Brooks Lee -- Fantasy Value

FantasyPros' Thursday MLB DFS analysis highlights a six-game slate at DraftKings starting at 12:35 p.m. ET, with FanDuel offering a four-game early slate. The article focuses on starting pitcher recommendations for daily fantasy contests.

Shota Imanaga emerges as the top pitching option despite a shallow pitcher pool. The Cubs lefty has posted a 2.40 ERA with a 2.83 xERA across seven starts (41.1 innings), maintaining a 27% strikeout rate and strong 108 location+ rating. His matchup against Cincinnati is favorable—the Reds rank 19th in wRC+ (87) versus lefties with a 26.5% strikeout rate and are even weaker on the road (26th in wRC+, 77). Cubs are -200 favorites with an 8.5-run game total.

Mitch Keller represents a value option at SP2 salary for DraftKings. His 2.85 ERA through 41 innings appears strong but is offset by elevated advanced metrics (3.76 xERA, 3.97 xFIP, 4.29 SIERA), suggesting potential regression ahead. The Arizona matchup is mixed—while the Diamondbacks rank 24th in wRC+ (93) versus righties with a 23% strikeout rate, they are 7th in wRC+ (118) at home with only a 16.4% strikeout rate. The Pirates are slight favorites (-112) in a 9-run total game.

Brooks Lee contributed across multiple statistical categories in the Twins' narrow 5-4 victory over Cleveland on Sunday. The shortstop recorded two hits in three at-bats while also stealing a base and driving in a run.

Through 38 games this season, Lee is maintaining a .276 batting average with 5 home runs and 24 RBIs across 134 at-bats. He has also scored 18 runs and stolen 3 bases. His recent performance has been particularly encouraging, with Lee hitting .357 over his last seven games, suggesting positive momentum heading forward.