Top 10 Fantasy Starts: August 20
Our algorithm's top 10 fantasy baseball starts for Thursday, August 20, 2026. 5 platoon advantages in today's slate.
⚡ The live Top Starts rankings update every hour as lineups and probables are confirmed — the order may shift throughout the day.
Here are today's top 10 fantasy baseball starts, ranked by our algorithm using career splits vs today's probable starters, current season performance, and platoon matchups. 5 platoon advantages in today's slate.
Pick #1
Ben Rice
DH · New York Yankees · Bats L
Matchup: vs Kyle Bradish (RHP) · Away
Kyle Bradish comes in with a 3.65 ERA and 1.36 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a lefty batter facing righty Kyle Bradish.
Key stats: .600 AVG / 1.800 OPS in 5 PA vs Bradish
.600 AVG / 1.800 OPS in 5 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #2
Yainer Diaz
C · Houston Astros · Bats R
Matchup: vs Grayson Rodriguez (RHP) · Home
Grayson Rodriguez comes in with a 7.17 ERA and 1.59 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .400 AVG / 1.500 OPS in 8 PA vs Rodriguez
.400 AVG / 1.500 OPS in 8 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #3
Alec Burleson
1B · St. Louis Cardinals · Bats L
Matchup: vs Brady Singer (RHP) · Away
Brady Singer comes in with a 4.66 ERA and 1.44 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a lefty batter facing righty Brady Singer.
Key stats: .429 AVG / 1.518 OPS in 8 PA vs Singer
.429 AVG / 1.518 OPS in 8 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #4
Masyn Winn
SS · St. Louis Cardinals · Bats R
Matchup: vs Brady Singer (RHP) · Away
Brady Singer comes in with a 4.66 ERA and 1.44 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .333 AVG / 1.500 OPS in 8 PA vs Singer
.333 AVG / 1.500 OPS in 8 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #5
Gunnar Henderson
SS · Baltimore Orioles · Bats L
Matchup: vs Gerrit Cole (RHP) · Home
Gerrit Cole comes in with a 3.22 ERA and 1.08 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a lefty batter facing righty Gerrit Cole.
Key stats: .200 AVG / 1.000 OPS in 5 PA vs Cole
.200 AVG / 1.000 OPS in 5 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #6
Ernie Clement
2B · Toronto Blue Jays · Bats R
Matchup: vs Ian Seymour (LHP) · Away
Ian Seymour comes in with a 4.11 ERA and 1.13 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a righty batter facing lefty Ian Seymour.
Key stats: .600 AVG / 1.400 OPS in 5 PA vs Seymour
.600 AVG / 1.400 OPS in 5 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #7
George Springer
DH · Toronto Blue Jays · Bats R
Matchup: vs Ian Seymour (LHP) · Away
Ian Seymour comes in with a 4.11 ERA and 1.13 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a righty batter facing lefty Ian Seymour.
Key stats: .600 AVG / 1.267 OPS in 6 PA vs Seymour
.600 AVG / 1.267 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #8
Pete Alonso
1B · Baltimore Orioles · Bats R
Matchup: vs Gerrit Cole (RHP) · Home
Gerrit Cole comes in with a 3.22 ERA and 1.08 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .167 AVG / .953 OPS in 7 PA vs Cole
.167 AVG / .953 OPS in 7 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #9
Leody Taveras
CF · Baltimore Orioles · Bats S
Matchup: vs Gerrit Cole (RHP) · Home
Gerrit Cole comes in with a 3.22 ERA and 1.08 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .364 AVG / 1.091 OPS in 11 PA vs Cole
.364 AVG / 1.091 OPS in 11 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #10
Jeremy Peña
SS · Houston Astros · Bats R
Matchup: vs Grayson Rodriguez (RHP) · Home
Grayson Rodriguez comes in with a 7.17 ERA and 1.59 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .333 AVG / 1.000 OPS in 9 PA vs Rodriguez
.333 AVG / 1.000 OPS in 9 PA vs this pitcher
Rankings update every 2 hours as lineups and probables are confirmed. Always check for last-minute scratches.
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