MLB DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups & Stacks Today: May 23rd, 2026
Published: May 23, 2026
Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Saturday, May 23rd. 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 7-game main slate has multiple directions to go, but the weather will unfortunately play a role. There is real risk of postponement in both Baltimore and Philadelphia, which would take Zack Wheeler and Framber Valdez off the board. This MLB DFS playbook covers every key position on DraftKings and FanDuel with our best MLB DFS picks for today.
Slate: 7-Game Main | Lock Time: 4:05 PM ET, Saturday, May 23, 2026
Vegas Totals: CWS/SF - WSH/ATL - SEA/KC (tied for highest-projected game), NYM/MIA - MIN/BOS (tied for second-highest)
Highest K-Projections: Zack Wheeler 5.5 O/U (-128), Max Meyer 5.5 O/U (-120), Freddy Peralta 5.5 O/U (-), Eury Perez 5.5 O/U (-130)
MLB Weather Today, 5/23
DET vs BAL - POSTPONED
CLE vs PHI - High chance of postponement.
WSH vs ATL - Rain showers in the area. Delay likely if one pops up over the ballpark, but should be able to get the game in.
MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers
MLB DFS Top Pitchers
George Kirby (SEA)
Analysis: I'm leaving Zack Wheeler out of the discussion with weather looking very dicey in Philadelphia. Kirby has been solid from a run-prevention standpoint, but the strikeouts have been down. He gets a solid spot against the Royals, who own a below-average 94 wRC+ against righties, but the upside is a bit of a concern due to their high contact rates.
Freddy Peralta (NYM)
Analysis: Peralta is another big name who has seen a dip in strikeouts this season. His walks are also up, which has affected his efficiency and prevented him from working deep into games. The Marlins have been below-average against righties (96 wRC+), but they have also struck out at the 7th-lowest rate.
Max Meyer (MIA)
Analysis: Meyer has as much upside as anyone on the slate if Wheeler is unplayable. His strikeouts have ticked up to 26.7% this season, and the swinging-strike rate is even more impressive at 14.3%. The Mets have been one of the worst offenses in baseball against righties, posting an 88 wRC+, but they do make quite a bit of contact. Still, Meyer has displayed the most swing-and-miss ability of any pitcher on the slate not named Wheeler.
Taj Bradley (MIN)
Analysis: Bradley has also seen a bump in strikeouts, and his walk rate is holding steady around league average. He draws the best matchup on the board against the Red Sox, who own the lowest wRC+ in the league against right-handed pitching. They also strike out at the 11th-highest rate against righties.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Grant Holmes (ATL)
Analysis: There is a serious lack of value options on this slate. Holmes is the best of the options, but he does come with some weather risk. The Nats have been slightly above average and don't strike out much, but Holmes still grades out better than Irvin, Bello, Fedde, and Houser for me. I'd have interest in Cecconi, but the weather is even more concerning in Philadelphia.
Top Options For Strikeouts
The three top strikeout targets in today's MLB DFS projections each carry a K/9 above 10.9 and favorable opponent strikeout splits. 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 nine-game slate.
Our model identifies these arms as the highest-ceiling plays for Alt-K lines today:
Max Meyer: 26.7% K% (10.1 K/9)
Freddy Peralta: 23.2% K% (8.9 K/9)
George Kirby: 20.7% K% (7.5 K/9)
Grant Holmes: 18.9% K% (7.2 K/9)
Taj Bradley: 26.1% K% (10.0 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 carry 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
Matt Olson (1B, ATL)
Analysis: Olson is having an incredible season with a 147 wRC+, and now he gets a dream matchup against a righty that has struggled with lefty power his entire career. Irvin has allowed a .165 ISO to lefties this season, but his xISO is all the way up at .263. He has allowed an ISO above .200 to lefties in every season of his career.
Julio Rodriguez (OF, SEA)
Analysis: J-Rod is off to a great start this season compared to his recent first halves, and he's been even better recently. He owns an elite 147 wRC+ in May, slashing .272/.314/.556. Kolek has been crushed by righties this season, allowing a .353 ISO and striking out just 5.3% of them.
Colson Montgomery (SS, CWS)
Analysis: Montgomery has done nothing but rake since breaking into the big leagues last season. He has 34 home runs across his first 490 plate appearances. He draws an elite matchup against Houser, who has allowed a .327 ISO to lefties while striking out just 12.8% of them.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Michael Harris (OF, ATL)
Analysis: Harris is having an outstanding season, with an excellent 132 wRC+. The matchup against Irvin is as good as it gets for left-handed batters, as he has allowed a .228 ISO to lefties in his career.
Dominic Smith (1B/OF, ATL)
Analysis: Smith is another Atlanta lefty who should thrive in the elite matchup. He's cheap and hitting in the middle of the order.
Cole Young (2B, SEA)
Analysis: Young offers cheap production at a weak 2B position. He comes with power and speed upside, and he has been moving up the order in recent games. He draws the 6 spot in the lineup today, and faces a pitcher who doesn't produce strikeouts.
MLB DFS Top Stacks
Primary Stack: Atlanta Braves vs Jake Irvin (WAS RHP)
Why:
Primary Stack: Seattle Mariners vs Stephen Kolek (KCR RHP)
Why:
"Contrarian" Stack: Chicago White Sox vs Adrian Houser (SFG RHP)
Why:
"Contrarian" Stack: Minnesota Twins vs Jovani Moran/Brayan Bello (BOS LHP/RHP)
Why:
MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers
| The "Chalk" (Popular) | The "Pivot" (Low Owned) | The Winning Logic |
| Kirby (SP, chalk) | Bradley (SP, similar tier) | Kirby is likely the de facto ace of the slate if weather takes Wheeler off the board. Bradley has as much strikeout upside as any arm on the slate. |
| ATL + SEA as primary stacks | CWS + MIN as contrarian stacks | Atlanta lefties are in an elite spot, but fading expensive righties like Acuna and Riley is viable. High upside White Sox and Twins like Buxton, Murakami, and Montgomery are strong pivots. |
| Acuna + Riley (chalk) | Montgomery + Smith (lower owned) | Montgomery draws a matchup against a low-strikeout arm that has been crushed by lefties. Smith will be lower-owned than some of his teammates, but is still an elite option against Irvin. |
The foundation for every MLB DFS lineup you build today. These are the core MLB DFS picks by position across DraftKings and FanDuel.
- Max Meyer (SP1)
- Taj Bradley (SP2)
- Matt Olson (Core Bat)
- Julio Rodriguez (Core Bat)
- Colson Montgomery (Core Bat)
- Michael Harris (Core Value Bat)
- Dominic Smith (Core Value Bat)
Player Pool
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