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
The Rays already bring plenty of offensive upside, and adding Liam Hicks gives the lineup another piece to work with. Now they’re still playing in Colorado against Gabriel Hughes? Yeah, I’m interested. Coors Field raises the ceiling for everybody, and Tampa Bay has enough power and speed to take advantage in several different ways. They may draw plenty of ownership, but I’m not looking to get cute and fade a high-upside offense in this environment. This is one of the better stacks on the slate for me.
Apr 8, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) looks on during in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers
Javier Assad has been perfectly fine with a 3.75 ERA, so this isn’t a case of blindly attacking a bad pitcher. The tournament angle is more about the overall situation. Chicago improved its bullpen at the trade deadline, which could make the Dodgers a little less appealing to the field if Assad gets knocked out early and Los Angeles has to face a stronger relief group. I still don’t mind taking shots. This offense has too much upside to ignore, and if they get to Assad before the bullpen takes over, the Dodgers can put up runs in a hurry. More of a GPP play than an automatic priority, but the ceiling is obvious.
Boston Red Sox
Davis Martin has been solid all season, so the matchup itself isn’t screaming “must-play.” What makes Boston interesting is the momentum around the offense and the upside that comes with adding a player like Adley Rutschman, even if he’s currently dealing with an injury and won’t immediately be available. The Red Sox have been playing well and have momentum, and this feels like a spot where the field could give Martin a little too much credit for his season-long results. I like Boston as a tournament option because they can put up a big number without needing the opposing starter to completely implode.
Jun 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) hits a home run off a pitch from Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mike Paredes (53) in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Chicago Cubs
Nobody is going to be excited about stacking the Cubs against Tarik Skubal in his first start wearing Dodger blue, and that’s exactly why a small sprinkle could make sense. This is extremely risky: Skubal is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and the Cubs are volatile enough to disappear against much weaker arms. Still, we don’t know exactly how he’ll look in his first outing with a new team. Maybe everything is normal and he dominates. Maybe there’s an adjustment period, the command is a little off, and Chicago catches him at the right time. I’m not forcing this anywhere, but in MME, there’s some appeal in taking a shot on a stack that could come in at almost no ownership.
Colorado Rockies
Freddy Peralta joining Tampa Bay gives him a much better team context, but it doesn’t suddenly erase the 4.99 ERA he’s carrying this season. More importantly, he still has to pitch at altitude. That alone makes me willing to take some Rockies exposure. Peralta has enough strikeout upside to make this dangerous, so I’m not treating Colorado as a safe play, but the Rockies at home always have tournament-winning potential. If Peralta’s command is off or he struggles to adjust to Coors, this offense can make things interesting quickly. I’ll have some shares, especially if everyone piles onto the Rays and ignores the other side of the game.
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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
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Ozzie Albies vs. Ryan Gusto: 2-6 with a HR and six RBI
Alex Bregman vs. Tarik Skubal: 7-15 with a 2B, 3B, HR, and three RBI
Jac Caglianone vs. Joe Ryan: 3-7 with a 2B and RBI
Corbin Carroll vs. Randy Vazquez: 5-12 with three 2B and an RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
James McCann ($2500 DK / $2500 FD): nine-game hitting streak (1.450 OPS during)
Ezequiel Tovar ($3500 DK / $2800 FD): 5-14 with a 2B and two HR against Freddy Peralta
Ryan Waldschmidt ($3100 DK / $2700 FD): 1.174 OPS in his last seven games