FREE 08/12 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 12-game MLB slate offers a good mix of pitching and hitting environments, though we need to keep a close eye on the weather. The DET @ CWS game looks like a significant concern, with a high chance of rain and potential for delays or a full-on postponement, making it a risky target for DFS exposure. Meanwhile, the COL @ STL matchup has a notable 24% chance of rain and a wind blowing out, which could impact scoring if the game plays through.

Other weather spots to monitor include the SD @ SF game, where a 16 MPH wind blowing out could add some pop, despite the cooler temperatures. The WSH @ KC game appears clear with minimal wind. Several games are in domes tonight, including CHC @ TOR, PIT @ MIL, ARI @ TEX, and BOS @ HOU, providing stable, predictable environments for offensive output.

Top Stacks

NYY 5-Man ($25,100)

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

This Yankees-centric stack, featuring Grisham, Rice, Judge, Bellinger, and Chisholm Jr., presents an intriguing GPP option despite its seemingly average 1.97 pts/$1000 value. The sub-10% average ownership (8.0%) and optimal rate (8.9%) suggest it’s flying under the radar, yet offers a nearly 1:1 ownership-to-optimal ratio, indicating efficiency for those who roster it. The clear New York weather at 83 degrees with a 9 MPH wind blowing right to left should boost flyball potential for the left-handed bats like Grisham, Rice, and Bellinger, while Judge’s raw power is always a threat regardless of wind. This specific combination, blending a few Yankees with Bellinger and Chisholm for salary relief and upside, leverages the favorable hitting conditions against a potentially overlooked pitching matchup, making it a sharp, contrarian play.

LAD 5-Man ($25,500)

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

The Dodgers’ top-of-the-order stack—Ohtani, Betts, Smith, Freeman, and Hernandez—presents an intriguing, if slightly contrarian, proposition tonight. While their 1.99 pts/$1000 value is solid, it’s not elite enough to drive overwhelming ownership, as evidenced by their modest 11.2% average projection. This creates a fascinating leverage opportunity, especially given their 8.7% optimal rate, suggesting they can certainly land in winning lineups without being chalk. The clear, 78-degree Anaheim weather, coupled with a 6 MPH wind blowing out, significantly boosts their power upside against a likely vulnerable opposing starter, making this high-priced stack a compelling, differentiated path to GPP success.

TB 5-Man ($21,200)

Ha-Seong Kim, Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, Junior Caminero, Everson Pereira

The Tampa Bay Rays project as an intriguing, contrarian stack tonight, offering a compelling blend of value and leverage. Their 2.09 pts/$1000 value is excellent, indicating strong point-per-dollar upside for their modest $21,200 salary. Crucially, their 7.6% average ownership and 6.4% optimal lineup rate suggest they are under-rostered relative to their potential, making them a high-leverage play in large-field GPPs. The clear, warm 86° F weather with a 10 MPH wind blowing out in West Sacramento further enhances their offensive environment, creating optimal conditions for extra-base hits. This low-owned, high-value stack, featuring a mix of power and on-base ability, is poised to outperform expectations against a potentially vulnerable pitching matchup.

SP Plays

Top Play: Jack Flaherty ($9,200)

The recent run of starts for Jack Flaherty has seen him flashing some serious upside potential, making his $9,200 salary look incredibly appealing against a struggling White Sox lineup. Despite a slight stumble in his last outing against the Twins, where he only managed 1.1 DraftKings points, his previous two starts against formidable offenses like the Phillies (22.5 DK points) and Blue Jays (27.9 DK points) showcased his ability to rack up strikeouts and limit damage. This indicates a pitcher who can quickly rebound and dominate when the matchup is right.

This isn’t just about a couple of good games; Flaherty has consistently demonstrated a high strikeout ceiling, evident in his 7-K performances against both Toronto and Philadelphia, and even 6 Ks in a short 3-inning outing against Pittsburgh. Facing a White Sox team that often struggles with plate discipline and tends to strike out at a high clip, Flaherty is in a prime spot to leverage his K-rate and deliver a truly elite fantasy score, making him a top-tier pitching option with strong value at 2.04x.

Honorable Mentions

• Freddy Peralta ($10,000)
• Spencer Arrighetti ($6,500)

C Plays

Top Play: Ben Rice ($4,400)

Ben Rice finds himself in an incredibly advantageous spot today, batting second for the Yankees against the Minnesota Twins, a matchup that projects very favorably for left-handed power bats. His recent performance, including a 17.0 DK point output with a home run against the very same Twins just days ago, underscores his ability to capitalize on these situations and provide significant fantasy production from the catcher and first base positions.

At a digestible $4,400 salary, Rice offers excellent value with a 2.1x projection, and his consistent ability to get on base and drive in runs (evidenced by multiple RBI games recently) makes him a reliable option. Given his recent success against this specific opponent and his prime spot in the batting order, he’s poised for another strong showing and could easily exceed his ownership expectations, making him a cornerstone of many winning lineups.

Honorable Mentions

• Salvador Perez ($4,200)
• Will Smith ($5,000)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,500)

Shohei Ohtani continues to defy expectations, consistently delivering elite fantasy numbers with his unique blend of power and speed, even in a “down” year by his own astronomical standards. His ability to hit dingers and swipe bags, as showcased by his 26.0 DK point explosion against Toronto with a homer and a stolen base, provides an unparalleled ceiling that few other players can match. Batting leadoff for the powerful Dodgers lineup, he’s guaranteed multiple plate appearances and prime opportunities to score runs and drive them in.

The $6,500 price tag for Ohtani might seem steep at first glance, but his consistent production, including four home runs in his last five games and an 18.0 DK point performance against the Cardinals, proves he’s worth every penny. His matchup against his former team, the Angels, often brings out his best, adding another layer of intrigue and upside to an already phenomenal player who is an optimal lineup lock.

Honorable Mentions

• Willson Contreras ($4,100)
• Freddie Freeman ($4,800)

2B Plays

Top Play: Ha-Seong Kim ($3,900)

The game environment for Ha-Seong Kim today, playing on the road against the Athletics, creates a fantastic opportunity for him to bounce back and deliver significant fantasy points. Despite a goose egg in his most recent outing, his prior performance against Seattle where he blasted a home run for 23.0 DK points demonstrates his ability to hit for power and come through in favorable matchups. Playing in a park that often plays well for hitters, especially with the A’s pitching staff, sets the stage for a productive day.

Furthermore, Kim’s role as the leadoff hitter for the Rays ensures he’ll see plenty of pitches and have ample opportunities to get on base and score runs. At just $3,900, he offers an exceptional value proposition at 2.27x, making him a high-upside play who can easily outperform his salary and contribute across multiple categories, providing crucial salary relief while still offering a substantial ceiling.

Honorable Mentions

• Jonathan India ($3,300)
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. ($4,900)

3B Plays

Top Play: Max Muncy ($4,500)

Let’s talk about the immense value Max Muncy brings to the table at just $4,500, especially considering his critical role in a potent Dodgers lineup. Despite his 9.8% ownership, which is relatively high, his 2.02x value projection shows he’s far from overpriced for the kind of power he can unleash. His recent form, including a 20.0 DK point eruption with a 3-RBI home run against the Angels, and another 21.0 DK point performance against Toronto, proves he’s hitting the ball with authority.

Batting sixth, Muncy gets to feast on opportunities provided by the top of the Dodgers’ order, often coming up with runners on base. This prime RBI spot, combined with his proven ability to hit long balls, makes him a threat to put up double-digit fantasy points every time he steps to the plate. Don’t let the ownership deter you; Muncy represents a cornerstone for building a winning lineup with his blend of power and value.

Honorable Mentions

• Royce Lewis ($3,300)
• Colt Keith ($3,400)

SS Plays

Top Play: Ezequiel Tovar ($3,200)

Ezequiel Tovar represents one of the best salary-saving options on the board today, particularly given his placement in the Rockies’ batting order and his recent contact-oriented production. While his last game against St. Louis was quiet, a quick glance at his previous two outings shows back-to-back 17.0 DK point performances against Arizona, highlighting his ability to string hits together and contribute across the board with runs and RBIs.

His $3,200 salary comes with a fantastic 2.37x value, making him a prime candidate to anchor your middle infield at a bargain price. Batting second for Colorado ensures he sees plenty of at-bats and is positioned well to benefit from the hitters around him. Tovar is a high-floor play who can help you pay up for other premium options while still offering a respectable ceiling.

Honorable Mentions

• Corey Seager ($4,400)
• Mookie Betts ($4,800)

OF Plays

Top Play: Joc Pederson ($2,000)

The sheer value embedded in Joc Pederson’s $2,000 price tag is undeniable, making him an absolute must-consider for your DFS lineups today. Despite a recent goose egg, his incredible 18.0 DK point explosion just two games ago, where he crushed a home run in just one at-bat, showcases the immense upside he possesses when he connects. This kind of power at minimum salary is a game-changer for roster construction.

While his playing time can be sporadic, when he’s in the lineup, especially batting clean-up as he did for Texas, his potential for a monstrous performance far outweighs the risk. His 3.42x value projection is among the highest on the slate, meaning even a single extra-base hit or timely RBI can make him a stone-cold lock to exceed expectations and open up significant salary for other high-priced studs.

Honorable Mentions

• Trent Grisham ($4,000)
• Aaron Judge ($6,400)

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