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
Tampa Bay Rays
A pitcher with a 6.54 ERA pitching in Colorado? Yeah, I’m going to have plenty of interest. Michael Lorenzen has been getting hit hard all season, and Coors Field is about the last place you want to go when you’re already struggling to keep runs off the board. Tampa Bay can be inconsistent, but the matchup and environment are doing a lot of the work here. If Lorenzen is still leaving pitches over the plate, the Rays have a real chance to put up one of the bigger totals on the slate. This is one of the spots I’ll be prioritizing.
Sep 10, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Houston Astros
The Astros are healthy again, and I think this is a spot where they can do some damage. Shane Bieber has a 5.74 ERAand has been wildly volatile lately. He allowed three earned runs combined across three starts, but those outings were sandwiched between two ugly performances that totaled 11 earned runs. The most recent one was especially rough: four earned runs against Washington while lasting just 0.2 innings. That’s the kind of volatility I’m happy to attack with a Houston lineup that’s starting to look whole again. I’ll be over the field here.
New York Yankees
The Yankees adding Luis García Jr. gives the offense another useful piece, and I think that could help people feel a little better about stacking them despite the injuries. Michael McGreevy’s 3.57 ERA looks fine on the surface, but the recent results are a different story: he’s allowed 11 earned runs over his last eight innings. That’s a pretty ugly stretch, and if that version shows up again, New York has enough power to take advantage. I’m not making them a must-play, but I definitely don’t mind sprinkling in some shares.
Jun 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) hits a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
San Diego Padres
Brandon Pfaadt has looked better lately, so this isn’t a spot where I’m blindly attacking a pitcher who’s completely falling apart. Still, the Padres have enough power that I’m willing to take some tournament shots, especially if the recent improvement keeps ownership down. San Diego has been frustrating for much of the season, but the ceiling hasn’t disappeared. If Pfaadt takes even a small step backward, the Padres have the bats to make him pay. I like them more as a GPP stack than a core play.
Colorado Rockies
I’m always interested in the Rockies when they’re playing at home, especially against a pitcher who doesn’t really intimidate me. Ian Seymour has been fine, but he’s not the type of arm that makes me want to avoid Colorado at altitude. The Rockies are a completely different offense in Coors Field, and the park gives them a ceiling that’s difficult to ignore. I’ll have some exposure here, particularly if the field is more focused on the Rays in the same game.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
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
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Jose Altuve vs. Shane Bieber: 6-12 with two 2B
Jake Cronenworth vs. Brandon Pfaadt: 11-24 with a 2B and three RBI
Rafael Devers vs. Cal Quantrill: 7-14 with three 2B and a HR
Manny Machado vs. Brandon Pfaadt: 7-21 with a 2B, a HR, five RBI, and two BB
THREE MLB Value Plays
James McCann ($2500 DK / $2500 FD): 1.460 OPS in his last seven games
Taylor Trammel ($3500 DK / $2600 FD): 1.093 OPS in his last seven games
Ryan Waldschmidt ($3000 DK / $2700 FD): 1.174 OPS in his last seven games