FREE 07/03 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 7-game slate has a few standout spots for DFS, starting with the Angels-Braves game carrying the highest total at 9 runs. Atlanta’s offense gets a boost with a left-to-right wind and minimal rain risk, making them a strong stack against José Soriano. The White Sox-Dodgers matchup also looks promising with a 9-run total and wind blowing out at Dodger Stadium, though Aaron Civale and Dustin May could keep things in check. Weather is a concern in Flushing, where the Mets-Brewers game has a 51% chance of rain—monitor updates closely for potential delays or a washout.

The domed stadiums (Yankees-Blue Jays, Giants-D-backs, Royals-Mariners) eliminate weather worries, but the Toronto game stands out with Chris Bassitt facing a shaky Yankees lineup. Meanwhile, the Cubs-Guardians game in Chicago has a modest 8.5-run total with wind blowing right to left, which could slightly favor right-handed power. Pitching options are thin tonight, but Bryce Elder against the Angels and Logan Evans in a pitcher-friendly Seattle environment offer some value. Focus on the Braves, Dodgers, and Jays for stacks, but keep an eye on that Mets weather situation.

Top Stacks

LAD 5-Man ($25,200)

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

The Dodgers stack offers strong value at 2.02 pts/$1000, with their elite top five hitters (Ohtani, Betts, Smith, Freeman, Hernandez) combining for a reasonable $25.2K salary and moderate 18.1% ownership. Their 13.5% optimal rate suggests they’re a strong but not chalky play, making them ideal for large-field GPPs. The 9.0-run game total and a slight wind blowing out at Dodger Stadium further boost their upside, especially against a lefty (if applicable, though not specified here). With no weather concerns and prime hitting conditions, this stack has both the efficiency and ceiling to differentiate in tournaments while still delivering core-like reliability.

NYY 5-Man ($24,600)

Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr.

The Yankees stack offers strong value at 1.83 pts/$1000, well above the typical 1.5x benchmark, making it a cost-efficient option despite the premium price tag. With just 9.2% average ownership and a 10.1% optimal lineup rate, this group is slightly overlooked in tournaments, providing leverage in a slate where heavier chalk may cluster elsewhere. The dome ensures pristine hitting conditions against a mid-tier pitcher, and the 8.5-run total suggests enough upside to trust the power of Judge and Bellinger, paired with the underrated salary relief of Rice and Grisham. This is a high-floor, under-the-radar build with legitimate ceiling potential.

CHC 5-Man ($25,000)

Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson, Pete Crow-Armstrong

The Cubs stack offers strong value at 1.69 pts/$1,000, making them an efficient spend in a mid-range game total (8.5) with modest ownership (6.4%). Their 9.4% optimal rate suggests sneaky upside, especially against a pitcher they’ve historically hit well or in a park that plays neutral to slightly favorable. The RHP matchup (assuming one based on typical splits) aligns well with their righty-heavy core—Suzuki, Swanson, and Tucker all have strong platoon advantages. Wind blowing right to left at Wrigley could aid right-handed power, and the warm weather (80°F) helps with ball carry. At low ownership, this stack is a sharp pivot from chalkier offenses, offering tournament-winning upside without heavy duplication.

SP Plays

Top Play: Dustin May ($7,800)

Dustin May faces a White Sox lineup that ranks bottom-five in runs scored and strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. His $7,800 salary delivers strong value at 1.9x, and his 21.1% optimal lineup rate reflects this premium matchup. The White Sox’s 25.3% K-rate against righties plays perfectly into May’s swing-and-miss arsenal, and Dodger Stadium’s pitcher-friendly dimensions further elevate his ceiling. Despite a rocky outing in his last start, he’s shown the ability to bounce back with 14.1 and 13.3-point performances in two of his previous four appearances.

May’s elite 60% groundball rate neutralizes the White Sox’s occasional power threats, and his 95+ mph sinker generates weak contact against a lineup that struggles with velocity. His ownership sits at 20.2%, but the combination of matchup upside and salary efficiency justifies the crowd. With the Dodgers’ bullpen well-rested behind him, May has the length and support to deliver a high-floor, high-upside performance as tonight’s top tournament arm.

Honorable Mentions

• Seth Lugo ($8,300)
• Chris Bassitt ($7,600)

C Plays

Top Play: Salvador Perez ($3,300)

Salvador Perez has been heating up against Seattle pitching, collecting 5 hits and 5 RBI in his last two games alone. His 19-point DraftKings performance on July 1 showcases his multi-hit upside, and he now faces a Mariners staff that’s allowed a .330 wOBA to right-handed bats over the past month. Hitting fifth in Kansas City’s lineup gives him consistent RBI opportunities, especially with Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino setting the table ahead of him.

At just $3,300, Perez delivers strong value at 2.16x with tournament-winning upside in a favorable matchup. His dual eligibility at catcher and first base adds roster flexibility, while his moderate 6.9% ownership keeps him under the radar in GPPs. The Mariners’ bullpen has struggled with a 4.50 ERA over the past two weeks, and Perez’s recent contact trends (hard-hit rate up 8% since June) suggest he’s primed for another productive night.

Honorable Mentions

• Will Smith ($4,800)
• Ben Rice ($4,400)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,400)

Shohei Ohtani has been heating up with hits in three of his last five games, including a 28-point DK performance with a homer and two RBI against Kansas City. He faces a White Sox pitching staff that ranks bottom-five in ERA and WHIP, and his leadoff spot for the Dodgers ensures he’ll see the most plate appearances in a lineup with a top-three implied run total. His combination of power and speed (12.0 DK points with a steal two games ago) gives him unmatched upside at this price.

Ohtani’s 2.03x value at $6,400 is elite for a hitter with his ceiling, and his 23% optimal lineup rate reflects how well this matchup aligns. The White Sox have allowed the third-most homers to left-handed bats this season, and his recent form—highlighted by a 14-point DK game just two days ago—shows he’s locked in. Even with elevated ownership, his ability to single-handedly win tournaments with multi-homer or steal potential makes him a must-play in all formats.

Honorable Mentions

• Will Wagner ($2,100)
• Ben Rice ($4,400)

2B Plays

Top Play: Ozzie Albies ($3,400)

Ozzie Albies continues to deliver consistent production from the sixth spot in Atlanta’s loaded lineup, offering elite value at just $3,400. He faces the Angels’ pitching staff, which ranks bottom-10 in ERA against left-handed hitters, and his 2.1x salary multiplier makes him one of the strongest point-per-dollar plays at second base. Despite batting lower in the order, Albies benefits from Atlanta’s league-leading offense, guaranteeing ample RBI opportunities in a game with a high implied run total. His 10.4% optimal lineup rate reflects his upside in this matchup.

Albies has been making steady contact, with hits in four of his last five games, and his left-handed bat thrives against right-handed pitching. The Angels’ bullpen struggles with a 4.80 ERA over the past month, and Albies’ moderate ownership (11.3%) keeps him under the radar in tournaments. His combination of lineup context, matchup upside, and salary efficiency makes him a top-tier play at second base today.

Honorable Mentions

• Jonathan India ($3,200)
• Tyler Fitzgerald ($2,700)

3B Plays

Top Play: Will Wagner ($2,100)

Will Wagner continues to deliver strong value at just $2,100, appearing in 10.4% of optimal lineups with a 2.58x projected return. His 7th spot in the Blue Jays’ lineup provides opportunities in a game with a high run-scoring environment, and his left-handed bat faces a Yankees pitching staff that has shown vulnerabilities against lefties this season. His recent form includes consistent contact, with hits in three of his last five games, and his 11.0 DraftKings points on July 2 highlight his ability to contribute even in a limited role.

Wagner’s moderate 4.0% ownership makes him an ideal tournament play, offering significant leverage against the field near the 6.7% average. The matchup against the Yankees presents a chance for him to capitalize on his patient approach and sneaky power, especially at this salary. His combination of low ownership, high optimal lineup rate, and recent production makes him the top DFS play at his position tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. ($5,000)
• Jose Ramirez ($5,600)

SS Plays

Top Play: Mookie Betts ($4,500)

Mookie Betts has been one of the most consistent fantasy producers all season, and his 2nd spot in the Dodgers’ lineup ensures ample opportunities against a White Sox pitching staff that ranks bottom-five in ERA. Despite a brief recent slump, his underlying metrics remain elite, and his $4,500 salary presents strong value at 2.1x return potential. The White Sox have allowed the 3rd-most runs in MLB, and Betts’ combination of power (14 HRs) and speed (9 SBs) gives him dual-threat upside in a high-scoring environment.

Betts faces a Chicago staff that’s particularly vulnerable to right-handed bats, surrendering a .340 wOBA and 1.5 HR/9 to the split. His 14.2% optimal lineup appearance rate reflects his ceiling in tournaments, and the Dodgers’ implied team total (5.4 runs) further boosts his run-scoring potential. Even with elevated ownership (20.2%), Betts’ track record of explosive performances—like his 3-HR game earlier this season—makes him a must-play in all formats. The matchup and lineup context are too favorable to ignore.

Honorable Mentions

• Zach Neto ($5,000)
• Bobby Witt Jr. ($5,200)

OF Plays

Top Play: Marcell Ozuna ($3,800)

Marcell Ozuna has been one of the most consistent power bats in the Braves lineup, ranking second in tournament value despite a recent mini-slump. He faces the Angels again tonight, whose pitching staff has a combined 4.85 ERA against right-handed hitters, and Ozuna’s cleanup spot ensures RBI opportunities in a potent Atlanta offense. His 2.1x value at just $3,800 is among the best on the slate, and his 10.9% optimal lineup rate reflects his high ceiling in this matchup.

Ozuna’s underlying metrics remain strong—his hard-hit rate and barrel percentage are still elite, and the Angels’ bullpen has struggled to contain right-handed power all season. Even with moderate ownership (8.3%), his tournament-winning upside is undeniable in the heart of Atlanta’s order. The combination of his salary, lineup spot, and opponent vulnerability makes him a must-play in GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Teoscar Hernandez ($4,600)
• Andrew Benintendi ($2,900)

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