MLB DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups & Stacks Today: Saturday Playbook

Published: Aug 31, 2024

Welcome to another day of MLB DFS here at Fantasy Alarm. We have a big 10-game main slate on DraftKings kicking off at 7:05 PM EST.

We have a huge 10-game slate that includes the Baltimore Orioles in Coors Field which means we need to find ways to get exposure to that roster. Pitching is headlined by Zack Wheeler who takes on the Atlanta Braves while the most expensive hitter is Shohei Ohtani, who is making an actual run toward a 50 home run, 50 stolen base season.

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MLB DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook

MLB Weather: Today, 8/31

Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies

Most of the rain is expected to miss the stadium but check the forecast near first pitch.

Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds

There are some showers in the area but the game should play.

MLB DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts

Zack Wheeler is the most expensive and best pitcher on this slate. You may need to pair him with a value SP2 to afford a Baltimore stack, but he’s in a great spot against the Braves. Bryan Woo comes in at $8,800 on DraftKings and maybe my favorite arm on the board.

The Orioles are in Coors so they are going to be the most popular stack. Dean Kremer has been good but I would have no issue playing some Rockies as well. Outside of them, I have some interest in some Dodgers and Mariners like Randy Arozarena.

Recommended MLB DFS Starting Pitchers

Top Options for Strikeouts

Zack Wheeler (7.5 Ks +115) vs Atlanta Braves
Yusei Kikuchi (6.5 Ks -110) vs Kansas City Royals
Cole Ragans (6.5 Ks +105) vs Houston Astros
Edward Cabrera (6.5 Ks +120) vs San Francisco Giants

Best Odds for a Win

Core MLB DFS Pitchers

Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies

Zack Wheeler has a 2.75 ERA and .99 WHIP and has been one of the most consistent pitchers this season. He’s recorded at least six strikeouts in nine straight starts and averages 21.7 DK points per game. He’s given up a home run in three of his last four starts and the only real issue is he has only recorded three wins over his last 10. Atlanta holds a 23.8% strikeout rate over the previous 30 days and Wheeler is the favorite to record a win in this game.

Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners

Bryan Woo against the Angels may be my favorite matchup on the slate. He struggled with injuries earlier in the season but looks to have settled in, with at least six strikeouts in four of his last five starts. We usually favor Seattle pitchers at home, but the Angels have been terrible against righties, sitting at the bottom of the league in most categories while holding the third-highest strikeout rate at 27.3% over the last 30 days. Over that span, the Angels have a team OPS of .598 and just a .191 BA.

Yusei Kikuchi, Houston Astros

Despite not finishing the sixth inning since July 9th, Yusei Kikuchi has been very good. He’s had at least 20 DK points in four of his last five starts and has allowed two or fewer runs in those starts. The Royals only hold a 19% strikeout rate over the last 30 days, but Vegas has his strikeout line at -110 to go over 6.5. The Royals rank 14th in wOBA against lefties over the last 30 days at .313 and Framber Valdez gave up zero hits through seven innings on Friday.

Jose Quintana, New York Mets

Jose Quintana gets the White Sox so he’s an auto consideration. He’s been crushed in three of his last four starts, but he found a quality start against the Padres and the White Sox are anything but a scary lineup. They rank at the very bottom in almost every category against left-handed pitching while holding a 24.2% strikeout rate over the last 30 days. With the Orioles in Coors and the Dodgers on this slate, Quintana’s cheap price tag helps us spend up on hitters.

Recommended MLB DFS Hitters

Highest Expected Run Totals

Core MLB DFS Hitters

Note: Will Be Updated as Official Starting Lineups Are Released

Anthony Santander, OF, Baltimore Orioles

Anthony Santander didn’t pay off on Friday, but I am going right back to him again in this Coors series. He has 38 home runs on the year, of which 27 have come against right-handed pitchers. Ryan Feltner is allowing a .480 SLG and 1.31 HR/9 to lefties, while Santander has a .815 OPS and .276 ISO against the split. It may be difficult to stack multiple O’s together, but Santander should be included in any stack. Baltimore has a massive implied run total of 6.7.

Brent Rooker, OF, Oakland Athletics

Brent Rooker continues to be an absolute savage, coming off a two home run game, and three over his last three games. With 10 games on the slate and the field likely getting to Cody Bradford, Rooker should come in as a contrarian player, with most people paying up for Baltimore bats. Against lefties on the year, Rooker has a .651 SLG, 1.011 OPS, and a towering .372 ISO. I would not suggest fading Baltimore, but in multi-entry tournaments, Rooker looks to be a great pivot.

Corey Seager, SS, Texas Rangers

Corey Seager is locked in right now, hitting .333 with a 1.078 OPS and four home runs over his last 10 games. He has hits and RBIs in four straight games and is in a great spot against Joey Estes. Estes is holding lefties to just a .217 BA but is allowing 1.37 HR/9 and has given up a home run in seven of his last eight starts. Seager’s price has been climbing, but he still comes in cheaper than six other shortstops while being in a great spot.

Jackson Holliday, 2B, Baltimore Orioles

With the Orioles in Coors and the 2B position looking rather bleak, Jackson Holliday should be an easy plug. He has cooled off since being called up but he hit a triple in Friday’s game and has two steals over his last three games. He’s still figuring things out but getting the number one prospect in Coors at a cheap price tag makes him an easy play. Baltimore will be the most popular stack and Holliday does not have to do a ton to pay off his price.

Player Pool

$ Tier	SP	C	1B	2B	3B	OF
High	Zack Wheeler $11,300	William Contreras $3,300	Shohei Ohtani $4,800	Jose Altuve $3,600	Vladimir Guerrero $3,900	Mookie Betts $4,100
	Bryan Woo $10,800	Salvador Perez $3,300	Freddie Freeman $3,400		Royce Lewis $3,300	Anthony Santander $4,100
						Brenton Doyle $3,600
						Brent Rooker $3,400
						Colton Cowser $3,500
						Corbin Carroll $3,400
Medium	Yusei Kikuchi $9,900	Yainer Diaz $2,900	Ryan O'Hearn $3,300	Gavin Lux $2,800	Mark Vientos $3,300	Julio Rodríguez $3,100
		Cal Raleigh $3,000		Brice Turang $2,800	Max Muncy $3,500	Cedric Mullins $3,300
				Jackson Holliday $3,200		Adolis García $3,400
						Brandon Nimmo $3,200
						Joc Pederson $3,100
						Randy Arozarena $3,000
Low	Jose Quintana $7,100	Freddy Fermin $2,600	Nathaniel Lowe $2,800	Zack Gelof $2,700	Paul DeJong $2,800	Nick Castellanos $3,300
	Edward Cabrera $7,400		Carlos Santana $2,700	Gavin Lux $2,800		Victor Robles $2,700
				Brendan Rodgers $2,700		Jesús Sánchez $2,900
				Connor Norby $2,900		Lawrence Butler $2,900
						Garrett Mitchell $2,400