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
Philadelphia Phillies
Solid spot to attack tonight with Matthew Boyd not quite looking like the pitcher he was last season: he’s managed a 6.75 ERA through two starts, though his WHIP of 1.18 isn’t awful. Can he keep the mistakes down? He’s coming back from a short IL stint as well, and I’m fine taking some shots on a high-upside Phillies offense facing a pitcher that’s been giving up runs. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are obvious; players like Bryson Stott and Trea Turner should make it into your mix as well.
Mar 30, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill (3) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
San Diego Padres
Tomoyuki Sugano had his first not-so-good outing in four starts last time out (five earned in four innings, though it was against the Dodgers), but the environment still makes it appealing to stack some Padres tonight. Xander Bogaerts, Jackson Merrill, and Ramon Laureano are where I’d start. Last night’s game was a dud (1-0 win by San Diego), so now that we’ve got that out of the way, this one sets up nicely.
Colorado Rockies
I don’t mind some shares of the Rockies in this one; not only is it in Coors (see above), but I like the upside that the Colorado bats have against Walker Buehler: they’re hitting .300 with an .840 team OPS against him (40 AB, so a smallish sample size) and he’s got a 4.58 ERA on the season. Troy Johnston and Mickey Moniak are your starting pieces; Kyle Karros and Hunter Goodman are also in play.
Apr 18, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) dives back into first base against the New York Mets during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Atlanta Braves
Atlanta’s offense has been on fire lately (averaging six runs per game over the last week) while averaging just under that for the season. Zach Littell is someone that doesn’t inspire a ton of fear (a 7.11 ERA and 1.74 WHIP through four starts will do that), and we know that baseball is a game of momentum and streaks, so I’m perfectly happy to keep going back to Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Michael Harris, and the team in general. The Braves are hitting .317 with a .872 OPS against him (60 AB) as well.
Chicago Cubs
Similar to the Braves, I want to ride the hot streak that the Cub offense seems to be on right now (they’ve scored _____ runs over the last week). Dansby Swanson (three HR in his last seven) and Nico Hoerner are where I want to be first, and pieces like Matt Shaw, Moises Ballesteros, and Ian Happ are all solid as well.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
August 1, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) runs after hitting a double against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Ezequiel Tovar vs. Walker Buehler: 5-10 with two 2B, a HR, and four RBI
Freddie Freeman vs. Tyler Mahle: 6-16 with a 2B, HR, and six RBI
Max Muncy vs. Tyler Mahle: 5-16 with a 2B, two RBI, and two BB
Trevor Story vs. Ranger Suarez: 5-19 with a 2B, two HR, and five RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Spencer Horwitz ($2600 DK / $2600 FD): six hits in his last 18 AB (including two HR)
Josh Jung ($3100 DK / $2700 FD): still too cheap for how he’s been playing (1.234 OPS in his last seven games)
Ryan McMahon ($2400 DK / $2400 FD): 6-16 with a 2B, HR, and three RBI vs. Ranger Suarez