Welcome to the Fantasy Alarm MLB DFS Playbook for Wednesday, August 20th! 

Let’s start the week on the right foot with some winning lineups today. We have a 8-game main slate in store for us this evening on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:15 PM ET. Today, we have plenty of talent on the diamond and many different ways to build your lineup. Our expert analysis is here to guide you through the top pitchers, value plays, and stackable offenses to target.

Whether chasing big GPP prizes or grinding cash games, we’ve got you covered with insights tailored to today’s matchups. Let’s jump right into the key plays and strategies to dominate the slate!

 

This season's MLB DFS picks and playbook will consist of a pitcher and hitter core players section with written analysis, player pool grid and core stacks section.

The core player section should be used as a starting point for all lineups, you may not be able to use all players in the same lineup, but those players should be the building blocks for you on a given night.

The player pool grid will feature both players from the core player section along with additional plays to help you build a complete lineup. The grid will be broken into top priced players, mid-priced players and value tier players.

The stacks section will bring you are favorite lineups stacks for the day and which players we would look to include in those stacks based on matchups and pricing.

Check out the MLB DFS Show to get an initial outlook on the day's MLB DFS slate to give you a good base for the start of your research each day! 

Make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Alarm YouTube channel so you never miss a show! Also, join the Fantasy Alarm Discord to get your DFS lineup questions answered by our MLB DFS team! Plus, as always, be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, with the Daily MLB Projections, MLB DFS Rostership Projections, and our MLB DFS Lineup Generator when building those lineups today to help you decide which players you should be targeting.

 

MLB DFS Picks & MLB Playbook

MLB Weather: Monday, 8/20

Chicago White Sox vs. Atlanta Braves

There is some rain in the forecast that could cause the game to be delayed, but nothing overly concerning long term.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs

There are 20 MPH winds in the area that are going to make it nearly impossible to homer in.

 

 

Recommended MLB DFS Starting Pitchers

Let's get into today's core pitching plays for our DFS lineups

Core MLB DFS Pitchers

Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers

Look, this is risky. We have no idea how many pitches Jacob Misiorowski is going to throw in this spot, but his ceiling is MASSIVE. There are 20 MPH winds blowing in and he throws 200 MPH – give or take a few MPHs – and is facing a Cubs offense struggling massively. Since the All-Star break, the Cubs are 29th in OPS and wOBA, and 28th in wRC+ against right-handed pitching. GPPs only.

Noah Cameron, Kansas City Royals

The price is not great, but the matchup is fantastic. Since the All-Star break the Rangers rank 24th or worse in OPS, wOBA, ISO, and wRC+ against left-handed pitching. They've also struck out over 24% of the time while walking only 6.8%, too. The Royals are rolling right now and Cameron has plenty of win equity here.

Yusei Kikuchi, Los Angeles Angels

Despite the Reds not really striking out earlier in the year and against righties, that's not true right now against lefties. They have a 24.1% K-rate against southpaws since the All-Star break. They've also just straight up been bad against lefties over that span ranking 27th or worse in OPS, ISO, wOBA, and wRC+ and the Reds have the LOWEST ISO in the league. There's a high ceiling here for Kikuchi.

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

It's obviously in smaller bursts than it's been in the past, but you can argue some of the numbers Ohtani has on the mound this year are better than they've ever been. He has a 12.3 K/9, 33.3% K-rate, 3.47 ERA but a 2.26 xERA, 2.65 SIERA, and 2.58 xFIP. He threw a season-high 80 pitches last time out and faces a Rockies offense that strikes out a LOT against right-handed pitching.

Nick Martinez, Cincinnati Reds

I think Martinez is the clear pivot off of JP Sears at this price range. The Angels strike out a LOT and Martinez has pitched slightly better on the road. Before his start against the Brewers, he had gone six straight outings (five starts) in which he allowed 2 ER or less. Since the All-Star break, the Angels have struck out over 28% of the time and that's 3% higher than ANYONE else.

JP Sears, San Diego Padres

There is an obvious play that everyone is going to gravitate to and it's JP Sears. He hasn't been great but the Giants are horrible against left-handed pitching. They're bottom-five in every category against lefties while striking out a LOT.

 

 

Recommended MLB DFS Hitters

Let's check out today's core plays to build our lineups around.

Core MLB DFS Hitters

Dodgers Still in Coors

We love to see the Dodgers in Coors but the problem with them tonight is that you cannot use Shohei Ohtani (on DK) as a hitter, only a pitcher. So while I love the rest of the team, things obviously tie together very nicely for them as a stack with Ohtani included.

But since we're attacking Tanner Gordon without Ohtani, let's dive into the numbers shall we?

vs. LH - .185 ISO, .244 xISO, .348 wOBA, .380 xwOBA

vs. RH - .179 ISO, .133 xISO, .456 wOBA, .380 xwOBA

Now, Dodgers numbers against righties that we need to know;

Braves Continue to Roll

In 2025, the Chicago White Sox are sending out Martin Perez to the mound to pitch a game against the Braves tonight and it's safe to say I like the Braves..a lot.

Each of the last two seasons saw Perez pitch to at least a 4.5 ERA while having a 4.86 xERA or worse. Through five outings this year (four starts) his xERA is 6.43. The Braves have some offensive weapons that are clicking right now.

Michael Harris also happens to be the hottest hitter on the planet, so there's a free square for ya!

Royals Will Rock Kumar

UPDATE - Caleb Boushley is starting (opening) for the Rangers today.

August has been a brand new month for the Royals and they've turned into a brand new team and are now firmly in the American League Wild Card race because of it. In fact, since the All-Star break, they are top-six in OPS, ISO, wOBA, and wRC+ against right-handed pitching.

They face off against Kumar Rocker who's been recalled after a disastrous go at the major league level earlier this year. He's been hit by both splits this year;

vs. LH - .203 ISO, .220 xISO, .388 wOBA, .401 xwOBA, 16% K

vs. RH - .195 ISO, .211 xISO, .309 wOBA, .340 xwOBA, 24% K

Obviously the lefties are the preference, but righties look good too.

Vinnie Pasquantino, Mike Yastrzemski, and Adam Frazier are the lefties we're looking at. Bobby Witt, Jonathan India, Salvador Perez (if active), and Maikel Garcia are the top options from the right side.

Athletics Top Home Run Team of Night?

Is there any team with more home run upside than the Athletics? I'm not quite sure there are. Bailey Ober takes the mound for Minnesota tonight and after allowing 27 home runs in 178.2 IP last year, he's allowed 24 in 108.1 IP this season. He's at 1.99 HR/9 and 2.54 against lefties. He's just been a bad pitcher in general this year;

vs. LH - .226 ISO, .210 xISO, .350 wOBA

vs. RH - .228 ISO, .225 xISO, .354 wOBA, .352 xwOBA

The Athletics top-four projected in their lineup tonight all have a .215 ISO or better in Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, and Tyler Soderstrom.

You can round out an Athletics stack with Colby Thomas and Brent Harris if they're in the lineup.

Update: Twins are VERY interesting, especially the lefties. Brooks Lee, Trevor Larnach, Kody Clemens & Matt Wallner.

Top One Off's

Player Pool

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Stacks

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