MLB FanDuel Picks for Aug 21, 2026

Daily Player Picks

Updated Throughout the Day

Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.


Pitchers

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jacob Misiorowski MIL $11,800 51.86 4.39
Jesus Luzardo PHI $10,700 46.16 4.31
Chris Sale ATL $10,800 44.22 4.09
Cam Schlittler NYY $10,600 43.75 4.13

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jacob Misiorowski MIL $11,800 51.86 4.39
Jesus Luzardo PHI $10,700 46.16 4.31
Sean Burke CWS $9,700 41.56 4.28
Cam Schlittler NYY $10,600 43.75 4.13

Catcher/First Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Pete Alonso BAL $3,700 13.68 3.70
Gabriel Moreno ARI $3,100 13.10 4.22
Josh Bell MIN $2,900 12.59 4.34
Matt Olson ATL $4,000 12.55 3.14

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Josh Bell MIN $2,900 12.59 4.34
Alejandro Kirk TOR $2,700 11.46 4.25
Gabriel Moreno ARI $3,100 13.10 4.22
Andres Chaparro WSH $2,700 11.14 4.13

Second Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Brandon Lowe PIT $3,300 11.47 3.47
Gleyber Torres DET $3,100 11.43 3.69
Luke Keaschall MIN $2,900 11.00 3.79
Travis Bazzana CLE $3,300 10.58 3.21

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Luke Keaschall MIN $2,900 11.00 3.79
Gleyber Torres DET $3,100 11.43 3.69
Hao-Yu Lee DET $2,500 9.06 3.62
Brandon Lowe PIT $3,300 11.47 3.47

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Short Stop

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Bobby Witt Jr. KC $4,000 12.14 3.04
Francisco Lindor NYM $3,300 11.92 3.61
Elly De La Cruz CIN $3,800 11.53 3.03
Zach Neto LAA $3,400 11.30 3.32

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
George Lombard Jr. NYY $2,600 10.05 3.86
Angel Genao CLE $3,000 10.92 3.64
Francisco Lindor NYM $3,300 11.92 3.61
Gunnar Henderson BAL $3,100 11.20 3.61

Third Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Junior Caminero TB $3,800 13.17 3.47
Sal Stewart CIN $3,400 12.89 3.79
Jose Ramirez CLE $4,000 12.18 3.04
Nolan Arenado ARI $2,900 11.84 4.08

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Nolan Arenado ARI $2,900 11.84 4.08
Sal Stewart CIN $3,400 12.89 3.79
Alex Bregman CHC $3,200 11.29 3.53
Kazuma Okamoto TOR $3,000 10.47 3.49

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Outfield

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Shohei Ohtani LAD $4,200 15.34 3.65
Pete Crow-Armstrong CHC $4,300 15.01 3.49
Joshua Baez STL $2,900 14.62 5.04
Corbin Carroll ARI $3,600 13.55 3.76
Jake McCarthy COL $3,700 13.32 3.60
Jordan Walker STL $3,800 13.28 3.49
Kyle Schwarber PHI $4,100 12.93 3.15
Yordan Alvarez HOU $4,100 12.84 3.13

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Joshua Baez STL $2,900 14.62 5.04
Spencer Jones NYY $2,500 11.50 4.60
Steven Kwan CLE $2,800 12.33 4.40
Lawrence Butler ATH $2,600 10.89 4.19
Henry Bolte ATH $2,700 11.15 4.13
Drew Gilbert SF $2,400 9.56 3.98
Esteury Ruiz MIA $2,800 11.12 3.97
Petey Halpin CLE $2,600 10.17 3.91

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Picks are updated regularly, but we advise that you keep up to date on late-day roster moves and injuries – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk. Sample lineups are provided as thought-starters, and are not intended for direct use.