MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: September 2, 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 9/2 ⚾️ 🏖️

Jacob Lopez at TEX 4.4 runs: There are a lot of caveats with the pitching options this afternoon, so unless you have a strong personal lean, mixing and matching combinations is the way to go on DraftKings. Lopez was a low-end prospect, who bounced around three organizations before earning a regular role last year. He was a 26th round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft, so just making it this far is an accomplishment. He has demonstrated solid strikeout ability, though an elevated walk rate (4 BB/9) and above average home run rate (1.4 HR/9) make his starts adventurous. He should see 4-5 high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) from the Rangers, giving him access to DFS upside, if he limits runs.

Patrick Sandoval vs SEA 4.2 runs: On a pitch per dollar rate, Sandoval is strong as he should finish with around 90 throws. The M's do not set up well against southpaws and the bottom of the order is bereft of potential power. There should be 4-5 HKCs in the lineup and the light breeze in from right is also a bonus for the lefty.

Cody Bradford vs ATH 3.7 runs: In his last four starts, Bradford has a grand total of 8 Ks in 22 IP That gives him a strikeout rate that is actually lower than Lopez's walk rate for perspective. The matchup against the injury decimated A's is appealing, though if Bradford gives up a couple of runs, he will be hard pressed to reach double-digit fantasy points.

EARLY Top Stacks 9/2 ⚾️🎇

BAL and COL have disappointed with just nine runs through the first two games of the current Coors Field Extravaganza, but that could easily change this afternoon with RHP Tomoyuki Sugano getting the "Remember Me?!" start against LHP Trevor "Don't call me Steve" Rogers.

SDP at LHP Brandon Williamson 5.4 runs: After succumbing to a shoulder issue at the end of April, Williamson was shelved until August. He has worked his way up to an 80 pitch workload in Triple-A, though the team has indicated after this spot start he will be paired with RHP Chase Burns at the team has an eye on his workload. The 28-year-old was essentially tossing batting practice prior to his injury and walks remained an issue during his MiLB rehabilitation. Fernando Tatis Jr. is on a scorcher after a frigid slump that began last year. He, along with stalwarts such as Manny Machado, Ty France and Jackson Merrill are the foundational plays, with Samad Taylor and Austin Hays in the mix for those seeking full-stacks.

CIN vs RHP Casey Mize 4.5 runs: Credit to the top-seven expected Reds, who are in good form and have been productive against right-handed hurlers all season. This provides ample coverage at a variety of positions and salary levels.

BOS vs RHP Bryce Miller 4.6 runs: Lefties and Miller don't mix, which is good news for the BoSox with the return of Roman Anthony and the red hot hitting of backup catcher Mickey Gasper, along with regulars Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran.

Pitchers 9/2 ⚾️ 🚀

FanDuel is locking an hour before DraftKings, which puts RHP Dylan Cease in the mix of the abundant aces.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs STL 3.3 runs: He gets just enough strikeouts to be considered an apex ace, when also getting credit for the offense behind him. The Redbirds are likely to have four high-strikeout candidates in the lineup and the latter half of the order is lacking any scary bats.

Jacob Misiorowski at CHC 3.9 runs: If he strikes out everyone at the plate, does it matter if the wind is blowing out at Wrigley Field? He should see at least four and as many as six HKCs in the opposing lineup.

Cam Schlittler at LAA 3.0 runs: New ownership is not going to fix the Halos offense tonight as the team does an interpretation of a wind farm a the plate. Schlittler is up to a 30.9 K%, which is impressive for this point in the season.

Reid Detmers vs NYY 3.9 runs: The Yankees have power against southpaws, even from their left-handed batsmen. They also have strikeouts and with a $7.8k cap hit on DK, Detmers is in the mix as an SP2.

Top Stacks 9/2 ⚾️🎇

MIL at LHP David Peterson 4.8 runs: The Brew Crew has the fewest home runs in the league and set up better against righties, but that should not dissuade us from picking on Peterson. To his credit, since his 10 run mound meltdown, the former Met has ceded a palatable 14 runs in eight starts across 46 IP. Of course he also has allowed 5+ runs seven times this season, which combined with the Windy City magic is making Milwaukee a top stack.

DET at RHP Dean Kremer 4.5 runs: Kremer is susceptible to power, particularly from opposite-handed batsmen and he has suffered the ignominy of allow 12 runs in his last 14.2 IP, despite 14 Ks. Walks are a problem and if there are multiple tonight, we could see the Motor City Kitties for a conga line around the base paths.

MIA at LHP Noah Cameron 4.7 runs: The targets are the first four righties in the lineup, with Esteury Ruiz an honorable mention from the bottom of the order. Cameron is not a pushover, but the low salaries outside of Otto Lopez ($4.7k) have Miami well positioned as a discounted mini-stack.

MIN vs RHP Drew Anderson 4.5 runs: The baseball nomad is back in The Show, after spending time in Japan and Korea over the last half decade. Now in his age-32 season, he is just happy getting paid to play a game. The Twins have an endless lineup of pesky hitters who have pop, giving us potential differentiation plays against the field.

Yes, the Dodgers are always in play and for FanDuel, do not lose site of the Pirates hosting RHP Landen Roupp, assuming they did not use up all their runs for the week yesterday.

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