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
Connor Prielipp has been pretty mid all season, carrying a 4.79 ERA, and the recent results haven’t exactly made me want to back away. He’s allowed at least three runs in four of his last five starts, and now he gets a Phillies lineup with plenty of power. Philadelphia doesn’t need a ton of opportunities to turn a decent matchup into a big DFS score. This isn’t quite as obvious as Boston, but I really like the upside here.
May 20, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) hits a home run during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Boston Red Sox
I’m perfectly fine eating the chalk here. Jared Jones just got absolutely blasted for eight runs in three innings in his last start, and his season ERA is sitting at 5.03. Now he gets one of the better offenses in baseball. Boston is going to be popular, but this is one of those spots where I don’t feel the need to get cute just for the sake of being different. The Red Sox have been too good offensively, and Jones has shown he can completely unravel. I’ll have plenty of Boston.
San Diego Padres
This is one of my favorite tournament spots. The Padres are averaging more than six runs per game over the last two weeks, so I’m happy to keep riding the offense, especially against Joey Cantillo. He hasn’t made it into the sixth inning in a month, and he’s allowed four or five runs in three of his last five starts. That’s a pretty good recipe for a short outing and a bunch of opportunities for the Padres against the bullpen. San Diego has been volatile, but right now the offense is rolling. I want some exposure.
Sep 27, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a double in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers
f you want to get really weird with a stack, this is the one. Nobody wants to face Jacob Misiorowski, and I get it — the guy has nasty stuff and the strikeout upside is ridiculous. But that also means the Dodgers are likely to go almost completely overlooked, and we know what this offense can do when it gets rolling. This is absolutely a high-risk play, but that’s the point. If Misiorowski doesn’t have his best command or the Dodgers figure him out early, this could be a slate-breaking contrarian stack. I’m interested in MME.
Atlanta Braves
This is another one where I’m looking for tournament upside rather than safety. Eduardo Rodriguez is a good pitcher and the Braves have been frustratingly volatile, but that’s exactly what makes this interesting. Atlanta has enough talent to put up a huge number even against a quality arm, and I like the idea of taking some shares and hoping tonight is one of those games where the offense finally clicks. They’re unlikely to be my highest-exposure stack, but I’m definitely willing to take some shots.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
May 3, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) hits an RBI triple during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Eduardo Rodriguez: 3-9 with a 2B and two RBI
Ozzie Albies vs. Eduardo Rodriguez: 4-7 with a BB
Wyatt Langford vs. JT Ginn: 6-13 with a BB
Bobby Witt Jr. vs. Reid Detmers: 3-11 with a 3B, two HR, and three RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Jeff McNeil ($3500 DK / $2400 FD): 8-14 with an RBI and two BB against Mackenzie Gore
Wade Meckler ($3100 DK / $2700 FD): seven-game hitting streak (.700 OPS during)
Cam Smith ($3300 DK / $2800 FD): 1.255 OPS in his last seven games