Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Tuesday, June 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 9-game main slate has multiple different directions to go considering we have games in Coors Field and Great American Ball Park, with not a lot of pitching to spend on. This MLB DFS playbook covers every key position on DraftKings and FanDuel with our best MLB DFS picks for today.

Slate: 9-Game Main  |  Lock Time: 7:10 PM ET, Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026

Vegas Totals: BOS/COL (highest-projected game), MIL/CIN (second-highest game), LAD/MIN - BAL/LAA (tied for third-highest game)

Highest K-Projections: Robbie Ray 6.5 O/U (+123), Sean Burke 5.5 O/U (-120), Shane Baz 5.5 O/U (-105), Parker Messick 5.5 O/U (+105), Nick Lodolo 5.5 O/U (+117) 

MLB Weather Today, 6/23

CHC @ NYM - Much less risk than Monday. Low chance of a late start, but the game should play fine regardless. 

LAD @ MIN - Scattered storms in the area put a late start, in-game delay, and/or postponement on the table. High risk unless there is a more positive update before roster lock.  

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Parker Messick (CLE)

Analysis: Messick has been incredible for the Guardians, with a 2.70 ERA through 15 starts. He owns an above-average strikeout and walk rate, and he's allowed just a 5.8% barrel rate. He draws a high-upside, but risky, matchup against a White Sox team that owns a 111 wRC+ against lefties, but they have also struck out at the seventh-highest rate. 

Shane Baz (BAL)

Analysis: Baz is coming off a 9-strikeout performance against the Mariners. That was an encouraging development since his strikeouts have been down this season. He's sitting just below 20% strikeouts on the season, but he should be helped out by a matchup against an Angels team that strikes out at the highest rate in baseball against right-handed pitching. 

Edward Cabrera (CHC)

Analysis: It has not been a good first season with Chicago for Cabrera, as he has seen his ERA balloon to 5.21. His strikeouts have dipped below league average at 21.3%, but his swinging-strike rate remains a healthy 11.9%. He was at 12.6% swinging strikes last season when he posted a 25.8% strikeout rate. Contact management has also been an issue, as his barrel rate is a lofty 12.5%. He does draw a decent matchup against a Mets team that has posted just an 89 wRC+ against righties while striking out more than league average.  

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Robbie Ray (SFG)

Analysis: Ray chalk never feels good, but that's what we are dealing with today. The lefty has been just an average strikeout pitcher this season, and his career-long battle with walks remains a concern. He has also surrendered an 11.6% barrel rate and nearly 1.6 HR/9. On the plus side, he pitches in one of the premier pitcher's parks in baseball, and he draws a matchup against an A's team that strikes out at the fifth-highest rate against lefties. 

Sean Burke (CWS)

Analysis: Burke has put together a solid season for the White Sox, pitching to a 3.89 ERA across 81 innings. He is coming off a brilliant outing, where he held the Yankees to just one run across 7.1 innings and struck out eight. Further adding to his appeal, Burke draws a matchup against a Guardians team that has struggled to a 93 wRC+ against righties this season, and they remain without three of their best hitters, including team leader Jose Ramirez. The Guardians have struck out at an absurd 32.9% rate over their last seven games without those three hitters in the lineup. 

JR Ritchie (ATL)

Analysis: Ritchie has pitched to mix results across 35.2 MLB innings. Two major issues have popped up for the young righty in that time. He's posted a gaudy 13.6% walk rate, and lefties have hammered him for a .247 ISO. The Padres walk at an above-average clip, but they have just one lefty power threat to speak of in their lineup. They have posted just an 88 wRC+ against righties this season, while striking out at the fifth-highest rate in baseball. 

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 9-game slate.

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

Parker Messick: 26.4% K% (9.5 K/9)

Sean Burke: 24.0% K% (9.0 K/9)

Robbie Ray: 22.0% K% (8.4 K/9)

Shane Baz: 19.8% K% (7.7 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

Willson Contreras (1B, BOS) & Ceddanne Rafaela (OF, BOS) 

Analysis: The Red Sox have been a much better offense against lefties, and Contreras and Rafaela are a big reason why. Contreras owns a massive .311 ISO against southpaws, while Rafaela is up at a .246 ISO. Contreras is on pace for a career-high in home runs, and Rafaela adds speed upside as well. 

Jackson Chourio (OF, MIL) 

Analysis: Chourio has been an elite hitter against lefties dating back to the beginning of last season. He is currently boasting a .229 ISO and .398 wOBA against southpaws this year, and he was even better than that last season. Lodolo has been tagged for a 6.12 ERA this season, and he's allowed nearly 1.7 HR/9. 

Gunnar Henderson (SS, BAL)

Analysis: Henderson scuffled to a 73 wRC+ in May, but he is back to being an elite hitter with a 135 wRC+ in June. He's already swatted 16 home runs, which is just one shy of his season total from last year, and puts him on a 30+ home run pace. The slugging shortstop draws a matchup against an inexperienced righty who has not yet figured out how to miss bats in the big leagues.  

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Caleb Durbin (3B, BOS) & Andruw Monasterio (2B, BOS)

Analysis: Durbin has posted a 160 wRC+ in June after overhauling his swing mechanics. He's launched four home runs in 62 plate appearances in the month after hitting just one in his first 182 plate appearances this season. Monastario should hit near the top of the order, and he has posted a .234 ISO against lefties this season. He also posted a .205 ISO against lefties last season. 

Samuel Basallo (C, BAL) & Colton Cowser (OF, BAL)

Analysis: Each of these young lefties had a scorching hot month of May. Basallo slumped at the beginning of June, but he's starting to come back around, recording a hit in seven of his last nine games. Cowser has continued his hot hitting in June, posting a 120 wRC+ in the month. For the season, Basallo owns an excellent .229 ISO against righties, while Cowser is up at .182 ISO.  

Cooper Pratt (SS, MIL) 

Analysis: Pratt got the day off yesterday, but he should be back in there against the lefty today. He's off to a strong start to his big league career, with seven hits and three stolen bases through his first seven games. He draws a matchup against a struggling lefty in one of the best home run parks in baseball. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Boston Red Sox vs Sean Sullivan (COL LHP)

Why: The Red Sox disappointed as chalk last night in Coors, but they get an even better spot tonight. For starters, they have been a much better offense against lefties (103 wRC+) than they have been against righties (84 wRC+). Tonight, they are facing an inexperienced lefty who was just blown up for eight runs in his last start, and that one wasn't even at Coors Field. 

Primary Stack: Milwaukee Brewers vs Nick Lodolo (CIN LHP)

Why: The Brewers get another great spot against a pitcher who has had major problems at Great American Ball Park this season. Lodolo has seen his strikeout rate plummet to just 16.3%, and he's allowed nearly 1.7 HR/9.   

Primary Stack: Baltimore Orioles vs Ryan Johnson (LAA RHP)

Why: The Orioles square off against an inexperienced righty who has walked more batters than he has struck out in his brief big league time this season. Johnson has also surrendered five home runs in just 13.1 innings. 

"Contrarian" Stack: Cincinnati Reds vs Brandon Sproat (MIL RHP)

Why: The Reds have an identical implied team total as their opponent, but they are projected to be less popular than the Brewers. Sproat has had control problems and hard contact issues, posting an 11.6% walk rate and allowing 1.8 HR/9. 

"Contrarian" Stack: Chicago Cubs vs Kodai Senga (NYM RHP)

Why: Rain has been the only thing that can slow down the Cubs' offense lately, but it looks like they are gonna be in the clear today. Over their last nine games, they have posted a 146 wRC+ as a team, and Pete Crow-Armstrong is on his way to NL Player of the Month after consecutive weekly honors. Senga has been hammered for an 11.8% barrel rate and 2.6 HR/9 this season. 

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

The "Chalk" (Popular)

The "Pivot" (Low

Owned)

The Winning Logic
Ray (SP, chalk)Burke (SP, lower owned)Ray has walk and hard contact issues that can lead him into trouble. Burke has put together a strong season, and draws a banged-up Guardians lineup. 
Red Sox (Chalk)Cubs (pivot stack)The Cubs' offense has come back to life recently, posting a 146 wRC+ over their last nine games on the back of the hottest hitter in baseball. They draw a matchup against a righty who has struggled to get outs this season.   
Duran + Abreu (chalk)Chourio + Carroll (lower owned)Chalky Red Sox outfielders, hitting from their weaker split, can be faded in favor of two elite hitters that are in prime matchups that favor their stronger split. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  1. Shane Baz (SP1)
  2. Sean Burke (SP2)
  3. Willson Contreras (Core Bat)
  4. Jackson Chourio (Core Bat)
  5. Ceddanne Rafaela (Core Bat)
  6. Caleb Durbin (Core Value Bat)
  7. Cooper Pratt (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

$ Tier {{pos.alias}}

Stacks

{{stack.team.name}} {{player.name}}
DraftKings {{player.fantasy.price.value[8]}}-
Fanduel {{player.fantasy.price.value[6]}}-