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
Houston Astros
The Astros have cooled off a bit since their torrid start to the season, but they’re still a dangerous offense. They get one of the better matchups today facing the tire fire that is Andrew Abbott and his 5.13 ERA. Houston hits LHP to the tune of a .762 OPS (seventh best mark in the league)…and the game is in Great American SmallPark, which helps the bats here. One of my favorite stacks today and one I’d go over the field on.
Sep 26, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) hits a walk-off RBI double during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Athletics
Another one of my favorite stacks (and maybe my top choice) is the Athletics today. We know they have pop and we know they’ve been hitting well lately, and they get Chris Bassitt today who is pitching abysmally this season (he’s got a 5.91 ERA and 1.91 WHIP and has made it out of the fifth inning just once in seven starts). Roll with them here and don’t feel weird.
Milwaukee Brewers
This is an interesting spot for the Brewers. They’ve been offensively average for a bit after a really nice start, and today they’re getting Carlos Rodon making his first start of the season. Milwaukee struggles against LHP (a .614 OPS, second-lowest in the league), but he’s going to be rusty in his first outing; the Yankee bullpen is solid, though. Worth considering here in your tournaments, especially if you think that the bats can get to him early.
May 7, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Juan Soto (22) hits a triple in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Baltimore Orioles
Another team that has woken up a bit offensively, the Orioles are at home to close out a series against the Athletics. Like the first two games, this one has a high total as the pitching for both has been suspect. Luis Severino has been very good in his last three starts (one earned in 18.2 innings), but his season ERA is still 4.15 and the WHIP is 1.48, and his career to this point has given me no indication to think that he’s not that pitcher, so I’m good with taking some upside chances here in this one (and even considering a game stack in some lines or in a single-entry situation).
Chicago Cubs
This is a tournament play here as I think you can always get leverage by stacking a hot team (like the Cubs have been) against an elite pitcher like Jacob deGrom. Chicago has completed its second (!) 10-game winning streak of the season and is rolling; deGrom has been playing well (a 3.11 ERA and tidy 1.01 WHIP, though the strikeouts aren’t quite where he’d want them to be). This could backfire, but I think in your large-field MME this is a spot that if you get it right, you vault up the leaderboard.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
Jun 9, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates after hitting a rbi double during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Andrew Benintendi vs. Logan Gilbert: 5-16 with four 2B and three RBI
Gunnar Henderson vs. Luis Severino: 7-9 with a 2B, HR, and four RBI
Ryan Jeffers vs. Gavin Williams: 5-13 with a 2B and RBI
Ezequiel Tovar vs. Cristopher Sanchez: 5-14 with a HR and three RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Zach Gelof ($2900 DK / $2600 FD): eight-game hitting streak (1.086 OPS during)
Joc Pederson ($2500 DK / $ FD): 3-8 with a 2B and HR vs. Jameson Taillon
Braden Shewmake ($2300 DK / $2000 FD): two HR in his last four games