MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: September 16, 2026

EMac's top stack today: ARZ vs RHP Ryan Gusto, 4.8 implied runs. Gusto tends to throw a lot of pitches with little DFS production to show for it.

EARLY Pitchers 9/16 ⚾️ 🏖️

Parker Messick at CLE · 3.5 runs

Messick is putting the finishing touches on a fine season and while he has slowed slightly as he is at 172.1 IP, which is 40 more than his prior career-high workload, he does have a pair of double-digit strikeout performances in two of his last five appearances. Additionally he has 21+ DKPT in two of the remaining three, courtesy of the win bonus. He is going to have to navigate a tough top four from the home team, though there should also be 4-5 high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) facing him.

Matthew Liberatore vs SFG · 3.8 runs

Unlike Andre Pallante yesterday, Liberatore at least has a respectable 23.1 K% this year, up from 18.8% last seasons. Other than Jonah Cox who has a 42.9 K% in 70 PAs against southpaws this season and Bryce Eldridge, who also has a hefty 27.9 K%, the rest of the lineup is flotsam and jetsam, though as we saw last night, baseball can be baseball at any time.

Carlos Rodon at MIN · 3.8 runs

In his last trio of tilts, Rodon has tallied 88, 89 and 93 pitches, so he should be tack to a solid enough baseline workload to get through five innings, and six with a little luck or efficiency. He has 20 Ks across these 16 IP, though it is worth noting that there probably will be only 1-2 HKCs from the Twins and the mostly right-handed lineup has a solid 4-5 bats with pop to make this a "both-sideser" on the four-game early slate.

EARLY Top Stacks 9/16 ⚾️🎇

STL vs RHP Anthony Molina · 4.4 runs

It is going to be hot and humid for the early action in St Louis this afternoon, though the afternoon thunderstorms should hold off until after the game window. Molina is just about everything you would want to see from a potential "tomato can" though the Redbirds are still going to have to make things happen. The focus should be on the heart of the order in Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Leonardo Bernal. Sadly this has been a lost season for Nolan Gorman who has fallen to the bottom-third of the order, though he does profile well against Molina's primary offerings.

NYY at RHP Zebby Matthews · 4.6 runs

Matthews has cratered over the last two games, giving up 9 ERs in 7.1 IP, with 4 HRs, 5 BBs and 6 Ks. While Aaron Judge is getting his sea-legs, he is still in play, but the main focus of our attention should be on lefties Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, Spencer Jones and Luis Garcia. We will not be alone in this assessment, but it is the best matchup on the board.

DET at RHP Max Scherzer · 4.3 runs

Aside from a gem against the Mariners with one hit across seven scoreless innings, Mad Max has been a mess in his other four starts. In these outings he has a combined 10.5 DKFPs, despite logging 21.1 IP, with 10 Ks and 18 runs. The middle of the Motor City Kitties lineup is the best place to start with Riley Green and Hao-Yu Lee being augmented by likely leadoff man Kevin McGonigle and Spencer Torkelson, who finally is back on track after a lineup demotion.

Pitchers 9/16⚾️ 🚀

Yusei Kikuchi vs SEA · 4.3 runs

The $6.6k salary is forgiving on DK as Kikuchi faces his original MLB team. Seattle has struggled against southpaws and whatever he gives up to the top of the order, he will have ample opportunity to earn it back agains the nonexistent power and hefty strikeout upside of Julio Rodriguez, Michael Arroyo, Cole Young, Weston Wilson and a struggling Josh Naylor.

George Kirby at LAA · 3.8 runs

Kirby's strikeout rate has slipped from a career-best 26.1% last season to a low of 19.8% year to date. Over the last 30 days, the Angeles have scored the fourth-fewest runs in the league and they are now in a dogpile with SEA and TOR for the overall season low. Zach Neto, Mike Trout, Wade Meckler and Vaughn Grissom will make him earn his keep and they are the leverage-stack, but the rest of the lineup card looks like a potential gold mine for DFS success.

Shota Imanaga vs ATL · 3.6 runs

It is going to be in the upper-60s, with a light breeze in from right field at Wrigley tonight, which puts Imanaga in play against an ATL squad that never gives up.

FanDuel is including the four games in the 6 o'clock hour, which makes for a dramatically different slate as Blake Snell @CIN and Zack Wheeler @WAS are the two best pitching options, with Logan Henderson a third choice, despite a similar five-figure salary, which will keep his tournament representation in check.

Top Stacks 9/16 ⚾️🎇

ARZ vs RHP Ryan Gusto · 4.8 runs

Gusto tends to throw a lot of pitches with little DFS production to show for it. In this matchup it is likely to be a nip and tuck battle to get more strikeouts than walks. The top-7 D'Backs are all in play with recent waiver claim Jesus Sanchez the punt du jour on DK ($3.0k).

HOU vs LHP Daniel Lynch IV · 5.0 runs

The 'Stros still get it done against southpaws, with their mostly right-handed lineup and of course hitting savant Yordan Alvarez who has activated god mode this season. Across his last 350 opposite-handed matchups, Lynch has ceded a .169 ISO, with a 9.4 BB% and a scant 14.6 K%. Enjoy!

The Coors Field Extravaganza will again dominate decisions and while DK has goosed the salaries for the best players, the lack of spendy pitchers offsets most of the tougher decisions we would have if the six o'clock games were included like they are on FD.

On FanDuel, the Dodgers look good in the Great American SMALLpark against LHP Andrew Abbott, with the righties and a finally engaged Kyle Tucker the first wave of clicks.

Similarly the Phillies are popping in Washington against the Nationals mediocre bullpen. At this time, no "bulk" option has been designated, though even if one arises, it is not going to change this assessment.

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