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
Houston Astros
I don’t know if Miles Mikolas is officially Patrick Corbin 2.0, but I understand the comparison. The overall numbers are ugly — a 5.44 ERA and 1.29 WHIP — and Houston still has a veteran lineup that’s capable of punishing mistakes in a hurry. I don’t think they’ll be sneaky at all, but I do think they have one of the better ceilings on the slate. This is a spot I don’t mind going overweight on.
Jun 9, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates after hitting a rbi double during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers
This is the kind of spot where I try not to get too cute. Kyle Freeland has spent most of his career surviving with command and contact management rather than overpowering stuff, and that’s a dangerous formula against a lineup like the Dodgers. The ceiling here is obvious. Los Angeles doesn’t need many mistakes to put up a crooked number, and if Freeland starts falling behind hitters or allowing traffic, this could snowball in a hurry. They’ll be popular, and for good reason — this is one of the best offensive spots on the slate. The Dodgers are hitting .318 against him in 200 AB (along with a .918 OPS).
San Diego Padres
I’m interested in San Diego here, even if Brandon Pfaadt has shown signs of turning things around recently. He still hasn’t been the consistent, frontline-type arm that many people expected, but it seems like they are wanting him to be back as a starter after a number of one-inning outings, and the Padres have enough talent throughout the lineup to capitalize if he’s even a little off. This doesn’t feel like a smash spot, but it’s the kind of matchup where a good offense can quietly put up five or six runs while everybody is paying attention elsewhere.
Jun 18, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) loses his helmet as he runs to third base on a triple against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays
This is definitely a “hold your nose and click” type of tournament stack. The Blue Jays’ offense hasn’t exactly inspired confidence this season, and going into San Francisco isn’t helping matters. But Landon Roupp has struggled all year, and sometimes that’s enough for me in large-field GPPs. I don’t think anybody is going to want to play Toronto here, which is exactly why I have some interest. You’re not betting on a good offense so much as you’re betting on a bad pitcher having another bad night.
Arizona Diamondbacks
This feels like one of the cleaner spots on the board. Walker Buehler has pitched better at times this season than his surface numbers suggest, but he still enters with a 4.61 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, and we’ve seen the blow-up outings creep back in recently. Arizona has been one of the more explosive offenses in baseball for much of the year, and they don’t need a ton of help to put together a crooked inning. If Buehler’s command isn’t there early, this could get away from him pretty quickly.
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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
FOUR MLB BvP Matchups
Luis Arraez vs. Kevin Gausman: 9-12 with two 2B and a 3B
Mookie Betts vs. Kyle Freeland: 13-45 with five 2B, three HR, nine RBI, and two BB
Rafael Devers vs. Kevin Gausman: 11-33 with seven 3B, a HR, six RBI, and two BB
Austin Riley vs. Freddy Peralta: 7-18 with a 2B, two HR, and five RBI
THREE MLB Value Plays
Mauricio Dubon ($3500 DK / $2800 FD): 1.124 OPS in his last seven games
Miguel Rojas ($2600 DK / $2400 FD): 9-23 with two 2B, a HR, and four RBI against Kyle Freeland
Jorbit Vivas ($2400 DK / $2400 FD): 1.006 OPS in his last seven games