Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Tuesday, September 1st. 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: 7:40 pm ET, Tuesday, September 1st, 2026

Vegas Totals: BAL/COL (highest-projected game total), MIL/CHC (second-highest game total), MIA/KC (third-highest game total)  

Highest K-Projections: Gerrit Cole 6.5 O/U (-104), MacKenzie Gore 6.5 O/U (+105), Jesus Luzardo 5.5 O/U (-140), Sean Burke 5.5 O/U (+102), Connor Prielipp 5.5 O/U (+107), Grayson Rodriguez 5.5 O/U (+116)   

MLB Weather Today, 9/1

MIL @ CHC – Temperatures in the 80s and winds blowing out at 5-10 mph. Good hitting weather.

CWS @ HOU – Houston has a roof, so the only concern would be a pre-game postponement due to the tropical storm. 

BAL @ COL – Rain in the area leaves a small chance of a delay. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Jesus Luzardo (PHI)

Analysis: Luzardo has the highest strikeout rate on the slate, but he draws a tough matchup against an Arizona offense that ranks second in wRC+ vs. left-handed pitching and strikes out at the lowest rate. He has at least nine strikeouts in four straight starts, so he's still a viable tournament play. 

Gerrit Cole (NYY)

Analysis: Cole has been tremendous in his return from elbow surgery last season, and he continues to improve as the season rolls along. Since July 1st, he owns a 2.66 ERA and a 29.3% strikeout rate. Tonight, he gets an elite matchup against an Angels offense that owns just a 94 wRC+ and the second-highest strikeout rate in baseball against righties. 

MacKenzie Gore (TEX)

Analysis: Gore has pitched much better than his 4.40 ERA this season, with every estimator having him at least a half-run better. He has also been a much better pitcher at home this season, where he owns a 2.99 ERA and 27.4% strikeout rate. Tonight's matchup against an injury-riddled A's lineup is a plus spot for the lefty. 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Kyle Bradish (BAL)

Analysis: Bradish is projected to be popular today despite taking the mound in Coors Field. His strikeouts are way down from his peak, and he's also walked more than 10% of batters. That's a lot of risk, and I think you can find just as much upside with the next two options. 

Grayson Rodriguez (LAA)

Analysis: Rodriguez has a gaudy 6.03 ERA and he's allowed a ton of hard contact this season, but things have been going much better recently. Over his last six starts, Rodriguez has posted a 3.03 ERA and a 25.7% strikeout rate. The Yankees have not been a good offense in the second half, posting an 86 wRC+ and the third-highest strikeout rate in baseball. 

Connor Prielipp (MIN)

Analysis: Prielipp has struggled with run prevention at times, mainly due to a ridiculously low 59% strand rate. He owns an above-average 24.7% strikeout rate and 43.3% groundball rate, so there are some skills present if he could strand a few more baserunners. He draws a plus matchup against a Tigers offense that owns just a 93 wRC+ against lefties this year. 

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:

Jesus Luzardo: 30.3% K% (11.2 K/9)

Sean Burke: 26.3% K% (9.7 K/9) 

Gerrit Cole: 26.1% K% (9.6 K/9)

MacKenzie Gore: 25.8% K% (9.9 K/9)

Connor Prielipp: 24.7% K% (9.6 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

Gunnar Henderson (SS, BAL) & Jackson Holliday (2B, BAL) 

Analysis: Henderson had an awful first half by his standards, but he just posted an excellent 136 wRC+ in August. Holliday has also struggled, but did post a breakout month in July. Unfortunately, he slumped hard again in August. Baltimore is still in the Wild Card hunt and would love it if their two stars were clicking at the same time. Perhaps September is that month. Hughes has struck out just 14% of lefties, so there should be plenty of contact. 

Jac Caglianone (OF, KC) & Carter Jensen (C, KC)  

Analysis: Caglianone was the best hitter in baseball in August, posting an absurd 208 wRC+ for the month. Jensen has struggled a bit in the second half, but he still owns a .217 ISO against righties this season. They also get great hitting weather and a plus matchup at home, where the park has played as an elite hitter's environment this year.

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

Analysis: The Cubs have dominated lefties for a 129 wRC+ this season, which is easily the highest mark in baseball. Their top hitters are extremely pricey, but they are worth it against a fly-ball pitcher with warm weather and the wind blowing out. Both of these studs have an ISO above .260 and a wOBA above .420 against lefties this season. 

Jackson Chourio (OF, MIL) 

Analysis: On the other side of the Wrigley game sits Chourio, who has crushed lefties his entire career. He gets an elite spot against a fly-ball pitcher who has allowed a .196 ISO/.207 xISO to righties this season. 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Griffin Conine (1B/OF, MIA) & Joe Mack (C, MIA) 

Analysis: Conine should hit third and owns an elite .310 ISO against righties this season. Mack will hit at the bottom of the order, but he has a .204 ISO against righties. That's a lot of thump for cheap against a pitcher who has struck out just 13.3% of lefties this season. 

Colton Cowser (OF, BAL) 

Analysis: Cowser put together an excellent August, logging a 133 wRC+. He is the cheapest access point to the team with the highest implied total on the slate. Hughes has struck out only 14% of lefties, and there is a bad bullpen behind him. 

Tyrone Taylor (OF, CHC), Pedro Ramirez (2B), & Matt Shaw (OF, CHC) 

Analysis: This trio has raked against left-handed pitching this season, and they get an elite spot tonight. They will face a fly-ball pitcher in warm weather with the wind blowing out at Wrigley. Taylor will likely draw the best lineup spot and has the best numbers against lefties, with a .269 ISO and .403 wOBA. Shaw is at a .215 ISO against lefties, while Ramirez is at a .406 wOBA, and they both have stolen-base upside. 

Andrew Vaughn (1B/3B, MIL) 

Analysis: Vaughn has been elite against lefties, posting a .213 ISO and a .435 wOBA. Boyd has been struggling with the home run ball lately, and he's allowed a .196 ISO to righties. It's excellent hitting weather in Wrigley today. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Baltimore Orioles vs Gabriel Hughes (COL RHP)

Targets: Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso, Jackson Holliday, Samuel Basallo, Colton Cowser 

Primary Stack: Miami Marlins vs Randy Dobnak (KC RHP)

Targets: Otto Lopez, Kyle Stowers, Griffin Conine, Heriberto Hernandez, Joe Mack  

Primary Stack: Kansas City Royals vs Tyler Phillips (MIA RHP)

Targets: Bobby Witt, Jac Caglianone, Carter Jensen, Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez

“Contrarian” Stack: Chicago Cubs vs Robert Gasser (MIL LHP)

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

“Contrarian” Stack: Milwaukee Brewers vs Matthew Boyd (CHC LHP)

Targets: Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn, Gary Sanchez 

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

The "Chalk" (Popular)

The "Pivot" (Low

Owned)

The Winning Logic
Bradish (SP, chalk value)Rodriguez or Prielipp (SP, cheaper & lower owned)I'm not sure I fully buy that Bradish in Coors will be higher owned than Rodriguez and Prielipp, but that is what the industry is currently projecting. The two alternate options are both cheaper and have plenty of strikeout upside. 
Orioles (Chalk)Cubs (pivot stack)Of course it's a great spot for the Orioles in Coors, but the Cubs have been the best offense in baseball against lefties. They get an elite spot against a fly-ball lefty with wind blowing out at Wrigley. 
Hernandez + Marsee (chalk)Taylor + Shaw (lower owned)The Marlins get a park upgrade against a pitcher who has been lucky, but the Cubs are the superior offense. Taylor and Shaw have elite numbers against lefties. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  1. Gerrit Cole (SP1)
  2. MacKenzie Gore (SP2)
  3. Gunnar Henderson (Core Bat)
  4. Jackson Holliday (Core Bat)
  5. Carter Jensen (Core Bat) 
  6. Tyrone Taylor (Core Value Bat)
  7. Matt Shaw (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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