FREE 07/11 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s massive 15-game MLB slate is loaded with high-scoring matchups and a few weather concerns to monitor. The Blue Jays-Athletics game in West Sacramento leads the way with an 11-run total, making it the top stacking spot, while the Rockies-Reds tilt in Cincinnati (9.5 runs) and Mets-Royals in Kansas City (9.5 runs) also stand out. Weather could be a factor in Chicago (39% chance of rain), Detroit (15%), and Kansas City (47%), with the latter featuring a strong wind blowing out that could boost power potential.

Pitching options are thin, but Luis Castillo against the Tigers and Tarik Skubal’s matchup with Seattle offer strikeout upside in a game with a slate-low 7-run total. The wind blowing out in St. Louis (8 MPH) and San Diego (7 MPH) adds intrigue to the Braves-Cardinals and Phillies-Padres games. With clear conditions in Anaheim and San Francisco, the late-night slate provides solid hitting environments, especially for the Dodgers-Giants duel despite its modest 7.5-run total.

Top Stacks

CIN 5-Man ($22,500)

TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Austin Hays, Gavin Lux

This Reds stack offers strong value at 2.05 pts/$1,000, making it a cost-effective option in a game with a solid 9.5-run total. With just 7.4% average ownership and a 5.6% optimal rate, it’s a sneaky pivot off chalkier plays, especially in tournaments. The matchup is favorable—Cincinnati’s lefty-heavy lineup (Friedl, McLain, De La Cruz) should capitalize against a right-handed pitcher, while the warm, partly cloudy conditions with minimal wind or precipitation risk keep the hitting environment stable. Lux and Hays provide salary relief with upside, rounding out a balanced stack that won’t break the bank.

NYY 5-Man ($25,300)

Jasson Dominguez, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, Jazz Chisholm Jr.

The Yankees stack offers strong value at 1.80 pts/$1000, outperforming the field-average efficiency while flying under the radar at just 4.3% ownership—well below their 5.1% optimal lineup rate. The matchup plays a key role: a 9.0-run game total suggests offensive upside, and while the weather (82°, partly cloudy, minimal wind) won’t significantly boost power, it won’t hurt either. Judge and Bellinger anchor the group with elite power, while Dominguez and Rice provide salary relief with sneaky upside. Chisholm’s speed/power combo rounds out a balanced stack that’s priced fairly and overlooked—making it a sharp leverage play in tournaments.

ATH 5-Man ($23,900)

Lawrence Butler, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers

The ATH stack offers strong value at 1.83 pts/$1000, making it an efficient spend in a thin-salaried tier, especially with an average ownership of just 2.9%. The 5.0% optimal rate suggests it’s a sneaky leverage play in tournaments, as the field overlooks this group despite its upside. While the game environment lacks standout factors like a high total or weather boost, the stack’s affordability and low ownership create a viable contrarian pivot. Butler, Wilson, and Rooker bring power potential, while Kurtz and Langeliers round out a balanced mini-stack that won’t break the bank. In a slate without obvious stacking targets, this low-owned, salary-saving group is a sharp way to differentiate.

SP Plays

Top Play: Chase Burns ($7,500)

Chase Burns has been electric when he’s on, and tonight’s matchup against the Rockies is the perfect spot for him to dominate. His 7-strikeout performance in 4.2 innings against the Phillies last outing highlights his elite swing-and-miss stuff, and Colorado’s lineup carries a 26% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. With a 2.4x value projection and a pitcher-friendly park suppressing home runs, Burns has both the floor and ceiling to deliver in GPPs.

The Rockies’ offense ranks bottom-five in wRC+ on the road, and Burns’ 21.8% optimal lineup appearance rate reflects how well this matchup aligns with his skillset. Despite the high ownership, his salary at $7,500 remains a steal for a pitcher with his strikeout upside. The recent blowup in Boston was an anomaly—his 8-K outing against the Yankees two starts ago shows what he’s capable of when he’s commanding his arsenal. This is the kind of spot where elite talent meets ideal conditions.

Honorable Mentions

• Tarik Skubal ($12,000)
• Lance McCullers Jr. ($6,600)

C Plays

Top Play: Agustin Ramirez ($3,600)

Agustin Ramirez has been heating up with multi-hit performances in two of his last four games, including a 23-point DraftKings outburst on July 7 with a homer and 2 RBI. His cleanup spot for Miami guarantees premium run-producing opportunities, and he faces a Baltimore pitching staff that ranks middle-of-the-pack against right-handed power.

At just $3,600 with 2.25x value potential, Ramirez delivers rare catcher upside in a tournament-winning price range. His 6.7% optimal lineup appearance rate towers above typical catcher options, while the 5.8% projected ownership keeps him under the radar in a plus matchup. The recent power surge combined with his lineup placement creates perfect conditions for a high-ceiling performance at minimal cost.

Honorable Mentions

• William Contreras ($4,100)
• Salvador Perez ($3,600)

1B Plays

Top Play: Will Wagner ($2,400)

Will Wagner continues to deliver strong value at just $2,400, making him the top tournament play on the slate. His 2.7x value multiplier stands out in a matchup against ATH, and his 7th spot in Toronto’s lineup provides sneaky upside in a lineup with plenty of run-scoring potential. Left-handed batters have fared well against today’s opposing pitcher, and Wagner’s recent form—including a 10-point DraftKings performance two games ago—shows he’s capable of capitalizing on favorable matchups.

Wagner appears in 6.4% of optimal lineups, yet his ownership projects at just 7.3%, making him a lightly leveraged play in a great spot. His multi-position eligibility (1B/3B) adds roster flexibility, and his salary leaves ample room for premium bats elsewhere. With moderate ownership in a high-upside lineup, Wagner’s combination of price, opportunity, and matchup makes him the clear top tournament target.

Honorable Mentions

• Andrew Vaughn ($2,300)
• Kyle Manzardo ($3,300)

2B Plays

Top Play: Ozzie Albies ($3,600)

Ozzie Albies continues to deliver power from the second base position, launching a homer in his most recent game for a 14-point DraftKings performance. He faces a Cardinals pitching staff that ranks in the bottom third of the league against left-handed hitters, and his $3,600 salary provides exceptional value at 2.1x return potential. Batting seventh in a loaded Braves lineup ensures RBI opportunities, while his moderate 5.2% ownership keeps him under the radar in tournaments.

Albies has multi-hit upside against right-handed pitching, and his 7.7% optimal lineup rate reflects his strong combination of price and production. The Cardinals’ bullpen has struggled with lefty power all season, and Albies’ recent form suggests he’s finding his timing at the plate. At this salary, he’s a rare high-floor, high-ceiling play at a thin position, making him the top tournament option at second base.

Honorable Mentions

• Marcus Semien ($4,300)
• Matt McLain ($4,400)

3B Plays

Top Play: Jordan Westburg ($3,900)

Jordan Westburg continues to deliver strong fantasy production with two 20-point performances in his last five games, including a 3-RBI homer against the Mets. Batting second for the Orioles, he’s locked into a premium lineup spot in front of their power bats, and Miami’s pitching staff ranks bottom-10 in ERA against right-handed hitters. At just $3,900, his 2.17x value projection is one of the highest on the slate.

Westburg faces a vulnerable Marlins pitching staff that has struggled to contain righties, and his 8.4% optimal lineup rate reflects his upside in this matchup. With moderate ownership at 6.5%, he’s a sneaky tournament play in a high-scoring Orioles lineup. His combination of power potential, lineup position, and salary efficiency makes him the top 3B option today.

Honorable Mentions

• Blaze Alexander ($2,000)
• Austin Riley ($4,200)

SS Plays

Top Play: Gunnar Henderson ($4,500)

Gunnar Henderson has been heating up with multi-hit performances in two of his last three games, including a 16-point DraftKings explosion with a homer against the Mets. Hitting third in a potent Orioles lineup, he faces a Miami pitching staff that ranks bottom-10 in ERA against left-handed bats, putting him in prime position for run production. His $4,500 salary carries a strong 2.17x value multiplier, and Camden Yards’ hitter-friendly dimensions amplify his power upside.

The 8.6% ownership is elevated but justified—he appears in 9.6% of optimal lineups for a reason. Henderson’s combination of lineup security, recent form, and matchup against a vulnerable Miami staff makes him the top tournament play at shortstop. With the Orioles’ implied run total trending upward, his ceiling aligns perfectly with tonight’s high-scoring environment.

Honorable Mentions

• Elly De La Cruz ($5,700)
• Otto Lopez ($3,300)

OF Plays

Top Play: Jesus Sanchez ($3,500)

Jesus Sanchez slots into the 2-hole for the Marlins with a prime matchup against a vulnerable Orioles pitching staff. His 2.5x value projection at just $3,500 creates immediate salary relief with upside, and his 6.2% optimal lineup rate signals strong tournament leverage. Baltimore’s pitching has struggled against left-handed power, and Sanchez’s spot in the lineup ensures multiple at-bats in what should be a sneaky-high-scoring environment for Miami.

Despite quiet box scores in his last two games, Sanchez posted a 10-point DK performance just three games ago and has shown flashes of elite contact (2-for-5 with an RBI in that outing). The lefty-on-lefty matchup isn’t ideal, but his price and lineup spot outweigh the platoon disadvantage, especially with his power potential in Camden Yards. At just 6.3% ownership—double the field average—he’s a sharp pivot in tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

• Brenton Doyle ($2,800)
• Angel Martinez ($3,000)

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