FREE 04/08 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s nine-game MLB DFS slate offers a balanced mix of intriguing pitching matchups and high-scoring environments. The Brewers-Rockies game in Denver stands out with the highest total at 9.5 runs, as Coors Field’s hitter-friendly conditions and a mild 70°F evening with a light breeze blowing left to right make it a prime stacking spot. On the other end of the spectrum, the Phillies-Braves (7.0 total) and Astros-Mariners (7.0 total) feature elite pitching duels with Zack Wheeler facing Chris Sale in Atlanta and Framber Valdez squaring off against Luis Castillo in Seattle, both games catering to those seeking strikeout upside.

Weather looks mostly favorable across the slate, though it’s worth noting the cooler-than-usual 36°F temperature for Rangers-Cubs in Chicago, which could slightly suppress offense despite its 8.0 total. Meanwhile, partly cloudy skies in Tampa (69°F) and Denver (70°F) should have minimal impact, though Coors Field remains a clear standout for offensive production. With several solid pitching options and a couple of high-total games to target, tonight’s slate has plenty of potential paths to success for DFS players.

Top Stacks

MIL 5-Man ($25,600)

Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, William Contreras, Rhys Hoskins, Sal Frelick

The MIL 5-man stack projects for 48.3 points with a solid value of 1.89 pts/$1000, making it a viable option given its strong offensive environment in Denver’s hitter-friendly Coors Field with a game total of 9.5. The weather conditions are favorable, with mild temperatures (70°F) and minimal precipitation risk, though the left-to-right wind (10 MPH) may slightly dampen power to the pull side. The stack benefits from excellent lineup correlation, featuring players batting consecutively in the top five spots of the order (1-5), maximizing run-scoring and RBI potential. Anchored by Christian Yelich and William Contreras, this group also offers positional flexibility (OF-heavy with C/1B coverage). However, ownership sits at an average of 12.4%, slightly elevated compared to its optimal rate of 8.9%, suggesting it may be over-owned relative to upside in large-field GPPs. Overall, this stack is appealing for its ceiling in a high-altitude environment but may require differentiation elsewhere due to moderate ownership concerns.

CIN 5-Man ($19,100)

TJ Friedl, Blake Dunn, Elly De La Cruz, Gavin Lux, Christian Encarnacion-Strand

The CIN 5-man stack of Friedl, Dunn, De La Cruz, Lux, and Encarnacion-Strand offers solid projected points at 36.5 with a respectable value of 1.91 pts/$1000. Facing San Francisco in a pitcher-friendly environment with a game total of just 7.5, the offensive upside is somewhat capped, though the clear weather and 10 MPH winds blowing out provide a slight boost to power potential. The lineup’s tight batting order correlation (1-5) maximizes run-scoring opportunities and RBI potential, enhancing stacking synergy. With an average ownership of just 4.7% but an optimal lineup rate of 8.1%, this stack provides strong leverage in tournaments. While not a premium offensive spot, this low-owned stack could outperform expectations given its efficient salary allocation and favorable lineup positioning.

BAL 5-Man ($23,600)

Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Ryan O’Hearn, Jordan Westburg, Cedric Mullins

The BAL 5-man stack, featuring Henderson, Rutschman, O’Hearn, Westburg, and Mullins, projects for 44.0 points at a value of 1.87 pts/$1000 on a $23,600 salary. With a strong lineup correlation (batting 1-5), this stack maximizes run-scoring opportunities in a high-offense environment with a game total of 9.5. The domed stadium eliminates weather concerns, ensuring consistent hitting conditions. The average ownership of 10.4% is slightly elevated but not prohibitive, while the optimal rate of 8.0% suggests moderate leverage relative to the field. This stack benefits from its concentrated offensive roles at the top of the order, increasing RBI and run potential, though its value is middling compared to other stacks on the slate.

SP Plays

Top Play: Cole Ragans ($8,100)

Cole Ragans ($8,100) is shaping up as a strong mid-range pitching option in tonight’s slate. The left-hander draws a favorable matchup against the Twins, who carry a 25.7% strikeout rate versus southpaws this season, one of the highest marks in the league. Ragans has flashed elite strikeout upside recently, evidenced by his 10-strikeout performance against Milwaukee in his last outing where he generated 20 swinging strikes. While pitch count remains a slight concern—he’s yet to go beyond five innings this season—his ability to miss bats and limit hard contact makes him a high-upside play, especially at this price point.

At 27.5% projected ownership, Ragans will be one of the more popular arms on the slate, but the chalk appears justified given his 2.45x value and presence in 21.8% of optimal lineups. The Twins’ lineup can be dangerous when they’re clicking, but their swing-and-miss tendencies create significant tournament appeal for Ragans, especially if he can work efficiently and push for six innings. While you’ll need to differentiate elsewhere in GPPs due to his high ownership, his strikeout potential at $8,100 makes him worth serious consideration as an anchor for your lineups.

Honorable Mentions

• Freddy Peralta ($7,800)
• Chris Sale ($9,300)
• Framber Valdez ($8,800)

C Plays

Top Play: Danny Jansen ($3,200)

Danny Jansen ($3,200) offers intriguing value at catcher tonight, projecting for 6.4 DK points with a strong 2.01x value multiplier. While hitting seventh isn’t ideal for plate appearances, his modest salary makes him a viable option in tournaments, especially given his 12.2% optimal lineup rate—highest among catchers on the slate. Facing the Angels, Jansen will likely square off against left-handed pitching, a split where he’s historically shown solid power potential. The Rays’ offense also carries some upside in this matchup, making him a reasonable piece in Tampa Bay stacks or as a standalone value play.

At 8.3% projected ownership, Jansen is slightly above field average but not prohibitively chalky. This level of ownership balances risk and reward nicely for GPPs—he’s not so popular that he limits your leverage but still has enough backing to feel like a sharp play given his rank as the top tournament option at his position. If you’re looking to save salary while maintaining upside at catcher, Jansen fits the bill in this mid-tier price range.

Honorable Mentions

• William Contreras ($5,200)
• Travis d’Arnaud ($3,300)
• Sam Huff ($2,000)

1B Plays

Top Play: Casey Schmitt ($2,100)

Casey Schmitt ($2,100) offers intriguing value as a low-cost option in tournaments tonight against Cincinnati. Slotted to bat fifth for the Giants, he’s in a solid run-producing spot in the lineup, which enhances his upside at this price point. While his recent performance has been quiet, Schmitt will face a left-handed pitcher, and there’s potential for success given his right-handed bat. With a projection of 5.52 DK points and a strong 2.63x value rating, he’s an affordable way to differentiate your roster while still maintaining exposure to a mid-lineup hitter.

At just 2.9% projected ownership—below the field average—Schmitt also offers leverage in GPPs, especially considering his 6.4% optimal lineup appearance rate. The low salary allows flexibility to pay up elsewhere without sacrificing too much upside. Though not a flashy play, Schmitt’s combination of lineup placement, matchup, and value makes him worth consideration as a punt option in larger-field tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

• Yuli Gurriel ($2,000)
• Yandy Diaz ($4,000)
• Ryan O’Hearn ($3,700)

2B Plays

Top Play: Tim Tawa ($2,000)

Tim Tawa ($2,000) offers intriguing value as a near-minimum salary option at second base. While his batting order spot (9th) limits his plate appearances, he projects for 5.69 DK points with a strong 2.85x value multiplier, making him an appealing punt play in tournaments. Facing Baltimore, Tawa will likely see a mix of middle relievers after an early look at the starter, which could provide opportunities for contact and run creation. Despite limited MLB experience, his projected optimal lineup rate of 6.3% suggests he’s worth considering as a salary-saving option to unlock higher-priced bats or arms.

At 10.86% expected ownership, Tawa isn’t flying under the radar but remains manageable in GPPs given his low salary and potential value return. The Diamondbacks’ offense isn’t in the best run-scoring environment tonight, but if Arizona can turn over the lineup effectively, Tawa may still contribute through runs or RBI opportunities late in the game. He’s not a must-play by any means, but as one of the few viable sub-$2,500 options at second base, he’s worth mixing into lineups where you need savings without sacrificing too much upside.

Honorable Mentions

• Brandon Lowe ($4,600)
• Tyler Fitzgerald ($3,200)
• Kyle Farmer ($3,200)

3B Plays

Top Play: Junior Caminero ($4,100)

Junior Caminero ($4,100) is an intriguing DFS option at third base tonight against the Angels. Slotted in the heart of Tampa Bay’s lineup (third), he’s positioned for ample run-producing opportunities in a favorable matchup. While his recent production has been underwhelming, Caminero’s raw talent and power upside make him worth consideration, particularly against left-handed pitching. His 2.02x value projection on DraftKings highlights his strong points-per-dollar potential, and Tampa Bay’s offense offers a solid team context to support his upside.

At 14.7% projected ownership, Caminero is likely to be one of the more popular mid-tier plays at the position. While this chalk isn’t unwarranted given his optimal lineup appearance rate (7.68%), it does limit his appeal slightly in tournaments where differentiation matters. Still, with a reasonable salary and premium lineup spot in an above-average hitting environment, Caminero remains a viable option for both cash games and GPPs if you’re comfortable eating some ownership to capture his ceiling.

Honorable Mentions

• Matt Chapman ($4,700)
• Eugenio Suarez ($4,800)
• Ryan McMahon ($4,300)

SS Plays

Top Play: Gunnar Henderson ($5,500)

Gunnar Henderson ($5,500) is a strong play at shortstop tonight against the Diamondbacks. Hitting leadoff for a potent Orioles lineup, Henderson maximizes his opportunities for plate appearances and counting stats in a hitter-friendly environment at Chase Field. As a left-handed batter, he gets the platoon advantage against Arizona’s right-handed starter, who has struggled to contain lefty power in the past. Henderson’s combination of speed and pop (37 HRs and 21 SBs last season) gives him multi-category upside, as evidenced by his two stolen bases and double in Monday’s game. His projection of 10.4 DK points aligns with his ability to contribute across multiple categories.

At 16.7% ownership, Henderson will be chalky compared to the field average but still offers enough upside to justify the popularity in tournaments. He appears in 8.8% of optimal lineups, indicating he’s both a strong value at 1.9x and a viable foundational piece for your builds. While high ownership can sometimes signal a fade opportunity, Henderson’s combination of elite lineup placement, favorable matchup, and proven ceiling makes him worth considering even as chalk—especially if you’re looking for stability with tournament-winning potential at shortstop.

Honorable Mentions

• Tyler Fitzgerald ($3,200)
• Elly De La Cruz ($6,200)
• Joey Ortiz ($4,000)

OF Plays

Top Play: Blake Dunn ($2,500)

Blake Dunn ($2,500) is an intriguing value play in tonight’s DFS slate. Slotted second in the Reds’ lineup, Dunn is positioned for maximum opportunities to contribute, particularly against a Giants pitching staff that has been inconsistent early this season. While his .176 batting average isn’t inspiring, he’s flashed some pop recently with a homer and double in his last three starts. At this price point, his 2.5x value projection stands out, and his inclusion in 11.2% of optimal lineups suggests he’s more than just a punt play. The moderate ownership (5.5%) keeps him from being overly chalky while still offering enough leverage in tournaments.

The matchup against San Francisco is worth noting as Oracle Park isn’t the most hitter-friendly venue, but Dunn’s ability to provide speed and occasional power from the top of the order makes him viable even in less-than-ideal conditions. His multi-category upside gives him a path to outperform his modest salary, especially if Cincinnati can capitalize on scoring opportunities early. For GPPs, Dunn’s combination of low cost and solid lineup placement makes him an excellent way to save salary while maintaining exposure to a potentially productive offense.

Honorable Mentions

• Jackson Chourio ($6,000)
• Cedric Mullins ($4,500)
• Sal Frelick ($4,100)

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