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
New York Yankees
I’m pretty interested in this one. Roki Sasaki has electric stuff, but the results just haven’t matched the talent this season, and we’ve seen too many outings where the command disappears and innings get away from him. That’s a dangerous combination against a lineup like the Yankees. They don’t need many mistakes to put up a crooked number, and if Sasaki’s control issues show up again, this offense has as much upside as anyone on the slate. I don’t know that they’ll be sneaky, but I do think they have one of the highest ceilings of the night. The Yankees always have upside, but they’re volatile; still, I like the tournament upside they bring.
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
San Diego Padres
I’m going right back to the Padres here. Seth Lugo’s 4.56 ERA and 1.43 WHIP don’t exactly scream “avoid,” and San Diego has been one of those lineups that can make a game snowball in a hurry once they get traffic on the bases. They don’t have to rely on the long ball either, which makes them dangerous against pitchers who allow plenty of baserunners. This feels like one of the stronger all-around stacks on the slate, and I’ll probably be overweight.
Colorado Rockies
This is a nice and maybe under the radar tournament play, but I actually like it. Brady Singer has been one of my favorite pitchers to attack this season, and now he has to pitch at altitude, which is about as unforgiving as it gets. The Rockies are a completely different offense at home, and while they’re never easy to trust, they don’t need to be perfect to pay off in Coors. I won’t go overboard necessarily, but I’ll definitely have some exposure because the ceiling is real.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) follows through on a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Reds won the opening game of the series, 7-2.
Cincinnati Reds
You don’t really need much convincing when the Reds are playing in Colorado. Coors Field raises the ceiling for just about every offense, and Cincinnati already has enough power to take advantage of the extra carry. Even if they end up being one of the more popular stacks, I’m not sure I care. This is one of those spots where a team can score eight runs without doing anything all that extraordinary, and that’s exactly the kind of upside I’m looking for.
Minnesota Twins
I’m curious to see if the Twins can pick up where they left off before the break because they were one of the bigger offensive surprises of the first half. Colin Rea hasn’t done much to scare me away, carrying a 4.75 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, and he’s the type of pitcher who can get into trouble once hitters start stringing together quality at-bats. Minnesota has been volatile all year, but that’s exactly why I like them in tournaments. If they’re on, they can score in bunches.
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
Jose Altuve vs. Dean Kremer: 9-20 with three 2B and a HR
Freddie Freeman vs. Gerrit Cole: 9-26 with three 2B, a 3B, HR, four RBI, and two BB
Michael Harris II vs. Cal Quantrill: 2-6 with two 2B
Matt Olson vs. Cal Quantrill: 4-10 with a 2B, HR, two RBI, and three BB
THREE MLB Value Plays
Miguel Andujar ($2900 DK / $2700 FD): 3-8 with a HR and two RBI against Seth Lugo
Austin Hedges ($2600 DK / $2500 FD): seven-game hitting streak (1.117 OPS during)
Tristan Peters ($3000 DK / $2700 FD): 1.316 OPS in his last seven games
