What a great Opening Day! So glad to have baseball back in our lives. We follow it up with a nicely-sized seven-game slate tonight. Where can we go to get different? Where can we go heavier? Let’s figure it out. The focus of this article is to sort through the myriad of options on larger slates and find not only some solid foundational plays but also some spots that could go overlooked. We focus on stacks that are solid for small-field and SE as well as overlooked spots for large-field GPPs, and we discuss players that have good past history vs. the pitchers they’re facing. Our Discord strategy rooms are incredibly active. Hop in and join the discussion!
FIVE DFS MLB Stacks
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers weren’t on the main slate yesterday, but they are today, so we’ve got to consider them (as you really do on every slate). It could be an even better matchup tonight compared to last night as Zac Gallen actually has shown solid stuff in his career, whereas we don’t really get that vibe from Ryne Nelson until last season. Could it be legit? Sure. Is it a fluke? Possibly. Can the Dodgers tee off on him? Of course. The choice (as is with them) is to how much exposure to have, especially with how expensive they are. Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts have had the best results against him, so I’d start with them, and mix in a little Teoscar Hernandez. Oh…and then there’s that Ohtani fellow…yeah, you can add him in, I suppose (though he is just 2-13 with four Ks against Nelson).
Jul 18, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) rounds third base en route to a triple during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Athletics
Like most people around, I’m way bullish on the Athletics’ offense this season. So much to like, from Brent Rooker continuing to produce to Nick Kurtz legitimately having a shot at 50 HR if all goes well to Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom taking the next steps forward. Even though Toronto is an average hitters’ park and Kevin Gausman is good, he can also be volatile, so why not take some shots here right out of the gate on a ceiling performance? The four I mentioned are where I’m starting my Athletics’ stacks.
Toronto Blue Jays
Even with the loss of Bo Bichette and with Anthony Santander starting the season injured, Toronto’s offense is still solid overall, and tonight they get Luis Severino who was absolutely shelled for most of last season (he’s coming off a 4.54 ERA-1.30 WHIP campaign). Vladimir Guerrero and George Springer are the obvious spots to start your stacks; Daulton Varsho came on the second half of the season and Alejandro Kirk has pop, and Ernie Clement is a nice and inexpensive wraparound piece if he’s hitting at the bottom of the lineup.
Sep 10, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Houston Astros
Houston didn’t really have the best first game out yesterday, but the matchup today is very similar to what they had yesterday as they face Yusei Kikuchi who is coming off a 3.99 ERA, 1.42 WHIP season. Multiple Astros have great matchups with him (the team has a collective .865 OPs against him in 175 AB): Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Pena, and Isaac Paredes headline that list, so I’m starting my Astro exposure with these four. Maybe the luster on Houston is tarnished a bit as their postseason window may be closing, but they’ve still got some star power and I like having shares of them in tournaments when they’re a bit overlooked.
Miami Marlins
Miami just isn’t that attractive of a team on paper, but they do go off every once in a while, and it’s nice when that happens because they’re also cheap. On top of that, you just can’t ignore the fact that Kyle Freeland is on the mound for Colorado, and he might be the worst starting pitcher in baseball, so you have to have a bit of exposure to them. It’s really a who’s-who of offensive options here, though, but Agustin Ramirez, Xavier Edwards, and Chris Morel are all viable options. Sprinkle in some Marlins, but do have some shares.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
Oct 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during game five of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Yordan Alvarez vs. Yusei Kikuchi: 10-28 with three HR and nine RBI
Carlos Correa vs. Yusei Kikuchi: 14-28 with two 2B, a 3B, and five RBI
Vladimir Guerrero vs. Luis Severino: 6-15 with a HR, two RBI, and two BB
Jose Ramirez vs. George Kirby: 6-12 with three 2B, a HR, and four RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Kevin McGonigle ($3300 DK / $2200 FD): 4-5 with a two-run double in his MLB debut yesterday; we see why he’s the #2 prospect in baseball
Cam Smith ($2700 DK / $2500 FD): .365 OPS and .191 ISO vs. LHP last season
Cole Young ($2200 DK / $2400 FD): Six HR and three SB in spring along with a .349 OBP; nice and cheap