Welcome to Fantasy Alarm's MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy playbook for Wednesday, September 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 slates have multiple different directions with some quality pitchers in Blake Snell, Zack Wheeler, George Kirby, and Logan Henderson all taking the mound. This MLB DFS playbook covers every key position on DraftKings and FanDuel with our best MLB DFS picks for today.

Slate: 7-Games on DK, 11-Games on FD | Lock Time: 7:10 pm ET on DK, 6:40 pm ET on FD, Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

Vegas Totals: SD/COL (highest-projected game), MIA/ARI, BAL/NYM, & PHI/WAS (tied for second-highest game total), BOS/TEX, SEA/LAA, LAD/CIN & ATH/TB (tied for third-highest game total)

Highest K-Projections: Blake Snell 7.5 O/U (-132), Zack Wheeler 6.5 O/U (+110), Logan Henderson 5.5 O/U (-157), Jared Jones 5.5 O/U (-116)

MLB Weather Today, 9/16

Padres vs Rockies - There's rain in the forecast and it could cause a delay, but the game should play in full.

MLB DFS Lineup Picks: Starting Pitchers

MLB DFS Top Pitchers

Blake Snell (LAD) (FanDuel)

Analysis: Since returning from the IL, Blake Snell has put up 40+ FDP in every outing, which is six straight games. Snell has been dominant, striking out 10 batters twice, 6+ in all but one. Since the All-Star break, the Reds have a 26.1% K-rate and a 93 wRC+ against lefties.

Logan Henderson (MIL) (FanDuel)

Analysis: The Pirates offense has fallen off a cliff since the All-Star break against right-handed pitchers. Against righty hurlers, Pittsburgh has an 82 wRC+ (29th), .667 OPS (28th), and a 24% K-rate (7th). Henderson's been fantastic putting up 35+ FDP in every start since July 22nd.

George Kirby (SEA)

Analysis: Here's your DK chalk and I can acknowledge it's a good spot while also noting how uncomfortable this pitcher at this ownership is. He really hasn't pitched well this year and doesn't have a K-rate anywhere close to the price he is on both DK/FD. That said, the Angels have a 77 wRC+ and a 27.3% K-rate vs RHP since the break, both are the worst in the league.

Shota Imanaga (CHC)

Analysis: The Braves offense has scuffled since the break and if Imanaga can keep the ball in the yard, he's a fantastic play. Against southpaws, the Braves have an 89 wRC+ (19th) and are striking out 22.1% of the time. Winds are gusting in, which helps limit flyballs in Wrigley. Imanaga's strikeouts have been down, but he's been missing bats at a high clip and that means Ks typically follow suit.

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

MacKenzie Gore (TEX)

Analysis: The Red Sox have struggled against left-handed pitching since the All-Star break posting a 95 wRC+ along with a 24% K-rate. Gore has a low floor, but has a high ceiling because he can miss a whole lot of bats. Gore has the fifth-best K-rate on the entire slate.

Nick Martinez (TB) (FanDuel)

Analysis: Martinez draws a big-time matchup here against an Athletics lineup that is without most of it's top bats. They're 20th in wRC+ against righties since the break and this is such an elite pitchers park they're heading into. Martinez has 32+ FDP in three of his last four starts and five of his last seven.

Yusei Kikuchi (LAA)

Analysis: The Mariners strike out against lefties and Kikuchi is a lefty that misses bats. He's had 5+ strikeouts in three straight starts and has put up 12.9 DKP or more and a ceiling of 24.7 in that stretch. The Mariners have a 95 wRC+ vs. LHP since the break. No bueno.

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:

Blake Snell: 33.1% K% (12.2 K/9)

Logan Henderson: 30.2% K% (10.1 K/9)

Zack Wheeler: 30% K% (10.8 K/9)

Jared Jones: 28% K% (10.5 K/9)

MacKenzie Gore: 24.4% 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

Fernando Tatis (2B/OF, SD), Jackson Merrill (OF, SD) & Ty France (1B, SD)

Analysis: Coors Field doesn't have the best weather today, but the Padres offense has been firing on all cylinders lately. Since the All-star break, the Padres are 2nd in wRC+ against righties. Tatis & Merrill on heaters and Ty France has actually been better against right-handers this year.

Junior Caminero (3B, TB) (FanDuel)

Analysis: Caminero is cookin' right now and on the year, he's hit every split possible, especially lefties. Caminero has a .214 ISO, .399 wOBA, and .412 xwOBA. Caminero faces Brady Basso, who allows a .172 ISO and .341 wOBA to righties.

Juan Soto (OF, NYM) & Francisco Lindor (SS, NYM)

Analysis: Lefties have ALWAYS given Christ Bassitt issues and this year is no different. Lefties have a .175 ISO and .387 wOBA against him this year. The Mets top-two lefties are two elite hitters.

Mookie Betts (SS, LAD) & Teoscar Hernandez (OF, LAD) (FanDuel)

Analysis: Andrew Abbott has struggled at home and struggles against both splits. I list two righties here because they're two of the hottest hitters in baseball. Betts has really good underlying numbers vs. LHP (.180 xISO, .350 xwOBA) and Hernandez has homered in two straight and has a .243 ISO and .404 wOBA vs. LHP.

Kyle Stowers (1B, MIA)

Analysis: This is a home run spot for Stowers and all the lefties in the Marlins lineup. Stowers has a .233 ISO, .353 wOBA, and 17 HR vs. RHP. Merrill Kelly has struggled against lefties this year allowing a .226 ISO, .252 xISO, .371 wOBA, and .410 xwOBA.

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Griffin Conine (1B/OF, MIA) & Jakob Marsee (OF, MIA)

Analysis: More Marlins lefties! Marsee has slashed .395/.465/.553 over his last 10 games and Conine has a .269 ISO and .398 wOBA vs. RHP this season. Merrill Kelly has struggled against lefties this year allowing a .226 ISO, .252 xISO, .371 wOBA, and .410 xwOBA.

A.J. Ewing (OF, NYM) & Brett Baty (1B/2B, NYM)

Analysis: Both Ewing and Baty are on fire at the dish right now and get a pitcher struggling against their split. Ewing is hitting .429 with a 1.231 OPS and Baty has a .333 AVG and 1.143 OPS over their last 10 games. They'll correlate perfectly offensively.

Luis Campusano (C, SD) & Dustin Harris (OF, SD)

Analysis: We're looking for San Diego value and here are two options we can look towards. Harris probably slots into the two-hole and Campusano

Will Smith (C, LAD) (FanDuel)

Analysis: You have to go back to 2020 if you're looking for the last time in which Will Smith had a .180 or lower ISO vs. LHP. He hasn't been great this year, but he's put up double-digit FDP in three of his last four starts overall.

MLB DFS Top Stacks

Primary Stack: San Diego Padres vs Mason Adams (COL RHP)

Targets: Fernando Tatis, Jackson Merrill, Ty France, Dustin Harris, Luis Campusano, Jake Cronenworth

Primary Stack: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Andrew Abbott (CIN LHP) (FanDuel)

Targets: Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman, Freddie Freeman

Primary Stack: Miami Marlins vs Merrill Kelly (ARI RHP)

Targets:  Kyle Stowers, Griffin Conine, Jakob Marsee, Heriberto Hernandez, Joe Mack

“Contrarian” Stack: New York Mets vs Chris Bassitt (BAL RHP)

Targets: Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, A.J. Ewing, Brett Baty, Jared Young, Carson Benge

MLB DFS Lineups: Core MLB DFS Hitters & Pitchers

The "Chalk" (Popular)

The "Pivot" (Low

Owned)

Imanaga (SP, chalk)Gore (SP, lower owned)
Padres (Chalk)Marlins (pivot stack)
Cronenworth + Tatis Jr. (chalk)Stowers + Conine (lower owned)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. MacKenzie Gore (SP2)
  3. Jackson Merrill (Core Bat)
  4. Fernando Tatis (Core Bat)
  5. Teoscar Hernandez (Core Bat) (FD)
  6. Will Smith (Core Value Bat) (FD)
  7. A.J. Ewing (Core Value Bat)

Player Pool

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Stacks

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