Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Tuesday, June 16th. 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 7-game main slate has multiple different directions to go considering we have the Pirates in Sutter Health Field. This MLB DFS playbook covers every key position on DraftKings and FanDuel with our best MLB DFS picks for today.

Slate: 7-Game Main  |  Lock Time: 6:45 PM ET, Wednesday, June 17th, 2026

Vegas Totals: COL/CHC - PIT/ATH (tied for highest-projected game), TOR/BOS(second-highest game), SF/ATL (third-highest game)

Highest K-Projections: Gavin Williams 6.5 O/U (+100), George Kirby 5.5 O/U (-155), Carlos Rodon 5.5 O/U (-130), Braxton Ashcraft 5.5 O/U (+105), Kyle Bradish 5.5 O/U (+105)

MLB Weather Today, 6/17

SFG @ NYY - Potential rain showers could cause a delay. 

COL @ CHC - Low chance of rain that could cause a delay. Winds blowing out at 10-15 mph. Good hitting weather. 

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

George Kirby (SEA)

Analysis: Kirby has pitched better than his 4.07 ERA, and he is coming off a start in which he struck out 10 Orioles. He gets the same matchup today, but also benefits from this start coming at home in pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park. 

Gavin Williams (CLE)

Analysis: Williams has taken a clear step forward this season, improving each of his strikeout, walk, and groundball rates. He draws a tough matchup against Milwaukee, but he has as much upside as anyone on the slate if he's pitching well. 

Carlos Rodon (NYY)

Analysis: Rodon has been outstanding after injuries delayed his start to the season. He's pitched to a 3.19 ERA in six starts with a healthy 26.4% strikeout rate. He can really take off if he gets his 14.7% walk rate under control. The White Sox have been tough on lefties this season, but they have also struck out at 23.6%.  

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

JR Ritchie (ATL)

Analysis: Ritchie has found some success early in his big league career despite a lofty 13.6% walk rate. The good news for him is that he faces a Giants team with the lowest walk rate against right-handed pitching in baseball tonight. 

Brandon Sproat (MIL)

Analysis: Value pitching options thin out in a hurry on this slate. You could take a shot on Javier Assad, who is in a premium matchup and has been great since his recall, but Sproat has a bit more upside. Sproat also has a great matchup against a below-average Guardians offense that is without its best hitter. 

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 nine-game slate.

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

Gavin Williams: 28.7% K% (10.3 K/9)

Carlos Rodon: 26.4% K% (9.9 K/9)

Braxton Ashcraft: 26.2% K% (9.6 K/9)

George Kirby: 21.1% K% (7.9 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 carry K-prop lines worth noting alongside their DFS value at reduced ownership relative to the top tier.

• Carlos Rodon No Odds (NYY -192 favorite)
• Braxton Ashcraft +154
• George Kirby +158
• Gavin Williams +173

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Stacks & Hitters

MLB DFS Top Hitters

Brandon Lowe (2B, PIT) & Bryan Reynolds (OF, PIT)

Analysis: These two lefties combined for three home runs last night and get a similarly great spot again tonight. Sutter Health continues to play as an elite hitter's park, and Civale has allowed a 47.6% hard-hit rate while striking out less than 16% of batters. 

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

Analysis: PCA is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, with three leadoff home runs and a cycle in his last four games. Suzuki has slumped recently, but he still owns a .341 wOBA against lefties and crushed them for a .250 ISO last season. Winds are also favorable in Wrigley tonight. 

Paul Goldschmidt (1B, NYY)

Analysis: Goldschmidt continues to mash left-handed pitching in the late stages of his career. He's put up a ridiculous .367 ISO against southpaws this season after posting an elite .235 ISO last year. 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Spencer Horwitz (1B, PIT)

Analysis: Horwitz will lead off for the Pirates in an elite spot. He gets a massive park upgrade for hitters in Sutter Health Park and faces a pitcher who has allowed a ton of hard contact and struck out less than 14% of lefty batters. 

Wilyer Abreu (OF, BOS)

Analysis: Abreu will hit third for a Red Sox offense that has an implied team total of five runs today. He owns a .172 ISO against righties this season and posted an elite .237 ISO against them last year. Scherzer has allowed more than 2.3 HR/9 since joining the Blue Jays. 

UPDATE: Max Scherzer has been placed on the Injured List. Brayden Fisher will open in his place, with Chad Dallas or Simeon Woods Richardson likely to work in bulk relief.  

Jose Caballero (SS/OF, NYY)

Analysis: Rosario has the better lineup spot among Yankees value options, but he also comes with significant pinch-hit risk. Caballero should remain in the game for all nine innings, and he owns an excellent .202 ISO against lefties this season.  

George Springer (OF, TOR)

Analysis: Springer will lead off against a pitcher who owns an 8% strikeout rate to right-handed batters this season. Bennett has also allowed over a 42% hard-hit rate and .215 xISO to righties. 

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Aaron Civale (ATH RHP)

Why: The Pirates get another crack at Sutter Health Park this evening. They will face a righty who has allowed nearly 2 HR/9 and a massive 47.6% hard-hit rate. 

Primary Stack: Chicago Cubs vs Sean Sullivan (COL LHP)

Why: Despite recent struggles, the Cubs' offense still ranks fourth in baseball with a 109 wRC+ against lefties. They have the highest implied team total on the slate and will face an inexperienced lefty with the winds blowing out at Wrigley. 

Primary Stack: New York Yankees vs Anthony Kay (CWS LHP)

Why: The Yankees rank second in baseball with a 120 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. Kay has a 4.34 ERA and a strikeout rate below 18%. 

"Contrarian" Stack: Boston Red Sox vs Max Scherzer (TOR RHP)

Why: The Red Sox are facing a 41-year-old pitcher who has posted an ERA above 10 this season and allowed more than 3.6 HR/9. Scherzer has allowed a 12.5% barrel rate since joining the Blue Jays, including a 13.2% rate this year. 

UPDATE: Max Scherzer has been placed on the Injured List. Brayden Fisher will open in his place, with Chad Dallas or Simeon Woods Richardson likely to work in bulk relief.  

"Contrarian" Stack: Toronto Blue Jays vs Jake Bennett (BOS RHP)

Why: Toronto has been an above-average offense against right-handed pitching. They are facing an inexperienced pitcher who has posted a 12.3% strikeout rate and 42.3% hard-hit rate. Several hitters like Springer and Clement are attractively priced. 

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. George Kirby (SP1)
2. Carlos Rodon (SP2)
3. Brandon Lowe (Core Bat)
4. Seiya Suzuki (Core Bat)
5. Paul Goldschmidt (Core Bat)
6. Wilyer Abreu (Core Value Bat)
7. George Springer (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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