MLB DFS Picks: Three must-start fantasy baseball players for Sunday 4/5/26

Check out Sunday's nine-game MLB DFS afternoon slate to find three star fantasy baseball players you need to pick for your DraftKings lineups.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:18am

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The MLB DFS afternoon slate on Sunday, April 5, 2026 features nine games with plenty of star power to build your DraftKings lineups around. The top picks include Yankees pitcher Max Fried, Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr., and Reds infielder Sal Stewart.

Why it matters

With all 30 MLB teams in action, Sunday's nine-game afternoon slate provides a wealth of high-upside fantasy options to consider for your DraftKings lineups. These three players - a dominant starting pitcher, a power-hitting outfielder, and a breakout young infielder - offer the potential to provide league-winning production.

The details

Max Fried of the Yankees has been electric to start the season, tossing 13.1 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts against the Giants and Mariners. He'll look to continue his strong start against the Marlins. Fernando Tatis Jr. of the Padres has a favorable matchup against Red Sox lefty Ranger Suarez at hitter-friendly Fenway Park. Reds prospect Sal Stewart has been on a tear, batting .407 with a 1.270 OPS and 2 home runs so far this season, and he'll face Rangers righty Jack Leiter.

  • The MLB DFS afternoon slate on Sunday, April 5, 2026 features nine games.
  • Max Fried's first two starts of the 2026 season came on the road against the Giants and Mariners.

The players

Max Fried

A 32-year-old left-handed starting pitcher for the New York Yankees. Fried had a dominant 2025 season, posting a 2.86 ERA, 3.07 FIP, and 1.10 WHIP over 195.1 innings. He's picked up right where he left off in 2026, tossing 13.1 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts in his first two starts.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

A 26-year-old superstar outfielder for the San Diego Padres. Tatis mashed 25 home runs in 2025 and is coming off an impressive run with the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He has a favorable matchup against Red Sox lefty Ranger Suarez at hitter-friendly Fenway Park.

Sal Stewart

A 22-year-old corner infielder and top prospect for the Cincinnati Reds. Stewart hit .255 with an .839 OPS and 5 home runs in his 2025 September call-up, and he's off to a scorching start in 2026, batting .407 with a 1.270 OPS and 2 home runs.

Ranger Suarez

A 30-year-old left-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Suarez is coming off an impressive 2025 season with the Phillies, but he struggled in his Red Sox debut, allowing 4 earned runs over 4.1 innings against the Astros.

Jack Leiter

A 25-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers. Leiter posted a 3.86 ERA in 29 starts in 2025, but his underlying metrics suggest he may have been somewhat lucky, with a 4.45 xERA, 43.9% hard-hit rate, and 37.8% ground-ball rate.

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The takeaway

Sunday's MLB DFS afternoon slate offers a wealth of high-upside fantasy options, with Max Fried, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Sal Stewart leading the way. These three players have the potential to provide league-winning production and should be top considerations for your DraftKings lineups.