Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Monday, September 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. 

Today's slates have multiple different directions with some quality hitters in James Wood, Pete Alonso, Kevin McGonigle, and CJ Abrams all digging into the box. This MLB DFS playbook covers every key position on DraftKings and FanDuel with our best MLB DFS picks for today.

Slate: 3-Games | Lock Time: 6:35 pm ET, Monday, September 21st, 2026

Vegas Totals: SEA/COL (highest-projected game), DET/CWS, MIL/BAL, ATH/CLE & PHI/NYM (tied for second-highest game total), ATL/HOU, MIN/LAA, NYY/ARI & SF/LAD (tied for third-highest game total)

Highest K-Projections: Zebby Matthews 4.5 O/U (-116), Blade Tidwell 3.5 O/U (-161), Shane Baz 3.5 O/U (-150), DJ Herz 3.5 O/U (-115)

MLB Weather Today, 9/21

Blue Jays vs Orioles - Storms in the area that could cause a delay, but the game should play in full.

Nationals vs Tigers - Some rain in the area that could cause a delayed start, but it’ll completely clear up and the game will play in full.

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Shane Baz (BAL)

Analysis: Baz has been inconsistent all year but is one of the only pitchers that could see a full workload today. Since the ASB, Toronto has been a plus offense vs. RHP (105 wRC+) and don’t really strike out. I prefer the two other pitchers listed, but Baz is a top three play on the mound today.

Zebby Matthews (MIN)

Analysis: Matthews has been much better in the second half than he was in the first half from a fantasy standpoint. He’s put up 27 DKP in three of five games and has 19+ in four of five. Since the start of September, the Giants have a 99 wRC+ and 25% K-rate and they had Rafael Devers for a large chunk of September too. Matthews is my top arm.

Blade Tidwell (SFG)

Analysis: It’s been a mixed bag, but there has been a bunch of quality outings out of Tidwell recently. He’s put up 12+ DKP in four of his last six starts, which on this slate could be among the top scorers of the day. The Twins have been slightly better than league avg. in September vs. RHP posting a 102 wRC+ and .716 OPS.

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 9-game slate.

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

Trey Yesavage: 23.6% K% (8.7 K/9)

Shane Baz: 20.5% K% (7.9 K/9)

Zebby Matthews: 20.5% K% (7.7 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

MLB DFS Value Hitters

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Washington Nationals vs River Ryan/Keider Montero (DET RHP)

Targets: James Wood, CJ Abrams, Daylen Lile, Dylan Crews, Nasim Nunez, Keibert Ruiz

Primary Stack: Detroit Tigers vs DJ Herz (WAS LHP)

Targets: Dillon Dingler, Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Hao-Yu Lee, Spencer Torkelson

“Contrarian” Stack: Minnesota Twins vs Blade Tidwell (SFG RHP)

Targets: Brooks Lee, Kody Clemens, Walker Jenkins, Josh Bell, Alan Roden

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

The "Chalk" (Popular)

The "Pivot" (Low

Owned)

Yesavage (SP, chalk)Matthews (SP, lower owned)
Nationals (Chalk)Twins (pivot stack)
Henderson + Beavers (chalk)Lee + Jenkins (lower owned)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  1. Zebby Matthews (SP1)
  2. Blade Tidwell (SP2)
  3. CJ Abrams (Core Bat)
  4. Kody Clemens (Core Bat)
  5. Brooks Lee (Core Bat)
  6. Hao-Yu Lee (Core Value Bat)
  7. Walker Jenkins (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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