FREE 05/29 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s MLB DFS slate is short with just four games, but there are some solid pitching matchups to consider. The highest totals come in the Oakland-Toronto and Tampa Bay-Houston games, both set at 8.5 runs inside domed stadiums where weather won’t be a factor. That should create consistent conditions for hitters and pitchers alike.

The Atlanta-Philadelphia game has a 7.5 run total with Chris Sale facing Zack Wheeler, and mild weather in Philly with light wind blowing out could slightly help the offense. The late Seattle-Washington game also carries a 7.5 total inside a dome, so weather won’t impact that one either. Overall, this slate leans toward balanced pitching plays with some upside for stacking in controlled environments.

Top Stacks

TOR 5-Man ($20,100)

Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Anthony Santander, Alejandro Kirk, George Springer

The Toronto stack offers solid value at 2.08 points per $1000 with a total salary of $20,100, making it a cost-effective option given the expected production. The average ownership sits at a moderate 20.9%, while the optimal lineup inclusion rate is slightly lower at 17.2%, indicating some leverage in tournament play due to under-optimization. The game’s 8.5 total suggests a moderately paced scoring environment, and the domed stadium eliminates weather-related variables, providing consistent hitting conditions. Featuring key bats like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., this stack is well-positioned to capitalize on favorable matchup dynamics inside a controlled environment, enhancing its DFS appeal.

HOU 5-Man ($19,100)

Jeremy Pena, Isaac Paredes, Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, Victor Caratini

The HOU stack offers solid value at 1.95 points per $1000 with a total salary of $19,100, making it an efficient option for MLB DFS lineups. The average ownership sits at a moderate 14.0%, while the optimal lineup rate is slightly higher at 15.8%, indicating this stack has a reasonable chance to appear in winning builds without being overly chalky. The game’s total is set at a modest 8.5 runs, suggesting moderate scoring upside, but the domed stadium environment eliminates weather-related variability and likely provides consistent hitting conditions. Given the presence of key contributors like Pena and Altuve against a presumably favorable matchup (implied by inclusion), this stack balances affordability and upside effectively within the current slate context.

TB 5-Man ($22,300)

Josh Lowe, Brandon Lowe, Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero

The TB stack offers solid value at 1.87 points per $1000 with a total salary of $22,300, making it an efficient use of salary in MLB DFS. The average ownership sits at a moderate 20.1%, while the optimal lineup inclusion rate is slightly lower at 15.7%, indicating some leverage potential for differentiation. The game total is set at a modest 8.5 runs, suggesting a balanced offensive environment rather than an extreme hitter’s spot. Playing in a domed stadium eliminates weather-related variables, ensuring consistent conditions throughout the game. Given the core group featuring Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe alongside reliable contributors like Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda, this stack presents a well-rounded approach with decent upside relative to cost and ownership context.

SP Plays

Top Play: MacKenzie Gore ($9,300)

MacKenzie Gore draws a solid matchup on the road against Seattle, a team that ranks middle of the pack offensively but has shown some vulnerability to left-handed pitching. Gore’s 36.2% strikeout rate this season is impressive and a big step up from his earlier MLB years, giving him strong strikeout upside in a pitcher-friendly ballpark like T-Mobile Park. His recent starts show consistency in Ks and innings pitched, with multiple outings over six innings and near double-digit strikeouts, which supports both floor and ceiling in GPP formats.

At $9,300, Gore offers strong value with a 2.16x return so far this slate and appears in 44% of optimal lineups despite heavy ownership at 54%. The chalk looks reasonable given his combination of strikeout ability and stable run prevention against a lineup that struggles against lefties. While the high ownership may limit leverage, Gore’s profile as the top-ranked pitcher on DFS Hero justifies his popularity as a safe anchor option for tournament builds tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Chris Sale ($8,800)
• Zack Wheeler ($10,500)

C Plays

Top Play: Alejandro Kirk ($3,300)

Alejandro Kirk offers strong value at just $3,300 while hitting cleanup for the Blue Jays. His right-handed bat faces a favorable matchup against the Athletics, who have struggled to contain right-handed power this season. Batting fourth ensures plenty of plate appearances in a lineup that projects a solid run total, giving Kirk ample opportunity to contribute RBIs and extra-base hits despite his modest power profile.

Kirk’s ownership around 18.6% is close to his optimal rate near 20%, reflecting his mix of floor and upside at a low salary. While he hasn’t been overly consistent recently, his spot in the lineup and affordable price make him an appealing GPP option to balance more expensive bats. The matchup and lineup context support expecting positive fantasy returns if he can capitalize on quality at-bats versus the A’s pitching staff.

Honorable Mentions

• Shea Langeliers ($3,900)
• Victor Caratini ($2,600)

1B Plays

Top Play: Yandy Diaz ($4,300)

Yandy Diaz draws a solid spot in the Rays’ lineup batting third, which should give him plenty of plate appearances in a favorable power position. He’s a right-handed hitter facing Houston’s pitching staff, which has allowed a .330 wOBA to righties this season. The ballpark and matchup don’t scream smash, but Diaz’s ability to drive in runs and his moderate power provide steady upside, especially at his $4,300 salary.

Ownership is hovering around 23%, close to the field average but reflected in 26% of optimal lineups, indicating DFS models like his value at this price. While recent production has been uneven, his role and contact skills make him a reliable tournament play with some leverage against pitchers who have struggled against right-handed bats. He’s not the flashiest option but offers strong value for tournaments given the lineup slot and matchup.

Honorable Mentions

• Ernie Clement ($2,400)
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($4,900)

2B Plays

Top Play: Brandon Lowe ($4,400)

Brandon Lowe has been one of the most productive hitters recently, batting .393 with six homers and a 1.219 OPS over his last 15 games. He hits second in the Rays’ lineup, which ensures plenty of plate appearances in a decent run environment against Houston. As a left-handed batter facing a right-handed pitcher, he benefits from favorable splits in this matchup. His power upside remains strong given his recent surge, making him an appealing option at just $4,400.

Lowe’s ownership is relatively high at 26.6%, but that chalk seems justified given his consistent production and value at nearly 2x salary multiplier. Tampa Bay’s offense has enough firepower to push the implied team total higher in this game, and Lowe’s spot near the top of the order maximizes his scoring chances. For tournaments, he offers a solid combination of floor and ceiling without breaking the bank.

Honorable Mentions

• Ernie Clement ($2,400)
• Jose Altuve ($4,200)

3B Plays

Top Play: Isaac Paredes ($4,500)

Isaac Paredes offers strong value at $4,500 with a solid matchup against Tampa Bay. Batting second in Houston’s lineup, he should see plenty of quality pitches and plate appearances. He’s been hitting well overall with a .270/.378/.483 slash line and has shown notable power recently, launching six homers in his last nine games. The Rays’ pitching staff has struggled to contain right-handed power hitters, which boosts Paredes’ upside in this game.

His 19.6% ownership is close to the field average but justified given his recent production and lineup role. With a 1.79x value multiplier and presence in nearly 20% of optimal lineups, he fits well as a mid-tier bat who can deliver multi-category contributions without eating too much salary. The Astros-TB game environment typically favors offense, so Paredes’ combination of contact skills and emerging pop makes him a reliable tournament option tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Junior Caminero ($4,100)
• Jose Tena ($2,700)

SS Plays

Top Play: Jeremy Pena ($3,900)

Jeremy Pena offers strong value at just $3,900 while batting leadoff for Houston against Tampa Bay. His season slash line of .298/.362/.449 with 16 extra-base hits shows consistent production, and he’s coming off a stretch where he’s starting to find his power again after a brief slump. The leadoff spot ensures maximum plate appearances in a game environment where the Astros have solid run-scoring potential. As a right-handed hitter facing a Tampa Bay pitching staff that has shown some vulnerability to righties, Pena presents upside for both counting stats and occasional power.

Ownership sits slightly above field average at 13.7%, which is reasonable given his strong value and lineup position. He appears in over 21% of optimal lineups, reflecting his appeal in tournaments as a salary saver with steady upside. While not the flashiest option on the slate, Pena’s combination of contact skills, decent pop, and lineup spot make him an effective way to differentiate while maintaining floor and ceiling in GPP builds.

Honorable Mentions

• Bo Bichette ($4,000)
• CJ Abrams ($5,400)

OF Plays

Top Play: Brent Rooker ($4,200)

Brent Rooker is an intriguing value play at $4,200 with a solid matchup against Toronto. Batting third in the Athletics’ lineup ensures plenty of opportunities in a game environment where the Athletics have shown some scoring ability recently. Rooker’s right-handed bat fits well here, especially considering he has 11 homers on the season and decent power upside at this price. His .245/.313/.456 slash line shows moderate production, but his recent multi-hit games suggest he can contribute steady fantasy points.

Ownership around 16.6% is slightly above field average but justified given his role and salary. Rooker’s 2.07x value and presence in nearly a quarter of optimal lineups indicate he’s a strong tournament target who offers leverage without being overly chalky. The matchup isn’t elite from a pitching perspective, but his batting order spot and power potential make him worth consideration in GPPs looking for upside at a low cost.

Honorable Mentions

• Anthony Santander ($3,600)
• Lawrence Butler ($4,100)

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!