Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Saturday, August 29th. 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: 12-Game DK Main, 6-Game FD Early Only | Lock Time: 1:05 pm ET, Saturday, August 29th, 2026

Vegas Totals: CWS/MIN (highest-projected game total), COL/ATL (second-highest game total), CIN/CHC (third-highest game total)

Highest K-Projections: Blake Snell 6.5 O/U (-125), Cade Cavalli 6.5 O/U (+102), Kevin Gausman 6.5 O/U (+114), Nolan McLean 5.5 O/U (-140), Foster Griffin 5.5 O/U (-105), Jose Soriano 5.5 O/U (+102), Carlos Rodon 5.5 O/U (+120)

MLB Weather Today, 8/29

CIN @ CHC – Slight chance of in-game showers, but may not be heavy enough to interrupt play. Winds blowing out to center field around 10 mph. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Blake Snell (LAD)

Analysis: Snell has returned from the IL and delivered three straight quality starts with 21 strikeouts in 18 innings, allowing just two combined runs in the process.  The lefty has double-digit strikeout upside any time he takes the mound on a full leash. His matchup tonight comes against a Tigers offense that has posted just a 92 wRC+ against lefties this year. 

Cade Cavalli (WAS)

Analysis: Cavalli has been flat-out dominant since the All-Star break. In eight second-half starts, the righty has logged seven wins, eight quality starts, and a 1.98 ERA. The peripheral stats are just as dazzling, with a 30.9% strikeout rate and 5.8% walk rate. He draws a home matchup with a Marlins offense that has managed just a 90 wRC+ in the second half. 

Kevin Gausman (CHC)

Analysis: Gausman tossed seven scoreless innings in his last start. And now, he gets the best possible matchup for a right-handed pitcher. The Reds strike out at the highest rate in the league against righties, and they rank dead last with an 89 wRC+. The only knocks on Gausman today are the 10 mph winds blowing out to center and a bullpen behind him that has struggled to hold leads recently. 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Carlos Rodon (NYY)

Analysis: Rodon failed to record more than 12 outs in either of his first two starts off the IL, but his pitch count is trending in the right direction. He threw 66 pitches in his return and then 76 pitches in his last start. He should be positioned to top the 85-pitch mark today. Walks remain an issue, and he gets a tough matchup against Boston. Despite those concerns, he still has upside at his mid-range price tag. 

Kade Anderson (SEA)

Analysis: Anderson was excellent in his MLB debut before running into a bit of trouble in the 6th inning. In that start, he faced a Cubs offense that ranks first in wRC+ against lefties. Today, he gets a matchup with a Blue Jays team that ranks dead last against lefties. He has a great chance to get through six innings even if his leash remains right around 80 pitches.  

Martin Perez (ATL)

Analysis:  Perez isn't going to miss many bats at this stage of his career, but he does draw an elite matchup with Colorado today. The Rockies have struggled to the second-lowest wRC+ against lefties this season, and they also strike out at the sixth-highest rate. The value options are rough on this slate, so we might as well lean into the plus matchup. 

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 12-game slate.

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

Blake Snell: 29.9% K% (11.1 K/9)

Cade Cavalli: 27.1% K% (10.2 K/9)

Nolan McLean: 27.2% K% (10.2 K/9)

Kevin Gausman: 23.5% K% (8.9 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.

• Blake Snell -106
• Kevin Gausman +123
• Nolan McLean +132 
• Sandy Alcantara +133
• Martin Perez +137 
• Foster Griffin +146 
• Cade Cavalli +156 
• Nick Martinez +169 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Stacks & Hitters

MLB DFS Top Hitters

Matt Olson (1B, ATL), Drake Baldwin (C, ATL), & Michael Harris (OF, ATL)

Analysis: The Braves draw an elite matchup against Feltner, who has allowed a 10.9% barrel rate and 1.75 HR/9. Olson is all the way up at a .295 ISO against righties this season. Baldwin and Harris both sit just below .200 ISO.  

Kody Clemens (2B/OF, MIN) & Luke Keaschall (OF, MIN) 

Analysis: Clemens has been excellent all season, posting an elite .231 ISO against righties. Keaschall got off to a slow start this season, but he has been absolutely raking over the last two months. He posted a 162 wRC+ in July and has followed that up with a 159 wRC+ in August.  

Jo Adell (OF, CLE)

Analysis: Adell has crushed lefties for a .290 ISO and .403 wOBA this season. Lynch has struggled since moving into the starting rotation, posting a 6.57 ERA across four starts so far. 

Munetaka Murakami (1B, CWS) & Colson Montgomery (SS, CWS)

Analysis: Murakami and Montgomery both possess massive power, but also strike out a ton. Today, they face off against Ober, who has managed to strike out just 12.1% of the left-handed batters he has faced. He has also allowed a massive .220 ISO to lefties. It's an elite spot for the White Sox sluggers.  

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Kaelen Culpepper (SS, MIN) & Walker Jenkins (OF, MIN) 

Analysis: Cheap and very talented rookies should round out the bottom of the Twins order. Culpepper has been on fire since entering the big leagues, posting a 155 wRC+ through his first 67 plate appearances. Jenkins just debuted yesterday, recording his first big-league hit. 

Tyrone Taylor (OF, CHC) & Matt Shaw (OF, CHC) 

Analysis: These cheap Cubs outfielders have crushed lefties this season, with Taylor posting a .244 ISO and Shaw posting a .213 ISO. The wind is blowing out at Wrigley, and they face Abbott, who owns just a 14.7% strikeout rate against righties. 

Andrew Benintendi (OF, CWS), Braden Montgomery (OF, CWS), & Tristan Peters (OF, CWS)

Analysis: There is a ton of value in the outfield on this slate, with the White Sox offering up three solid options. They will each hold the platoon advantage against Ober, who has allowed a .220 ISO/.241 xISO to lefties this season while striking out just 12.1% of them. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Atlanta Braves vs Ryan Feltner (COL RHP)

Targets: Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin, Michael Harris, Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies 

Primary Stack: Minnesota Twins vs Erick Fedde (CWS RHP)

Targets: Kody Clemens, Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Kaelen Culpepper, Walker Jenkins 

Primary Stack: Chicago Cubs vs Andrew Abbott (CIN LHP)

Targets: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Tyrone Taylor, Matt Shaw, Pedro Ramirez 

“Contrarian” Stack: Chicago White Sox vs Bailey Ober (MIN RHP)

Targets: Munetaka Murakami, Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas, Andrew Benintendi, Braden Montgomery, Tristan Peters 

“Contrarian” Stack: Cleveland Guardians vs Daniel Lynch (KC LHP)

Targets: Jose Ramirez, Jo Adell, Angel Genao, Angel Martinez, Chase DeLauter 

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. Blake Snell (SP1)
2. Cade Cavalli (SP2)
3. Drake Baldwin (Core Bat)
4. Michael Harris (Core Bat)
5. Kody Clemens (Core Bat) 
6. Kaelen Culpepper (Core Value Bat)
7. Walker Jenkins (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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