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

Chris Sale at NYY 3.4 runs: The splendiferous southpaw gets a matchup against the Bronx Bombers who are expected to have six high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the lineup this afternoon. Across his last 986 batters faced, Sale has been sublime with a 31.2 K%, while the aggregated New York nine have a 24.5 K% against LHPs this season.

Jake Bennett vs ATH 3.9 runs: In a first, or at least as far as Your Ol' Pal remembers for this season, Bennett will be facing 7 HKCs. While the rookie has recorded a pedestrian 17.9 K% himself, this is a fine spot to use him as a DK SP2 or a FD tournament differentiation piece.

Sandy Alcantara vs LAA 3.5 runs: In his last dozen outings, the former NL Cy Young Award winner has had a pair of 5 ER mound meltdowns, though he has not allowed more than three "Ernies" in the other 10 starts, collecting a cumulative 2.77 ERA, 3.54 xERA and 3.80 xFIP in this stretch. The 7.5 Ks per nine innings are far from spectacular, though the 10 quality starts are quite nice for the blue site.

EARLY Top Stacks 8/8 ⚾️🎇

BOS vs LHP Gage Jump 5.7 runs: The rookie has K-upside, though he is approaching last season's career-high 112.2 innings, with 104.2 between Triple-A and The Show. He has suffered a pair of 6-run mound meltdowns, sandwiching six shutout innings of these same BoSox two starts ago. The 14 BBs in these 14.1 IP have been his undoing, though the 17 Ks portend a promising future. Look to the RHBs in the top-six, with lefty Wilyer Abreu a solid click with his success in same-handed matchups.

MIA vs RHP Walbert Urena 4.0 runs: The rookie hurler has been solid, leaning into his 54.5 GB% while getting just enough strikeouts against weaker opponents to be intriguing as a late-slate SP2 on DK. Of course he is on Saturday's early slate and surrounded by effective counterparts, which is leading gamers to look at the Marlins. Be strategic with stack construction and understand that Urena has allowed four or more runs only three times in his 18 starts with one or less 11 times. Look to duos and trios from the top-6, with catcher Joe Mack an honorable mention from the bottom-third of the order.

ATL at RHP Gerrit Cole 4.1 runs: The frontline starter is one month shy of his 36th birthday and he has the unenviable task of taking on an Atlanta offense with very few easy outs, other than gloveman Jim Jarvis. Austin Riley has been heating up over the last month, providing pop from the back of the lineup, which is a luxury considering until his mega slump he was a stalwart in the heart of the order. Cole is not afraid to challenge opposing hitters, which combined with the short porch at Yankee Stadium is an uptick for the LHBs.

Pitchers 8/8 ⚾️ 🚀

Jacob deGrom vs BAL 3.6 runs: The longtime ace has been in a rough patch, giving up 5 ERs in two of his last three starts, lasting just 8 innings in those performances. He has not allowed a home run in his last four and he has 20 Ks in these 18 IP, though savvy gamers are going to want to have a mini "hedge stack" if crafting more than 10 lineups tonight, as a direct leverage against deGrom's lofty popularity across the DFS sites. There are six high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the projected O's lineup, which of course is the driving force behind the popularity.

Gavin Williams at CHW 3.8 runs: Double-digit Ks in his last five starts are the appealing factor for Williams, with 55 Ks in those 32.2 IP. He will have to run a gauntlet with the top-7, though he is a fine tournament pivot from deGrom.

Griffin Jax at SEA 3.6 runs: The ballpark and imploding M's season, plus a favorable salary have Jax as a priority SP2 on DK ($7.9k). Over the last month, only three hitters in the projected lineup have had any consistent production against RHPs. There may not be many easy strikeouts, but that is already factored into this endorsement.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto at ARZ 3.7 runs: The strikeouts have slipped recently but the 10 QS in his last 12 outings are phenomenal.

Matthew Liberatore vs COL 4.2 runs: Matchup based SP2 on DK ($6.1k), though he should push for half a dozen Ks against the Rockies who are marshmallow-like on the road (aka soft).

Top Stacks 8/8 ⚾️🎇

CHC at RHP Seth Lugo 5.4 runs: Aside from the Cubbies, the rest of the stacks are relatively flat with the better offenses against solid pitchers and no clear ballpark boosts. Temps will be around 90 at first pitch, with a nominal cross-breeze from 1B to 3B. Lugo has not allowed a HR in his last four starts, but his 13 Ks and 11 BBs in these 24 IP hint towards a mound meltdown. Focus on the first five.

STL vs LHP Kyle Freeland 4.8 runs: The Redbirds are far from a fierce offense, but the RHBs in the top-6 all profile well against Freeland.

KCR vs RHP Clay Holmes 4.2 runs: After fracturing his right tibia on a comebacker, Holmes missed 10 weeks of action. This will be his first start in a Cubs uniform and he worked his way up to 73 pitches in the third of three MiLB appearances. The Cubbies will not be afraid to pull him quickly, so the hope is the top of the order does damage in the first three innings.

LAD at RHP Brandon Pfaadt 5.1 runs: The "team that ruined baseball" has lost seven-straight and 9 of 11, averaging 4.0 rpg in this span. Pfaadt has not allowed more than 2 ERs in his 7 starts since rejoining the rotation, though he has only 21 Ks in these 40.2 IP. Somethings gotta give and it is likely Pfaadt.

MIL vs RHP Taj Bradley 4.4 runs: In his last four turns, Bradley has handed out at least three free-passes, with 13 BBs in 24 IP. The 2 HRs and 23 Ks are solid, but the LHBs in the top-5 profile well for the Brew Crew tonight.

Tune in to MLB Live Before Lock at 6:15pm ET

Build it with the Stokastic MLB Sims. Build EMac's stacks and pitchers with the Stokastic MLB Sims. Simulate the slate up to 10,000 times to find the highest-upside lineups, then use code EMAC15 for 15% off Stokastic Sims. Get Stokastic Sims →