FREE 04/25 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 12-game MLB DFS slate offers a solid mix of pitching and hitting opportunities, with several games carrying totals of 8.0 runs or higher. The TOR @ NYY matchup (O/U: 9.0) could see some offensive action in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, though the wind blowing right to left may limit a bit of power potential. Meanwhile, CIN @ COL (O/U: 9.0) at Coors Field always warrants attention for stacking, but keep an eye on the 36% chance of precipitation in Denver that could disrupt play. On the pitching side, Logan Gilbert (SEA) and Zac Gallen (ARI) headline the slate in domed environments, offering strong strikeout upside in games with low totals.

Weather is something to monitor closely tonight, especially for BOS @ CLE, where a 73% chance of rain puts this game at risk of delay or postponement. The rest of the slate looks mostly clear, but slight precipitation chances linger in Kansas City and St. Louis, so stay alert for any updates there. Late-night matchups like PIT @ LAD and TEX @ SF feature cool temperatures and wind blowing out, which could provide subtle boosts to hitters in otherwise pitcher-friendly parks. As always, prioritize games with stable conditions and be ready to adjust if weather impacts key spots on the slate.

Top Stacks

CIN 5-Man ($24,900)

Matt McLain, Santiago Espinal, Elly De La Cruz, Austin Hays, Noelvi Marte

The CIN 5-man stack projects for 46.9 points at a value of 1.88 pts/$1000, making it a solid mid-tier option in terms of efficiency. The offensive environment is favorable, as the game total sits at 9.0, though the cooler temperature (53°F) and a 10 MPH wind blowing in may slightly suppress offensive upside in Denver, typically a hitter-friendly park. This stack benefits from excellent lineup correlation with batters positioned consecutively (1-5), maximizing run production potential if the top of the order gets going. Ownership is modest at 9.1%, creating some leverage in GPPs relative to its 8.2% optimal lineup rate, though it’s not overly contrarian. The inclusion of dynamic hitters like Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain adds ceiling potential, but weather conditions introduce slight risk to this otherwise high-upside stack.

SEA 5-Man ($21,800)

Julio Rodriguez, Jorge Polanco, Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, Luke Raley

The SEA 5-man stack, featuring Julio Rodriguez, Jorge Polanco, Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, and Luke Raley, projects for 43.8 points with a solid value of 2.01 pts/$1000 on a $21,800 salary. Batting in sequential order (1-5), this lineup offers strong correlation potential for maximizing scoring opportunities. The game total of 7.5 suggests a relatively neutral offensive environment, though playing in a domed stadium eliminates weather concerns. With an average ownership of 9.0% and an optimal rate of 8.1%, this stack is slightly over-owned relative to its likelihood of being optimal but remains viable in tournaments due to its high-upside core and strong top-of-the-order exposure. While not an extreme value play, the concentrated lineup positioning enhances its run-production ceiling against the opposing pitcher.

MIN 5-Man ($17,400)

Edouard Julien, Byron Buxton, Luke Keaschall, Trevor Larnach, Carlos Correa

The Minnesota 5-man stack of Julien, Buxton, Keaschall, Larnach, and Correa projects for 38.3 points with a solid value of 2.20 pts/$1000 on a $17,400 salary. The stack benefits from strong lineup correlation, as all players are positioned consecutively in the batting order (1-5), maximizing run and RBI opportunities. The offensive environment is moderate, with a game total of 8.0 runs and clear weather conditions in Minneapolis (59°F) but slightly unfavorable winds blowing in at 10 MPH. Ownership is manageable at an average of 8.3%, slightly exceeding its optimal rate of 7.1%, suggesting mild leverage concerns. While this stack has upside due to its core lineup positioning and potential for multi-event scoring, the weather and wind may temper home run potential slightly, making it better suited for tournaments than cash games given the context.

SP Plays

Top Play: Logan Gilbert ($10,200)

Logan Gilbert is in a prime spot tonight against the Marlins, a team with a 25.1% strikeout rate versus right-handed pitching this season. Gilbert’s 11.8 K/9 through his last five starts aligns perfectly with Miami’s swing-and-miss tendencies, offering significant upside for tournaments. While his efficiency has been an issue—failing to complete six innings in four straight outings—his ability to generate strikeouts (41 Ks over 27.1 innings) provides a strong floor. The Mariners are slight favorites, and T-Mobile Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions only enhance his run prevention outlook.

At $10,200, Gilbert’s high ownership (40%) reflects both his strong projection (25.2 DK points) and the likelihood of him appearing in optimal lineups (23%). Despite the chalky profile, he remains a worthwhile investment given his combination of strikeout potential and matchup advantage against a below-average Miami offense. If you’re playing large-field GPPs, consider pairing him with lower-owned hitters to differentiate your lineup while still capturing Gilbert’s ceiling in this ideal setup.

Honorable Mentions

• Pablo Lopez ($8,500)
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($10,500)

C Plays

Top Play: Cal Raleigh ($4,800)

Cal Raleigh ($4,800) offers a strong combination of power and lineup position in tonight’s matchup against Miami. Batting third for the Mariners, Raleigh is in an ideal spot to maximize his plate appearances and RBI opportunities. While his recent game logs are mixed, he’s tied for the league lead in home runs (9) and boasts an impressive .593 SLG through 99 plate appearances this season. Facing a Marlins pitching staff that has struggled to contain left-handed power bats, Raleigh’s upside is clear, especially given his ability to drive the ball out of the park. His 12.3% optimal lineup appearance rate underscores his viability as a tournament option.

At 9.7% projected ownership, Raleigh is more popular than most catchers on this slate, but the chalk feels warranted given his ceiling at a relatively thin position. With a value rating of 1.89x and a projection of 9.1 DK points, he profiles as a solid mid-tier play with home-run potential that could differentiate lineups in tournaments. If you’re looking for power at catcher without breaking the bank, Raleigh fits the bill in what should be a favorable hitting environment for Seattle’s offense tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Jacob Stallings ($3,000)
• Alejandro Kirk ($2,800)

1B Plays

Top Play: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($5,000)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. comes in at a premium $5,000 price tag, but his combination of talent and opportunity makes him worth considering in tonight’s slate. Batting second for a potent Blue Jays lineup, Guerrero is positioned to maximize plate appearances in a hitter-friendly environment at Yankee Stadium. While his recent performance has been inconsistent, his .292/.373/.389 slash line on the season reflects solid on-base skills and run-producing potential. Facing a Yankees pitching staff that has struggled against right-handed power hitters this season, Guerrero’s upside is well-supported by the matchup.

At 10.1% projected ownership, Guerrero will be one of the more popular first base options on the slate. While that level of chalk might deter some DFS players in tournaments, it’s justified given his strong 2x value projection and presence in nearly 9% of optimal lineups. If you’re looking for leverage, pivoting to a lower-owned option could make sense in GPPs, but Guerrero’s power upside and premium lineup spot provide a solid floor/ceiling combo for cash games or smaller-field contests.

Honorable Mentions

• Willson Contreras ($3,100)
• Alec Burleson ($2,700)

2B Plays

Top Play: Santiago Espinal ($3,600)

Santiago Espinal ($3,600) finds himself in a prime hitting environment tonight at Coors Field, where the thin air historically boosts offensive production. Slated to bat second for the Reds, Espinal’s lineup spot maximizes his opportunities to contribute in a game featuring an elite hitting backdrop. While he doesn’t offer significant power or speed upside, his strong value projection (2.32x) and mid-tier salary make him an appealing piece for DFS lineups targeting Cincinnati’s offense.

However, Espinal’s 9.6% projected ownership is notably high relative to the field average, which slightly dampens his appeal in tournaments. While his optimal lineup rate of 8.32% suggests he’s a solid play, you may want to consider pivots at similar price points if you’re looking to differentiate your roster construction. Ultimately, Espinal works best as part of a Reds stack in this favorable ballpark but may not be essential as a standalone option given his lack of standout individual upside.

Honorable Mentions

• Matt McLain ($6,000)
• Edouard Julien ($2,800)

3B Plays

Top Play: Jorge Polanco ($4,000)

Jorge Polanco ($4,000) offers intriguing value in tonight’s DFS slate as he takes on the Marlins. Slotted second in the Mariners’ lineup, Polanco is in a premium spot for both volume and run-scoring opportunities. As a switch-hitter, he’ll face a right-handed pitcher, which aligns well with his stronger splits from the left side of the plate. With a 2.03x value rating and appearing in 9.5% of optimal lineups, Polanco provides solid upside for his price point. Seattle’s offense has been competitive lately, and this matchup gives him a chance to contribute across multiple categories.

Ownership is moderate at 8.4%, slightly above field average but not chalky enough to be concerning. His projection of 8.1 DK points positions him as a strong mid-range play, particularly in tournaments where his combination of lineup position and power potential can pay off handsomely without breaking the bank. While not an elite play, Polanco’s value metrics and optimal percentage make him a viable option for building balanced lineups with upside in GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Rafael Devers ($4,700)
• Addison Barger ($2,300)

SS Plays

Top Play: Willy Adames ($3,900)

Willy Adames ($3,900) offers intriguing tournament appeal tonight in his matchup against Texas. While his season-long numbers remain underwhelming (.185/.256/.272 slash line), he’s shown signs of life recently, with hits in four of his last five games and a 10-point DraftKings outing just a few days ago. Batting second for the Giants gives him plenty of opportunities to contribute in a strong run-scoring position, and at just 2.9% projected ownership, he presents solid leverage in GPPs. The Rangers’ pitching staff has been vulnerable this season, and Adames’ combination of power and value (1.96x) makes him worth consideration as a low-rostered shortstop option.

Adames also appears in 12.2% of optimal lineups, signaling that his salary creates flexibility for higher-priced bats or arms elsewhere. His recent struggles might scare off the field, but that low ownership could work to your advantage if he capitalizes on this favorable matchup. At $3,900, Adames doesn’t need to do much to pay off his price tag, and with his pop (five extra-base hits so far), he has upside if things break right. This is a risk-reward play best suited for tournaments rather than cash games.

Honorable Mentions

• Elly De La Cruz ($6,400)
• Joey Ortiz ($2,500)

OF Plays

Top Play: Byron Buxton ($4,700)

Byron Buxton ($4,700) is an intriguing option in tonight’s slate as he steps into a favorable matchup against the Angels. Slotted second in the Twins’ lineup, Buxton’s combination of power and speed gives him significant upside, especially in a game environment where Minnesota has a respectable implied team total. Facing a likely right-handed starter, Buxton’s ability to hit for power (five home runs this season) and his recent stretch of hard contact—two homers in his last four games—makes him a strong tournament play. However, his 31.7% strikeout rate this season does introduce some volatility, so he’s better suited for GPPs where ceiling matters more than consistency.

At 10.7% projected ownership, Buxton is on the higher end relative to the field average but still manageable given his upside and $4,700 salary. He appears in 10.1% of optimal lineups, further supporting his viability as a DFS play tonight. While he’s not exactly sneaky, the chalk feels justified considering his spot near the top of the order and multi-homer potential against an Angels pitching staff that has struggled to keep runs off the board. If you’re comfortable with some risk-reward variance, Buxton makes for an excellent option to differentiate while still maintaining elite upside in tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

• Anthony Santander ($4,000)
• Julio Rodriguez ($5,000)

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