Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Saturday, August 22nd. 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: 11-Game Main | Lock Time: 7:05 pm ET, Saturday, August 22nd, 2026

Vegas Totals: CLE/COL (highest-projected game), NYM/CWS - DET/KC - MIN/SD (tied for second-highest game total)

Highest K-Projections: Tarik Skubal 8.5 O/U (+107), Michael Soroka 5.5 O/U (-150), Christian Scott 5.5 O/U (-145), Hunter Brown 5.5 O/U (-128), Kade Anderson 5.5 O/U (-105), Patrick Sandoval 5.5 O/U (-105)

MLB Weather Today, 8/22

TB @ BAL – Rain chances increase throughout the evening, but it should be clear at least until the late innings. 

CLE @ COL – Rain is possible around game time, but they should play without issue even if they need a late start. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Tarik Skubal (LAD)

Analysis: Skubal hasn't yet had a truly dominant start as a Dodger, but this matchup sets up well for him. The Pirates have struck out at the third-highest rate in baseball against lefties while posting just a 90 wRC+. The big lefty threw 109 pitches in his last start, allowing two runs and logging seven strikeouts in six innings. The six innings and seven strikeouts feel closer to his floor today, with the matchup creating an even greater-than-usual ceiling. 

Hunter Brown (HOU)

Analysis: Brown has worked through six innings in just four of his 11 starts since returning from the IL, typically living in the 90-pitch range. He's posted just a 22.2% strikeout rate and a 13.7% walk rate in that time. He does draw a strong matchup with the Athletics away from the hitter-friendly home park, but he just hasn't demonstrated the same upside as Skubal, even factoring in the salary discount. 

Michael Soroka (ARI)

Analysis: Soroka has delivered incredible results for the D-backs this season, with a 2.93 ERA across 17 starts. The strikeouts are above average at 23.5%, and the walks are elite at 5.3%. He draws one of the best possible matchups against a Reds team that strikes out at the highest rate in the league and has managed just an 84 wRC+ against right-handed pitching. 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Christian Scott (NYM)

Analysis: Scott has missed bats at a borderline elite rate of 28.6% this season, and the rest of his peripherals also support his 3.51 surface-level ERA. He draws a high-upside matchup against a White Sox team that strikes out at the fifth-highest rate against right-handed pitching. He's racked up at least six strikeouts in nine of his last 10 starts, and he has a great chance to top that number tonight. 

Cody Bradford (TEX)

Analysis: Bradford missed bats at an elite rate in his rehab from 2025 elbow surgery, racking up 16 strikeouts in 12 innings. That swing-and-miss has translated in two of his three big-league starts, but oddly enough not in his one elite strikeout matchup against the Angels this season. He did toss seven innings in that start, but he logged just one strikeout and gave up three runs. He gets that matchup again today, and he should come closer to striking out a batter per inning.  

Patrick Sandoval (BOS)

Analysis: Sandoval has had an even longer recovery from elbow surgery, but he has also delivered solid results since being back on a big-league mound. He has recorded at least five strikeouts in five of his seven starts this season, and now he draws an elite matchup against a Giants team that has been terrible against left-handed pitching. They own just an 83 wRC+ against southpaws this year, and they have been even worse since trading away to of their best hitters at the trade deadline earlier this month. 

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:

Tarik Skubal: 30.3% K% (10.7 K/9)

Christian Scott: 28.6% K% (11.2 K/9)

Hunter Brown: 24.7% K% (9.4 K/9)

Michael Soroka: 23.5% K% (8.6 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: Ramirez took the 0-fer in the first game of the Guardians Coors Field set, but he is going to be mega-chalk yet again. It is another great matchup today against Hughes, who has allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts. The bullpen behind him is also among the worst in baseball. Bazzana was the star of Game 1, racking up four hits, two runs, and three RBI. 

Corbin Carroll (OF, ARI) 

Analysis: The D-backs came through with nine runs yesterday, and they get another strong matchup today. Carroll was one of the stars of the day, logging two hits, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Lowder has been crushed by lefties this season, allowing a .200 ISO/.239 xISO. 

Mickey Moniak (OF, COL) & Cole Carrigg (OF/SS, COL)

Analysis: The Rockies were shut down by the lefty Cantillo yesterday, but they have been a much better offense against righties this season. Bibee gets the assignment in Coors today, and he has struggled with lefty power this season. Moniak has crushed righties with a .293 ISO and .374 wOBA, making him one of the top hitters on the slate. Carrigg comes with multi-positional eligibility and carries a healthy .368 wOBA against righties.  

Wilyer Abreu (OF, BOS) & Adley Rutschman (C, BOS)

Analysis: Rutschman returned a haul for the Orioles at the trade deadline, which shows just how much the Red Sox (and the league) still value him. He's enjoying a nice bounce-back season after injuries slowed him last year. He's posted a .200 ISO against righties this year, and Tidwell has managed just an 8.2% strikeout rate against lefty batters. Abreu has crushed righties with a .220 ISO. 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

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

Analysis: The Guardians once again offer up plenty of value options in Coors Field. They came through with nine runs yesterday and will once again be the chalkiest stack on the slate. Lefties have hit Bibee hard this season, which puts this trio in another elite spot. Lowe has an elite .240 ISO against righties, Kwan hits atop the order and owns a .335 wOBA, and Genao has posted an excellent 136 wRC+ in his limited action. 

Zac Veen (OF, COL) & Kyle Karros (3B, COL) 

Analysis: Veen has put together an incredible season after making lifestyle changes in the offseason. He destroyed Triple-A with a 142 wRC+ and hasn't slowed down one bit since getting the call to the big leagues. He hit 24 homers and stole 18 bags in the minors, flashing a power/speed combination that leads to a ton of fantasy points. Karros has cooled off a bit in August, but he combined for a 153 wRC+ in June and July. 

Lars Nootbaar (OF, ARI)

Analysis: Nootbaar is off to a slow start with his new team, but he draws a great matchup against Lowder. The Reds rookie has struggled against lefties this season, and the underlying data suggests he's even been a bit lucky. He's allowed a 12.4% barrel rate and .200 ISO to left-handed batters. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Cleveland Guardians vs Gabriel Hughes (COL RHP)

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

Primary Stack: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Rhett Lowder (CIN RHP)

Targets: Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo 

Primary Stack: Colorado Rockies vs Tanner Bibee (CLE RHP)

Targets: Mickey Moniak, Cole Carrigg, Jake McCarthy, TJ Rumfield, Zac Veen, Kyle Karros   

“Contrarian” Stack: Boston Red Sox vs Blade Tidwell (SF RHP)

Targets: Wilyer Abreu, Adley Rutschman, Willson Contreras, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard 

“Contrarian” Stack: San Diego Padres vs Dean Kremer (MIN RHP)

Targets: Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Ty France, Jake Cronenworth  

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

The "Chalk" (Popular)

The "Pivot" (Low

Owned)

The Winning Logic
Soroka (SP, chalk value)Scott (SP, lower owned value)Scott also draws a high-upside matchup and has a higher strikeout rate this season. He comes at a slight salary and ownership discount to the popular Soroka. 
Guardians (Chalk)Red Sox (pivot stack)The Guardians got the job done yesterday, but they face a bit tougher test today. The Sox draw a home matchup with an inexperienced righty, and they have been the best offense in baseball over the last 30 days (124 wRC+). 
Ramirez + Bazzana (chalk)Abreu + Rutschman (lower owned)The Ramirez fade worked yesterday, but Bazzana had a nice game. The Guardians are a below-average offense and will once again be extremely popular. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  1. Tarik Skubal (SP1)
  2. Christian Scott (SP2)
  3. Jose Ramirez (Core Bat)
  4. Travis Bazzana (Core Bat)
  5. Mickey Moniak (Core Bat) 
  6. Nathaniel Lowe (Core Value Bat)
  7. Zac Veen (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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