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 (six if you can read between the lines below)
Houston Astros
I’m interested in Houston again tonight. Grayson Rodriguez has electric stuff, but he’s also pitched to a 9.50 ERA (yes, you read that correctly) and 1.89 WHIP this season, and there have been plenty of outings where traffic has become a problem. The Astros’ offense has started showing more life lately (and Jose Altuve rejoining the lineup helps the upside as well), and this feels like a spot where they can keep that going if they force Rodriguez into deep counts early. Strong option in any format with plenty of upside go around, and I don’t mind being overweight here at all.
Jun 25, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich (22) rounds third base en route to scoring during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Brewers
This might be my favorite spot of the five. Jeffrey Springs has a 4.37 ERA and 1.24 WHIP on the season, and while he’s capable of putting together quality outings, he’s also been vulnerable to damage when hitters string together quality at-bats. Milwaukee continues to bring plenty of power and athleticism to the table, and this is a matchup where they can do some damage if Springs isn’t sharp. One of the stronger tournament stacks on the slate for me.
Athletics
This is one of those spots that’s strictly for tournaments, but the upside is definitely there. Kyle Harrison is a talented pitcher and has really thrown the ball well this year (a 7-1 record with a tidy 1.57 ERA and 1.03 WHIP), so this isn’t a matchup most people will gravitate toward. The interesting part is that Sacramento has played as one of the better hitting environments in baseball, and the Athletics have enough power throughout the lineup to capitalize if Harrison is even a little off. Not a core stack by any means, but exactly the type of spot that can win tournaments when everyone ignores it.
May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) hits a solo home run in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Cincinnati Reds
This is a solid matchup on paper, but I also think there’s some tournament appeal here. Walker Buehler has been better lately, yet he’s still carrying a 4.53 ERA and 1.28 WHIP on the season. The Reds have been one of the more volatile offenses in baseball, which isn’t always a bad thing for GPPs, and they’ve shown they can put up runs in bunches when things get rolling. I won’t make them a priority, but I can definitely see getting some exposure in tournaments.
San Francisco Giants
Even with this game being played in San Francisco, I still have interest here. Miles Mikolas has a 6.39 ERA and 1.40 WHIP this season, and that’s a profile I’m generally willing to attack regardless of ballpark. The Giants’ offense has been much better recently, and they’ve now scored 77 runs over their last 15 games, the most in baseball during that stretch. The park lowers the ceiling a bit, but I still like their chances of putting together a productive night.
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Sep 10, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Bryce Harper (3) watches his ball clear the wall for a home run against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Randy Arozarena vs. Chris Bassitt: 6-18 with three 2B, a HR, and two RBI
Rafael Devers vs. Miles Mikolas: 5-8 with a HR and two RBI
Bryce Harper vs. Patrick Corbin: 15-47 with six 2B, four RBI, and nine BB
JT Realmuto vs. Patrick Corbin: 14-39 with two 2B, two HR, seven RBI, and four BB
THREE MLB Value Plays
Alec Bohm ($3100 DK / $2900 FD): 10-27 with three 2B, two HR, and three BB against Patrick Corbin
Colton Cowser ($2400 DK / $2600 FD): 1.308 OPS in his last seven games
Jake Meyers ($2800 DK / $2500 FD): 2-6 with a HR and three RBI against Grayson Rodriguez