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FREE 05/28 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

05/28 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 5-game MLB slate features a couple of solid run-scoring opportunities, led by the Yankees-Angels matchup with a 9-run total in a hitter-friendly ballpark and favorable wind blowing out in Anaheim. The Blue Jays-Rangers game also stands out with an 8.5 total inside a dome, removing weather concerns and making it easier to trust the bats. On the pitching side, keep an eye on matchups like Greene vs. Cameron where the total is lower at 7.5, and conditions in Kansas City are mostly stable with light winds and minimal chance of rain.

Weather could play a minor role tonight, especially in Chicago and Kansas City where there’s some chance of precipitation and cool temps could suppress offense slightly. The Rockies-Chicago game sits at an 8-run total with partly cloudy skies but cooler air and light winds that might limit extra-base hits. Overall, domed stadium games provide safer hitting environments while outdoor parks will require more attention to weather details when building lineups.

Top Stacks

SEA 5-Man ($22,400)

J.P. Crawford, Jorge Polanco, Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena

The SEA stack offers solid value at 1.87 points per $1000 on a total salary of $22,400, fitting well within budget constraints for MLB DFS lineups. With an average ownership of 15.8% and an optimal lineup rate of 14.5%, this group presents a moderately popular option that still allows for differentiation in large-field tournaments. The game’s total is set at 8.0 runs, indicating a balanced scoring environment without extreme upside or downside risk. Playing in a domed stadium removes weather as a variable, stabilizing offensive conditions. Overall, the stack’s combination of mid-range ownership, reasonable cost, and stable scoring context makes it a dependable choice in DFS pools against likely favorable pitching matchups implied by the moderate game total.

TEX 5-Man ($21,000)

Sam Haggerty, Wyatt Langford, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Jake Burger

The TEX stack, consisting of Haggerty, Langford, Seager, Jung, and Burger, offers strong value at 1.92 points per $1000 on a combined $21,000 salary. With a moderate average ownership of 12.4% and an optimal lineup rate slightly higher at 13.8%, this stack presents a balanced opportunity to differentiate while maintaining exposure in DFS lineups. The game’s total sits at a reasonable 8.5 runs in a domed stadium, eliminating weather as a variable and supporting consistent offensive production. While no specific pitcher matchup details are provided, the controlled environment and solid value metrics make this TEX stack an efficient option for tournament play given its price-to-point efficiency and manageable ownership levels.

NYY 5-Man ($25,500)

Paul Goldschmidt, Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Anthony Volpe

The NYY stack offers solid value at 1.77 points per $1000 with a total salary of $25,500, making it an efficient use of salary cap in MLB DFS. With an average ownership of 15.0% and an optimal lineup rate of 12.9%, this stack is moderately owned but still presents differentiation potential in large tournaments. The game total sits at a balanced 9.0 runs, indicating a fair opportunity for offensive output without extreme volatility. Weather conditions are favorable, with partly cloudy skies, a comfortable temperature of 68°F, minimal precipitation risk at 1%, and a 9 MPH wind blowing out, which can aid power hitters like Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger in Anaheim’s hitter-friendly environment. Overall, the stack combines strong individual talent with conducive conditions and moderate ownership, making it a viable option for DFS lineups targeting upside and efficiency.

SP Plays

Top Play: Matthew Boyd ($8,300)

Matthew Boyd offers strong value at $8,300 against a Rockies lineup that ranks near the bottom in wOBA and strikeout rate versus left-handed pitching. His recent stretch includes three starts with 7+ strikeouts and zero walks, showing solid command and K upside. Coors Field is typically hitter-friendly, but Boyd’s ability to miss bats and limit free passes helps mitigate some of the risk in this matchup.

Boyd’s 3.42 ERA and 1.32 WHIP suggest some vulnerability, but the Rockies’ poor offense combined with his strikeout potential makes him a safe floor with upside in tournaments. His pitch count has been manageable when effective, allowing for deeper outings and more fantasy points. At nearly 46% ownership, he’s clearly chalky, but given his mix of floor and ceiling in a favorable matchup, the high ownership appears justified.

Honorable Mentions

  • Clarke Schmidt ($7,700)
  • Hunter Greene ($9,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Cal Raleigh ($5,300)

Cal Raleigh remains a strong DFS target at catcher, priced at $5,300 with a solid 1.7x value multiplier. He’s hitting cleanup for Seattle, which ensures plenty of plate appearances in a favorable matchup against Washington. Raleigh has been locked in lately, slashing .302 over his last 14 games with seven homers and showing power upside that fits well at his price point. His left-handed bat also matches up well depending on the Nationals’ starter, who has struggled to contain lefty power this season.

Ownership around 17% is reasonable given Raleigh’s consistent production and salary tag near the mid-range for catchers. The Mariners’ implied total and lineup context support his ceiling as a source of both runs and RBI potential. While not the cheapest option, Raleigh offers a nice blend of floor and upside with multi-homer upside that can differentiate lineups without pushing salary too high in tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

  • Travis d’Arnaud ($2,500)
  • Alejandro Kirk ($3,500)

1B Plays

Top Play: Paul Goldschmidt ($4,500)

Paul Goldschmidt offers strong value at $4,500, especially batting leadoff for the Yankees in a matchup against the Angels. Since the start of May, he’s slashing .329/.393/.513 with solid speed and power upside, including three steals and three home runs over 85 plate appearances. The Angels’ pitching staff has struggled to contain right-handed hitters, which should help Goldschmidt generate quality contact and scoring opportunities atop a lineup with plenty of RBI potential.

His ownership is elevated at 21.7%, reflecting his role and recent production, but that chalk looks warranted given his price and profile. The game environment against LAA is favorable enough to justify this exposure in tournaments, especially with an implied team total that supports run-scoring chances. While he’s not a boom-or-bust option, Goldschmidt’s consistent on-base skills and ability to swipe bags make him a reliable contributor in DFS lineups tonight.

Honorable Mentions

  • Jake Burger ($3,700)
  • DJ LeMahieu ($3,600)

2B Plays

Top Play: Jonathan India ($3,100)

Jonathan India offers strong value at just $3,100 while batting leadoff for the Royals as DH against the Reds. His role at the top of the lineup ensures plenty of plate appearances in a game environment where Kansas City has a modest implied total. India’s right-handed bat is less relevant here since he faces a right-handed Reds pitcher, but his speed and contact skills provide a solid floor even without significant power upside.

Ownership around 16% is slightly above average but reasonable given his price and opportunity. He’s appearing in about 11.5% of optimal lineups, which suggests some DFS players are prioritizing his value and volume. While he doesn’t offer massive ceiling, his consistent contact and position flexibility make him an attractive option to round out lineups on a budget with decent scoring potential.

Honorable Mentions

  • DJ LeMahieu ($3,600)
  • Michael Massey ($2,700)

3B Plays

Top Play: Josh Jung ($3,800)

Josh Jung offers strong value at just $3,800 while hitting cleanup for Texas against Toronto. He’s been consistently productive recently, batting .306 with five homers and 11 RBIs over his last 20 games. His combination of power and speed—highlighted by four stolen bases this year—adds multi-category upside. The Rangers have a solid implied team total in this matchup, which should give Jung plenty of opportunities to drive in runs and score.

While his ownership is slightly elevated at 17.6%, it aligns with his GPP rank as the top value play tonight. Toronto’s pitching staff has been vulnerable to right-handed power, making Jung’s spot in the heart of the lineup appealing. Considering his price and expected plate appearances, he fits well as a core value piece who can deliver both floor and upside without pushing your salary cap too far.

Honorable Mentions

  • Santiago Espinal ($3,600)
  • Jorge Polanco ($4,400)

SS Plays

Top Play: Corey Seager ($4,900)

Corey Seager offers strong value at $4,900 with a 1.86x value mark and ranks as the top DFS option at shortstop today. Batting third for Texas against Toronto, he benefits from a solid lineup spot that should provide ample plate appearances in a game projected for moderate scoring. Seager is a left-handed hitter facing a right-handed pitcher, which plays to his strengths given his .300/.346/.520 slash line this season. The matchup against Toronto’s pitching staff, which has been vulnerable to lefties, adds upside to his power potential.

His 11.7% ownership sits slightly above the field average but below his optimal 16.4%, suggesting some leverage without being ignored by the field. Considering he just returned from the injured list and has already shown consistent production over 107 plate appearances this year, Seager combines floor and upside well at this salary point. He’s worth targeting in tournaments where you want exposure to quality bats at middle infield without breaking the bank.

Honorable Mentions

  • Jorge Polanco ($4,400)
  • J.P. Crawford ($3,500)

OF Plays

Top Play: Julio Rodriguez ($5,000)

Julio Rodriguez is coming off a strong stretch, hitting .244/.318/.431 with 10 homers and six steals over 52 games. He’s batting third for Seattle against Washington, which provides solid lineup stability and ensures plenty of plate appearances. The Nationals’ pitching staff has been vulnerable to right-handed power bats this season, making Rodriguez’s recent power spike particularly relevant. His combination of run production and speed adds balanced upside in this matchup.

At $5,000, Rodriguez offers excellent value at 1.85x salary multiplier and is appearing in about 17% of optimal lineups while expected ownership sits around 15%. This moderate ownership level reflects a fair share of attention without pushing him into chalk territory. Given his consistent contact and ability to contribute across multiple categories, he fits well as a mid-tier option who can anchor lineups in tournaments where you want exposure to Seattle’s offense against a middling pitching staff.

Honorable Mentions

  • Aaron Judge ($6,600)
  • Kyle Tucker ($6,500)

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!

Please note: The content in our articles is based on data available at the time of publishing. Always double-check your lineups before locking in your players.

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DFS Hero

DFS Hero

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