FREE 03/31 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 8-game MLB DFS slate offers a balanced mix of pitching and hitting opportunities, with no game carrying an overwhelming total but plenty of spots to target. The Cubs-Athletics matchup in Oakland stands out with the highest over/under at 8.5 runs, making it a potential stacking option. Elsewhere, pitching takes center stage in Detroit-Seattle, where a slate-low 7.5 total suggests a lower-scoring environment and potential value for Emerson Hancock against the Tigers’ inconsistent lineup.

On the mound, Tyler Glasnow headlines the slate as he faces Atlanta in Los Angeles, though his matchup comes with some risk given the Braves’ potent offense. Other intriguing arms include Drew Rasmussen against Pittsburgh and Bowden Francis hosting Washington, both of whom face weaker lineups in games with moderate totals (8.0). Weather doesn’t appear to be a factor across any venue tonight, leaving DFS players free to focus on matchups and park factors when building their lineups.

Top Stacks

LAD ($26,300)

Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy

The LAD 5-man stack featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Max Muncy offers strong upside with a projected 43.9 points and a solid value of 1.67 pts/$1000. This stack benefits from elite lineup correlation, as all players are hitting consecutively in the top five spots of the batting order, maximizing RBI and run-scoring opportunities. Despite an average ownership of just 8.1%, the optimal lineup rate of 12.7% suggests this stack is undervalued relative to its ceiling. While the game total is moderate at 8.0 runs, specific ballpark and weather details are unavailable to evaluate additional environmental factors. Overall, this stack combines high-end talent with favorable leverage in tournaments, making it an appealing option for MLB DFS contests.

CHC ($24,300)

Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Dansby Swanson

The CHC 5-man stack of Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, and Dansby Swanson is projected for 42.3 points at a value of 1.74 pts/$1000, making it a moderately efficient option for its $24,300 salary. With players batting consecutively in the top five spots of the order (1-5), this stack benefits from strong lineup correlation, maximizing opportunities for runs and RBIs. The game total of 8.5 suggests a neutral offensive environment, though specifics about the ballpark or weather are unavailable to further assess conditions. The average ownership of 11.5% positions this stack as somewhat popular but not overly chalky, while its optimal rate of 8.6% indicates it has slightly less upside relative to other stacks at similar ownership levels. Overall, this stack offers solid floor potential due to its high-order positioning but may lack significant leverage unless the game environment overperforms expectations.

TB ($19,600)

Yandy Diaz, Jake Mangum, Brandon Lowe, Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero

The Tampa Bay 5-man stack of Yandy Diaz, Jake Mangum, Brandon Lowe, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero offers a solid projected total of 37.1 points with a value of 1.89 pts/$1000 on a $19,600 salary. The lineup is perfectly correlated, occupying the top five spots in the batting order (1-5), which enhances run-scoring and RBI opportunities. While the offensive environment is neutral with an 8.0 game total and no specific ballpark or weather information available, this stack benefits from high lineup synergy and exposure to Tampa Bay’s core hitters. The average ownership of 9.7% is slightly above its optimal rate of 8.2%, suggesting it could be marginally overplayed but still viable in tournaments given its ceiling potential. Overall, this stack provides strong lineup correlation and reasonable value but lacks standout leverage against the field due to its moderate ownership levels.

SP Plays

Top Play: Tyler Glasnow ($10,000)

Tyler Glasnow ($10,000) enters tonight’s matchup against the Braves as one of the top pitching options on the slate, and his 26.1% optimal lineup appearance rate backs that up. While Atlanta’s offense is potent, Glasnow’s elite strikeout ability (career 11.8 K/9) gives him a strong ceiling even in tough spots. He recently showed excellent form in spring training, racking up nine strikeouts over five innings while inducing 15 whiffs in his final tune-up. At $10,000, he offers solid value with a 2.08x projection and leads all pitchers in tournament rankings.

The biggest factor to consider here is Glasnow’s sky-high ownership at 62.5%. While chalk this heavy can be risky in tournaments, it’s hard to ignore his combination of upside and consistency for cash games or small-field GPPs. The Braves’ projected lineup has several high-strikeout bats, giving Glasnow a path to another dominant outing despite the challenging matchup. If you’re comfortable eating the chalk, he’s worth anchoring your lineup around; if not, fading him could create significant leverage opportunities given how popular he’ll be across the field.

Honorable Mentions

• Ben Brown ($7,500)
• Drew Rasmussen ($8,500)
• Kyle Hart ($6,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Danny Jansen ($3,300)

Danny Jansen ($3,300) offers strong value at the catcher position tonight with a 2.0x salary multiplier and a projection of 6.5 DK points. While batting seventh isn’t ideal for maximizing plate appearances, his presence in 15.4% of optimal lineups suggests he’s a viable tournament option in this matchup against Pittsburgh. At just 9.8% projected ownership, Jansen is slightly above the field average, making him neither a contrarian play nor overly chalky—he fits comfortably as a solid mid-tier option for GPPs.

The matchup itself is favorable for Jansen’s right-handed bat, as Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has struggled to neutralize right-handed hitters this season. While his power upside may be somewhat limited by his lineup spot, the Rays’ offense provides plenty of run-scoring potential, giving him opportunities to contribute even from the bottom third of the order. At this price point, Jansen balances affordability with upside and is worth considering in tournament builds where you need salary relief without sacrificing too much production potential.

Honorable Mentions

• Cal Raleigh ($4,300)
• Alejandro Kirk ($3,000)
• Shea Langeliers ($3,900)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,500)

Shohei Ohtani ($6,500) offers a strong combination of power, speed, and plate discipline in tonight’s matchup against Atlanta. As the leadoff hitter for the Dodgers, he’s locked into maximum plate appearances in a high-powered offense. While Atlanta features a solid pitching staff, Ohtani’s left-handed bat gives him an edge against right-handers, particularly in a lineup with plenty of protection behind him. His 19.2% optimal lineup rate underscores his upside at this salary, and his ability to contribute across multiple categories—home runs, runs scored, and even stolen bases—makes him an appealing tournament play.

At 10.5% projected ownership, Ohtani is moderately popular but not overwhelming chalk. This level of ownership strikes a nice balance between leveraging his ceiling and maintaining differentiation from the field. The $6,500 price tag is steep but justified for someone with elite power/speed potential and a strong value projection (1.7x). If you’re looking for a high-upside option with multi-category appeal in GPPs, Ohtani fits the bill as one of the top bats on tonight’s slate.

Honorable Mentions

• Jonathan Aranda ($2,900)
• Freddie Freeman ($5,000)
• Colt Keith ($2,800)

2B Plays

Top Play: Jonathan Aranda ($2,900)

Jonathan Aranda ($2,900) offers intriguing value tonight as he steps into the cleanup spot for Tampa Bay against Pittsburgh. As a left-handed hitter, he’ll have the platoon advantage against a right-handed pitcher, and his strong start to the season (two doubles in his first game) suggests he’s seeing the ball well. At just $2,900, his 2.31x value projection stands out on this slate, and with an optimal lineup appearance rate of 8.92%, there’s clear upside for GPP contests. Hitting fourth maximizes his RBI opportunities in what should be a favorable run-scoring environment.

At 5.87% projected ownership, Aranda is sitting right around field average, making him neither an obvious chalk play nor a significant leverage option. However, his moderate ownership combined with strong value metrics makes him an excellent salary-saving piece to round out lineups without sacrificing upside. If you’re looking for affordable exposure to Tampa Bay’s offense in tournaments, Aranda fits the bill perfectly while offering positional flexibility at both 1B and 2B.

Honorable Mentions

• Tyler Fitzgerald ($3,200)
• Andres Gimenez ($3,800)
• Brandon Lowe ($4,400)

3B Plays

Top Play: Zach McKinstry ($2,300)

Zach McKinstry ($2,300) offers intriguing value in tonight’s slate as a left-handed batter hitting sixth for the Tigers against the Mariners. At just $2,300, he projects for 6.1 DraftKings points with a solid 2.6x value multiplier and appears in nearly 9% of optimal lineups, making him an appealing option for salary relief in tournaments. While batting lower in the order limits his plate appearances slightly, McKinstry’s ability to hit right-handed pitching effectively keeps him viable, especially given his versatility and multi-position eligibility. The matchup against Seattle’s bullpen also adds some upside if Detroit can chase the starter early.

With moderate ownership projected at 10.3%, McKinstry won’t fly under the radar but remains a solid play given his price point and utility on this slate. His ability to contribute across multiple categories—whether through hits, runs, or RBIs—makes him a low-risk filler option for tournament builds needing cap flexibility. While he lacks significant power upside from this lineup spot, his strong value metrics justify taking on the modest ownership, particularly if you’re loading up on higher-priced bats or arms elsewhere.

Honorable Mentions

• Matt Chapman ($4,200)
• Paul DeJong ($2,500)
• Jose Ramirez ($5,900)

SS Plays

Top Play: Mookie Betts ($5,500)

Mookie Betts ($5,500) is in a strong spot tonight against Atlanta, offering both positional flexibility (OF/SS) and an appealing combination of floor and ceiling. Batting second in the Dodgers’ lineup ensures plenty of opportunities in a high-powered offense. While Atlanta’s pitching staff has been solid, Betts’ elite skill set keeps him matchup-proof, and his power-speed combination always makes him a DFS asset. With a 17.9% optimal lineup appearance rate, he’s one of the most likely players to land in winning builds on this slate.

At 10.8% projected ownership, Betts provides moderate leverage relative to the field while still being popular enough to signal confidence from the DFS community. His $5,500 price tag isn’t cheap, but his strong value (1.69x) and ability to fill multiple positions make him worth considering in tournaments. If you’re looking for a premium bat with upside that won’t completely break your salary cap or carry overwhelming chalk, Betts fits the bill perfectly.

Honorable Mentions

• Tyler Fitzgerald ($3,200)
• Willy Adames ($4,500)
• Dansby Swanson ($4,400)

OF Plays

Top Play: Jake Mangum ($2,500)

Jake Mangum ($2,500) offers intriguing value as a near-minimum salary option tonight. Slotted second in the Rays’ lineup against Pittsburgh, Mangum is positioned for maximum plate appearances in a favorable spot. While his MLB experience is limited, he demonstrated strong on-base skills and speed in Triple-A last season, slashing .317/.357/.442 with 20 stolen bases. Facing a Pirates pitching staff that lacks elite arms, Mangum’s contact-driven approach and potential for runs scored make him a viable salary-saving option. His left-handed bat also benefits from PNC Park’s short right field, adding sneaky upside to his profile.

At 10.6% projected ownership, Mangum is drawing moderate interest but remains an excellent value with a 2.64x projection on DraftKings and a solid 9.6% optimal lineup rate. While he won’t provide much power, his low cost allows you to pay up elsewhere without sacrificing production. If you’re looking for a high-floor punt play to round out your roster in tournaments or cash games, Mangum makes sense as part of Tampa Bay’s efficient offense in this matchup.

Honorable Mentions

• Seiya Suzuki ($5,000)
• Heliot Ramos ($3,500)
• Yordan Alvarez ($5,800)

Good luck today! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!