MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: September 23, 2026

EMac's top stack today: BAL vs RHP Max Scherzer, 4.1 implied runs. Both teams are going to be trying today as each is in a battle to chase down CHW for the final AL wild card slot.

EARLY Pitchers 9/23 ⚾️ 🏖️

Framber Valdez vs WAS · 3.7 runs

This will be the final start of the season for Valdez and the Motor City Kitties were eliminated from the postseason this weekend, ending their consecutive playoff streak at two. The Nationals should have 4-5 high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the lineup this afternoon and while this has been a down year for Valdez on that front, a strong finish is in the cards. It would be a surprise to see him log more than 5-6 innings or however far 85-90 pitches gets him, though he is the best of the bunch on Wednesday's early slate.

Connor Prielipp at SFG · 3.6 runs

The Twins saw their playoff hopes end this weekend as well and it is important to note that Prielipp logged 92 pitches on Friday, which was his most in the month. This is a great matchup with the Giants down to their deep understudies at most positions, though there is no incentive for Minnesota to push their prospect too hard on the road. Expect 4-5 innings and 75-80 pitches this afternoon. In his four starts prior to Friday, he was able to close out the fifth inning three times, despite averaging only 76 pitches in that trio of tilts.

The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are playing two today, with both teams still having an outside chance at the final Wild Card slot in the AL. RHPs Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt are both tournament possibilities, though if they struggle early and the game is close, a quick hook is likely. If either team manages to win both legs in Camden Yards they will have a leg up.

Top Stacks 9/23 ⚾️🎇

BAL vs RHP Max Scherzer · 4.1 runs

Both teams are going to be trying today as each is in a battle to chase down CHW for the final AL wild card slot. We could see a quick hook if either pitcher in the game struggles, or if it is out of hand they could be tasked with eating innings to keep more options available for the nightcap. Mad Max no longer has strikeout stuff and he allows power to batters from both sides of the plate. Lefties look good against the 42-year-old, though do not shy away from Pete Alonso or Coby Mayo in this matchup.

TOR at RHP Chris Bassitt · 4.1 runs

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is dealing with a back issue and may not play in either game. That will open up a slot for someone and it should be noted the outfielder Brett Bateman is dinged up as well. We will need to see a starting lineup to make our decisions, but it is important to note that the 37-year-old veteran is nowhere near as steady this season as he was in the preceding three for the Jays.

DET vs LHP Richard Lovelady: No bulk has been announced, but with the usual long relievers used over the last two days, expectations are the RHP Brad Lord and LHP Will Dion will work a couple innings each after Lovelady. Max Clark, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and Kevin McGonigle are the most appealing Tigers' batsmen.

MIN will be the most popular stack, though leverage can be had by going with WAS and SFG, in the hopes that one or both of the two most popular pitchers on the short slate do not do anything noteworthy.

Pitchers 9/23 ⚾️ 🚀

Kevin Gausman vs MIA · 3.2 runs

The Cubs are in a three-way tie with the other two NL Wild Card teams, while ARZ has a mathematical chance of catching on of the trio. The wind is coming in from right field, which bodes well for Gausman as it will impact the opposite-handed hitters the most (aka lefties). The Marlins will likely have 5-6 high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the batting order tonight, with is another tick in favor of Gausman.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs SDP · 3.7 runs

The Dodgers are now one game behind MIL for the best record in the NL, giving the team plenty of motivation. That bodes well for Yamamoto's probability of his usual mid-90s pitch count, though the Padres do not have a lot of easy strikeouts in the lineup, though the tradeoff is a bottom of the order is light on power.

Chris Sale vs CIN · 3.2 runs

Sale is slated to be the postseason opener and there is no reason for him to log more than five innings tonight. The team has been VERY careful with him, giving him five and six days off between starts four time each this season. His last appearance was on the 11th and his other start this month was on the 4th. He posted 20.2 and 24.7 DKFPs in those games, but that was on 94 and 103 pitches, before the Braves had clinched the NL East. He absolutely could post another 20 DKFP game, but if he is laboring at all, it would be a shock for him to go more than 70-75 pitches.

Top Stacks 9/23 ⚾️🎇

CHW at Seth Lugo · 4.6 runs

There was no shortage of runs last night as the ChiSox raced out to a 14-4 lead, needing to stave off seven additional runs from the Royals in the final two innings. Chicago is one game behind CLE for the AL Central and three back from BOS for the final AL wild card slot. Lugo is in the worst form of his career, giving up 4 HRs in his last start and 7 HRs in his last 18.2 IP along with 18 ERs. The top-7 are all appealing tonight, providing many was of crafting Coors Field countermoves or complementary mini-stacks.

LAA at LHP Jeffrey Springs · 5.2 runs

It is a pity the injuries derailed the late-20s breakout of Springs and he has made only 70 starts since 2022. Home runs have been a problem with 2.2 per nine at Sutter Health Park over the last two seasons. Look to the top-4 Halos tonight, with Jose Siri an honorable mention.

SEA vs RHP Ethan Pecko · 4.0 runs

It will be in the low-60s at T-Mobile Park tonight, but the M's have a lot of lefties and the rookie has been exploited by opposite-handed batsmen. Mini-stacks for differentiation are the best approach.

ATL vs LHP Andrew Abbott · 4.4 runs

Abbott is pedestrian on his best days, but the entire Atlanta offense is in a slump against southpaws. This is a nice get-right spot for their regulars before the postseason. Again another mini-stack situation or home run hunting with the usual suspects.

There is around a 30% likelihood that the Coors Field Extravaganza will produce the top-stack tonight.

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