Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Tuesday, September 15th. 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: 10-Game Main | Lock Time: 7:07 pm ET, Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

Vegas Totals: SD/COL (highest-projected game total), DET/TOR – ATL/CHC – MIA/ARI (second-highest game total)

Highest K-Projections: Logan Gilbert 6.5 O/U (-115), Sean Manaea 5.5 O/U (-155), Hunter Brown 5.5 O/U (-110), Kevin Gausman 5.5 O/U (-105)

MLB Weather Today, 9/15

ATL @ CHC – Storms in the area that could cause an in-game delay if they land over the ballpark. 

SF @ STL – Storms in the area that could cause an in-game delay if they land over the ballpark. 

SD @ COL – Low chance of light showers. The most likely outcome is that the game plays fine. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Logan Gilbert (SEA)

Analysis: Gilbert is the highest-upside pitcher on the slate by a significant margin. He's had double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back games, and now he gets an elite strikeout matchup. The Angels rank 28th in wRC+ against righties while striking out at the second-highest rate in baseball. 

Jacob deGrom (TEX)

Analysis: deGrom was a late add to the slate, as the Rangers will skip Cody Bradford in the rotation. He immediately becomes the top option behind Gilbert. 

Hunter Brown (HOU)

Analysis: Brown has been inconsistent in an injury-riddled season, but he does have the second-highest strikeout rate on the slate. Walks have been an issue at times, and the matchup lacks upside. Brown can be matchup-proof, so he's a viable tournament play.  

Max Fried (NYY) 

Analysis: Fried will be making his fourth start since being activated from the IL, and his pitch count has been steadily climbing. He threw 80 pitches in his last outing, which means he could flirt with 90 pitches this time around. The Twins are a solid matchup for the lefty, as they own just a 93 wRC+ and a 22.4% strikeout rate against southpaws. 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Shane Baz (BAL)

Analysis: Baz doesn't have any context that stands out. He's a slight underdog, and his strikeout prop sits at just 4.5. Still, there is a path for him to put up a tournament-winning score on this mediocre pitching slate. 

Sean Manaea (NYM)

Analysis: Manaea is the value pitcher with the most upside if you're willing to take on the risk. Baltimore is an above-average offense against lefties and is loaded with power bats, but they also strike out at the highest rate in baseball. 

Patrick Sandoval (BOS)

Analysis: Sandoval has been inconsistent and draws a tough matchup against Texas, but there are not many options outside of Gilbert to feel good about on this slate. The Rangers are 2nd in wRC+ against lefties, but at least they strike out at a healthy 23.7% clip.  

Ryan Johnson (LAA)

Analysis: It is certainly viable to just take the savings on Johnson and hope for the best. Holes can be poked in every pitching option below Gilbert, and Johnson has actually been excellent of late, with a 2.11 ERA across his last seven starts. There is a ton of luck involved (.172 BABIP, 98% strand rate), but maybe his doesn't run out just yet against a bad Seattle offense. 

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:

Logan Gilbert: 27.3% K% (9.8 K/9)

Hunter Brown: 25.9% K% (9.8 K/9)

Kevin Gausman: 24.2% K% (9.3 K/9)

Max Fried: 24.6% K% (8.6 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.

• Logan Gilbert +111
• Max Fried +118 
• Hunter Brown +152 
• Kevin Gausman +158 
• Andre Pallante +166 
• Sean Manaea +176 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Stacks & Hitters

MLB DFS Top Hitters

Fernando Tatis (2B/OF, SD), Manny Machado (3B, SD), & Ty France (1B, SD)

Analysis: The Padres are the most obvious spot on the slate, facing a lefty with a 6.37 ERA and 18.6% strikeout rate in Coors Field. Tatis has rediscovered his power stroke with 17 home runs and a .310 ISO in the second half. France is at .200 ISO against lefties this season, and Machado isn't far behind at .178 ISO. Since the All-Star break, the Padres 116 wRC+ ranks second in baseball. 

Ben Rice (1B/C, NYY), Cody Bellinger (OF, NYY), & Luis Garcia (1B, NYY) 

Analysis: Yankees lefties are in an elite matchup against Ober, who owns just a 13.3% strikeout rate to lefties this season while surrendering a .210 ISO/.228 xISO. Rice (.300 ISO) and Garcia (.285 ISO) have been elite against righties this season. Bellinger's numbers are less impressive, but he's in a premium lineup spot with the same elite matchup. 

Cal Raleigh (C, SEA)

Analysis: Since August 1st, Raleigh owns a 146 wRC+ and .295 ISO with 11 home runs in 154 plate appearances. He gets a matchup against a pitcher who has allowed a .203 ISO to lefty batters this season. 

Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF, CHC)

Analysis: This year's NL MVP is less than 5% owned in a matchup against one of the luckiest pitchers in baseball. PCA needs one home run to break the Cubs franchise record for a left-handed hitter, and he needs three stolen bases to join the 40-40 club. 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Austin Hays (OF, SD)

Analysis: Hays is the cheapest entry point to the highest team total of the slate. He has had a down season, but he was elite against lefties last year. He owns a .193 ISO and 125 wRC+ against southpaws in his career. 

Dominic Canzone (OF, SEA), Lazaro Montes (OF, SEA), & Cole Young (2B, SEA)

Analysis: Canzone has had an excellent season, with a .226 ISO and .342 wOBA against righties. Montes slugged 38 homers in the minors before adding three more in just 29 plate appearances as a big leaguer. Young has rebounded with a 135 wRC+ in September after struggling in August. 

Tyrone Taylor (OF, CHC), Matt Shaw (2B/OF, CHC), Pedro Ramirez (2B, CHC), & Carson Kelly (C, CHC)  

Analysis: Every hitter in the Cubs' projected lineup except Busch and Hoerner owns an ISO above .200 against left-handed pitching this season, so the full stack is very much in play. Taylor owns the best numbers of the value plays, with a ridiculous .276 ISO and .407 wOBA. Shaw, Kelly, and Pedro Ramirez likely round out the bottom of the order, but they have all been outstanding against lefties this year. 

Spencer Jones (OF, NYY)

Analysis: Jones' primary issue is strikeouts, but he faces a pitcher who owns just a 13.3% strikeout rate against lefties this season. In addition to the lack of strikeout ability, Ober has been crushed by lefties for a .210 ISO. Jones has an elite power/speed profile that should be easier to access in this matchup with the strikeout threat diminished.  

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: San Diego Padres vs Kyle Freeland (COL LHP)

Targets: Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado, Ty France, Xander Bogaerts, Austin Hays, Jackson Merrill 

Primary Stack: Seattle Mariners vs Ryan Johnson (LAA RHP)

Targets: Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodriguez, Dominic Canzone, Cole Young

Primary Stack: New York Yankees vs Bailey Ober (MIN RHP)

Targets: Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, Luis Garcia, Cody Bellinger, Spencer Jones, Ryan McMahon 

“Contrarian” Stack:  Colorado Rockies vs Walker Buehler (SD RHP)

Targets: Hunter Goodman, Cole Carrigg, Jake McCarthy, Mickey Moniak, Connor Norby 

“Contrarian” Stack:  Chicago Cubs vs Martin Perez (ATL LHP)

Targets: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Alex Bregman, Tyrone Taylor, Matt Shaw, Carson Kelly 

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. Logan Gilbert (SP1)
2. Sean Manaea (SP2)
3. Fernando Tatis (Core Bat)
4. Ben Rice (Core Bat)
5. Ty France (Core Bat) 
6. Dominic Canzone (Core Value Bat)
7. Tyrone Taylor (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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