FREE 05/30 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Today’s 12-game MLB slate offers a solid mix of pitching and hitting options, with several games featuring totals around 8.5 runs and a few pushing close to 9. The Yankees-Dodgers matchup stands out with a 9-run total in hitter-friendly conditions, while the Red Sox-Atlanta game carries the slate’s highest total at 9.5 despite some light wind that could slightly influence ball carry. Domed stadiums will neutralize weather concerns for multiple contests, including Oakland-Toronto and San Francisco-Miami.

Keep an eye on weather disruptions in Cleveland and New York, where there’s a modest chance of rain that could delay or postpone the Angels-Indians and Rockies-Mets games. These factors may impact lineup decisions or game flow. Other than that, most venues are clear or partly cloudy with manageable winds, like San Diego where the Pirates face Nick Pivetta under favorable hitting conditions. Overall, it’s a balanced day to target both upside arms and stacks depending on park and weather nuances.

Top Stacks

BOS 5-Man ($21,600)

Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, Carlos Narvaez, Kristian Campbell, Wilyer Abreu

The BOS stack offers solid value at 1.92 pts/$1000 with a total salary of $21,600, fitting well within budget constraints for MLB DFS lineups. The average ownership is relatively low at 6.0%, slightly under the optimal lineup rate of 6.9%, indicating potential for leverage in GPP formats without heavy chalk exposure. The game total is moderate at 9.5 runs, suggesting a balanced scoring environment, and the partly cloudy conditions with mild temperature (73°F) and minimal precipitation risk (3%) create a favorable hitting environment. A 13 MPH wind blowing left to right could slightly influence ball flight but does not heavily favor or hinder Boston’s lineup, which includes high-upside bats like Devers and emerging talent Duran and Campbell. Overall, this stack presents a cost-effective option with upside in a playable game context against Atlanta’s pitching staff.

TOR 5-Man ($19,900)

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

The Toronto stack offers solid value at 2.13 points per $1000 with a total salary of $19,900, featuring key contributors Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, and Anthony Santander. Despite a moderate game total of 8.5 runs in a domed stadium—eliminating weather concerns—this group maintains below-average ownership at 9.7% and an optimal lineup rate of 6.8%, indicating potential leverage against the field. The combination of strong individual talent and affordable pricing suggests this stack is an efficient option for MLB DFS lineups seeking upside without heavy chalk exposure.

NYM 5-Man ($22,000)

Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Starling Marte

The NYM stack, featuring Lindor, Vientos, Soto, Alonso, and Marte at a $22,000 total salary, delivers solid value with 2.02 points per $1000 spent. With an average ownership of 9.3% and an optimal lineup inclusion rate of 6.6%, this stack presents a moderately leveraged option in the player pool. The game total is set at a modest 7.5 runs, indicating moderate scoring expectations against the opposing pitching staff. Weather conditions show a 28% chance of precipitation and potential delays with a 70°F temperature and an 8 MPH right-to-left wind at Flushing; while not ideal for offense, these factors are unlikely to drastically suppress run production. Overall, this stack offers balanced upside given its reasonable ownership and decent value in a mid-range scoring environment.

SP Plays

Top Play: Luis Ortiz ($6,000)

Luis Ortiz offers strong value at $6,000 against the Angels, a matchup that typically favors pitchers given the ballpark and LAA’s below-average strikeout rate versus righties. While his 4.73 ERA and 1.43 WHIP suggest some control issues—highlighted by his consistent walk rate—Ortiz still generates strikeouts, posting a 59:28 K:BB ratio through 53 innings. His recent starts show fluctuating results but maintain solid strikeout upside, which is key for DFS scoring.

With an ownership projection near 19%, Ortiz is clearly on the radar for many GPP players, and that chalk looks justified given his combination of strikeout potential and affordable salary in a neutral run environment. He appears in nearly 15% of optimal lineups, reflecting both floor and upside appeal. Expect a moderate pitch count around five to six innings with upside if he limits free passes; he’s worth considering as a mid-tier SP option who can differentiate from pricier arms while delivering solid strikeout volume.

Honorable Mentions

• Nick Pivetta ($9,800)
• David Peterson ($9,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Patrick Bailey ($2,200)

Patrick Bailey offers strong value at his $2,200 price point, especially as a catcher option in tournaments. He bats eighth for the Giants and is a lefty facing Miami’s pitching staff, which has shown some vulnerability to left-handed hitters this season. While Bailey’s recent offensive output has been limited, his 2.67x value and appearance in nearly 6% of optimal lineups suggest he provides sneaky upside in a matchup that could see some run scoring given Miami’s ballpark.

Ownership sits modestly at 6.6%, close to the field average, reflecting cautious but justified interest given his price and position scarcity. The Giants’ implied total isn’t among the highest tonight, but Bailey’s role as a primary catcher and low salary make him an intriguing punt play with moderate leverage potential. His limited power means ceiling is capped, but he can offer enough floor to pay off value if he gets a couple of hits or an RBI in a favorable spot.

Honorable Mentions

• Bo Naylor ($3,000)
• Salvador Perez ($3,600)

1B Plays

Top Play: Colt Keith ($2,900)

Colt Keith offers strong value at just $2,900, appearing in 7.7% of optimal lineups with a solid 2.36x value return. Batting third for Detroit as a left-handed hitter, he benefits from a prime lineup spot that should maximize plate appearances. The matchup against Kansas City’s pitching staff is neutral but workable, especially given Keith’s consistent contact ability and recent steady production at the plate.

Ownership around 6.4% is slightly above the field average, reflecting moderate confidence without overcrowding. While playing time concerns linger due to Detroit’s improving roster depth, Keith’s affordable price and upside in a middle-of-the-order role make him worth consideration as a tournament pivot or salary saver with upside in this scoring environment.

Honorable Mentions

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($4,800)
• Jake Burger ($3,600)

2B Plays

Top Play: Ernie Clement ($2,400)

Ernie Clement offers strong value at $2,400 as a right-handed hitter slotting sixth in the Blue Jays’ lineup against a left-handed pitcher from the Athletics. His recent surge with extra-base hits and RBIs boosts his upside, especially in a game environment where Toronto’s offense has shown potential to produce multiple runs. Clement’s 2.65x value and presence in 5.1% of optimal lineups reflect his ability to provide steady contributions at a low salary.

While he carries higher ownership than average (10.2%), that chalk seems justified given his affordable price and lineup role in a team with solid run-scoring chances. Though not a high-ceiling power threat, Clement’s multi-position eligibility and consistent plate appearances make him a reliable punt option for tournaments looking to balance salary and points.

Honorable Mentions

• Tyler Fitzgerald ($3,500)
• Kristian Campbell ($3,500)

3B Plays

Top Play: Mark Vientos ($3,200)

Mark Vientos offers strong value at just $3,200 while batting second in the Mets’ lineup, ensuring plenty of plate appearances. He faces a Rockies pitching staff that struggles with right-handed power hitters and plays half its games at Coors Field, a hitter-friendly environment. Although Vientos is in a bit of a slump with just 5 hits in his last 28 at-bats, his recent three-run homer shows he still has pop in this matchup.

His ownership sits on the higher side at nearly 13%, reflecting his appeal as a low-cost option with upside. That chalk is reasonable given his lineup spot and matchup against Colorado’s pitchers who have allowed elevated run totals recently. With an implied team total above average for this slate, Vientos fits well as a tournament GPP play where you can leverage his power potential without breaking the bank.

Honorable Mentions

• Josh Jung ($3,800)
• Matt Chapman ($4,000)

SS Plays

Top Play: Francisco Lindor ($5,400)

Francisco Lindor offers solid value at $5,400 against Colorado, a team that typically struggles to contain left-handed hitters in Coors Field’s hitter-friendly environment. Batting leadoff for the Mets, Lindor should see plenty of plate appearances, boosting his opportunity for counting stats. While his recent batting average has dipped, he still provides upside with a combination of power and speed—he already has nine steals on the season and can capitalize on this matchup with multiple ways to contribute.

Ownership is elevated at 11.4%, reflecting his strong value and consistent role atop the lineup. Given the implied run total for the Mets and Lindor’s ability to impact both through contact and baserunning, this chalk appears justified in large-field tournaments. His 1.83x value and top-five GPP ranking support rostering him as a core piece while balancing salary elsewhere.

Honorable Mentions

• Bo Bichette ($4,100)
• Bobby Witt Jr. ($5,600)

OF Plays

Top Play: Anthony Santander ($3,500)

Anthony Santander is a strong value play at just $3,500 against the Athletics, who rank near the bottom in limiting left-handed power. Batting fifth in Toronto’s lineup gives him solid plate appearance potential in a game environment that should lean toward offense. While his overall season numbers are modest, Santander has improved since early May with a .245/.344/.377 slash line and some pop in limited plate appearances. The Athletics’ pitching staff struggles with lefties, which boosts his upside.

His ownership is elevated at 9.4%, reflecting recognition of this matchup and price point. That chalk looks reasonable given his place in the lineup and recent uptick in productivity. Santander won’t provide huge ceiling upside but offers steady floor and enough value to fit multiple bats around him. He’s a reliable salary saver who can contribute safely without forcing you to sacrifice lineup construction elsewhere.

Honorable Mentions

• Lawrence Butler ($4,200)
• Wenceel Perez ($2,500)

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