout rate (16.3%) over the last 30 days.

Framber Valdez ($9,900)

While Framber Valdez has struggled in his last two starts -- totaling 20 FanDuel points (FDPs) during that span -- he's in a prime bounce-back spot at home against the Baltimore Orioles. Aside from Valdez sporting a stellar 2.75 xFIP, 28.0% strikeout rate, and 0.38 HR/9 at home (compared to a 3.42 xFIP, 21.1% strikeout rate, and 0.60 HR/9 on the road), the Orioles are logging the worst wOBA (.248), worst wRC+ (56), third-worst ISO (.124), and third-highest strikeout rate (26.0%) across the last 14 days, making the left-handed hurler my top pitching option on Friday.

Sean Manaea ($8,000)

If you're looking to save salary at pitcher and spend up for bats, Sean Manaea brings some upside to the table with his 3.40 xERA, 26.3% strikeout rate, 5.3% walk rate, 5.3% barrel rate, and 33.3% hard-hit rate. Even though the Seattle Mariners have the 10th-best wRC+ (103) and 8th-best ISO (.166) against left-handed pitching this season, they also have the 4th-highest strikeout rate (24.8%) in the split, giving Manaea a path to a notable outing despite the risk he possesses.

Joe Boyle ($7,700)

Joe Boyle has failed to score 22-plus FDPs in six straight appearances, but he worked up to 88 pitches in his most recent start and draws a favorable matchup versus the San Francisco Giants at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park (second-lowest park factor over the last three seasons). Along with the Giants recording the 8th-worst wRC+ (90), 6th-worst ISO (.137), and 11th-highest strikeout rate (23.3%) in the last 14 days, Boyle boasts a solid .208 xBA, 30.1% whiff rate, and 24.4% strikeout rate.

Stacks to Target

Arizona Diamondbacks

Players to Target: Geraldo Perdomo ($4,100), Ketel Marte ($4,600), Corbin Carroll ($4,700), and Blaze Alexander ($3,100)

Although fading Coors can sometimes be an effective strategy, I see no reason to avoid the Arizona Diamondbacks ahead of a matchup against Tanner Gordon (4.83 SIERA and 43.0% hard-hit rate) and Colorado's relievers (4.40 SIERA and 1.47 HR/9 over the last 30 days). One way to be different when stacking Arizona is to deploy some of the bottom-of-the-order guys like Blaze Alexander (142 wRC+ vs. RHP), James McCann (150 wRC+), and Alek Thomas (91 wRC+).

Colorado Rockies

Players to Target: Ezequiel Tovar ($3,400), Hunter Goodman ($3,500), Mickey Moniak ($3,300), and Brenton Doyle ($3,300)

On the other side of the Coors contest, Brandon Pfaadt (5.94 xERA and 12.1% barrel rate) is set to be on the mound for the Diamondbacks, and Arizona's bullpen has the third-worst SIERA (4.37) over the last 30 days. With Pfaadt also permitting a .374 wOBA, 2.65 HR/9, and 39.9% flyball rate on the road (compared to a .320 wOBA, 0.39 HR/9, and 31.3% flyball rate at home), the Colorado Rockies are in a fantastic spot. Mickey Moniak (119 wRC+ and .280 ISO vs. RHP) is my favorite player to build around in Colorado stacks.

Kansas City Royals

Players to Target: Maikel Garcia ($3,100), Bobby Witt Jr. ($4,000), Vinnie Pasquantino ($3,100), and Salvador Perez ($2,900)

I don't often like to fully stack the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium (third-lowest home run park factor over the last three seasons), but it'll be 90-plus degrees with winds blowing out to left field in Friday's clash against Aaron Civale (4.64 SIERA and 9.4% barrel rate) -- who coughed up nine earned runs in his last start. Mike Yastrzemski (114 wRC+ vs. RHP), Adam Frazier (99 wRC+), Jonathan India (84 wRC+), and Kyle Isbel (92) are viable salary-saving options to mix into Kansas City stacks.

Boston Red Sox

Players to Target: Roman Anthony ($3,000), Alex Bregman ($3,500), Jarren Duran ($3,400), and Wilyer Abreu ($3,000)

The late games featuring the Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers are projected to have a lot of runs involved, but the Boston Red Sox deserve some attention against Sandy Alcantara 4.74 SIERA and 44.1% hard-hit rate). In addition to Alcantara giving up five-plus earned runs in back-to-back starts and logging a dismal 5.24 xFIP, 11.5% walk rate, and 1.54 HR/9 on the road (compared to a 4.09 xFIP, 6.8% walk rate, and 0.85 HR/9 at home), the Red Sox have tallied the 11th-best wRC+ (106) and 7th-lowest strikeout rate (19.9%) over the last 14 days of action.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.