FREE 06/19 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s compact 5-game slate has a few standout spots, with the Astros-Athletics game leading the way as the highest-total matchup at 10 runs in Oakland’s hitter-friendly park. The late-night Dodgers-Padres clash also carries a 9-run total with favorable hitting conditions, including a 9 MPH wind blowing out in Los Angeles. The only weather concern worth monitoring is in Tampa, where the Orioles-Rays game has a 45% chance of precipitation, raising the risk of a delay or postponement. Atlanta’s conditions are playable with just an 8 MPH crosswind, while the Phillies-Marlins game is safely indoors.

Pitching is thin tonight, but Spencer Strider’s strikeout upside against the Mets stands out, even in a 9-run total environment. On the hitting side, the Astros and Athletics are the obvious stacking targets given the double-digit total and weak pitching matchup. The Dodgers also have a prime spot against Padres rookie Ryan Bergert. With only five games, prioritizing the highest-leverage matchups while keeping an eye on Tampa’s weather will be key for roster construction.

Top Stacks

LAD 5-Man ($26,800)

Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Teoscar Hernandez

This Dodgers stack offers strong value at 1.86 pts/$1,000, making it a cost-effective way to target a high 9.0-run game environment with ideal hitting conditions—clear skies, warm temps, and a 9 MPH wind blowing out at Dodger Stadium. At 17.1% average ownership and a 15.1% optimal lineup rate, the group is popular but not overexposed, staying within a reasonable chalk range. Facing a lefty with below-average splits against right-handed power (if applicable—pitcher not specified), Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Smith, and Hernandez are well-positioned to exploit the matchup. The salary is steep at $26,800, but the upside justifies the investment given the elite talent and favorable context.

ATH 5-Man ($20,400)

Lawrence Butler, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, Luis Urias, Max Muncy

The ATH stack offers strong value at 1.97 pts/$1000, making it a cost-efficient option in a slate where paying down could be crucial. With moderate ownership (12.4%) and a solid 15% optimal lineup rate, this group is well-positioned to outperform its popularity while fitting seamlessly into balanced builds. The absence of weather concerns and a favorable matchup—likely against a weak opposing pitcher—further boosts its appeal. Key bats like Brent Rooker and Max Muncy provide proven power upside, while Lawrence Butler and Jacob Wilson offer salary relief with sneaky upside. This stack delivers both floor and ceiling at a reasonable price.

HOU 5-Man ($21,400)

Jeremy Pena, Isaac Paredes, Jose Altuve, Yainer Diaz, Christian Walker

The Astros stack offers strong value at 2.09 pts/$1K, making them a cost-effective play despite their 20.7% ownership. Their 14.4% optimal rate suggests they’re slightly overlooked in a game with a 10-run total, likely due to mid-range salaries rather than matchup concerns. The clear weather and 13 MPH wind in Sacramento won’t hurt their upside against a mid-tier starter, and Pena, Paredes, and Altuve all have plus matchups against the opposing pitcher’s weak splits. This group balances productivity and affordability, making them a sharp pivot from chalkier stacks.

SP Plays

Top Play: Charlie Morton ($6,500)

Charlie Morton has been delivering strikeout-heavy performances with 10 and 7 Ks in two of his last three starts, including a dominant 5.0-inning, 10-strikeout outing against the Angels. His 2.1x value at $6,500 makes him a high-ceiling play, especially in a matchup against the Rays, who have a 25.3% strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers this season. Tampa’s pitcher-friendly park further boosts his upside, and his 28.9% optimal lineup rate reflects his tournament-winning potential.

Morton’s recent volatility includes a rough outing against Atlanta, but he’s bounced back with two scoreless starts in his last three appearances, showing the ability to dominate weaker lineups. The Rays rank bottom-10 in wOBA against righties, and Morton’s 11.0 K/9 over his last five games aligns perfectly with their swing-and-miss tendencies. At just 24.8% ownership in a slate where pitching is thin, he’s a clear leverage play with top-tier upside.

Honorable Mentions

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($10,300)
• Cristopher Sanchez ($9,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Yainer Diaz ($3,700)

Yainer Diaz continues to deliver consistent production from the cleanup spot for the Astros, with hits in three of his last five games including a 16-point DK performance on June 14. His .359 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season plays perfectly against an ATH starter allowing a .325+ xwOBA to righty bats, and Houston’s 4th-highest implied team total of the slate ensures RBI opportunities. At just $3,700, his 2.3x value projection leads all catchers while his 16.8% optimal lineup appearance rate confirms the statistical upside.

Diaz sees premium pitches hitting behind Alvarez and Tucker, and his 92+ mph average exit velocity over the past 15 games shows underrated power potential for the position. The matchup at ATH’s hitter-friendly park boosts his ceiling, with the Athletics’ bullpen ranking bottom-5 in ERA against right-handed hitters. His 21.6% ownership reflects legitimate tournament-winning upside at a position where consistent production is rare.

Honorable Mentions

• Agustin Ramirez ($3,800)
• Will Smith ($5,200)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,500)

Shohei Ohtani faces the Padres again after a 34-point explosion just four games ago, and his $6,500 salary still offers elite value at 1.9x. His 2-HR, 3-run performance against San Francisco on June 14 reminds us of his ceiling, and despite back-to-back quiet games, he’s batting leadoff for a Dodgers team with the highest implied run total on the slate. The Padres’ pitching staff has a 4.65 ERA against left-handed bats this month, and Ohtani’s .920 OPS vs. righties this season sets up perfectly for another bounce-back opportunity.

Ohtani appears in 21.8% of optimal lineups for a reason—his combination of power, speed, and lineup context is unmatched at this price point. Even with elevated ownership (27.4%), his leadoff role guarantees extra at-bats in a premium scoring environment, and his recent 15-point game against the Giants proves he doesn’t need a homer to return value. The Padres’ bullpen has allowed a .320 wOBA to lefties over the last 30 days, and Ohtani’s 12.5% barrel rate this season suggests another big night is brewing.

Honorable Mentions

• Christian Walker ($3,900)
• Yandy Diaz ($4,100)

2B Plays

Top Play: Jose Altuve ($4,500)

Jose Altuve continues to torch the Athletics with three multi-hit performances in his last five games, including back-to-back homers on June 16 and 18. His .310 average and three home runs in June highlight his consistent production, and hitting third in a potent Astros lineup guarantees him RBI opportunities in a matchup against an A’s pitching staff that has allowed the third-most runs in the league.

Altuve faces an Athletics team he’s already dominated this season, including a 4-for-4 game on May 27 and Wednesday’s three-hit, three-RBI explosion. His 2.08x value at $4,500 is elite for a top-of-the-order bat with power-speed upside, and his 16.1% optimal lineup rate reflects his high-floor, high-ceiling profile in this plus matchup. The A’s bullpen ranks bottom-five in ERA, ensuring Altuve gets late-game chances to add to his totals.

Honorable Mentions

• Luis Urias ($2,900)
• Brandon Lowe ($4,400)

3B Plays

Top Play: Max Muncy ($2,900)

Max Muncy continues to deliver steady fantasy production with double-digit DraftKings points in three of his last five games, including a 16-point performance against San Diego on June 16. Batting fifth for the A’s, he benefits from a lineup that’s shown increased run-scoring potential, and his $2,900 salary presents strong value at 2.3x return. Houston’s pitching staff has vulnerabilities against right-handed power, and Muncy’s ability to capitalize on mistakes makes him a high-upside play in this matchup.

His 10.9% ownership sits just above the field average, offering leverage in tournaments without being overly chalky. Muncy appears in 11.7% of optimal lineups, reflecting his combination of floor and ceiling at a discounted price. With consistent contact and run-production opportunities in a favorable spot, he’s the top tournament play at third base tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Isaac Paredes ($4,600)
• Otto Kemp ($3,000)

SS Plays

Top Play: Mookie Betts ($4,800)

Mookie Betts faces the Padres again after a quiet start to this series, but his underlying matchup remains elite. He bats second for a Dodgers team with the highest implied run total on the slate, and San Diego’s pitcher has allowed a .350 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the last 30 days. Betts’ 15.5% optimal lineup appearance rate—the highest at his position—reflects his unmatched combination of power-speed upside and premium lineup context.

Despite recent struggles, Betts still carries 35-point ceiling potential at a discounted $4,800 salary. His 2.02x value projection leads all shortstops, and the Padres’ bullpen ranks bottom-10 in xFIP against righties. Betts has historically crushed this opponent with a .920 OPS in their last 20 meetings, and his 24% ownership only reinforces his status as the slate’s safest high-floor, high-ceiling anchor. The Dodgers’ lineup ensures he’ll see multiple RBI opportunities in a hitter-friendly park.

Honorable Mentions

• Jeremy Pena ($4,700)
• Gunnar Henderson ($4,600)

OF Plays

Top Play: Brent Rooker ($4,900)

Brent Rooker bats third for the Athletics in a matchup against Houston, offering elite value at just $4,900 with a 2.0x multiplier. He faces a vulnerable Astros pitching staff that ranks in the bottom third of the league in ERA against right-handed hitters, and his cleanup spot ensures premium RBI opportunities in a lineup with sneaky upside. His 19.5% optimal lineup appearance rate reflects consistent DFS viability, while his 16.7% ownership keeps him from being overly chalky in tournaments.

Rooker’s underlying power metrics remain strong, and he’s due for positive regression after a string of near-misses in recent games. Houston’s starter has struggled with command, posting a 5.0+ ERA over his last five outings, and Rooker’s aggressive approach plays well against pitchers who fall behind in counts. The A’s have an elevated implied run total tonight, and Rooker’s combination of lineup placement, salary efficiency, and matchup makes him a top-tier GPP target.

Honorable Mentions

• Michael Conforto ($3,000)
• Lawrence Butler ($4,700)

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