FREE 04/02 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Today’s 10-game MLB slate offers a solid mix of pitching and hitting options, with a few intriguing matchups standing out for DFS purposes. The Royals-Brewers game (7.5 total) and Pirates-Rays matchup (7.0 total) feature the lowest implied scoring environments, making pitchers like Freddy Peralta and Ryan Pepiot appealing for those targeting strikeout upside. On the flip side, higher totals in games like Nationals-Blue Jays (8.5) and Mets-Marlins (8.5) hint at potential stacking opportunities, especially with less reliable arms on the mound.

For pitching, Luis Castillo draws a favorable spot against Detroit in a game with the slate’s lowest total (6.5), while Pablo López also gets a plus matchup against the White Sox in Chicago (7.0 total). Hitting-wise, Toronto looks interesting against MacKenzie Gore’s inconsistencies, while Houston bats could find success against San Francisco rookie Landen Roupp in their 8.0-total contest. Weather doesn’t appear to be a concern across any venues today, so focus on park factors and matchups as you build your lineups.

Top Stacks

NYM ($26,400)

Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos

The NYM 5-man stack of Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Mark Vientos projects for 47.3 points with a solid value of 1.79 pts/$1000, making it a competitive option in DFS lineups. This stack benefits from optimal lineup correlation with players batting consecutively in the top five spots of the order (1-5), maximizing run creation and RBI opportunities. While the ballpark and weather conditions are unspecified, the game total of 8.5 suggests a moderately favorable offensive environment against their opponent. Ownership is moderate at 11.9%, slightly outpacing its optimal rate of 10.8%, which could make this stack slightly over-owned in large-field tournaments but still viable given its upside. With high-powered hitters like Alonso and Soto anchoring the group, this stack offers strong potential if the Mets’ offense performs as expected.

WSH ($20,000)

CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, James Wood, Josh Bell, Amed Rosario

The WSH 5-man stack, consisting of CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, James Wood, Josh Bell, and Amed Rosario, offers a solid projected total of 39.9 points at an efficient value of 2.00 pts/$1000. With all five hitters positioned consecutively in the batting order (1-5), the lineup correlation is strong, maximizing RBI and run-scoring opportunities. The game’s 8.5 total suggests a moderate offensive environment, though the lack of ballpark and weather details limits further analysis of external factors. The stack’s average ownership of 10.6% places it in a mid-tier range for leverage, but its optimal rate of 8.2% indicates slightly negative expected value in terms of lineup efficiency. While this group benefits from its cohesive lineup positioning and reasonable salary allocation, it may struggle to differentiate itself in tournaments without a favorable matchup or environmental boost.

KC ($24,200)

Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, Michael Massey

The KC 5-man stack featuring Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, and Michael Massey projects for 38.7 points with a solid value of 1.60 pts/$1000 on a $24,200 salary. This stack benefits from strong lineup correlation, as all five hitters are positioned consecutively in the batting order (1-5), maximizing RBI and run-scoring opportunities. Despite playing in a game with a modest total of 7.5 runs and an unknown ballpark environment, the stack’s low average ownership (5.1%) makes it an appealing tournament option given its optimal lineup rate of 7.4%, suggesting leverage against the field. Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez provide high-upside power potential, while India and Massey offer secondary run production capabilities. Overall, this stack is best suited for GPPs due to its combination of upside, correlation, and relatively low ownership in a neutral offensive setting.

SP Plays

Top Play: Paul Skenes ($10,300)

Paul Skenes comes into tonight’s matchup against the Rays as one of the highest-owned pitchers on the slate, and for good reason. At $10,300, he’s projected for 22.6 DraftKings points with a solid 2.2x value multiplier and appears in over 21% of optimal lineups. Tampa Bay strikes out at a league-average rate versus right-handed pitching, but Skenes’ elite strikeout ability (7 Ks in just 5.1 innings on Opening Day) gives him significant upside even against a capable offense. While Tropicana Field is neutral for run production, it does suppress home runs slightly, which could help mitigate risk in this spot.

The high ownership (32.3%) makes Skenes chalky, but it seems warranted given his ceiling and consistency dating back to last season’s NL Rookie of the Year campaign. The Pirates’ bullpen struggles are worth noting if you’re banking on the win bonus, but Skenes should still have a strong floor with his strikeout potential and ability to work deep into games. While he’s not a must-play in GPPs due to his popularity, fading him entirely could be risky given his optimal lineup percentage and the lack of comparable options at his price point.

Honorable Mentions

• Pablo Lopez ($8,500)
• Tarik Skubal ($10,000)
• Cole Ragans ($8,100)

C Plays

Top Play: Luis Torrens ($2,500)

Luis Torrens ($2,500) offers intriguing value as a low-cost catcher option in tonight’s DFS slate. Batting seventh for the Mets against Miami, Torrens projects for 6.2 DK points with a strong 2.5x value multiplier, making him a viable salary-saving play. While the lower lineup spot limits his plate appearances, his recent performance (.364 with a home run in limited at-bats this season) suggests he’s capable of delivering production in a pinch. With Miami’s pitching staff allowing consistent contact and the Mets sporting an offense capable of creating run-scoring opportunities throughout the order, Torrens could return solid value relative to his price.

At 7.4% projected ownership, Torrens’ popularity aligns slightly above field average but doesn’t stand out as excessive chalk. This makes him a reasonable mid-range play for tournaments, especially given his 7% optimal lineup rate and modest power upside. While he lacks elite ceiling compared to higher-priced options, rostering Torrens allows you to allocate salary toward premium bats or arms elsewhere in your lineup. For GPP players seeking affordability without sacrificing too much upside, Torrens is worth consideration in a favorable matchup against Miami’s pitching staff.

Honorable Mentions

• Shea Langeliers ($4,000)
• Alejandro Kirk ($3,200)
• Mitch Garver ($2,400)

1B Plays

Top Play: Josh Bell ($2,900)

Josh Bell ($2,900) offers intriguing value tonight as he steps into the cleanup spot against the Blue Jays. His left-handed bat gets a favorable matchup in Toronto’s hitter-friendly Rogers Centre, where he’s set to face a right-hander. While Bell’s power numbers have been steady over recent seasons, his affordable salary and 2.64x value projection make him an appealing option for tournaments. With a projection of 7.6 DK points and a spot in 7% of optimal lineups, he’s positioned well to provide solid production at low cost.

At 9.7% ownership, Bell is slightly above field average but not chalky enough to be a concern. He’s projected as the top tournament value at first base, which aligns with his moderate upside in this matchup. Batting fourth guarantees RBI opportunities, especially if the Nationals can capitalize on Toronto’s bullpen struggles late in the game. At this price point, Bell is a strong mid-tier play who offers both stability and potential upside in GPPs without breaking the bank.

Honorable Mentions

• Nathaniel Lowe ($3,200)
• Colt Keith ($2,800)
• Luken Baker ($2,300)

2B Plays

Top Play: Amed Rosario ($3,200)

Amed Rosario ($3,200) offers solid value at 2.19x with a projected 7.02 DK points, making him an intriguing option at second base tonight. Slotted fifth in the Nationals’ lineup, he’s in a decent run-producing spot against Toronto’s pitching staff, though the matchup isn’t ideal given the Blue Jays’ strong bullpen and pitcher-friendly Rogers Centre environment. As a right-handed hitter, Rosario doesn’t get any notable platoon advantage here, but his salary keeps him in play as a cost-saving option if you’re looking to pay up elsewhere.

The 13% ownership projection is relatively high for a player of his profile, which slightly dampens his appeal in tournaments where leverage matters. However, the combination of affordability and potential lineup security makes him viable in cash games or as a secondary piece in GPPs if you’re stacking Nationals bats. While he’s unlikely to provide massive upside, his optimal percentage (7.68%) suggests he has enough utility to warrant consideration in certain roster builds.

Honorable Mentions

• Colt Keith ($2,800)
• Jake Cronenworth ($3,700)
• Willi Castro ($3,500)

3B Plays

Top Play: Paul DeJong ($2,600)

Paul DeJong offers intriguing value at just $2,600, especially for tournaments. While his eighth spot in the Nationals’ lineup limits his plate appearances, his recent success (3-for-3 with two doubles on Sunday) suggests he could provide some sneaky upside against Toronto. DeJong has shown power potential in the past, slugging 24 homers last season, and he’ll face a Blue Jays pitching staff that has been inconsistent in suppressing right-handed bats. His projection of 5.93 DK points and 2.28x value makes him a solid salary-saving option if you’re looking to pay up elsewhere.

At 8.7% projected ownership, DeJong is slightly above field average but not overwhelmingly chalky. This level of ownership feels appropriate given his low price tag and decent power upside in GPP formats. However, his high strikeout rate (over 30% each of the last three seasons) adds volatility to his profile, making him more suited for tournament play than cash games. If you need a punt at third base, DeJong’s combination of affordability and occasional pop makes him worth considering in lineups targeting leverage or stars-and-scrubs builds.

Honorable Mentions

• Nolan Arenado ($4,200)
• Zach McKinstry ($2,200)
• Jared Triolo ($2,000)

SS Plays

Top Play: Francisco Lindor ($5,500)

Francisco Lindor ($5,500) is in a prime spot tonight as he leads off for the Mets against the Marlins. Batting first maximizes his plate appearances, and his power-speed combo always makes him a threat to deliver big fantasy points. While he’s yet to record a hit this season, it’s far too early to be concerned given his track record. Facing Miami’s pitching staff in a hitter-friendly climate should provide plenty of opportunities for Lindor to contribute offensively. His 1.85x value projection and inclusion in 15.3% of optimal lineups highlight his strong potential relative to salary.

At 16.8% ownership, Lindor will be chalky in tournaments, but it’s easy to see why. His ability to impact the game across multiple categories—home runs, stolen bases, and runs scored—gives him a high ceiling, especially against a Marlins team that lacks elite arms outside of their ace. While the heavy ownership might make him less appealing as a differentiator in GPPs, it’s justified given his leadoff role and matchup upside. If you’re comfortable eating chalk at shortstop tonight, Lindor makes for a strong foundational piece in both cash games and tournaments alike.

Honorable Mentions

• CJ Abrams ($5,000)
• Bobby Witt Jr. ($6,000)
• Tyler Fitzgerald ($3,300)

OF Plays

Top Play: Jesse Winker ($2,800)

Jesse Winker ($2,800) is an intriguing value option in tonight’s slate, particularly for tournaments. Projected for 7.3 DK points with a solid 2.6x value rating, Winker ranks first in Hero GPP rank and appears in 10.3% of optimal lineups. He’ll face the Marlins and right-hander Cal Quantrill, who has struggled against left-handed bats in the past. While hitting sixth isn’t ideal for maximizing plate appearances, it still positions him to contribute in run-producing situations if the Mets’ lineup can turn over effectively. At just $2,800, he provides salary relief without sacrificing upside.

Winker’s expected ownership of 8.7% is slightly above average but manageable in tournaments given his optimal rate and value metrics. His left-handed bat could take advantage of Quantrill’s splits, and while Miami’s ballpark isn’t exactly hitter-friendly, it doesn’t completely suppress offense either. As a moderately owned player with strong metrics at this price point, Winker makes sense as a secondary piece to differentiate your lineups while maintaining solid projection-based value.

Honorable Mentions

• Juan Soto ($6,300)
• James Wood ($4,900)
• Jordan Walker ($2,500)

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