Tuesday in the MLB gets rolling with a 13-game slate locking at 7:05 p.m. ET on DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo. Today, we’ll explore MLB DFS projections and utilize Stokastic’s tools to learn how to build MLB DFS stacks, find top pitchers and create optimal daily fantasy baseball lineups. Cole Ragans and Robbie Ray are today’s desirable pitchers, and the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals provide stacking opportunities for today’s featured MLB DFS picks.
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers and Top Stacks | Aug. 20
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers
Main Slate Primary Pitching Target: LHP Cole Ragans (KC vs. LAA)
Royals vs. Angels – 3.6 implied runs
First Pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET
$9,500 at DraftKings
$10,800 at FanDuel
$50 at Yahoo
The Stokastic MLB DFS Top Pitchers Tool likes tonight’s matchup for LHP Cole Ragans, who is taking on the Los Angeles Angels. Last night veteran RHP Seth Lugo held the Halos to just two runs and struck out eight in seven innings. Ragans is far more electric and talented than his counterpart, making him a coveted asset in the DFS world on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old is currently fifth in the league with 174 strikeouts, and his 10.6 per nine innings are the seventh best among all qualified starters. Though he has allowed four home runs in his last three starts, that is a byproduct of challenging hitters, which has led to a solid 21 strikeouts in 19 frames. Across this trio of tilts, Ragans has tallied a 1.89 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and led his team to three victories.
From an efficiency standpoint, the active roster for the Angels has been solid against southpaws, though overall this is still a tepid endorsement at best. Over the last 30 days, L.A. has averaged 3.96 runs per game, which is in the bottom third of the league. Anthony Rendon is healthy for the moment, but overall this lineup should not be that intimidating for Ragans.
Main Slate Wild Card Pitching Target: LHP Robbie Ray (SF vs. CHW)
Giants vs. White Sox – 3.2 implied runs
First Pitch: 9:45 p.m. ET
$8,600 at DraftKings
$9,700 at FanDuel
$43 at Yahoo
Just like with LHP Kyle Harrison yesterday, this is all about picking on the White Sox active roster, which has a 74 wRC+ against lefties this season, ahead of only the Marlins (71 wRC+) and well behind the Rays (89 wRC+). Harrison ceded one run in six innings, striking out five. Anything worse than that stat line should be considered a failure for LHP Robbie Ray.
We have the Snell-evator and the Ray-llorcoaster in San Francisco this season, which, of course, leads to wild DFS adventures. In his last start, Ray was gobsmacked by Atlanta, allowing five runs on three walks and one home run, getting only two strikeouts as he failed to finish the first inning. The four starts prior to that had been smooth sailing with a wicked 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings, albeit with a semi-concerning five home runs in 20.1 frames. This is a matchup-based recommendation with the salary algorithms already taking into account Ray’s upside, hence the wild card designation.
MLB DFS Picks: Top Stacks
Main Slate Primary Target: New York Yankees
Yankees vs. Guardians – 4.9 implied runs
First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET
Opposing Starter: RHP Matthew Boyd
DK Top Stack %: 10.8%
FD Top Stack %: 10.5%
It is going to be cooler in New York tonight with game-time temperatures right around 70 degrees. That takes a little luster off the game total, but picking on LHP Matthew Boyd with the Bronx Bombers still feels like a savvy strategy.
Last June, Boyd suffered an elbow injury that resulted in Tommy John surgery. This June, Boyd inked a one-year deal for the veteran minimum with Cleveland. He has made five rehabilitation starts across three minor league levels for a total of 21.1 innings. While the 33-year-old was solid in his Guardians debut with five innings of one-run ball against the visiting Chicago Cubs, we know what we are getting more often than not with the venerable veteran. His best year was back in 2019, and he has been with a different team each of the last four years.
On Tuesday, his fastball was in the low-90s, and that is not going to cut it in The Show. Boyd has always been susceptible to power, which is a calling card for the Yankees. Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton are, of course, the obvious trio to target, but do not sleep on Gleyber Torres, who has been quietly productive.
Jose Trevino should be behind the dish tonight, though he could always be pinch-hit for by Austin Wells, depending on the scoreboard situation, when a right-hander comes in from the bullpen.
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Main Slate Secondary Target: Kansas City Royals
Royals vs. Angels – 5.4 implied runs
First Pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET
Opposing Starter: LHP Tyler Anderson
DK Top Stack %: 9.5%
FD Top Stack %: 9.9%
The Stokastic MLB DFS Top Stacks Tool is going back to Kansas City once again, this time against LHP Tyler Anderson. For the season, Anderson has a pristine 3.30 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, but the last four starts have been rocky to say the least.
Though Anderson has 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings across these 23.2 innings, that is a bit of a mirage when compared to his 7.2 for the season. He also has allowed five home runs in this stretch, leading to a 5.32 ERA. To his credit, he did hold New York to just one solo shot across six innings in Yankee Stadium two starts ago, but the Toronto Blue Jays battered him for seven earned runs last Wednesday.
The Royals have an excellent blend of speed and power with consolidated production in the first five hitters. Salvador Perez has a long history of success against southpaws, and we should see Maikel Garcia back at the top of the order with a lefty on the mound. Garcia has a career-high 30 stolen bases this season, getting the green light from his manager. Superstar Bobby Witt Jr. is on track for a 30/30 season, and, of course, he is a coveted player for all DFS formats.
Hunter Renfroe can still make opposing pitchers pay for their mistakes with his ample power, and while Vinnie Pasquantino is better in lefty-righty matchups, he too can make opposing southpaws sorry if they are not able to locate their pitches. Dairon Blanco is an option at the bottom of the order for discounted differentiation who also has synergy as part of a wraparound stack. He has a little pop and a little speed, giving him access to fantasy production.
Final MLB DFS Thoughts for Tuesday, Aug. 20
There are no concerning weather issues, though before locking in your MLB DFS picks, be sure to check the top MLB Weather Report page for the latest updates as game time draws near.
