On the evening of June 18, 2025, the Houston Astros (42-31) are set to face off against the Oakland Athletics (30-45) in a compelling matchup featuring Framber Valdez and Luis Severino on the mound. Valdez enters the game with a solid 3.10 ERA and recent impressive outings, striking out 12 hitters in his last appearance. Severino, despite a rough season, displayed resilience with a strong performance against Kansas City, allowing only one earned run. The Astros have been hot, winning four of their last five games, making them heavy favorites in this contest.

Betting odds reflect this sentiment, placing the Astros at -162 on the moneyline with a 1.5 spread favoring them. The over/under is set at 9.0 runs, indicating potential scoring opportunities given both teams' recent offensive trends. The Athletics have notched four covers in their last five outings, hinting at competitive spirit despite their underwhelming season. Expert picks lean towards the Astros winning outright and advise considering the Athletics +1.5 with a possible over bet.

Framber Valdez is scheduled to start against the Oakland Athletics, a matchup he has historically excelled in, which should be a consideration for MLB DFS players crafting their lineups. With a career ERA of 2.64 against the A's and having allowed only one earned run in 13.1 innings last season, Valdez is a viable option for starting pitcher on platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings. While he won't be a budget pick, his strong past performance against Oakland makes him a formidable choice for daily fantasy lineups.

In addition to Valdez, Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve is also highly recommended, especially given his history against Athletics starter Luis Severino, with a batting average of .275 and a home run in 40 at-bats against him. Severino's struggles this June, marked by a 6.63 ERA, further enhance Altuve's appeal as a solid value pick for DFS players. Similarly, Carlos Correa of the Twins presents a favorable matchup against left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo, having hit .269 with a significantly elevated OPS against lefties this season. As insights from expert Mike McClure suggest, these players could be key to a successful DFS strategy on June 18.

Today's MLB DFS slate features a plethora of standout players and potential value picks. Chris Sale and Framber Valdez headline the pitching options, both enjoying favorable matchups. Sale, with a remarkable 31.3% K-rate against righties, faces a strikeout-prone Mets lineup, while Valdez's groundball prowess is a boon against the Athletics.

In the hitter's realm, Shohei Ohtani is a must-start against Stephen Kolek, especially considering his elite xwOBA and ISO against righties. Elly De La Cruz, with impressive power-speed upside, also has a significant chance to shine. Don't overlook the weather risks in Midwest matchups, as rain could impact lineups in cities like Cincinnati and St. Louis.

With an 11-game slate packed with opportunities, fantasy players need to stay updated on player news and lineups to optimize their daily fantasy strategies effectively.

As the Minnesota Twins prepare to face the Houston Astros, both teams enter Friday's matchup with critical playoff implications on the line. The Twins, currently at 36-32, aim to leverage Chris Paddack's recent improvements on the mound. Paddack's 3.53 ERA reflects steady performance, providing optimism after his last outing where he allowed only two earned runs over six innings against the Blue Jays.

On the other hand, the Astros, with a record of 38-30, have momentum from a recent win against the White Sox, highlighted by Framber Valdez's dominant performance where he struck out 12 batters in just five innings. Colton Gordon will take the mound for Houston, holding a less impressive 5.11 ERA. Betting odds show the Astros slightly favored at -120 on the moneyline, signaling their home advantage. This matchup presents exciting betting opportunities, especially considering the total runs set at 8.0, with trends indicating recent games between these teams have often fallen below that mark.

Framber Valdez continues to impress on the mound, having secured five wins in his last six starts, with one no-decision, since his last loss on May 2. The Houston Astros lefty is set to face the Chicago White Sox again, this time at Daikin Park, where he looks to further solidify his team's playoff aspirations. He'll be up against Davis Martin, who holds a record of 2-6 with a 3.62 ERA.

With Valdez's recent form, fantasy owners should be looking to capitalize on his ability to deliver quality starts, especially against a struggling White Sox lineup. The Astros' recent offensive surge, highlighted by their 10-2 victory against Chicago, suggests a strong performance is likely. Keep an eye on lineups leading up to game time for any potential surprises.