FREE 05/07 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 7-game MLB slate features a handful of solid pitching matchups and moderate scoring environments. The highest totals come in the Tigers-Rockies game at 10 runs and the Orioles-Twins matchup at 9, both worth attention for upside. Weather concerns could impact several contests, especially the White Sox-Royals and Phillies-Rays games where rain delays or postponements are likely, which might affect lineup decisions and game flow.

The Yankees-White Sox game is playable with partly cloudy skies, comfortable temperatures, and a light wind blowing out in New York, which may slightly favor hitters. Meanwhile, the Reds-Braves contest has some risk with a 26% chance of precipitation but otherwise decent hitting conditions. Keep an eye on Denver as well; the Rockies’ home game faces a 41% chance of rain and cooler temps that could suppress offense if the game proceeds as scheduled.

Top Stacks

PHI 5-Man ($25,100)

Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos

The 5-man PHI stack offers solid value at 1.70 points per $1000 salary with a total cost of $25,100, making it an efficient option for MLB DFS lineups. Ownership is moderate at 6.4%, while the optimal lineup rate is higher at 9.9%, indicating some leverage for differentiation without sacrificing upside. The game total sits at a reasonable 8.5 runs, suggesting balanced scoring potential against the opposing pitcher. Weather conditions present a risk factor with a 47% chance of rain and possible delays in Tampa, which could limit gameplay and scoring opportunities; however, the temperature is warm at 84°F with light left-to-right winds at 5 MPH, which typically does not hinder offensive production significantly. Overall, this stack blends key offensive contributors like Turner and Harper in a moderately owned setup but carries weather-related uncertainty that should be monitored closely before lock.

KC 5-Man ($20,500)

Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia

The Kansas City 5-man stack offers a solid value of 2.04 points per $1000 salary at a total cost of $20,500, reflecting efficient scoring potential relative to price. With an average ownership of 14.3% and an optimal lineup rate of 9.5%, this stack sits in a moderate ownership tier that balances contrarian upside with reasonable exposure. The game total is set at a modest 8.5 runs, indicating limited but plausible scoring opportunities against the opposing pitcher or bullpen. Weather conditions present significant risk, as there is a 71% chance of rain with likely delays or postponement, along with an 8 MPH wind blowing in, which could suppress offensive output further and impact the stack’s ceiling. Given these factors, the stack’s value is tempered by environmental uncertainty despite its fair pricing and moderate ownership profile.

DET 5-Man ($25,100)

Kerry Carpenter, Gleyber Torres, Zach McKinstry, Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson

The Detroit 5-man stack offers solid value at 1.83 points per $1000 with a total salary of $25,100, making it an efficient option in MLB DFS lineups. The average ownership sits at a moderate 13.4%, while the optimal lineup rate is slightly lower at 9.5%, indicating some leverage potential for differentiation. The game total is set at a modest 10.0, suggesting limited scoring upside, but the stack’s balanced mix of power and contact hitters provides steady run-scoring opportunities. Weather conditions include a 41% chance of precipitation with cool temperatures around 53°F and light wind at 7 MPH in Denver, which could impact game flow or lead to delays but does not strongly favor hitters or pitchers. Overall, this stack presents reasonable value with moderate ownership in a neutral scoring environment, suitable for leveraging moderately popular plays without excessive exposure risk.

SP Plays

Top Play: Cristopher Sanchez ($7,500)

Cristopher Sanchez offers a strong mix of strikeout potential and steady innings at a reasonable $7,500 salary. He’s maintained a 3.45 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 31.1 innings this season, with an impressive 39:11 K:BB ratio, showing solid command despite some recent free passes. Facing the Rays in Tampa Bay—a ballpark that can be hitter-friendly but where Sanchez’s ability to generate whiffs will be key—he should provide good strikeout upside while giving you a reliable floor through five-plus innings.

Sanchez is highly owned at 32.2%, well above the field average, reflecting his combination of value and matchup appeal. The Phillies’ implied total isn’t elite, but the Rays’ below-average strikeout rate against lefties (and their tendency to chase pitches) plays into Sanchez’s strengths. His ownership looks justified given his consistency and ceiling, making him a solid anchor option in tournaments where steady Ks and innings are crucial for pitching scoring.

Honorable Mentions

• Hunter Greene ($9,800)
• Max Fried ($9,500)

C Plays

Top Play: Ryan Jeffers ($3,800)

Ryan Jeffers offers strong value at $3,800 in a matchup against Baltimore, a team the Twins have been able to score on consistently. He bats seventh, which limits his plate appearances but doesn’t eliminate upside given Minnesota’s ability to generate runs throughout the lineup. Jeffers has picked up momentum recently with five RBI and two home runs over his last 10 games, showing he can contribute both power and run production despite a lower lineup slot.

His moderate ownership around 7.8% aligns with his profile as a mid-tier catcher option who provides solid floor and upside at a bargain price. The implied run total for this game suggests some scoring potential, and Jeffers’ recent surge makes him worth considering in tournaments for salary relief without sacrificing production potential. While not a top-tier DFS play, his combination of affordability and recent form gives him sneaky upside against a Baltimore pitching staff that has struggled at times this season.

Honorable Mentions

• Salvador Perez ($4,100)
• Alejandro Kirk ($3,100)

1B Plays

Top Play: Vinnie Pasquantino ($3,300)

Vinnie Pasquantino offers strong value at $3,300 with a 2.42x value mark and a prime third spot in the Royals’ lineup. As a left-handed hitter facing Chicago’s right-handed pitching, he benefits from favorable splits in a matchup where the White Sox have shown some vulnerability to lefties. While his overall season numbers (.197/.252/.386) are below average, his recent power surge with four homers over the last 10 games highlights his upside in this run environment.

His moderate ownership around 11.8% is reasonable given his boom-or-bust profile and the salary relief he provides for stacking premium bats elsewhere. The Royals’ implied total and Pasquantino’s consistent plate appearances make him an interesting tournament play for leverage against higher-owned options. Expect him to provide solid floor with occasional pop potential, fitting well into lineups that need salary savings without sacrificing lineup position or opportunity.

Honorable Mentions

• Ryan O’Hearn ($4,500)
• Yandy Diaz ($3,900)

2B Plays

Top Play: Michael Massey ($2,400)

Michael Massey offers strong value at just $2,400, with a 2.68x value mark and solid recent production against the White Sox. Although he bats sixth in the lineup, which limits his plate appearances compared to top-of-the-order hitters, he is facing a right-handed pitching staff that has been vulnerable to lefties this season. His ability to contribute multi-category stats, including some power upside shown recently, makes him an intriguing GPP target in a game environment where Kansas City’s implied run total hovers around league average.

Ownership sits near 12%, which aligns with his DFS Hero rank and reflects reasonable attention from the field given his salary and role. While Massey has not been consistently strong this year, he carries enough upside as a left-handed hitter in a moderately favorable matchup to justify consideration as a mid-tier value play. Just be mindful of lineup confirmation since he hasn’t started every game recently, but when in the lineup versus righties, he presents an affordable way to differentiate your roster without sacrificing ceiling potential.

Honorable Mentions

• Gleyber Torres ($5,600)
• Bryson Stott ($4,700)

3B Plays

Top Play: Jonathan India ($3,300)

Jonathan India offers strong value at just $3,300 while batting leadoff for the Royals against the White Sox. He’s a right-handed hitter facing a fairly neutral matchup, but his spot atop the lineup ensures plenty of plate appearances in a game environment where Kansas City has upside. India has shown some recent flashes with a home run and multiple multi-hit games, pushing his floor higher than his season-long slash line suggests.

His ownership is elevated at 16.1%, reflecting confidence from the field given his price and role. That chalk looks reasonable considering he ranks first among GPP options at his salary and appears in over 12% of optimal builds. While he hasn’t fully hit his stride this season, his combination of lineup position, consistent contact, and potential for runs scored makes him a solid value play to anchor your middle tier DFS lineups tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Yandy Diaz ($3,900)
• Brooks Lee ($3,200)

SS Plays

Top Play: Bobby Witt Jr. ($5,800)

Bobby Witt Jr. slots in second in the Royals’ lineup against the White Sox, a matchup that offers solid upside given Chicago’s middling bullpen and starter Shane Smith’s limited strikeout ability. Witt’s right-handed bat plays well here, especially considering his speed—he already has 11 steals this season—which adds valuable scoring potential beyond just hits. With Kansas City implied for around 4.5 runs tonight, his mix of power (14 doubles, 4 homers) and speed in a high-usage spot gives him a strong floor and ceiling.

At $5,800, Witt provides excellent value at 1.82x salary multiplier despite elevated ownership near 23%. That chalk seems justified given his consistent production (.314/.389/.504 line) and multi-category contributions. His recent streakiness is worth noting but not overly concerning given his overall profile and position in the lineup. For GPPs, he’s a reliable building block who can separate with steals and extra-base hits while delivering steady plate appearances in a favorable run environment.

Honorable Mentions

• Chase Meidroth ($2,700)
• Bo Bichette ($4,100)

OF Plays

Top Play: Anthony Santander ($3,900)

Anthony Santander is an intriguing value play at $3,900, especially batting third in the Blue Jays lineup against the Angels. Despite a modest .180 average and .597 OPS this season, he’s showing signs of power with five homers, three coming in his last eight games. As a left-handed hitter facing a right-handed pitcher in a neutral ballpark like Angel Stadium, Santander has a chance to leverage his power upside while getting plenty of plate appearances in a middle-of-the-order spot.

His ownership around 12.8% aligns closely with his optimal usage, reflecting that DFS players recognize his value without overcrowding lineups. The Angels have been vulnerable to lefty power this year, which boosts Santander’s appeal as a low-cost option with occasional pop potential. While his floor is lower due to inconsistent contact, the combination of lineup position and recent power makes him worth considering for tournaments where upside and salary relief matter most.

Honorable Mentions

• Brenton Doyle ($4,300)
• Kerry Carpenter ($4,600)

Good luck! 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!