MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: August 12, 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 8/12 ⚾️ 🏖️

Zack Wheeler at STL 3.6 runs: There looks to be thunderstorms during the early portion of the game, though things are clear afterwards. Be sure to check the forecast closer to first pitch. Wheeler has been stellar this season with the second-best K-rate of his career. The projected lineup for the Redbirds has only two high-strikeout candidates (HKCs), though Zack Attack is still the most desirable pitcher for the early afternoon action.

Robbie Ray vs MIL 4.4 runs: The Brew Crew has 4 HKCs in the projected lineup, with marginal power against southpaws and Brice Turang is dinged up. Ray had a rough go last week in his San Diego debut, issuing 5 BBs to HOU. This matchup is far from a walk in the park, though there is tournament upside.

Drew Rasmussen at ATH 4.0 runs: This is a tough test, though the injury riddled A's are susceptible to frontline starters. DK has dropped the salary by a grand, though there are only 2 HKCs in the projected lineup.

Zebby Matthews vs BAL 4.6 runs: This is a terrifying click when one realizes that Matthews has five unearned runs on top of the 16 ERs allowed in his last five starts. He does have 19 Ks and the O's have plenty of whiff potential with 6-7 HKCs in the projected lineup. Tournaments only for this "vaya con dios" recommendation.

HOU is going with a bulk strategy, though it could be RHPs Ronel Blanco or Tatsuya Imai after LHP Bryan King logs the first frame.

EARLY Top Stacks 8/12 ⚾️🎇

Tampa is again the top stack on the board for the afternoon action.

ARZ vs RHP Ryan Feltner 5.4 runs: Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte each homered in the first last night, though that ended up being it for the D'Backs offense. Both are priority plays this afternoon, along with Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo and Gabriel Moreno. Lars Nootbaar and Max Kepler are discount dandies, though neither is overly enthralling when compared to fellow discount dandy Tim Tawa who has some pop in same-handed matchups and a splash of stolen base upside with 4 in his last 5 games, including two last night.

BAL at RHP Zebby Matthews 4.6 runs: This is a "both-sideser" as there is K-upside for Matthews and the stumbling O's get a matchup against a pitcher who has allowed 29 runs in his last 29.1 IP. Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso, Jackson Holiday and Leody Taveras are the key stacking components.

PHI at RHP Kyle Leahy 4.6 runs: The youngster is susceptible to opposite-handed batsmen, which bodes well for Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Luis Arraez, Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott. To his credit, Leahy has allowed only 7 ERs in his last eight outings, across 42.1 IP. Look to the Phillies as duos and trios first.

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Pitchers 8/12 ⚾️ 🚀

There are no clear pitching plays this evening and DK/FD has elected to roll out different game sets, with the blue site including the three games in the 6 o'clock hour, which puts Framber Valdez, Foster Griffin and David Peterson into the tournament mix.

Jose Soriano vs BOS 3.6 runs: The hot start for Soriano feels like a lifetime ago and over the last 10 outings he has been merely mediocre by comparison with a 4.00 ERA, 4.52 xERA and 3.70 xFIP with 45 Ks in these 51.2 innings. The ground ball artistry is still there at 52.4%, though the surprising K-upside appears to have been a mirage. Adley Rutschman is now healthy, making the current Team of Destiny that much stronger. We are all playing with the same hand, plus the DK ($8.7k) is palatable.

Tyler Mahle vs NYM 4.3 runs: Mahle is now in the postseason mix with ATL after toiling away in San Francisco. Injuries robbed him of a large portion of his prime, though he at least has a chance at relevance and strikeout upside against the #LOLMets.

Luis Castillo vs CIN 4.4 runs: This has been a rough fall for Castillo, who has his lowest strikeout and highest home run rates of his career, despite pitching in T-Mobile Park. He is facing his old team in his second start for his new team and the one appealing angle is that he falls into potential strikeouts as the Reds are expected to have six hitters with a 26+ K% in the lineup tonight.

Top Stacks 8/12 ⚾️🎇

TEX at RHP George Klassen 5.1 runs: Klassen is the top pitching prospect for the Halos and after 91 Triple-A innings this season, he is like to wrap things up in The Show for a few starts as he is at a career-high. He is a back of the rotation arm who likely will have DFS relevance against weaker teams, if he can get his walks under control. Until then, expect to see opposing teams as recommended stacking options for the next couple of weeks. Look to the top-5 Texans tonight as the foundational stacking pieces.

CHW vs RHP Rhett Lowder 4.9 runs: The ChiSox are an intriguing countermove against LAD facing 3 IP of LHP David Lynch IV and an overworked bullpen. Lowder is a top pitching prospect, who logged just 8.1 Triple-A frames before being tossed into the deep end. Lefties have been his undoing and we should see at least 6-7 in the lineup tonight, with Miguel Vargas the lone righty in the parade of options populating the top two-thirds of the batting order. Giggity!

ATL vs LHP Zach Thornton 4.8 runs: The #LOLMets will let the rookie take his lumps against big league batsmen, which could make for a long or short night against the ATL righties, depending on one's perspective. The former 5th round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft has lucked out over his last four starts with an 83 LOB% leading to a 2.45 ERA, though his 5.13 xERA and 4.53 xFIP are a more accurate portrayal. He has just 12 Ks in these 22 IP and the Regression Monster is on high alert for a potential smorgasbord of extra-base hits.

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