MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: August 17, 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 8/17 ⚾️💪

Blake Snell at COL 4.1 runs: The Rockies are nowhere near as epically bad on offense this year, with a 91 wRC+ borderline respectable with 4.8 runs per game when compared to the absurdly dismal 74 wRC+ and 3.7 rpg last season. They are still the third least efficient offense in the league, but not a full standard deviation behind like last year. Snell (elbow) missed three months, prior to his return Tuesday, when he coaxed the Royals into 10 Ks on an efficient 84 pitches. Based on his four game MiLB rehabilitation, something in the 80-85 pitch range is a realistic baseline tonight. There are five high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the projected Rox lineup.

Shota Imanaga vs CHW 3.8 runs: Though he is not much of a strikeout artist, Imanaga should see 5-6 HKCs in this crosstown matchup and his 8.5 K/9 are well up from the anemic 7.3 in 2025. The current ChiSox roster has just 18 ABs against Imanaga, so he should have an advantage the first time through the order. The Pale Hose have ample power, with both Colson Montgomery and rookie Munetaka Murakami thriving against fellow lefties, so savvy gamers will want a hedge stack or three tonight.

Michael Wacha vs ATH 3.8 runs: The A's are now without their four best hitters and though there're only 2 HKCs in the projected lineup, Wacha should be able to flirt with a quality start via veteran guile.

Cristopher Sanchez is only available on the blue site, sitting atop the rankings without a doubt.

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Top Stacks 8/17 ⚾️🎇

LAD at Tomoyuki Sugano 7.0 runs: The Dodgers are swooning with a 7-13 record in their last 20 games, averaging only 3.65 runs in this stretch, with more than four only six times. This is a get right series in Coors Field and at least DK goosed the salaries, even breaking out the rare $7.0k for Shohei Ohtani.

CHC vs RHP Luis Castillo 4,6 runs: Do not let his last start fool you, Castillo still has issues against opposite-handed batsmen, which pushes Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Ian Happ and discount dandy Michael Conforto to the front of the line.

ATL at RHP Bailey Ober 5.1 runs: The last two seasons have been merely mediocre when it comes to Ober's production. Strikeouts have disappeared over the last four starts with just 9 Ks in his last 22 IP and while he has just 4 BBs in this timeframe, he ceded a trio of taters on Tuesday. While Atlanta has not been crushing opposing hurlers during the current 11-6 stretch, the whole lineup is rounding into form and we could see a mound meltdown for Ober tonight.

KCR vs RHP Mason Barnett 5.2 runs: Gamers are unlikely to overlook the Royals against Barnett, who has allowed half a dozen round-trippers in his last two outings. In his three rotational turns, he has 13 Ks in 13.1 IP, though none in the last game and a hefty 7 BBs keeping ducks on the pond. The best path to success is likely as a multi-inning reliever/spot starter, though with another lost season for KC, Barnett is likely to get a couple more starts before rolling up the carpet on his season. Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) is close to a return, which would boost the profile for this stack.

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