MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: July 18, 2026

Eric MacPherson is back with his daily card, breaking down the hitting stacks and starting pitchers he's targeting on this slate. Take his picks into the Stokastic MLB Sims and build by win probability across thousands of simulated contests.

EARLY Top Stacks 7/18 ⚾️🎇

KCR vs RHP Griffin Canning 5.6 runs: "Tomato" Canning has now made five appearances since ceding his last round-tripper, though he has suffered 10 ERs, with 8 BBs in these 18 IP while failing to closed out the fifth inning during this stretch. It is warm and humid at Kauffman Stadium this afternoon, with a light breeze to center. Maikel Garcia and Kyle Isbel remain out, but Vinnie Pasquantino has returned and the Royals set up best against RHPs. Feel free to mix and match this popular stack, with Michael Massey, Nick Loftin and Isaac Collins providing discounted differentiation from the bottom of the order, creating road less travelled.

SDP at RHP Randy Dobnak 5.7 runs: Since 2022, mostly toiling in the minors for MIN, DET and SEA, Dobnak was acquired for cash considerations last month from the Mariners. The Friars are tied with CLE for the fewest runs in the league, though at least they have been in the middle of the pack over the last month. Fernando Tatis Jr. has shown signs of life during this stretch, with the return of Jake Cronenworth also helpful. Manny Machado, Gavin Sheets and Ty France are still the trio to target, giving plenty of ways to mix and match stacks.

BAL at RHP Spencer Arrighetti 4.6 runs: After sun running through his first nine starts, Arrighetti has been gobsmacked in three of the last four, giving up 23 ERs in 19 innings, accompanied by 21 Ks, 12 BBs and 9 HRs. Collectively the Batters of Birdland have disappointed for their talent baseline, but the top half of the order is truly loaded for bear.

EARLY Pitchers 7/18 ⚾️ 🏖️

Keep tabs on the weather in BOS, CLE and PHI, with LHPs Jesus Luzardo and Ian Seymour, along with RHP Braxton Ashcraft the preferred top pitchers for this slate.

Shane Drohan vs MIA 3.9 runs: After being a Rule 5 selection by CHW from BOS for the 2024 season, Drohan reverted to his original team after suffering a shoulder injury. He joined MIL as part of the return in the Caleb Durin deal, making his first appearance in The Show as a reliever in April, building up his stamina to join the rotation in June. He has been solid through eight starts with a 3.38 ERA, 3.80 xERA and 4.05 xFIP, notching 39 Ks in 42.2 IP with a reasonable five round-trippers and a dozen walks. The Marlins are solid against southpaws, though there is opportunity for DFS production against the latter half of the lineup.

Trevor Rogers at HOU 4.4 runs: The last eight starts have been enticing for Rogers, who has allowed just 7 "Ernies" across this timeframe. He has been aided by both an 86.7 LOB% and a .233 BABIP, with a subpar 31 Ks in these 41.2 frames. The projected lineup for the 'Stros has only one hitter with a K-rate over 22.3% against lefties, with a collective 18.9 K% on the season.

If we lose two of the three risky games, then MacKenzie Gore and Spencer Arrighetti begrudgingly bubble up the rankings for tournaments.

Top Stacks 7/18 ⚾️🎇

WAS at RHP JT Ginn 5.3 runs: Last night the Nats put up 23, with 5 in the 9th off OF Carlos Cortes. For all the foibles, they now lead the league in runs, HRs, total bases and steals. Ginn has a propensity for ground balls and he has allowed a reasonable 24 runs in his 10 starts at Sutter Health Park. Of course some of that is luck as he had a 6.85 ERA at home last year, which is three runs more than this season. Fire up anyone who is in the starting lineup.

ATH vs RHP Zach Littell 5.8 runs: There is likely to be an opener for Littell, who has had assistance in three of his last four appearances. That should not dissuade anyone from looking to the A's, even with their injury issues. For as good as the Washington offense is, the pitching is the inverse, with the bullpen ranking in the bottom-five of most categories. Even the bottom of the lineup card is in play for the Athletics, providing differentiation on the short featured-slate.

DET at RHP Grayson Rodriguez 4.8 runs: While Rodriguez has allowed "only" eight runs in his last trio of tilts, he has just one strikeout in his last 7.2 IP and walks remain an issue. He has had moments of brilliance, but they have been fleeting as he works back from his elbow issue. The Motor City Kitties have about 10 days to decide if they are buyers or sellers under the looming trade deadline and while that are "only" 3.5 games out of the wild card, there are still five teams ahead of them for the final spot. Look to the top-six in Anaheim tonight.

If the LAD at NYY game is a go, it is a "both-sideser" (h/t TMcB) with LHP Ryan Weathers and RHP Emmet Sheehan, as well as the offenses viable for tournaments.

Pitchers 7/18 ⚾️ 🚀

Rain and air quality could take the LAD at NYY game off the board, leading to a thin 3-game featured slate.

Tarik Skubal at LAA 3.4 runs: The two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has racked up 44 Ks in 32.1 IP across six starts after missing half a dozen weeks. Expectations are that the Halos will be running out 8-to-9 RHBs for the platoon-advantage, though six hitters in the projected lineup have a 25+ K% against southpaws this season. For those gamers considering a leverage play against Skubal, Zach Neto, Mike Trout and Jo Adell are the trio to target atop the lineup card.

Bryan Woo vs SGP 3.1 runs: There are not many easy outs on the Giants, though there are four high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) and Woo has been solid with a 23.2 K% across his last 628 opposite-handed matchups. There is not much else to add, other than the discount from Skubal makes Woo an intriguing tournament pivot.

Logan Webb at SEA 3.7 runs: The last two starts for Webb have been rough, with 12 ERs in 10 IP and just 4 Ks. One of those was in Coors Field, so he gets a mulligan, while the other was versus Toronto, who plated five in the first, though Webb then weaved six scoreless frames after that. It is an even numbered year, so his strikeouts are down (kidding, but sort of not kidding) and the M's have just three HKCs in their projected lineup. Julio Rodriguez (concussion) is expected back in the lineup tonight, though he could be rusty after a 16 day layoff.

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