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
The Padres are obviously going to be chalk with this being another game in Colorado, and I don’t mind going over the field on them. The offense is very good, the environment is about as good as it gets, and several of their bats are swinging it well right now. Sometimes there’s no need to get cute with Coors — I want plenty of exposure to the Padres and their ceiling.
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
Mackenzie Gore has a 4.62 ERA, and Boston has absolutely crushed him in their previous meetings, going 15-for-39 with a 1.068 OPS. That’s a pretty strong combination of current-season struggles and historical success. The Red Sox offense can be dangerous when things are clicking, and I like the upside here. Definitely a stack I’ll have some tournament exposure to.
Colorado Rockies
On paper, this isn’t anything special against Robbie Ray, but we’re playing in the altitude, and that changes things. The Rockies are also 23-for-64 with a .969 OPS against him as a team, so there are enough reasons to take some tournament shots. I’m certainly not going heavy, but if Ray struggles in this environment, Colorado could put up a number that nobody saw coming.
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
Chicago Cubs
I always love rostering the Cubs in tournaments, and JR Ritchie isn’t anyone I’m particularly scared of stacking against. Chicago has enough firepower to make a pitcher pay for mistakes, and I don’t need the matchup to be perfect to chase that upside. They’ll probably get overlooked compared with the Coors offenses, which only makes me more interested. Definitely a tournament stack for me.
Miami Marlins
This is a great matchup even if Miami isn’t exactly the most exciting offense to stack. Merrill Kelly has been someone we’ve been attacking all season, and his 4.97 ERA gives me plenty of reason to keep doing it. The Marlins are also 18-for-60 against him as a group, so there’s some history here to go along with the matchup. I don’t need a ton of exposure, but how do you not take a few shots?
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
Jun 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates after a three-run double against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Ozzie Albies vs. Shota Imanaga: 5-12 with two HR
Willson Contreras vs. Mackenzie Gore: 9-16 with three 2B, a HR, and three RBI
Hunter Goodman vs. Robbie Ray: 7-14 with two 2B, two RBI, and three BB
Otto Lopez vs. Merrill Kelly: 6-10 with three 2B and two RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Moises Ballesteros ($2700 DK / $2400 FD): 1.167 OPS in his last seven games
Rafael Flores, Jr. ($2700 FD): nine-game hitting streak (1.000 OPS during, including hitting 15-34)
Kyle Karros ($3500 DK / $3100 FD): 5-10 with two 2B against Robbie Ray