MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: August 4, 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.

Pitchers 8/4 ⚾️💪

MacKenzie Gore vs SFG 3.5 runs: While Gore is far from trustworthy, the salary does not account for Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos having been traded away. Despite lesser surface numbers, the underlying advanced metrics for the southpaw are similar to his prior pair of campaigns. The new look Giants have six high-strikeout candidates(HKCs) in the projected lineup with a bottom-four that is completely overmatched by lefties.

Tarik Skubal at CHC 3.9 runs: Two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is now on the two-time reigning World Series champions. The Cubbies upgraded their rotation, but the offense still has holes against southpaws. Consider Skubal the bucks-deluxe play for the slate, per usual.

Ryan Weathers vs STL 3.8 runs: There are only two HKCs in the expected Redbirds lineup, though the team does not have many daunting bats aside from Jordan Walker and Ivan Herrera against LHPs.

Logan Henderson vs PIT 3.6 runs: Spencer Horwitz returning offsets the loss of Ryan O'Hearn, but without Oneil Cruz, this is not a scary lineup. There are four HKCs, which will give DFS upside as Henderson navigates a pesky top-5. The lofty salary is curbing his tournament representation.

Jared Jones at MIL 4.0 runs: The DK ($7.6k) salary makes Jones appealing, in the hope he can avoid a mound meltdown on his 75-80 pitch count, working through the Brew Crew lineup twice. There are 4 HKCs and Jones is good for a handful of Ks as a baseline.

Top Stacks 8/4 ⚾️🎇

Both sides of the Coors Field Extravaganza are appealing, even with new SP Freddy Peralta toeing the rubber for the Rays. There is a light 7-12mph breeze to left at Wrigley Field tonight and while Javier Assad usually avoids mound meltdowns, the Dodgers are a Coors countermove.

MIN at RHP Randy Dobnak 4.9 runs: Despite 10 BBs and only 14 Ks in 26 IP, Dobnak has allowed only 3 ERs. The longtime Twin has been persistent, toiling through 9 MiLB seasons after four college campaigns. It is only a matter of time before the Regression Monster pays Dobnak a visit and that could be tonight as a side dish with some Kansas City BBQ. The Twinkies are a malleable stack with pretty much everyone in play, even Ryan Kreidler from the nine-hole.

ATL vs RHP Ryan Gusto 5.1 runs: Speaking of regression, Gusto got a big serving from the Phillies in his last start, giving up 6 ERs on just 11 baserunners, with a scant 3 Ks. Focus on the core four with Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Michael Harris buoyed by the return of Ronald Acuna Jr.

MIA at RHP Grant Holmes 4.6 runs: Look to the lefties in the heart of the order to find savings on DK. Griffin Conine, Owen Caissi and Kyle Stowers provide much needed salary cap relief, while also being well positioned for production. They are fine on FD as well, though the blue site is hard known for a sight salary cap.

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