Top 10 Fantasy Starts: August 21
Our algorithm's top 10 fantasy baseball starts for Friday, August 21, 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
Willy Adames
SS · San Francisco Giants · Bats R
Matchup: vs Sonny Gray (RHP) · Away
Sonny Gray comes in with a 2.65 ERA and 1.15 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .667 AVG / 2.467 OPS in 5 PA vs Gray
.667 AVG / 2.467 OPS in 5 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #2
Ian Happ
LF · Chicago Cubs · Bats S
Matchup: vs Emerson Hancock (RHP) · Away
Emerson Hancock comes in with a 3.30 ERA and 1.11 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .333 AVG / 1.666 OPS in 6 PA vs Hancock
.333 AVG / 1.666 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #3
Colton Cowser
CF · Baltimore Orioles · Bats L
Matchup: vs Freddy Peralta (RHP) · Home
Freddy Peralta comes in with a 5.27 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a lefty batter facing righty Freddy Peralta.
Key stats: .400 AVG / 1.600 OPS in 5 PA vs Peralta
.400 AVG / 1.600 OPS in 5 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #4
Geraldo Perdomo
SS · Arizona Diamondbacks · Bats S
Matchup: vs Nick Lodolo (LHP) · Home
Nick Lodolo comes in with a 4.52 ERA and 1.42 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .333 AVG / 1.166 OPS in 6 PA vs Lodolo
.333 AVG / 1.166 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #5
Jarren Duran
LF · Boston Red Sox · Bats L
Matchup: vs Logan Webb (RHP) · Home
Logan Webb comes in with a 3.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a lefty batter facing righty Logan Webb.
Key stats: .667 AVG / 1.334 OPS in 6 PA vs Webb
.667 AVG / 1.334 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #6
Yandy Díaz
DH · Tampa Bay Rays · Bats R
Matchup: vs Trevor Rogers (LHP) · Away
Trevor Rogers comes in with a 4.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a righty batter facing lefty Trevor Rogers.
Key stats: .538 AVG / 1.340 OPS in 14 PA vs Rogers
.538 AVG / 1.340 OPS in 14 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #7
Jackson Chourio
LF · Milwaukee Brewers · Bats R
Matchup: vs Chris Sale (LHP) · Home
Chris Sale comes in with a 2.16 ERA and 1.02 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a righty batter facing lefty Chris Sale.
Key stats: .500 AVG / 1.167 OPS in 6 PA vs Sale
.500 AVG / 1.167 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #8
Joey Ortiz
SS · Milwaukee Brewers · Bats R
Matchup: vs Chris Sale (LHP) · Home
Chris Sale comes in with a 2.16 ERA and 1.02 WHIP this season. He gets the platoon edge as a righty batter facing lefty Chris Sale.
Key stats: .400 AVG / 1.100 OPS in 6 PA vs Sale
.400 AVG / 1.100 OPS in 6 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #9
George Springer
DH · Toronto Blue Jays · Bats R
Matchup: vs Cam Schlittler (RHP) · Away
Cam Schlittler comes in with a 2.19 ERA and 0.94 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .500 AVG / 1.300 OPS in 5 PA vs Schlittler
.500 AVG / 1.300 OPS in 5 PA vs this pitcher
Pick #10
Isaac Paredes
3B · Houston Astros · Bats R
Matchup: vs J.T. Ginn (RHP) · Home
J.T. Ginn comes in with a 3.53 ERA and 1.22 WHIP this season.
Key stats: .500 AVG / 1.100 OPS in 5 PA vs Ginn
.500 AVG / 1.100 OPS in 5 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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