Happy Saturday! We have an action-packed 8-game main slate tonight, May 9, 2026, providing a concentrated pool of talent to build your MLB DFS optimal lineup. With young aces like Cam Schlittler taking the mound and several powerful offenses in high-total games, tonight is the perfect time to utilize the MLB DFS optimizer and hitter projections to gain an edge. Before locking in your rosters, check the MLB DFS Playbook, the latest pitcher projections, and updated ownership percentages to stay ahead of the field.

Top Projected MLB DFS Pitchers

The pitching landscape tonight is defined by high-strikeout profiles and strong xFIP metrics. These four arms are the primary anchors for your MLB DFS best lineup today.

Cam Schlittler (NYY) vs. MIL: Schlittler is the premier option on the board tonight. He enters this start with an elite 10.08 K/9 and a slate-leading 2.60 xFIP. His 29.3 percent strikeout rate, combined with a pinpoint 1.71 BB/9, provides the highest floor and ceiling combination available on this 8-game card.

Braxton Ashcraft (PIT) vs. SF: Ashcraft has been impressive with a 3.35 xFIP and a 9.72 K/9. He has shown excellent efficiency with his pitch count, making him a reliable play to pair with a more expensive ace.

 

Best MLB DFS Stacks Today

Targeting specific splits and regression candidates is the key to identifying the MLB DFS optimal lineup.

Chicago White Sox (vs. Luis Castillo, RHP)

Stacking against a name-brand starter like Luis Castillo is a pure leverage play tonight. Castillo has been particularly vulnerable to left-handed hitters, surrendering a .493 slugging percentage, a .360 wOBA, and a .239 ISO in these splits. With left-handed power hitters like Munetaka Murakami (.347 ISO vs RHP) and Colson Montgomery (.221 ISO vs RHP) anchoring the lineup, the White Sox are perfectly positioned to exploit Castillo’s 4.63 xFIP and fly-ball tendencies.

Chicago Cubs (vs. Jack Leiter, RHP)

Loving the Cubs here even with the ballpark shift to a more favorable pitcher park in Texas than their usual home environment of Wrigley Field. Although Leiter possesses high-end stuff, he has struggled with a 1.66 HR/9 and a 21 percent HR/FB rate against lefties. Chicago’s left-handed bats should be prioritized to take advantage of these fly-ball tendencies.

Best Value Plays For DraftKings & FanDuel

To fit high-end pitching and elite stacks, you must identify hitters in favorable split matchups. Leverage our MLB DFS optimizer to find these hidden gems.

Rob Refsnyder (SEA) vs. Anthony Kay (LHP): Refsnyder is a veteran specialist against left-handed pitching. Historically a lefty-masher, he is in a premier spot to provide offensive production against a southpaw like Anthony Kay.

Michael Busch (CHC) vs. Jack Leiter (RHP): Busch has been a consistent force for the Cubs with a 101.9 wRC+ against right-handed pitching. He offers significant ISO upside and is an ideal piece to round out a Cubs stack.

 

MLB DFS Optimal Lineup For Today

Success on an 8-game slate depends on pairing consistent pitching with offensive exposure to pitchers showing underlying regression. Below is a sample MLB DFS optimal lineup for DraftKings based on today’s metrics and the 7:05 PM ET Main Slate.

Pos Player Team Opponent Salary Proj. Draft%
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