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
I don’t think we need to overcomplicate this one. Grayson Rodriguez has an 8.54 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP, and until he shows otherwise, I’m going to keep attacking him. Houston is exactly the type of lineup that can make a struggling pitcher miserable because they don’t give away many at-bats. If Rodriguez is still fighting his command, the Astros have more than enough patience and power to put up a crooked number early. This is one of the cleaner spots on the slate, and I’ll have plenty of Houston.
Mar 24, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman against the New York Yankees during spring training at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are always a little boom-or-bust, which honestly is part of what makes them so appealing in tournaments. Dustin May has a 4.59 ERA this season, and divisional games tend to be a little more familiar for hitters after seeing a pitcher multiple times. Chicago has enough pop throughout the lineup that they don’t need May to completely implode to have a big night. I don’t know that they’ll be one of the highest-owned stacks, but I like the upside quite a bit. I think they boom tonight.
Boston Red Sox
I’m not sure there’s a hotter team in baseball right now, and now they get a hitter-friendly park against Jacob Lopez, who owns a 6.12 ERA. Yeah…sign me up. Boston has been squaring everything up lately, and this matchup sets up really well for another big offensive night. They’ll probably carry some ownership, but sometimes that’s just the right play. This is one of my favorite stacks on the board.
Jul 18, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) rounds third base en route to a triple during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Athletics
Losing Shea Langeliers definitely takes a little thump out of the lineup, but I’m still interested. Patrick Sandoval has never been a pitcher that scares me, and Sacramento has been one of my favorite hitting environments all season. That’s enough for me to keep going back to the A’s. I don’t think they’ll get a ton of attention with some of the obvious spots elsewhere, which makes this a really appealing GPP stack if Sandoval doesn’t have his best stuff.
Kansas City Royals
This is more of a “don’t forget about them” spot than anything else. Joe Ryan is obviously one of the better pitchers in baseball when he’s right, but having his start pushed back because of general fatigue at least makes me curious. Maybe it means nothing…or maybe he isn’t quite as sharp as we’re used to seeing. Either way, the Royals aren’t an offense that draws much ownership, so I don’t mind sprinkling them into MME builds and hoping they catch Ryan on an off night. It’s definitely not a core play, but I think it’s worth a few shots.
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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
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Dustin May: 3-3 with a 2B, HR, and three RBI
Kyle Manzardo vs. Brady Singer: 6-9 with three 2B, a HR, and two RBI
Jose Ramirez vs. Brady Singer: 12-31 with two 2B, three HR, and 10 RBI
Ben Rice vs. Davis Martin: 2-6 with a HR and four RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Jeff McNeil ($2500 DK / $2500 FD): 4-6 with a 2B against Patrick Sandoval
Pedro Ramirez ($3400 DK / $2400 FD): 9-18 with three 2B and three RBI in his last seven games (1.193 OPS)
Taylor Trammell ($3300 DK / $2500 FD): 1.240 OPS in his last seven games (4-13 with two HR)