MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: August 20, 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 8/20 ⚾️ 🏖️

Gavin Williams vs SFG 3.3 runs: There have been some busts along with the overall booms for Williams this season. He has allowed 5+ runs in 6 of 25 (24%) of his starts, though he is posting career-best strikeout numbers across the various categories and he is third overall with 11.5 per nine among qualified starters. He will have his work cut out for him as the Giants are better suited against RHPs, though surprise should be on his side the first time through the order, following southpaw Parker Messick who performed well Wednesday night.

Ian Seymour vs TOR 3.3 runs: Over his last trio of tilts, Seymour has been stellar with 25 Ks in 18 IP, though his 5.06 xERA is in a little bit of a disagreement with his 3.00 ERA, 2.97 FIP and 2.24 xFIP. The bottom of the Jays lineup has little power, though there are only two high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) projected to start.

Gage Jump at KCR 4.7 runs: Jump had his start pushed back with the return of fellow southpaw Jeffrey Springs, coming off 101 and 100 career-high pitch counts in his last two outings. He trades strikeouts for hard hits, leaving him as a better tournament target.

Robert Gasser vs SEA 4.1 runs: The M’s got a measure of payback last night with a 7-5 win last night, after the historic 22-0 loss on Tuesday. Seattle has struggled all season against southpaws and while Gasser does not collect many strikeouts, he should be able to coax a handful from the back of the order at a minimum.

EARLY Top Stacks 8/20 ⚾️🎇

TBR vs RHP Shane Bieber 4.3 runs: The Biebs has had a pair of mound meltdowns in his last four starts, fueled by an absurd 9 BBs in 6.1 IP. Five starts again he held the Rays to one run across 7 IP with no walks, but only 3 Ks. The core Rays are spendy on DK, which is capping their tournament representation.

MIL vs RHP George Kirby 4.3 runs: Two of Kirby's worst efforts have been in the last four games and even taking out the 9 runs allowed in mop up duty by M's 3B Leo Rivas on Tuesday, the Brew Crew has scored 28 other runs in the last four games. Look to the LHBs first, though it would not be a surprise to see a veteran like Christian Yelich or dinged up Jake Bauers/Brice Turang get the day off.

KCR vs LHP Gage Jump 4.7 runs: The youngster has looked good, though he is coming off 101 and 100 pitch count games, the most recent of which saw him register only one strikeout. He is going to challenge hitters and let the chips fall where they may, though that is not the best approach against the Royals who are finally healthy, aside from Jonathan India who is out for the season.

CLE vs RHP Landen Roupp 4.3 runs: Something has to give here with the Guardians having been shut out in three of the last six games, against Roupp who has scuffled over his last four appearances having crested to a career high workload. Look to the LHBs as mini-stacks or one-offs.

Pitchers 8/20 ⚾️ 🚀

Peter Lambert vs LAA 3.9 runs: Over the last 14 games, Lambert has allowed more than two runs twice, with just seven total in those outliers. In this stretch he has maintained nearly a strikeout per inning rate, with palatable walk and home run totals. The Halos finally have more LHBs, though none are overly worrisome and there are three high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the projected lineup.

Jacob deGrom vs WAS 3.7 runs: If deGrom can mitigate the lefties in the top half of the order, he should be in the mix for top pitching honors for the shallow three-game slate.

Gerrit Cole at BAL 3.8 runs: The last eight starts for Cole have been sublime as he is in the groove with a 10.7 K/9 rate, walking only nine batsmen in 49 innings, while ceding four round-trippers. The top of the O's lineup is capable, though there are going to be 3-4 HKCs and the latter half of the roster is pretty anemic.

Top Stacks 8/20 ⚾️🎇

HOU vs RHP Grayson Rodriguez 4.8 runs: Gamers will be flocking to the 'Stros on the short slate, looking to take advantage of the homer-prone Rodriguez. Lefties Yordan Alvarez and Taylor Trammell are particularly enticing, with pretty much everyone taking the field a reasonable option for tonight's short slate.

NYY at RHP Kyle Bradish 4.3 runs: Keep Bradish healthy for next year is key as he lost two years of his prime due to injury, notching just 14 starts across 2024 and 2025. The last 8 starts have seen the soon-to-be 30-year-old slowing down with a 6.1 K/9 rate, with 16 walks in these 44 frames. On the bright side he has limited power with two home runs, seven doubles and two triples in this period. Look to the boppers in the top half of the New York lineup, focusing on the lefties.

TEX vs LHP Andrew Alvarez 4.3 runs: It looks like the Nationals have another decent back of the rotation starter in Alvarez, though they do not have any real frontline candidates. Now that he is working without an opener and is pitching deeper into games, Alvarez has seen his strikeout rates slide. Fire up the top-6 tonight, with the hopes they deal with Alvarez early and then enjoy the dreadful Washington bullpen.

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