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
Los Angeles Dodgers
This is one of the clearer top-end spots on the slate because we’ve got a young pitcher (Gage Jump) where the margin for error against a lineup like the Dodgers is basically nonexistent. Los Angeles can beat you in waves, and Sacramento isn’t going to do Jump any favors if traffic starts piling up. Even if they’ve been a bit inconsistent lately, the ceiling here is still as high as anyone on the slate. Strong core stack for me.
Sep 26, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) hits a walk-off RBI double during the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Arizona Diamondbacks
I’m still buying into Arizona in spots like this. Tyler Mahle has been better than his worst stretches, but he’s still been inconsistent enough where I’m comfortable targeting him with high-upside offenses. The Diamondbacks continue to be one of the more dangerous lineups in baseball when they get rolling, and they’ve shown they can put up crooked numbers quickly. This is a pretty clean tournament stack for me, especially if ownership drifts elsewhere.
Athletics
This is one of my favorite leverage spots on the slate, even with Eric Lauer pitching well over the last month. He’s been solid recently, but I still don’t view him as the type of arm that completely shuts down offenses with this much power. Sacramento has played as a very hitter-friendly environment, and that matters a lot for a team like the A’s that lives on home runs and momentum innings. It’s not a spot I’m going crazy on, but I do like the upside at what should be decently low ownership given Lauer’s recent run.
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
This is more of a “name value vs. real profile” situation for me. Miles Mikolas has really morphed into that type of arm where you just stack against him regardless, as underneath it’s a lot of contact, traffic, and innings that can unravel quickly…very Patrick Corbin-ish in that sense. Boston’s offense can be frustrating at times, but they’ve got enough power and lineup depth to take advantage when pitchers aren’t missing bats. I think they’ll be popular, but to me the matchup still makes them interesting as a tournament stack.
Chicago Cubs
Griffin Canning is one of those arms I don’t mind attacking in GPPs. He’s shown flashes of being effective, but the command isn’t always consistent, and when he starts missing locations, he can give up hard contact in bunches. The Cubs can go quiet at times, but the upside is still very real with how much pop they have throughout the order. If Canning is even a little off, this is a spot where Chicago can put up a crooked number quickly.
For other popular plays, our revamped MLB Research Station has every stat you need to send your research to the next level!
Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second base Ketel Marte (4) throws to first base against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Alex Bregman vs. Griffin Canning: 8-17 with two HR, seven RBI, and two BB
Willson Contreras vs. Miles Mikolas: 7-19 with two 2B, a HR, and two RBI
Ketel Marte vs. Tyler Mahle: 8-15 with three 2B, two HR, and five RBI
Casey Schmitt vs. Eduardo Rodriguez: 5-8 with two HR and three RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Xavier Edwards ($3100 FD): seven-game hitting streak (1.060 OPS during); too expensive ($5000) on DK to be value there
Kyle Karros ($3000 DK / $2600 FD): 1.111 OPS in his last seven games
Anthony Seigler ($2300 DK / $2300 FD): 1.116 OPS in his last seven games