MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: September 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 9/12 ⚾️ 🏖️

Tyler Glasnow at MIA · 3.4 runs

This will be the fourth start for Glasnow, who missed 3+ months with back issues. He has tallied 89, 85 and 96 pitches in his last trio of tilts, with 21 Ks in 18 IP, issuing 4 BBs and allowing 8 ERs, with three doubles being the only XBHs. The Marlins should have 4-5 high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the lineup this afternoon, giving Glasnow ample DFS potential.

Gerrit Cole vs NYM · 3.8 runs

While the #LOLMets do not have a lot of gimme HKCs in the current lineup, they have been very inconsistent with power outside of Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. It is also important to note that Cole's strikeout rate is slipping to barely average against same-handed batsmen, though he fortunately has been good against lefties and he should see 5-6 this afternoon.

Things thin out rapidly as there is a good chance that Joey Cantillo and Spencer Arrighetti will be bulk options for CLE and TOR. Michael King has not allowed a run in his last three starts, though he has handed out eight free passes in these 21 IP with a pedestrian 16 Ks. Paul Skenes is hardly trustworthy and this motley crew is on par with Ranger Suarez, Andrew Sears and Kyle Bradsish in what looks like a spray and pray approach for DK tournaments, outside of the top two candidates.

EARLY Top Stacks 9/12 ⚾️🎇

NYY vs LHP Zac Thornton · 4.6 runs

Thornton is a mid-tier prospect, who is well into a career-high with his 129 IP this season. The rookie has allowed 7 HRs in his last four starts, though he does have 22 Ks in the 21 IP with only two walks. Aaron Judge is shaking off the rust from his layoff, but we can mix and match with the top-6 in pinstripes this afternoon.

BAL at RHPs Miles and Arrighetti · 4.4 runs

The O's are taking on the Spencers this afternoon, which means the platoon-advantage should be held by Dylan Beavers, Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson and Colton Cowser for most of the game. Pete Alonso is in play against anyone and Coby Mayo's power profile is intriguing against Arrighetti.

CHC vs RHP Paul Skenes · 4.7 runs

It is hot, humid and there is a 9-14mph breeze out to right-center at Wrigley Field this afternoon. Skenes has been mostly mortal too many times this season for us to shy away from the top-7 on the Cubs. Ideally with the shortage of "obvious" pitchers on DK, there will be some traction for rostering Skenes in tournaments, which of course provides some direct leverage for savvy gamers.

The Dodgers are in play against RHP Tyler Phillips and the absence of Shohei Ohtani gives more flexibility with salary allocation. The BoSox lefties are worthy of strong consideration against RHP Randy Dobnak as his smoke-and-mirrors approach is ripe for negative regression. The Motor City Kitties have appeal against RHP Tanner Gordon, with the top six all in play.

Pitchers 9/12 ⚾️ 🚀

Kyle Harrison vs CIN · 3.9 runs

This has been a rough stretch for Harrison, having allowed 15 runs in his last two starts and he had an eight run affair @SDP in mid-August. He has suffered 12 BBs in his last five games, with only 11 in his first 18 starts of the season. The Brew Crew is going to need him dialed in for a deep postseason run and it would not be a surprise if he is limited to around five frames if things are positive, getting him a confidence builder.

Bryan Woo at ATH · 4.4 runs

The A's have been gutted by injuries, but we have seen Sutter Health Park continually propping up their offense. Woo has had two solid starts since his 6-run mound meltdown against PHI and he just held the Athletics scoreless for 8-innings in Seattle. Caveat Emptor.

Tyler Mahle vs PHI · 4.4 runs

The veteran has been locked in since joining Atlanta, though strikeouts are really not part of his game, so in a tricky matchup against the Phillies, he loses some DFS luster. The price is right for a DK SP2 ($7.0k), though he is a longshot to get the quality start bonus on FD.

Gage Jump vs SEA · 4.5 runs

The M's do not fair well against southpaws, though they get a massive boost in park factors compared to their home venue. If Jump is dealing, he should be able to put together enough strikeouts to neutralize the inevitable earned runs. Best case is five mostly clean innings, with 7-8 Ks, which would be just fine for a DK SP2.

This is going to be a fun one tonight as there are no "trustworthy" pitchers. That means wide open tournament strategies where fortune is likely to favor the bold.

Top Stacks 9/12 ⚾️🎇

SEA at LHP Gage Jump · 5.7 runs

Seattle has been anemic against southpaws, though the benefits of Sutter Health Park towards offenses and Jump at a career-high innings workload have the M's in play on tonight's semi short-slate. Dominic Canzone has smashed fellow southpaws, keeping in him in the mix along with any of the right-handers drawing a start this evening.

ARZ vs RHP Kumar Rocker · 4.4 runs

The Chase Field Roof is closed for this series, but even the humidor cannot save Rocker from his walk issues. In his most recent start he did not have any, for only the second time all season, though he has multiple in 8 of his last 10 appearances and 23 total in these 50.1 frames. To his credit, he has 53 Ks in this stretch, but there is not a lot of consistency as evidenced by a trio of efforts in the timeframe with three or fewer whiffs.

MIL vs RHP Brady Singer · 4.7 runs

The Brew Crew secured a postseason berth last night, but they are only 1.5 games ahead of LAD for the best record, Expect to see the usual lineup going forward until they are able to secure home field advantage for the whole shebang. The lefties in the top six are the priority, but all the righties who make the lineup have been more than capable in same handed matchups this season. Despite the second fewest home runs this season, Milwaukee has scored the second most runs, aided by the fifth most stolen bases.

ATH vs RHP Bryan Woo · 4.2 runs

Lefties Lawrence Butler, Jeff McNeil and Donovan Walton are direct leverage options against Woo, with the hopes of getting some Sutter Health Park magic.

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