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
- Bryan Woo vs Los Angeles Angels
- Jose Quintana vs Chicago White Sox
- Gavin Stone vs Arizona Diamondbacks
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
- Baltimore Orioles (6.9)
- New York Mets (5.4)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (5.1)
- Minnesota Twins (5.1)
- Colorado Rockies (5.1)
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 |
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Stacks
Orioles | Ryan O'Hearn | Jackson Holliday | Anthony Santander |
![]() | 4800 | 4300 | 6100 |
![]() | 3300 | 3200 | 4100 |
Mariners | Randy Arozarena | Victor Robles | Julio Rodríguez |
![]() | 4500 | 3700 | 5100 |
![]() | 3000 | 2700 | 3100 |
Dodgers | Shohei Ohtani | Gavin Lux | Max Muncy |
![]() | 7000 | 3300 | 4600 |
![]() | 4800 | 2800 | 3500 |
Diamondbacks | Joc Pederson | Corbin Carroll | Jake McCarthy |
![]() | 4500 | 5400 | 4600 |
![]() | 3100 | 3400 | 3100 |
Player News
Nathan Eovaldi will not start Sunday against the Tigers due to back issues.
Eovaldi will be scratched from Sunday’s outing as a precaution. Jacob Latz will make the start in his place. Eovaldi has been exceptional when on the mound, but fantasy managers should be prepared for Eovaldi to potentially miss more than just the one outing.
Ha-Seong Kim went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Tampa Bay’s 4-3 win over the Orioles on Saturday.
Kim came into this one hitless over his last three contests. He broke that streak with a base hit in the third inning, then singled in the eighth before stealing second and scoring the game-tying run. It was the second steal of the season for the 29-year-old shortstop as he’s hitting .250/.276/.393 with one homer and three RBI over just 29 plate appearances since making his Rays debut on July 4.
Jordan Westburg went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored against the Rays on Saturday.
Westburg double in the first inning and scored on a base hit. He then added a pair of singles to lead off the sixth and eighth inning for a three-hit day at the plate. The 26-year-old infielder is hitting .257/.309/.474 with 10 homers, 30 runs scored, and 21 RBI across 188 plate appearances.
Pete Fairbanks allowed one run in the ninth inning before recording the save against the Orioles on Saturday.
Fairbanks was summoned in the top of the ninth to close out the game against the Orioles with a two-run lead after the Rays plated three runs in the eighth. Fairbanks gave up a run on a double and a base hit before holding on to secure the win and record his 16th save of the season.
Jacob Latz will start Sunday’s game against the Tigers.
Latz has been a multi-inning option for the Rangers, but hasn’t made many traditional starts. He’s been effective when given the chance, however, and took a no-hitter into the seventh against the Orioles in his last one. The Tigers are a tough opponent, but those who feel like taking a “risk” could do worse than Latz.
Zack Littell allowed two runs with three strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision against the Orioles on Saturday.
The Orioles got to Littell in the first inning, bringing two runs in to score on three hits and a sacrifice fly. Littell then settled in nicely, tossing five more scoreless innings, ending his day with three strikeouts over six. The 29-year-old right-hander will take a 3.53 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and an 83/17 K/BB ratio across 122 1/3 innings into a start against the Reds in Cincinnati on Friday.