Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Tuesday, August 18th. 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: 9-Game Main | Lock Time: 7:10 pm ET, Tuesday, August 18th, 2026

Vegas Totals: LAD/COL (highest-projected game total), ATH/KC – CWS/COL – LAA/HOU (tied for second-highest game total) 

Highest K-Projections: Kevin Gausman 5.5 O/U (-160), Kyle Harison 5.5 O/U (-155), Bryce Miller 5.5 O/U (+120), Tyler Mahle 4.5 O/U (-120), Cristian Javier 4.5 O/U (-113), Robbie Ray 4.5 O/U (-113) 

MLB Weather Today, 8/18

CWS @ CHC – Rain chances increase as the game progresses. We will need to monitor radar to gauge the severity and possibility of interruptions in play. 

LAD @ COL – Less risk than Chicago, but still a chance for rain to cause an interruption in play. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Kyle Harrison (MIL)

Analysis: This is a terrible pitching slate, and Harrison is head and shoulders above the field. His strikeout rate is nearly 5 percentage points above the next highest pitcher, and he draws a matchup against a Seattle offense that has managed just an 89 wRC+ against left-handed pitching while striking out at the 10th-highest rate. Sure, he got blown up in his last start, but he also threw 90 pitches in that outing, which bodes well for his leash tonight. 

Kevin Gausman (CHC)

Analysis: There is a chance of rain around game time, so be sure to monitor weather radar and updates prior to roster lock. Assuming the weather holds, Gausman is in a high-upside spot against a White Sox offense that has struck out at the fifth-highest rate in baseball against right-handed pitching. The matchup is certainly not without risk, as the wind is blowing out to center and the Sox own a 104 wRC+ against righties. With Miller and Suarez in poor form recently, top-tier pitching options thin out in a hurry. It probably just makes sense to save salary at the position if Gausman isn't playable and you can't get up to Harrison. 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Tyler Mahle (ATL)

Analysis: Whenever a pitcher changes teams, the first thing to take note of is their pitch mix. And boy, do we ever have a massive shift in pitch mix from Mahle through two starts with Atlanta. The righty has leaned massively on his splitter and virtually eliminated the slider from his repertoire. His splitter usage is at 36.8% with Atlanta, compared to 25.1% with San Francisco. The results have been mind-blowing, as Mahle has produced a 36.4% strikeout rate and 15.1% swinging-strike rate in his two starts with Atlanta. He was at just 22% strikeouts and 8.9% swinging strikes with Atlanta. 

Cristian Javier (HOU)

Analysis: Playing Javier into 20% ownership is a terrible idea, but there just aren't many other options if you're making 10+ lineups and want to diversify your exposure a bit. I prefer saving the salary with Javier to playing a more expensive Suarez at similar ownership. Javier has just a 16.8% strikeout rate, but his 11.7% swinging-strike rate suggests he has been quite unlucky in the strikeouts department. He also draws one of the best possible matchups against an Angels team that whiffs at the second-highest rate against righties. 

Jackson Kent (WAS)

Analysis: Kent made his MLB debut last week against the Cubs and turned in a solid performance. His final line looks worse than he actually pitched in that outing, as the Nats' bullpen allowed two of his inherited runners to score after he left the game in the 5th inning. The rookie uncharacteristically struggled with his control, and that ultimately led to an elevated pitch count. Six strikeouts in four innings against an elite Cubs offense offers plenty of upside to dream on. The Rangers have also struck out at the fifth-highest rate against lefties, which makes this a better matchup than his last start. 

Eric Lauer (LAD)

Analysis: If you thought Javier was going to be the riskiest option recommended today, I've got some bad news for you. Allow me to introduce Mr. Lauer pitching in Coors Field as a viable option on this dreadful pitching slate. This one is all about the savings in both salary and ownership compared to other options rostered by the field. The Rockies have also been dreadful against left-handed pitching, posting just an 80 wRC+ this season. 

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:

Kyle Harrison: 29.7% K% (11.0 K/9)

Bryce Miller: 25.4% K% (8.9 K/9)

Ranger Suarez: 24.7% K% (9.2 K/9)

Kevin Gausman: 23.5% K% (8.9 K/9)

Tyler Mahle: 23.4% 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.

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Stacks & Hitters

MLB DFS Top Hitters

Shohei Ohtani (1B/OF, LAD), Freddie Freeman (1B, LAD), Max Muncy (3B, LAD), & Mookie Betts (SS, LAD) 

Analysis: These four combined for 10 hits, 8 runs, 3 home runs, and 9 RBI in the first game of their set at Coors Field on Monday. They are going to massive chalk today despite their elevated price tags. Not only are they in Coors again, but they get a matchup with a pitcher who owns a 16% strikeout rate and has allowed 1.9 HR/9 and a 10.9% barrel rate. 

Bobby Witt (SS, KC)

Analysis: Witt is back to showing off his elite power/speed combination again, with a homer and a stolen base yesterday. He owns a 169 wRC+ and three stolen bases since returning from the IL earlier this month. Now, he draws a matchup with Perkins, who has allowed a .208 ISO to righties this season. 

Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF, CHC) & Seiya Suzuki (OF, CHC)

Analysis: The Cubs own the second-highest implied team total on the board, and yet no one is playing them. They draw an elite matchup against the White Sox, who are expected to use Erick Fedde in bulk relief. PCA just reached his second consecutive 30-30 season, and Suzuki is up to a .219 ISO and 135 wRC+ this season. They combined for three home runs yesterday and get even better hitting conditions today at Wrigley Field. 

Cole Carrigg (OF/SS, COL) 

Analysis: Carrigg has racked up five homers and seven stolen bases in just 57 games this season. Lauer has mostly survived as a Dodger, but he has also allowed a .206 ISO/.219 xISO to righties this year. Carrigg's ability to switch-hit will allow him to maintain the platoon advantage even when the Dodgers go to the bullpen. 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Jordan Beck (OF, COL) 

Analysis: Beck has been great against lefties in a limited sample dating back to last season. He owns a .191 ISO against southpaws this year after posting a .197 ISO against them last year. 

Abimelec Ortiz (1B, WAS) 

Analysis: The big lefty has shown off monstrous power at every level of the minors, and now he's doing it in the big leagues. He's already smashed five home runs in just 41 plate appearances, and underlying metrics fully support his results. 

Jonah Heim (C, ATH) & Tommy White (1B/3B, ATH)

Analysis: The A's are away from their hitter-friendly home park, but they get another great hitting environment in Kansas City today. The Royals are expected to go with a Lynch/Black piggyback situation again. That duo has allowed 10 runs across 11 innings in their last two outings. 

Pedro Ramirez (2B/3B, CHC) & Michael Conforto (OF, CHC)

Analysis: This duo has been surprisingly great for the Cubs this season, and both are in line for significant playing time now with Dansby Swanson's injury. Ramirez owns a .335 wOBA and has seven stolen bases in just 145 plate appearances, while Conforto has launched 10 home runs and compiled a .221 ISO in 220 plate appearances. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Ryan Feltner (COL RHP)

Targets: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Andy Pages, Max Muncy, Mookie Betts 

Primary Stack: Athletics vs Daniel Lynch/Mason Black (KC LHP/RHP)

Targets: Zack Gelof, Jonah Heim, Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, Tommy White, Henry Bolte

Primary Stack: Kansas City Royals vs Jack Perkins (ATH RHP)

Targets: Bobby Witt, Jac Caglianone, Carter Jensen, Maikel Garcia, Michael Massey 

“Contrarian” Stack: Chicago Cubs vs Erick Fedde (CWS RHP)

Targets: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Alex Bregman, Michael Busch, Pedro Ramirez, Michael Conforto 

“Contrarian” Stack: Los Angeles Angels vs Cristian Javier (HOU RHP)

Targets:  Mike Trout, Zach Neto, Wade Meckler, Vaughn Grissom, Moises Ballesteros 

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

The "Chalk" (Popular)

The "Pivot" (Low

Owned)

The Winning Logic
Javier (SP, chalk)Kent (SP, cheaper & lower owned)Javier has a home run problem, while Kent flashed plenty of strikeout ability in his debut. If he can tone down the walks, he could be in line for a great start for his price. 
Dodgers (Chalk)Cubs (pivot stack)The Dodgers are drawing a massive amount of ownership, while no one is playing an elite Cubs offense in a great matchup of their own. 
Ohtani + Pages (chalk)Crow-Armstrong + Suzuki (lower owned)Pivot from the elite Dodgers sluggers for the much lower-owned and slightly cheaper Cubs version. They also come with immense upside in a plus matchup and elite hitting environment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  1. Kyle Harrison (SP1)
  2. Tyler Mahle (SP2)
  3. Shohei Ohtani (Core Bat)
  4. Max Muncy (Core Bat)
  5. Mookie Betts (Core Bat) 
  6. Jordan Beck (Core Value Bat)
  7. Tommy White (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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