MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: August 1, 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 Pitchers 8/1 ⚾️ 🏖️

Logan Gilbert vs MIN 3.4 runs: The warmer afternoon temperatures will aid hitters a tick, but T-Mobile Park is still very pitching friendly in the daytime. Byron Buxton (hip) being dinged up around the trade deadline or anytime is not a surprise. The Twins have a capable top-four and Brooks Lee is solid, though none are in the same class as Gilbert who has been outstanding over the last six weeks with a 3.13 ERA, 2.71 xERA and 3.09 xFIP with nearly 10 Ks per nine innings.

Drew Rasmussen vs CHW 3.7 runs: The ChiSox popped off against ground baller RHP Nick Martinez las night, knocking in four of his 15 HRs on the season in a "baseball being baseball" moment. This is not a matchup for the faint of heart, though the projections sow that there is K-upside for the two-time All-Star.

Connor Prielipp at SEA 4.0 runs: The M's struggle against southpaws and Prielipp has a friendly SP2 salary on DK ($6.8k) for the afternoon action. There are four high-strikeout candidates(HKCs) in the projected Seattle lineup.

Kevin Gausman vs STL 4.1 runs: While Gausman has been underwhelming in July and there are only 2 HKCs int the expected Redbirds lineup, the bottom four are below replacement level bats.

EARLY Top Stacks 8/1 ⚾️🎇

TOR vs RHP Quinn Mathews 4.7 runs: Of the five most feeble offenses in the league, three on on the afternoon-slate, including the Jays who are tied with CLE for the fewest runs in the league. They will be facing a fresh rookie in Mathews, who will get his strikeouts, but also give up walks with his shaky command. Focus on the top-four on the home team.

NYM vs RHP Tyler Phillips 4.8 runs: The #LOLMets are one of the aforementioned anemic offenses, though the LHBs should find some traction against Phillips. Sadly there is a Juan Soto sized hole in the lineup, though we are all dealing with the same constrains. Brett Baty, Francisco Lindor, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing are the featured stacking components.

MIA at LHP Zac Thornton 4.5 runs: Thornton does not have much of a fastball and it is barely in the low-90s in his five outings in The Show. He has allowed only 2 HRs, but mediocre control and an overall lack of velocity is not going to get him very far the second time through an order. Otto Lopez, Heriberto Hernandez, Javier Sanoja and Esteury Ruiz are the core four, with the latter two being pinch hit risks when a RHP enters the fray.

TBR vs LHP Noah Schultz 4.3 runs: Expect a RHP opener for Schultz, though that is not an issue at all for the top of the Tampa lineup card. Look to the regulars power trio, with honorable mentions Ryan Village and Jonny DeLuca for those seeking a full-stack.

Pitchers 8/1 ⚾️ 🚀

Christopher Sanchez at BAL 3.9 runs: The only thing consistent with the O's offense is inconsistency. They could pop off for 7+ runs at any time, though they are facing an apex ace this evening in Sanchez and there are likely to be six high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the lineup.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs BOS 3.6 runs: Yamamoto had a 6 ER mound meltdown three starts ago, though in his 10 other most recent outings he cascaded just 12 ERs, with nearly a strikeout per inning. There are holes and underperformers in the BoSox lineup that make it tough for rallies to be sustained against a pitcher of Yamamoto's caliber.

David Peterson vs NYY 3.2 runs: The 20-30mph winds in from center are extreme and while Peterson is shaky at best on his good days, the environment an $5.9k DK cap hit make him a fun SP2, who unlocks the Coors Field Extravaganza and scheduled fireworks at Sutter Health Park. LHP Max Fried is not as cheap, but he is still a viable click for differentiation.

Jacob deGrom at HOU 4.1 runs: It is hard to forget the 4 HR game handed out by the 'Stros to deGrom back in mid-May, though the venerable veteran has allowed only six taters in the subsequent 11 starts, spanning 59.2 IP with a hefty 71 Ks.

Get ready for Stokastic's MLB Live Before Lock at 6:15pm ET

Top Stacks 8/1 ⚾️🎇

The priority tonight will be to load up on the Coors Field Extravaganza and of course the Motor City Kitties at Sutter Health Park.

ATL vs RHP Miles Mikolas 5.3 runs: Across his last 7 appearances, Mikolas has had an opener in front of him four times. Across these 34 IP, he has allowed 26 runs, 9 HRs and while he has "only" 5 BB, the 11 Ks are pathetic. Anyone the Braves run out is in play tonight, providing a fine countermove against the aforementioned offensive environments.

ATH vs LHP Framber Valdez 4.9 runs: Once the most extreme ground ball pitcher in the league, Valdez has had a pair of mound meltdowns in his last four starts. Those two starts saw him with just one strikeout in each, while he allowed 11 ERs in 5.2 frames. Nick Kurtz and the RHBs are in play as duos and trios on the featured-slate, with four-man stacks best left for the late-night action.

TEX at RHP Ronel Blanco 4.6 runs: In his two starts this year, Blanco has challenged opposing batsmen, racking up 12 Ks in 10 IP, though he has issued half a dozen free passes and suffered four round-trippers. The Rangers have tallied just eight runs in the last four games. Corey Seager returned to action last night, which should help the offense gain some traction going forward. The top-6 are all viable clicks.

LAA vs LHP Robert Gasser 4.2 runs: Mike Trout, Zach Neto and Jo Adell are fine one-offs, though keep in mind the latter two are potential trade candidates. Travis d'Arnaud and Jose Siri rise to prominence for the later slate providing synergistic upside as part of a "wrap around" stack.

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