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
Milwaukee Brewers
I’m not sure how you look at a 2-9 record and a 7.28 ERA and decide Kyle Freeland is a pitcher to avoid. The road numbers are even worse: an 8.28 ERA and an 0-6 record away from Colorado this season. Now he gets a Brewers lineup that can put together quality at-bats throughout the order. Milwaukee doesn’t need to do anything crazy here. If Freeland is pitching like these numbers suggest, the Brewers should have plenty of opportunities to score. One of my favorite spots on the slate.
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
Los Angeles Dodgers
Freddy Peralta has really started to look vulnerable. He’s struggled to consistently get through five innings over the last month and his ERA has ballooned to 5.01. That’s a pretty dangerous trend when the next team on the schedule is the Dodgers. You simply can’t give an offense this good extra opportunities, and if Peralta is out of the game early, the Dodgers get a chance to attack a bullpen that may not be nearly as difficult. I’m not overthinking this one. The Dodgers are one of my favorite stacks on the slate.
Minnesota Twins
Jeffrey Springs has been a pretty easy pitcher to attack this season, carrying a 5.96 ERA, and the recent form hasn’t exactly been encouraging. He’s allowed six earned runs in three of his last five starts, which is a pretty good indication of how quickly things can get away from him. The Twins can be frustrating, but this is exactly the type of matchup where I’m willing to chase their upside. If Springs is off again, Minnesota has enough power to put up a crooked number.
Oct 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) reacts after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning during game three of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs
Sure, Braxton Ashcroft is 9-2. I’m still interested in the Cubs. He’s allowed 18 earned runs over his last four starts, including 17 in just three of those games. That’s a pretty significant recent collapse for a pitcher who has otherwise had a great season. The Cubs are volatile, but that’s exactly why I like them in tournaments. They can completely disappear, or they can put up a huge number in a hurry. Against an arm that’s been giving up runs like this lately, I’m willing to chase the upside.
San Diego Padres
This is a pretty interesting overlooked spot. Janson Junk doesn’t really scare me, especially when you look at the full recent picture. He’s had two good starts in his last five, allowing three earned runs combined in those two, but the other three outings saw him give up six, seven, and eight earned runs. That’s a pretty wide range of outcomes, and I tend to like those situations in tournaments. The Padres have enough talent to take advantage if the bad version shows up again, and I don’t think they’ll be one of the first offenses people click on. Definitely a stack I’m interested in for GPPs.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
Oct 14, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Jackson Chourio (11) hits a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during game two of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Nolan Arenado vs. Miles Mikolas: 6-12 with a 2B, three HR, and six RBI
Jackson Chourio vs. Kyle Freeland: 6-11 with three 2B, a 3B, HR, and five RBI
Willson Contreras vs. Kevin Gausman: 4-11 with two HR and six RBI
Brandon Lowe vs. Jameson Taillon: 5-17 with a 2B, three HR, eight RBI, and three BB
THREE MLB Value Plays
Andres Chaparro ($2600 DK / $2400 FD): 1.376 OPS in his last seven games (including three HR and 11 RBI)
Hao-Yu Lee ($2300 DK / $2400 FD): 10-game hitting streak (1.047 OPS during)
Luis Rengifo ($2600 DK / $2400 FD): 1.227 OPS in his last seven games (including hitting 11-24)