FREE 06/26 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Today's 8-game slate has some clear weather concerns to monitor, with the Mariners-Twins game in Minneapolis most at risk of a rainout (77% chance). The Blue Jays-Guardians and A’s-Tigers matchups also carry slight delay risks, though the probabilities are lower. On the flip side, the Rays-Royals and Cubs-Cardinals games have ideal hitting conditions with winds blowing out, while Coors Field (Dodgers-Rockies) lives up to its reputation with a slate-high 12-run total.

Pitching is top-heavy with Kevin Gausman and Shota Imanaga standing out as premium options, but the Rays-Royals matchup (10-run total) and Coors Field will dominate stacking strategies. The Phillies-Astros game has the lowest total (7 runs) in a dome, making it a potential spot to differentiate in tournaments. Keep an eye on weather updates early, especially for the 1:10 PM ET games, but prioritize the high-scoring environments in KC and Colorado if conditions hold.

Top Stacks

LAD 5-Man ($31,400)

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

The Dodgers stack (Ohtani, Betts, Smith, Freeman, Hernandez) offers strong value at 2.00 pts/$1k in a Coors Field environment with a sky-high 12-run total, making them a clear upside play despite the hefty $31.4k salary. Their 17.9% average ownership is reasonable given the context, but their 12.6% optimal rate suggests they’re slightly underutilized relative to their ceiling in this spot. The partly cloudy conditions won’t suppress power, and the 6 MPH breeze blowing out to left only helps. Facing a below-average Rockies pitching staff in Denver, this elite core is positioned to exploit both the matchup and park factors—making them a high-floor, high-ceiling stack even in a chalkier slate.

MIN 5-Man ($19,800)

Byron Buxton, Trevor Larnach, Willi Castro, Carlos Correa, Matt Wallner

The Twins stack offers strong value (2.08 pts/$1000) with modest ownership (8.0%) and a solid 9.4% optimal rate, making them a sneaky tournament play despite the weather risk. Their matchup against a below-average righty (if played) in a game with an 8.5-run total boosts their upside, and their salary flexibility lets you pair them with premium arms. The looming rain delay threat caps their projected ownership, but if the game gets in, this group—especially Buxton and Wallner, who crush right-handed pitching—has the power to exploit a vulnerable starter. Just monitor the forecast; the wind blowing in slightly dampens HR potential, but the value and leverage outweigh the risk in GPPs.

COL 5-Man ($21,300)

Tyler Freeman, Hunter Goodman, Jordan Beck, Michael Toglia, Thairo Estrada

The Rockies stack stands out as a strong mid-range value play at 2.08 pts/$1000, pairing solid upside with manageable 7.4% ownership in a Coors Field environment (12.0 game total). The 8.7% optimal lineup rate suggests this group is slightly underappreciated despite facing a below-average pitcher in thin air—where even mid-tier bats like Goodman and Toglia gain meaningful power upside. The weather (84°, light wind) won’t suppress offensive output, and the salary spread allows for high-floor additions elsewhere. At sub-8% average ownership, this stack avoids the chalky Coors tax while still leveraging the park’s run-scoring bias. A calculated pivot from the typical high-owned Coors bats.

SP Plays

Top Play: Jeffrey Springs ($6,300)

Jeffrey Springs has been locked in with a 2.45 ERA and 24 strikeouts over his last 20.1 innings, including a dominant 7.1-inning, 6-strikeout performance against Cleveland last outing. The Tigers strike out 25.3% of the time against left-handed pitching, and Comerica Park suppresses home runs more than any AL ballpark this season. At just $6,300, he delivers elite strikeout upside in a dream matchup with minimal run-scoring risk.

Springs faces a Detroit lineup ranked 29th in wRC+ against lefties, and they’ve scored the fewest runs in baseball over the past month. His 20.2% optimal lineup rate reflects how perfectly his salary, recent form, and opponent weaknesses align. The combination of his recent swing-and-miss stuff (11.3% swinging-strike rate in June) and Detroit’s passive approach against southpaws makes him the top tournament play on the slate.

Honorable Mentions

• Hayden Birdsong ($8,000)
• Cristopher Sanchez ($9,300)

C Plays

Top Play: Hunter Goodman ($4,800)

Hunter Goodman continues to deliver steady production from the catcher position, hitting second in a Rockies lineup that thrives at Coors Field. His 12.0 DraftKings-point performance two nights ago against the Dodgers highlights his upside, and his .333 average over his last three games shows he’s locked in. Facing a Dodgers pitching staff that ranks middle-of-the-pack against right-handed power, Goodman’s 2.05x value at just $4,800 makes him a rare high-ceiling, low-cost play at a thin position.

His 15.2% optimal lineup rate reflects how well his skills align with today’s matchup, and his moderate ownership (10.1%) keeps him from being overly chalky. Batting second ensures ample RBI opportunities in a park that boosts offense by 25% for right-handed hitters. With the Rockies’ implied run total among the highest on the slate, Goodman’s combination of lineup placement, recent form, and price point makes him the top tournament play at catcher.

Honorable Mentions

• Will Smith ($6,000)
• Freddy Fermin ($2,600)

1B Plays

Top Play: Kike Hernandez ($3,800)

Kike Hernandez faces the Rockies at Coors Field, the premier hitting environment in baseball, and his $3,800 salary presents elite value at 2.2x. Despite batting eighth, he benefits from the Dodgers’ high-powered offense and a Rockies pitching staff that ranks bottom-five in ERA. His 16.0-point performance on June 20 showcases his ceiling, and Coors Field amplifies his power potential against a vulnerable pitching staff.

Hernandez appears in 13.4% of optimal lineups, a testament to his strong combination of price and opportunity. The Rockies’ bullpen struggles against right-handed hitters, and his multi-position eligibility (1B/3B) adds lineup flexibility. While his recent usage has been inconsistent, the Coors Field boost and the Dodgers’ implied run total make him a high-upside tournament play at minimal cost.

Honorable Mentions

• Shohei Ohtani ($7,500)
• Yandy Diaz ($4,100)

2B Plays

Top Play: Willi Castro ($3,600)

Willi Castro has been heating up in the heart of Minnesota’s lineup, batting third with consistent opportunities in a potent offense. His 2.2x value at just $3,600 makes him a steal in tournaments, especially with a 13.8% optimal lineup rate that highlights his upside. The left-handed hitter faces a Seattle pitching staff that has struggled against lefties, and his multi-position eligibility (2B/OF) adds crucial flexibility for roster construction.

Castro’s recent quiet stretch is overshadowed by his premium lineup spot and the Twins’ high-scoring potential in this series. His 10.2% ownership is manageable for tournaments, and his speed-power combo gives him multiple paths to fantasy production. With Minnesota’s implied run total trending upward, Castro’s salary and role create a rare blend of floor and ceiling at a discounted price.

Honorable Mentions

• Tommy Edman ($4,700)
• Jonathan India ($3,200)

3B Plays

Top Play: Junior Caminero ($4,700)

Junior Caminero has been flashing his power potential with two homers in his last four games, including a 17-point DraftKings performance against Detroit. Batting third for the Rays, he’s in a prime lineup spot to capitalize on Kansas City’s pitching staff, which ranks in the bottom third of the league in ERA. His $4,700 salary delivers strong 2.1x value in a matchup ripe for offensive production, and his 14.1% optimal lineup rate reflects his high-ceiling upside.

Caminero faces a Royals pitching staff that struggles to contain right-handed power, and his 12.6% ownership is justified given his recent form and premium batting order placement. The Rays’ implied run total sets up well for him to deliver another multi-hit or homer performance, and his tournament rank of 2nd underscores his explosive potential at a reasonable price point. This is a spot where his raw talent and situational advantages align perfectly for a breakout DFS performance.

Honorable Mentions

• Addison Barger ($3,800)
• Max Muncy ($2,800)

SS Plays

Top Play: Mookie Betts ($5,800)

Mookie Betts continues to deliver high-floor production from the second spot in the Dodgers’ lineup, batting in front of Freeman and Ohtani in one of baseball’s most potent offenses. Despite a quiet game yesterday, he’s still posted double-digit fantasy points in two of his last five games and now gets another crack at Colorado’s pitching staff in Coors Field, where the Dodgers have the highest implied run total on the slate. His .385 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season pairs perfectly with a Rockies bullpen that ranks bottom-5 in ERA, ensuring multiple high-leverage at-bats.

Betts’ 2.1x value projection at $5,800 is elite for a player with his 13.5% optimal lineup rate, and the Coors Field boost amplifies his ceiling. He’s hitting .310 over his last 15 games with a 12% walk rate, and the Rockies’ starter has allowed a .450 slugging percentage to right-handed bats this season. The high ownership (21.5%) is justified by his combination of lineup security, park factor, and multi-category upside—few players offer this blend of runs, RBI, and stolen base potential in such a premium offensive environment.

Honorable Mentions

• Bobby Witt Jr. ($5,400)
• Thomas Saggese ($2,700)

OF Plays

Top Play: Andy Pages ($5,200)

Andy Pages continues to deliver consistent production with hits in four of his last five games, including a homer and five RBI over that stretch. Tonight he faces the Rockies in Coors Field, where the Dodgers have an implied team total of 6.2 runs, and his .320 xwOBA against right-handed pitching aligns perfectly with Colorado’s pitching staff, which ranks bottom-five in ERA. Batting sixth in this loaded lineup ensures ample RBI opportunities, and his 2.1x value at $5,200 makes him a near must-play in tournaments.

Pages has already shown comfort in this series, racking up 20 DK points across two games in Colorado with four hits and two RBI. The Rockies’ bullpen struggles with a 5.10 ERA at home, and his 15.5% optimal lineup rate reflects his upside in this elite hitting environment. With ownership concentrated but not prohibitive at 16.5%, he offers the ideal blend of floor and ceiling in a slate where runs will be plentiful.

Honorable Mentions

• Shohei Ohtani ($7,500)
• Teoscar Hernandez ($5,900)

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