Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Friday, August 21st. Our MLB DFS projections combine advanced pitching metrics, platoon splits, strikeout prop data, and ownership positioning to identify the sharpest plays on every slate. Whether you are targeting DFS Projections, running lineups through our DFS Optimizer, tracking ownership trends, or checking confirmed lineups, Fantasy Alarm has the tools to sharpen your edge. 

This MLB DFS playbook covers every key position on DraftKings and FanDuel with our best MLB DFS picks for today.

Slate: 13-Game Main | Lock Time: 7:05 pm ET, Friday, August 21st, 2026

Vegas Totals: CLE/COL (highest-projected game), DET/KC & CIN/ARI (tied for second-highest game total)

Highest K-Projections: Yoshinobu Yamamoto 6.5 O/U (-155), MacKenzie Gore 6.5 O/U (-115), Cam Schlittler 6.5 O/U (-110), Reid Detmers 6.5 O/U (+100), Sean Burke 5.5 O/U (-150), Sean Manaea 5.5 O/U (-132), Joey Cantillo 5.5 O/U (-120)

MLB Weather Today, 8/21

NYM @ CWS – Rain chances increase in the later innings, but there is a good chance it holds off until after the game. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Cam Schlittler (NYY)

Analysis: Schlittler has the best strikeout numbers on the slate, but he draws a tough matchup for strikeouts. He is also in that matchup for a second start in a row. He fared well the first time around, with seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings of one-run ball, but there are a ton of options on the slate to outscore him. I would have more interest if he weren't the most expensive pitcher while also being one of the most popular. 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)

Analysis: Yamamoto is drawing similar ownership to Schlittler, but the matchup is a bit more favorable for upside. The Pirates have been great against righties this season, but they also strike out at the sixth-highest rate. Yamamoto excels at run prevention and should be able to navigate this tough lineup while racking up 6-10 strikeouts. 

Sonny Gray (BOS)

Analysis: Gray has once again been an elite pitcher this season, and he draws an elite matchup at home tonight. The Giants have been a below-average offense all season, and they traded away two of their best hitters at the deadline. Since then, they have been one of the worst offenses in baseball, posting just a 67 wRC+ and striking out at the seventh-highest rate in the league. 

Sean Burke (CWS)

Analysis: Burke has had an outstanding season for the White Sox, posting a 3.15 ERA with excellent peripheral stats to back it up. He has been in top form recently, other than a little hiccup in his last start. Over his last 10 starts, Burke has posted a 31.4% strikeout rate and racked up at least eight strikeouts seven times. He's also allowed more than two earned runs just once in those 10 outings. 

Reid Detmers (LAA)

Analysis: Detmers is always in play for his strikeout upside. He is coming off one of his best starts of the season, striking out 11 Royals in eight shutout innings. The start before that, he struck out six Rangers in the same matchup he will see today. The Rangers strike out at the ninth-highest rate against lefties, which further adds to the upside for Detmers. 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

MacKenzie Gore (TEX)

Analysis: Gore is projected as one of the top point-per-dollar options on the entire slate, and it's pretty easy to see why. Two starts ago, he dominated the Angels team he faces today with nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings while allowing just one run. The Angels have been one of the highest strikeout offenses all season, and Gore has incredible upside once again. 

Noah Cameron (KC)

Analysis: Cameron appears to have taken a huge step forward in the second half of the season. Over his last five outings, he has posted a 1.19 ERA and only allowed multiple runs to the elite Dodgers offense. He has also posted a very healthy 26% strikeout rate and 14.1% swinging-strike rate in that time. He draws a plus matchup against a Tigers team with a 96 wRC+ and 23% strikeout rate against lefties.  

Joey Cantillo (CLE)

Analysis: Investing in a pitcher in Coors on a 13-game slate isn't always the best idea, but it is impossible to ignore the Rockies' numbers against lefties this season as they own just an 80 wRC+ while striking out at the sixth-highest rate. Canitllo has also been missing bats at an elite level since changing his pitch mix. Over his last 11 starts, the lefty has posted an impressive 31.3% strikeout rate. 

Top Options For Strikeouts

K-prop lines and value ratings are incorporated below for DFS and prop context. These are the arms building the highest strikeout ceilings on the 13-game slate.

Our model identifies these arms as the highest-ceiling plays for Alt-K lines today:

Cam Schlittler: 31.4% K% (11.2 K/9)

Reid Detmers: 28.8% K% (10.5 K/9)

Sean Burke: 27.0% K% (9.9 K/9)

MacKenzie Gore: 25.8% K% (9.9 K/9)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 24.5% K% (8.4 K/9)

Best Odds For A Win

The following MLB DFS picks offer a combination of favorable win odds, sustainable ERA and xFIP metrics, and soft opponent matchups. Each carries K-prop lines worth noting alongside their DFS value at reduced ownership relative to the top tier.

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Stacks & Hitters

MLB DFS Top Hitters

Jose Ramirez (3B, CLE) & Travis Bazzana (2B, CLE)

Analysis: The Guardians are in an elite spot in Coors Field tonight against Gordon, who has allowed a .302 ISO to lefties and projects to face nine of them. Ramirez and Bazzana have struggled recently for different reasons. Ramirez broke his hamate bone back in June and struggled mightily in his return. He's been back to league average in August, and he is an elite fantasy producer when healthy. Baazzana took the league by storm when he was first called up, posting a 151 wRC+ in May. The league has since adjusted, and it has been a more challenging time for the rookie recently. He owns just a 49 wRC+ in August, but matchups don't get much better than this one. 

Corbin Carroll (OF, ARI) & Gabriel Moreno (C, ARI)

Analysis: Carroll has been elite against lefties this season, posting a .238 ISO and .423 wOBA. He has racked up 18 homers and 17 stolen bases this season, which represents his elite fantasy upside. Moreno has also been excellent against lefties, posting a .198 ISO, and he hits from the preferred split against Lodolo. The lefty has allowed a .208 ISO to right-handed batters this season. 

Jake McCarthy (OF, COL) & Cole Carrigg (OF/SS, COL)

Analysis: Cantillo is a reverse-splits lefty who strikes out more righties and allows more power to lefties. McCarthy has been excellent in lefty-lefty matchups this season, posting a .224 ISO. Carrigg will hit from the right side, but his multi-position eligibility makes him easy to get to. He owns a healthy .187 ISO against lefties and will hold the platoon advantage against the bullpen. 

Ben Rice (1B/C, NYY)

Analysis: Rice has been in a prolonged slump, posting just a 59 wRC+ in August, but he is showing signs of breaking out of it with four hits and two homers in his last four games. His season-long numbers paint a much rosier picture, as he's posted an outstanding 143 wRC+ and launched 34 home runs. Rice has a great chance to see Arrighetti twice in this matchup. 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Steven Kwan (OF, CLE), Nathaniel Lowe (1B, CLE), & Angel Genao (2B/3B, CLE) 

Analysis: Several Guardians are grading out as elite value options, which is leading to extreme popularity. Kwan should lead off and owns a healthy .331 wOBA against righties. Lowe has mashed righties this season, posting a .242 ISO and .382 wOBA. Additionally, Genao brings multi-position eligibility and an impressive start to his big league career, with a 144 wRC+ through his first 50 plate appearances. Bailey, Rocchio, and Halpin could be included in the section as well, which illustrates just how cheap the Guardians lineup is today despite the elite spot in Coors.  

Nolan Arenado (3B, ARI) & Ildemaro Vargas (1B/2B, ARI)

Analysis: Arenado and Vargas have both been excellent against lefties this season, while Lodolo has been pummeled by righties. Arenado owns a .236 ISO against lefties, and Vargas is at .211 ISO. Impressive power upside for the value tier. 

Jordan Beck (OF, COL) & Connor Norby (2B/3B, COL)

Analysis: More Coors Field value options can be found on the Rockies side, with Beck and Norby grading out the best. Norby owns a 112 wRC+ in an extremely limited sample with Colorado. Beck has mashed lefties dating back to last season and owns a .176 ISO and .348 wOBA against them this season. 

Griffin Conine (1B/OF, MIA)

Analysis: Conine has destroyed right-handed pitching this season, posting an absurd .338 ISO and .425 ISO. He draws an elite matchup against Lord, who owns a .227 xISO against left-handed batters. 

Abimelec Ortiz (1B, WAS)

Analysis: It's a tiny sample, but Ortiz has crushed the baseball since he arrived in the big leagues. He owns a .395 ISO against righties and gets a matchup with Gusto, who has allowed a .176 ISO to lefties. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Cleveland Guardians vs Tanner Gordon (COL RHP)

Targets: Jose Ramirez, Travis Bazzana, Angel Martinez, Nathaniel Lowe, Steven Kwan, Angel Genao 

Primary Stack: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Nick Lodolo (CIN LHP)

Targets: Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, Ildemaro Vargas, Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo 

Primary Stack: Colorado Rockies vs Jory Cantillo (CLE LHP)

Targets: Jake McCarthy, Cole Carrigg, Willi Castro, Connor Norby. Jordan Beck

“Contrarian” Stack: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Bubba Chandler (PIT RHP)

Targets: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, Mookie Betts 

“Contrarian” Stack: New York Yankees vs Spencer Arrighetti (TOR RHP)

Targets: Ben Rice, Luis Garcia, Jazz Chisholm, Trent Grisham, Heliot Ramos, George Lombard 

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

The "Chalk" (Popular)

The "Pivot" (Low

Owned)

The Winning Logic
Yamamoto (SP, chalk)Burke (SP, lower owned)Take the salary and ownership discount on Burke, who has had an excellent season. He draws a plus matchup against a Mets team that is still without its best hitter. 
Guardians (Chalk)Yankees (pivot stack)Mediocre offenses in Coors are generally good fades, especially when they are as popular as the Guardians project to be on this massive slate. 
Ramirez + Bazzana (chalk)Rice + Garcia (lower owned)The Guardians' top bats have both been slumping this month. You could say the same for the Yankees, but at least they come with a fraction of the ownership. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The foundation for every MLB DFS lineup you build today. These are the core MLB DFS picks by position across DraftKings and FanDuel.

  1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP1)
  2. MacKenzie Gore (SP2)
  3. Jose Ramirez (Core Bat)
  4. Corbin Carroll (Core Bat)
  5. Gabriel Moreno (Core Bat) 
  6. Nathaniel Lowe (Core Value Bat)
  7. Angel Genao (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

$ Tier {{pos.alias}}

Stacks

{{stack.team.name}} {{player.name}}
DraftKings {{player.fantasy.price.value[8]}}-
Fanduel {{player.fantasy.price.value[6]}}-