MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: August 25, 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 8/25 ⚾️💪

Gavin Williams at LAA 3.4 runs: Last night LHP Parker Messick limited the Halos to one run in 6 IP and now it will be Williams getting to take on the typically strikeout happy home team. The projected lineup has five high-strikeout candidates (HKCs), which bodes well for Williams who has been lights out with a 32.3 K% this season that has surged to 39.8% across his last 113 batters faced.

Kyle Harrison at NYM 3.4 runs: Harrison rebounded from an 8 runs shellacking @SDP to hold SEA scoreless for 5 IP in his last appearance. This season he has allowed two or fewer runs 16 times, with a tremendous 11.2 K/9 ratio. The #LOLMets have scored more than four runs only once in the last eight games with 21 total, with 9+ Ks five times.

Jacob deGrom at CHW 3.7 runs: The venerable veteran is not impervious to mound meltdowns with a pair of 5 ER games in his last six appearances, but he has ceded two or fewer runs in seven of his last nine. This is not going to be a comfortable watch as home runs are the cost of doing business and the ChiSox have plenty of lefty power. The offset will be 4 HKCs in the batting order where deGrom can create DFS value.

Aaron Nola at SEA 3.7 runs: The crafty righty has put together five strong starts, with 34 Ks and just 8 ERs in 28.2 IP. He gets the T-Mobile Park boost and while the M's did pop off for 9 runs last night, with all but one coming off RHP Zack Wheeler who for some reason was still in the game to begin the 5th-inning, promptly giving up B2B HRs to Cal Raleigh and Cole Young. While Nola is three years younger than Wheeler, he is not the same caliber of pitcher, but as a DK SP2 at $6.7k there is cushion.

Top Stacks 8/25⚾️🎇

ATH vs RHP Taj Bradley 4.6 runs: Bradley has 13 BBs in his last 20 IP, which contributed to his 12 ERs across these four starts. He is going against the third-string with all the A's injuries, but at least the expected top four have been productive against RHPs over the last month.

MIN at LHP Gage Jump 5.7 runs: Jump is a real life Nuke Laloosh with 32 Ks in his last 29.2 IP, but also 23 BBs and 22 ERs. Kody Clemens has been outstanding against fellow lefties and there is merit to the other eight RHBs in the projected lineup to cover a variety of positions at various salary levels.

LAD at RHP Bryce Elder 5.9 runs: It is low hanging fruit, but the three-key LHBs at the top of the LA lineup look good against Elder, who is highly susceptible to opposite-handed power.

KCR at RHP Max Scherzer 4.4 runs: The Royals are back to full health and Mad Max was dreadful in his last start, with 7 of 10 baserunners crossing home plate and only one lonely strikeout doing him no favors. He will be in the HoF, but for now he is a 42-year-old with declining velocity and few tricks up his sleeve. Mix and match as you see fit.

PHI at RHP George Kirby 4.0 runs: Hit has been a rough stretch for Kirby who allowed 11 runs in his last two outings, with just one round-tripper and he has given up 19 ER in his last 24 IP with a scant 13 Ks. Even T-Mobile Park is unlikely to save him if he is allowing that kind of contact to a lengthy Phillies batting order. Fire up the usual suspects first, but do not lose sight of Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott for the large late-slate contests, where they will provide differentiation.

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