MLB DFS Top Stacks & Top Pitchers: October 3, 2026

EMac's top stack today: LAD vs RHP JR Ritchie, 4.4 implied runs. Atlanta is out of pitchers with Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach out for some time now, plus Martin Perez and Reynoldo Lopez were lost in recent weeks.

Top Stacks 10/3 ⚾️🎇

LAD vs RHP JR Ritchie · 4.4 runs

Atlanta is out of pitchers with Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach out for some time now, plus Martin Perez and Reynoldo Lopez were lost in recent weeks. Chris Sale was used to get the final four outs of Game 3 after starting Game 2 against Philadelphia and he is trending to start Sunday. This is a long way of saying the Dodgers offense is well rested and positioned for this series. Look to the usual suspects, even the budget busters.

CLE vs LHP Hagen Smith · 3.9 runs

Smith has had a strong rookie season, with the fifth-overall selection from the 2024 MLB Draft employing an excellent fastball/slider combo. He should be good for 30-35 pitches, then it will be interesting to see how manager Will Venable employs the handedness of his bullpen. In turn Stephen Voght will need to decide how he employes LHBs Travis Bazzana and Nate Lowe in the order. Switch-hitters Angel Martinez and Brayan Rocchioare fun from the bottom of the order and while it would be terrifying to skip hitting savant Jose Ramirez, he has not been able to find his stroke from either side of the plate for a couple of weeks and leaving him out of Guardians’ stacks would be instant differentiation.

CHW at LHP Parker Messick: The young lefty is picking up traction as an SP2 on DK and Tommy Pham, Randal Grichuk and Brenton Doyle are at rock bottom salaries. Of course this trio carries elevated pinch-hit risk, with Grichuk likely the “safest” to stay in against RHPs.

Pitchers 10/3 ⚾️💪

Jacob Misiorowski vs SDP · 3.1 runs

The presumptive NL Cy Young Award winner led the league with a 1.80 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP, a 232 ERA+, 252 Ks and a 13.0 K/9 K-rate. The projected lineup for the Padres has just 25 at bats against Misiorowski, so he should also have surprise on his side, in addition to being the apex ace of the league. There are few easy strikeouts from the Friars, though that should not dissuade anyone from rolling with Misiorowski.

Tarik Skubal vs ATL · 3.6 runs

The two-time and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner will not be continuing his hardware streak, though he is now leading the Dodgers with a chance for a World Series threepeat. The only hitters in good current form against southpaws are Ronald Acuna and LHBs Matt Olson and Michael Harris.

Parker Messick vs CHW · 3.3 runs

The 25-year-old was outstanding in his sophomore campaign, earning All-Star honors and his 2.56 ERA ranked sixth, while his 1.06 WHIP was tenth. The only knock is that he has a solid, though not spectacular 9.3 K/9 rate, which most pitchers would be thrilled with, though it keeps him behind his above counterparts. On the flipside, the ChiSox should have 5-6 high-strikeout candidates (HKCs) in the lineup.

Drew Rassmussen vs NYY · 3.4 runs

There should be 7-8 LHBs from New York, with 4-5 HKCs. Rassmussen has a wicked 28.2 K% against opposite-handed batsmen and he is appealing with the upside potential for 6+ Ks at a reasonable salary.

There are plenty of DFS options and strategies, with the four home teams having had nearly a week off to regroup and prepare for this round.

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