Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Saturday, August 15th. 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: 8-Game DK Main, 9-Game FD Main | Lock Time: 7:10 pm ET on DK, 6:40 pm ET on FD, Saturday, August 15th, 2026

Vegas Totals: TEX/ATH (highest-projected game), MIA/CIN (FD) & ARI/ATL (tied for second-highest game total)

Highest K-Projections: Jacob Misiorowski 8.5 O/U (-110), Jesus Luzardo 6.5 O/U (+100), Reid Detmers 6.5 O/U (+117), MacKenzie Gore 5.5 O/U (-160), Sonny Gray 5.5 O/U (+116)

MLB Weather Today, 8/15

MIA @ CIN (FD only) – Chance of rain showers that could cause a delay. 

PHI @ MIN – Chance of rain showers that could cause a delay. Riskiest game on the slate. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Jacob Misiorowski (MIL)

Analysis: The Miz is fully priced for a tough matchup with the Dodgers, but no pitcher in baseball is as matchup-proof or has more upside. The young phenom has allowed five runs in his last two starts, but he has also racked up 19 strikeouts. He will either need to get through the Dodgers' elite lineup unscathed or notch double-digit strikeouts to factor into tournament-winning lineups today. 

Jesus Luzardo (PHI)

Analysis: There is some delay risk for Luzardo today, so be sure to monitor weather updates up to roster lock. Unfortunately, the best meteorologist in the industry (Kevin Roth) is on vacation, so we won't have his expert analysis to help guide us today. Assuming the weather holds, it's a good spot for Luzardo. The Twins own a below-average 96 wRC+ against lefties this season. The lefty is coming off a monster 12-strikeout performance his last time out, and his season strikeout rate is up to 29.7%. 

Sonny Gray (BOS)

Analysis: Gray has put together another sterling season, posting a 2.79 ERA through 22 starts. He experienced a noticeable dip in strikeouts to begin the year before the whiffs ticked up in May and June. Unfortunately, they have disappeared again recently, as Gray has recorded just an 18.5% strikeout rate over his last six starts. He recorded more than five strikeouts in just one of those outings, but there is reason for optimism today. He draws a matchup with a Pirates team that has struck out at the sixth-highest rate in baseball against right-handed pitching. 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Reid Detmers (LAA)

Analysis: Detmers owns a healthy 28.2% strikeout rate and an above-average 7.8% walk rate. His ERA sits at an even 4.00 this year, but he has pitched considerably better than that according to ERA estimators. The matchup is a plus against a Royals team that has struggled to a 94 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. 

MacKenzie Gore (TEX)

Analysis: Gore is coming off a brilliant nine-strikeout performance against the Angels. He has to go into a hitter-friendly stadium today, but the matchup actually sets up quite well for him. The A's own a below-average 97 wRC+ against lefties, and they have struck out at the fifth-highest rate in the league. That matchup and a friendly price tag are contributing to a significant ownership projection for Gore. 

Joey Cantillo (CLE)

Analysis: Cantillo is an excellent tournament pivot off the chalkier Gore. He has a similar price tag and just as much upside. His last start was cut short by a lengthy rain delay, but he's flashed a ton of swing-and-miss since introducing a new cutter and leaning more heavily on his curveball. Over his last 11 starts, the lefty has used his curveball more than 41% of the time and produced a 29.9% strikeout rate.  

Jared Jones (PIT)

Analysis: It's not often we get this type of arm talent at the bottom of the salary range. Jones has pitched much better than his surface-level 5.03 ERA, as he's posted above-average strikeout and walk rates. A 66% strand rate has been one of his main issues, and that should regress in his favor over time. The matchup is not ideal against a Red Sox squad that has been one of the better offenses in baseball over the last 30 days, but there is still plenty of upside available for his price tag. 

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 main slate.

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

Jacob Misiorowski: 40.6% K% (13.8 K/9)

Jesus Luzardo: 29.7% K% (11.0 K/9)

Reid Detmers: 28.2% K% (10.4 K/9)

MacKenzie Gore: 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 carries K-prop lines worth noting alongside their DFS value at reduced ownership relative to the top tier.

• Jacob Misiorowski +112
• Sonny Gray +122
• Reid Detmers +124 
• MacKenzie Gore +136 
• Eduardo Rodriguez +176

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Stacks & Hitters

MLB DFS Top Hitters

Corey Seager (SS, TEX) & Wyatt Langford (OF, TEX)

Analysis: The Rangers disappointed as chalk yesterday, but they get another great opportunity in Sutter Health Park today. Seager has the standout matchup as a lefty since Ginn has significant splits. He has posted a sturdy .219 ISO against righties this season. Despite the wide splits of Ginn, Langford is also appealing given his lineup spot atop the order and his elite .253 ISO against righties.  

Corbin Carroll (OF, ARI) & Ketel Marte (2B, ARI) 

Analysis: Carroll is one of the top hitters on the slate as he draws a matchup against a pitcher who has allowed a .181 ISO and .204 xISO to lefties this season. He comes with power and speed upside, including a .239 ISO against right-handed pitching and 16 stolen bases. Marte has had a down season, but his upside is intriguing at a weak 2B position. 

Kyle Schwarber (OF, PHI)

Analysis: Schwarber continues to be one of the best left-on-left hitters in all of baseball, posting an elite .283 ISO and .416 wOBA this season. Prielipp has had reverse splits this season, allowing a .373 wOBA to lefties and striking them out at a lower rate than righties. 

Tyler Soderstrom (OF, ATH) & Zack Gelof (2B/OF, ATH)

Analysis: The A's are flying under the radar again as they face one of the most popular pitchers on the slate. Soderstrom is projected to be particularly low-owned in the lefty-lefty matchup. Gore strikes out lefties at a lower clip than righties, and he's allowed them a lofty .342 wOBA. Gelof owns a .200 ISO against lefties, comes with dual-position eligibility, and should hit leadoff. 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Joc Pederson (1B, TEX) & Evan Carter (OF, TEX)

Analysis: Pederson has had an incredible bounceback season, with a .253 ISO and .371 wOBA against righties. Carter has struggled this season, but he does offer power and speed upside, posting 8 homers and 14 steals in 348 plate appearances. They will both enjoy a massive park upgrade for offense and the platoon advantage against the wide splits of Ginn. 

Alec Bohm (1B/3B, PHI) & Edmundo Sosa (OF/SS, PHI) 

Analysis: Bohm has had a dreadful season, but he still owns respectable numbers against lefties. He has posted a .194 ISO against southpaws, and six of his 13 home runs have come off them despite 200 fewer plate appearances. Sosa has strong career numbers against lefties (.197 ISO, .335 wOBA), even if they don't stand out this season. He is just a year removed from posting a .215 ISO and .383 wOBA against lefties. 

Jonah Heim (C, ATH)

Analysis: Heim has posted an elite .280 ISO against lefties this season and should hit in a prime run-production spot in the order. That type of upside is pretty rare in the value tiers. 

Dominic Canzone (OF, SEA) & Cole Young (2B, SEA)

Analysis: Wesneski has allowed big power numbers to both sides of the plate at various points in his career. In a limited sample this season, lefties have done the majority of the damage with a .233 ISO. Both of these Mariners' lefty value bats should hit in the top half of the order. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Texas Rangers vs J.T. Ginn (ATH RHP)

Targets: Corey Seager, Wyatt Langford, Brandon Nimmo, Joc Pederson, Evan Carter 

Primary Stack: Philadelphia Phillies vs Connor Prielipp (MIN LHP)

Targets: Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Luis Arraez, Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa 

Primary Stack: Seattle Mariners vs Hayden Wesneski (HOU RHP)

Targets: Julio Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone, Cole Young, Taylor Ward

“Contrarian” Stack: Athletics vs MacKenzie Gore (TEX LHP)

Targets: Tyler Soderstrom, Zack Gelof, Jonah Heim, Jacob Wilson, Tommy White

“Contrarian” Stack: Los Angeles Angels vs Randy Dobnak (KC RHP)

Targets: Mike Trout, Zach Neto, Wade Meckler, Nolan Schanuel, Moises Ballesteros 

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

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

1. Jacob Misiorowski (SP1)
2. MacKenzie Gore (SP2)
3. Corey Seager (Core Bat)
4. Corbin Carroll (Core Bat)
5. Zack Gelof (Core Bat) 
6. Joc Pederson (Core Value Bat)
7. Alec Bohm (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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