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
Getting to be redundant, but the spot for the Dodgers on most nights is always a viable option. Tonight puts them in play even though Jack Leiter has been good this season so far; if that makes their ownership a little lower, all the better. Los Angeles is tops in runs scored and team OPS, and they’ve been pretty matchup-proof thus far. Besides the usual studs, Andy Pages is my favorite “under the radar” option, and Hyeseong Kim continues to be a cheap piece at the bottom of the order.
May 25, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) hits a single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta Braves
This offense is picking it up, and I love that Ronald Acuna, Jr. finally hit his first HR last night…he’s joined the rest of the usual suspects in hitting the cover off the ball these first couple of weeks. Braves are hitting .270 with a .781 OPS against LHP this season, the fourth best mark in baseball, so they’ve got a good matchup in that respect tonight against Parker Messick (who to be fair has looked solid). Acuna coupled with any mix of Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin, and Ozzie Albies is solid; Mauricio Dubon continues to be a solid and serviceable option as well.
San Diego Padres
After a slow start, the Padres are starting to turn it around offensively, and for a lot of teams, playing Colorado can be a cure-all for offensive woes. We’ve got a game total of 8.5 and San Diego is a -170 favorite, both of which make me want to be over the field here in MME. Ryan Feltner only went three innings in his first start and then allowed four earned runs in 5.1 innings in his second. Besides Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill (the highest-upside pieces), I want a good amount of exposure to Miguel Andujar and Xander Bogaerts as well. Watch the weather, however.
Jun 16, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich (22) breaks his bat during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Brewers
Fifth most runs scored and fifth best OPS is what Milwaukee’s offense has done this season so far, and they’ve been very popular in a lot of lineups on a lot of slates. This one shouldn’t be any different even if Foster Griffin has looked perfectly fine in his two starts this season. Game total of 8 and Milwaukee is a -175ish favorite.
Texas Rangers
Emmet Sheehan has looked a little rough to start the season (four earned runs allowed in each of his two starts this season), so this could be a nice little contrarian spot to attack, especially if you think the Dodgers will put up some runs (and you could even think about some game stacking in this one). They’re cold offensively (three and a half runs per game on the season), but you don’t have to have too much of them to get some leverage.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
Jul 6, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber (12) watches his home run against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Yordan Alvarez vs. Luis Castillo: 9-19 with a 2B, three HR, six RBI, and two BB
Randy Arozarena vs. Lance McCullers: 7-15 with a HR and two RBI
Rafael Devers vs. Chris Bassitt: 10-20 with three 2B, three HR, and five RBI
Jeremy Pena vs. Luis Castillo: 8-23 with a 2B
THREE MLB Value Plays
Mauricio Dubon ($3100 DK / $3000 FD): six-game hitting streak (.957 OPS during)
Edouard Julien ($2800 / $2200 FD): five-game hitting streak (.918 OPS during)
Casey Schmitt ($2700 DK / $2400): double-digit DK points in three of his last six; 1.106 OPS in L7