FREE 04/17 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 5-game MLB DFS slate offers a mix of intriguing pitching matchups and a few high-scoring environments to consider. The highest total on the slate belongs to the Angels-Rangers game in Texas (9.5 runs), which will be played under controlled conditions in a domed stadium, making it a prime spot for hitters. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Rays face off in Tampa with another elevated total (9.0 runs), where Taj Bradley could draw some interest as a strikeout-heavy option against New York’s inconsistent lineup.

Weather-wise, keep an eye on Detroit, where cooler temperatures (56° F) and a 12 MPH wind blowing in could suppress offense in the Royals-Tigers matchup. This game carries one of the lower totals on the slate (7.5 runs), with both Michael Lorenzen and Reese Olson offering potential value as cheaper pitching options. Elsewhere, clear skies and neutral weather conditions should keep things straightforward for DFS decisions across Baltimore, Flushing, and Tampa.

Top Stacks

TEX 5-Man ($19,700)

Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Josh Smith, Adolis Garcia, Joc Pederson

The 5-man TEX stack, featuring Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Josh Smith, Adolis Garcia, and Joc Pederson, projects for 41.0 points at a solid value of 2.08 pts/$1000 with a total salary of $19,700. Batting in sequential order (1-5), this lineup offers strong correlation potential to maximize scoring upside through multi-run innings and RBI opportunities. The offensive environment is favorable with a game total of 9.5 runs, suggesting a high-scoring affair, while the domed stadium eliminates any weather concerns. Despite an average ownership of 19.2%, its optimal rate of 15.3% highlights moderate leverage in tournaments but suggests it may be slightly over-owned relative to its ceiling. This stack benefits from elite hitters like Semien and Seager leading off and could exploit matchup inefficiencies if the opposing pitching is weak or volatile.

LAA 5-Man ($23,500)

Taylor Ward, Luis Rengifo, Mike Trout, Jorge Soler, Logan O’Hoppe

The LAA 5-man stack, featuring Ward, Rengifo, Trout, Soler, and O’Hoppe, projects for 40.7 points at a solid value of 1.73 pts/$1000. With a game total of 9.5 and the matchup taking place in a domed stadium, weather is not a factor, ensuring stable offensive conditions. The stack benefits from excellent lineup correlation with consecutive batting order positions (1-5), maximizing scoring upside through potential run production and RBI opportunities. Anchored by elite hitters like Trout and Soler in the heart of the order, the stack is well-positioned to capitalize on any favorable pitching matchup or bullpen vulnerabilities from their opponent. Ownership is moderate at 13.5%, closely aligned with its optimal rate of 13.3%, indicating it’s neither overused nor underutilized in DFS contests. Overall, this stack offers a balanced mix of upside and value while leveraging strong lineup synergy for tournament viability.

NYY 5-Man ($25,600)

Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm Jr.

The NYY 5-man stack featuring Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. offers a solid projected point total of 43.6 with a respectable value of 1.70 pts/$1000. The lineup benefits from optimal batting order correlation (1-5), maximizing run-scoring opportunities and RBI potential in a game with a 9.0 total. Playing in Tampa under clear skies and warm conditions (83°F) with minimal wind impact (9 MPH left-to-right), the offensive environment is neutral to slightly favorable, particularly given the controlled conditions of Tropicana Field. With an average ownership of 12.8% and an optimal lineup rate of 12.1%, this stack is moderately popular but not overly chalky, providing decent leverage in GPPs. Overall, this stack combines strong individual hitters with excellent lineup synergy, making it a viable option for DFS contests while balancing upside and ownership considerations effectively.

SP Plays

Top Play: Taj Bradley ($9,000)

Taj Bradley ($9,000) is in a strong spot tonight against the Yankees, and his 25.7% optimal lineup rate highlights why he’s drawing significant attention with nearly 49% projected ownership. While the Yankees’ lineup has power threats, they also come with plenty of strikeout potential, especially against right-handed pitching (24.3% K-rate vs RHP this season). Bradley’s ability to generate strikeouts—posting seven punchouts in each of his first three starts—gives him a solid floor and ceiling combination for DFS purposes. His recent outing against Atlanta (6 IP, 7 K, 1 ER) shows his ability to handle tough lineups, and the Rays should provide decent run support.

The primary concern here is his elevated ownership, which makes him less appealing in large-field tournaments unless you’re confident he’ll outperform expectations. That said, at $9,000 and with a projection of 17.5 DK points (1.95x value), Bradley offers a stable anchor for cash games or smaller contests. The Yankees’ inconsistent offense combined with Bradley’s strikeout upside justifies the chalk in most formats, though pivoting to lower-owned options in GPPs could be a viable strategy if you’re aiming for leverage.

Honorable Mentions

• Reese Olson ($7,300)
• Tanner Bibee ($7,900)

C Plays

Top Play: Logan O’Hoppe ($4,800)

Logan O’Hoppe is an intriguing tournament option at catcher despite battling moderate ownership (16.7%) in a slate where the field average hovers around 9.9%. His $4,800 salary feels steep given his recent illness and limited production over the past week, but his 13.4% optimal lineup rate suggests there’s still upside in this spot. Hitting fifth in the Angels’ lineup provides solid RBI opportunities against Rangers lefty Patrick Corbin, who has struggled against right-handed bats throughout his career. If O’Hoppe is cleared to play, his power potential makes him a viable option in GPPs, though it’s worth monitoring if his illness limits his availability or effectiveness.

That said, the elevated ownership does raise concerns about leverage relative to his projection of 7.71 DraftKings points and 1.61x value rating. While he ranks second among catchers for GPP purposes on this slate, you may find better value or lower-owned alternatives depending on your roster construction needs. If you’re comfortable eating some chalk at catcher, O’Hoppe’s ability to capitalize on a favorable matchup keeps him in play—but make sure he’s fully active before locking him into your lineups.

Honorable Mentions

• Danny Jansen ($3,300)
• Bo Naylor ($2,700)

1B Plays

Top Play: Jake Burger ($3,100)

Jake Burger ($3,100) is an intriguing value play in tonight’s slate, particularly for tournaments. The right-handed hitter is riding a five-game hitting streak and has shown signs of heating up after a slow start to the season. While his seventh spot in the batting order isn’t ideal, it does lower his ownership (9.8%) to field-average levels, making him an interesting option for GPPs. Facing the Angels’ pitching staff, which has struggled to contain right-handed hitters, Burger offers solid upside at a reasonable salary with a 2.3x value rating and 9.4% optimal lineup appearance rate.

At $3,100, Burger provides cap relief without sacrificing production potential. His recent success at the plate — including a 3-for-4 performance in his last outing — adds confidence that he can exceed his modest projection of 7.1 DraftKings points. While his power ceiling may be limited by hitting lower in the lineup, he remains an efficient way to access Texas’ offense in what could be a favorable matchup against an inconsistent Angels team. If you’re looking for a moderately owned value bat with multi-hit potential, Burger fits the bill nicely tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Ben Rice ($4,100)
• Salvador Perez ($4,000)

2B Plays

Top Play: Marcus Semien ($3,600)

Marcus Semien ($3,600) is in a strong spot tonight, leading off for a potent Rangers lineup against the Angels. His leadoff role ensures maximum plate appearances, and his matchup against a middling Angels pitching staff gives him solid opportunities to produce. While his recent numbers at the plate have been underwhelming, Semien’s combination of power and speed keeps him in play as a reliable DFS option. At this salary, his 2.19x value projection makes him an attractive piece for both cash games and tournaments.

The 21.4% projected ownership is on the higher side, but it’s justified given his optimal lineup percentage (12.5%) and strong tournament rank (1st). Semien’s ability to contribute across multiple categories—particularly runs and stolen bases—adds to his appeal in this matchup. While he doesn’t offer significant leverage in GPPs due to the high ownership, fading him could be risky given his upside at this price point. He’s a safe play in favorable conditions tonight with room for ceiling performance if the Rangers’ offense gets rolling early.

Honorable Mentions

• Brendan Donovan ($4,100)
• Luisangel Acuna ($3,300)

3B Plays

Top Play: Josh Smith ($3,500)

Josh Smith ($3,500) stands out as a strong value play in tonight’s slate, particularly given his premium lineup spot batting third for the Rangers. While his recent production has been modest, he offers multi-position eligibility (3B/OF) and enters the matchup with an optimal lineup appearance rate of 23.2%, the highest among players at his price point. Facing the Angels’ pitching staff, which has struggled to contain left-handed hitters, Smith’s lefty bat is well-positioned to contribute in what could be a favorable hitting environment. At 10.2% projected ownership, he’s not overly chalky but still popular enough to suggest confidence in his upside.

Smith’s 2.16x value projection makes him a viable option in both cash games and tournaments, especially if you’re looking to save salary without sacrificing potential production. The Rangers have shown offensive consistency lately, and with Smith slotted into a prime run-producing spot, there’s room for upside beyond his modest 7.6-point projection on DraftKings. While he may lack elite power or speed metrics, his ability to get on base and deliver timely hits makes him an appealing mid-range option with solid lineup correlation for stacks or one-off exposure in tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

• Josh Jung ($3,800)
• Jose Ramirez ($5,600)

SS Plays

Top Play: Corey Seager ($4,800)

Corey Seager ($4,800) stands out as one of the top plays on tonight’s slate, and for good reason. He’s locked into the second spot in a potent Rangers lineup, giving him ample opportunities to produce in a favorable matchup against the Angels. Seager’s recent performance has been strong, with back-to-back double-digit DraftKings outings (13.0 and 12.0 points) fueled by multi-hit games. As a left-handed hitter, he’ll have the platoon advantage against an Angels pitching staff that has struggled to contain lefty bats early this season. With a 2.07x value rating and appearing in 17.7% of optimal lineups, he offers both safety and upside at a reasonable salary.

The one drawback here is ownership—Seager is projected to be highly rostered at 30.2%, well above the field average of 9.9%. While that makes him chalky, it’s likely justified given his elite tournament rank (1st) and consistent production in recent games. If you’re looking to differentiate your lineup in GPPs, you could consider pivoting elsewhere or stacking Seager with lower-owned teammates to capitalize on the Rangers’ implied run-scoring potential. Overall, his combination of matchup, lineup spot, and affordability makes him an excellent play despite the heavy ownership.

Honorable Mentions

• Brendan Donovan ($4,100)
• Luisangel Acuna ($3,300)

OF Plays

Top Play: Aaron Judge ($6,500)

Aaron Judge ($6,500) is in a strong spot tonight despite his elevated ownership (29.9%). Batting second for the Yankees, he’s locked into a premium lineup position that maximizes his plate appearances and run-producing opportunities. Judge’s recent form has been excellent—he’s hitting .426 over his last 13 games with three homers, and he just snapped a brief homer drought with a go-ahead blast on Wednesday. The matchup against Tampa Bay isn’t ideal in terms of ballpark factors, as Tropicana Field suppresses power to right-handed hitters, but Judge’s elite skill set and ability to hit for both average and power mitigate those concerns. His 1.8x value projection and appearance in 23.4% of optimal lineups underscore his viability even at this salary.

The high ownership makes Judge chalky, but it feels justified given his consistency and ceiling in DFS. While fading him could provide leverage in tournaments, it’s risky considering his ability to put up slate-breaking numbers at any time. If you’re building around Judge, make sure to differentiate elsewhere in your lineup to avoid overlapping with the field too much. Overall, he remains one of the top plays on the slate thanks to his elite combination of talent, role, and recent production.

Honorable Mentions

• Mike Trout ($5,900)
• Joc Pederson ($3,300)

Good luck today! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!