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
Atlanta Braves
Tomoyuki Sugano has a 4.96 ERA, and that’s enough for me to have interest in Atlanta. The Braves have been inconsistent all season, but the ceiling never really goes away with this lineup. That’s why they continue to make sense in tournaments even when they’re frustrating us. If Sugano is off, Atlanta has the power to turn a few mistakes into a huge inning. I like getting some shares and chasing that ceiling.
Mar 31, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) runs to first on a single against the Athletics in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Minnesota Twins
Luis Castillo has been bad all season with a 5.10 ERA, and his move to the White Sox hasn’t exactly fixed things. One of his four starts there was great — seven shutout innings with 10 strikeouts — but the other three have been ugly, with 12 earned runs allowed in just 11.1 innings, and he didn’t make it out of the fifth in any of them. That’s the version I’m willing to attack. Minnesota has enough offensive upside to make Castillo pay if the bad version shows up again.
Baltimore Orioles
This is a pretty appealing spot. The game is in a hitters’ park, and Jacob Lopez has been awful with a 4.98 ERA. Baltimore hasn’t always been the most consistent offense, but the matchup gives them a chance to put things together. Lopez doesn’t exactly intimidate me, and the environment only raises the upside. I like the Orioles as a solid tournament option.
Jun 27, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) hits a home run during the first inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
Tampa Bay Rays
Casey Mize has been pretty mid since coming to San Diego, and that’s enough for me to take some tournament shots on Tampa Bay. The Rays usually have a good amount of pop in the lineup, and they don’t need Mize to completely implode for this stack to work. This isn’t a core spot for me, but it’s the kind of lower-owned tournament option I’m happy to sprinkle into MME. If Mize keeps being merely average, Tampa has enough upside to take advantage.
New York Yankees
I like this as a lower-owned tournament play. The rivalry aspect and a game at Yankee Stadium certainly don’t hurt, and Patrick Sandoval is a pitcher I’m willing to take some shots against. The Yankees are still dealing with injuries, which should keep people away, but there is still plenty of upside in the lineup. This is definitely not a safe stack, but if Sandoval struggles and the Yankees’ remaining bats get rolling, the ceiling is there. I’ll have some exposure.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
Jun 27, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) throws to first base for an out in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Vinnie Pasquantino vs. Tanner Bibee: 10-17 with two 2B, a 3B, two HR, three RBI, and two BB
Luis Robert Jr. vs. Hunter Brown: 5-12 with a 2B and HR
Marcus Semien vs. Hunter Brown: 12-25 with a 2B and two RBI
Bobby Witt Jr. vs. Tanner Bibee: 9-24 with three HR, four RBI, and five BB
THREE MLB Value Plays
Nathan Church ($3100 DK / $2700 FD): seven-game hitting streak (1.102 OPS during)
Mickey Gasper ($2800 DK / $2900 FD): 1.701 OPS in L7 (including hitting 7-17 with three HR and eight RBI)
Connor Norby ($2700 DK / $2800 FD): 12-game hitting streak (1.060 OPS during)