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
San Diego Padres
Padres in the altitude? Yes, please. Add in a pitcher (Tomoyuki Sugano) carrying a 5.30 ERA, and it’s pretty easy to see why San Diego is going to be popular. I’m not going to fight the field just for the sake of being different here. Coors gives this offense a massive ceiling, and I don’t mind eating the chalk when the spot is this good.
May 30, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Atlanta Braves
David Peterson is one of those pitchers I don’t really know what we’re going to get from on any given night, and that’s exactly what makes Atlanta interesting. He’s volatile and can absolutely be gotten to, while the Braves have enough power to turn a few mistakes into a big DFS score. This isn’t a spot where I’m looking for a safe floor — I’m chasing the upside, and I think there’s plenty of it here.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs’ offense is always going to be in play for me, and Reynaldo Lopez has been giving us plenty of reason to attack him. He’s allowed 6, 0, 5 and 4 earned runs over his last four starts, so there’s definitely some volatility here. Even if he has a good outing once in a while, the ceiling of this Cubs lineup makes them worth considering whenever a pitcher is capable of giving up a crooked number. I like the upside.
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
New York Yankees
The Yankees get Dean Kremer, and I like this more than I would have a few months ago. Kremer has been acceptable, but he’s certainly not a pitcher I’m afraid to attack with a lineup like New York’s. And with Aaron Judge back, the Yankees have a much higher ceiling than they did earlier in the season. This is another one where the offense can be volatile, but that’s fine for tournaments — if Kremer makes a few mistakes, the Yankees have plenty of power to turn them into a big score.
Colorado Rockies
Casey Mize has actually been fine, so this isn’t exactly a matchup I’m dying to attack. But in tournaments, I don’t mind taking some shots on the home team. The Rockies tend to play better at home, and obviously the altitude gives them a ceiling they don’t have anywhere else. This is definitely a deeper tournament play, but if Mize isn’t sharp, Colorado could make things interesting.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Ronald Acuna, Jr. vs. David Peterson: 7-23 with a HR, three RBI, and seven BB
Aaron Judge vs. Dean Kremer: 6-17 with four HR, five RBI, and three BB
Austin Riley vs. David Peterson: 9-26 with three 2B, two RBI, and three BB
Julio Rodriguez vs. Reid Detmers: 6-13 with two 2B, a HR, four RBI, and three BB
THREE MLB Value Plays
Nathan Church ($2800 DK / $2600 FD): 1.042 OPS in his last seven games
Nathan Lukes ($2700 DK / $2600 FD): 10-game hitting streak (.815 OPS during)
Tyrone Taylor ($3000 DK / $2700 FD): 1.081 OPS in his last seven games