MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: August 9, 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 8/9 ⚾️ 🏖️

Jacob Misiorowski vs MIN 3.0 runs: The Apex Ace has 10+ Ks in 4 of his last 5 starts, though there are only two high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the projected Twins lineup. The salary is ridiculously high, though warranted for the otherworldly results this season.

Cam Schlittler vs ATL 4.1 runs: Ranking fifth overall with 11.0 K/9 IP is impressive, though Misiorowski (13.8) and Dylan Cease (13.1) are lightyears ahead. The projected lineup has 3 HKCs which is not great, though the bottom of the order has some "easy outs." Two of his worst DFS efforts have come in the last seven games, along with two of his best for the season.

Jesus Luzardo vs TOR 3.6 runs: The Jays have scored the fewest runs in the league and suffered double-digit Ks in 3 of the last 7 games. There are 3 HKCs in the expected lineup and Luzardo is sitting on a career-high 28.8 K%, with the Phillies -200ML home favorites.

Jared Jones vs NYM 3.9 runs: There is very little power in the #LOLMets lineup and Jones should be good for 80ish pitches as he is further removed from elbow surgery. He will need a little efficiency to close out the 5th-inning, but half a dozen strikeouts are a nice consolation prize for his salary.

Kumar Rocker vs BAL 4.2 runs: Rocker is today's discount dandy and while he has subpar strikeouts, the Batters of Birdland are expected to have a whopping SIX HKCs in their lineup this afternoon.

Top Stacks 8/9 ⚾️🎇

CHC at RHP Randy Dobnak 5.9 runs: Temps are in the low-90s with a 12-15mph breeze to left, which does not bode well for Dobnak who has been getting by on luck and guile. Across his four starts, he has just 11 Ks in 21.1 IP with 9 BBs with a scant 2 ERs. Focus on the first five Cubbies.

PHI vs RHP Shane Bieber 5.0 runs: The Biebs survived his last start, ceding only one run despite 11 Astros reaching base. He hast Tommy John surgery in early 2024, though he made it back in time to pitch late last season, helping the Jays to the World Series. He missed 10 weeks this year with elbow inflammation and a team like the Phillies, at home in great weather should be able to post crooked numbers with a little luck. This is a get right spot for Kyles Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Alec Bohm who have all been dreadful since the break.

STL vs RHP Michael Lorenzen 5.3 runs: Busch Stadium has the same weather parameters as Wrigley Field this afternoon, which should be a boost for the top-5 this afternoon. Sadly in the last 13 tilts, the Redbirds have plated more than three runs only three times. Look to this slumping crew as a secondary stack.

BOS vs RHP JT Ginn 5.9 runs: The Red Sox lost after a quick start, though they are still 33-7 (83%) in their last 40 games. Ginn limits power via a 49 GB%, though pretty much the entire BoSox batting order is locked in, save for Connor Wong.

MIA vs RHP Grayson Rodriguez 4.6 runs: Look to the lefties from Miami in this cherry matchup, with an honorable mention for righty Otto Lopez.

Late Slate Pitchers 8/9 ⚾️ 🚀

Ian Seymour at SEA 3.9 runs: The Mariners are in free-fall and they do not set up well against southpaws, plus Seymour has earned his rotation role with steady strikeouts and the M's should have three hitters with a 30+ K% against lefties in the lineup this afternoon.

Troy Melton at SFG 3.6 runs: Melton has been making good on his top-prospect status, giving the Motor City Kitties a boost of positivity after dealing away Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. Similarly the Giants gutted the heart of their order at the trade deadline, moving off of Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos, with injuries forcing the team to run out hitters that would be barely mediocre in the minors.

Logan Webb vs DET 3.9 runs: The ground ball artist continues to chug along and when he is in his pitching friendly home park, a quality start is always in play. The Ks are inconsistent, though there are a couple of potential gimmes in the Detroit order.

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Late Slate Top Stacks 8/9 ⚾️🎇

LAD at LHP Eduardo Rodriguez 5.0 runs: The Dodgers managed to end their 7-game losing streak last night with a 2-1 victory in the 10th. The juggernaut offense has sputtered with only 3.3 rpg in this stretch. E-Rod finally is seeing regression to his normal baseline, ceding 5 ERs in two of his last four games, though suffering only one round-tripper. Look to the usual boys in blue this afternoon with Shohei Ohtani ($6.6k) and Freddie Freeman $5.4k) being the only budget busters on DK.

ARZ vs LHP Justin Wrobleski 4.2 runs: Prior to sliding back to his usual strikeout level in his last start, the "Wrobot" had racked up a crazy 34 Ks in the preceding four games, spanning 26.1 IP. The first-time All-Star got his comeuppance in the last two tilts, giving up four HRs to both SEA and @CHC. The truth is somewhere in the middle, though opposite-handed hitters like Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, Gabriel Moreno, Tim Tawa and Nolan Arenado profile well today and budding superstar Corbin Carroll is essentially matchup proof.

TBR at RHP Emerson Hancock 4.0 runs: The team total is low, though with a nearly full left-handed lineup, along with slugger Junior Caminero, the Rays provide plenty of filler options across a variety of positions and salary levels, including Liam Hicks who is an excellent catching option to fulfill the backstop requirement on DK.

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