FREE 04/28 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 6-game MLB DFS slate offers a mix of intriguing matchups and high-scoring potential, with three games carrying totals of 9.5 runs. The Yankees-Orioles and Cardinals-Reds matchups stand out as appealing hitting environments, with warm weather and light winds in both Baltimore and Cincinnati likely to keep the ball carrying. Meanwhile, the Braves-Rockies game at Coors Field has the highest total on the slate at 10 runs, though cooler temperatures and a slight chance of precipitation in Denver could have a modest impact on offense.

On the pitching side, Dustin May takes the mound for the Dodgers against Miami in a game with an 8.5-run total, offering some strikeout upside in favorable conditions at Dodger Stadium. Jack Flaherty faces Houston in a low-total (7.5) matchup inside a dome, making it one of the better spots for pitchers tonight. Keep an eye on park factors and weather edges as you build your lineups—Coors is always tempting for bats, but don’t overlook sneaky value plays in lower-total games.

Top Stacks

LAD 5-Man ($27,000)

Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman

The 5-man LAD stack projects for 48.1 points at a solid value of 1.78 pts/$1000, making it a viable high-upside option in MLB DFS contests. With all players occupying the top five spots in the batting order, the lineup offers excellent correlation, maximizing opportunities for run production and RBI potential. The matchup takes place in Los Angeles under clear conditions (63°F, 9 MPH wind blowing out), which slightly enhances power potential in an already hitter-friendly environment. The game total of 8.5 suggests moderate offensive upside, but with elite hitters like Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman anchoring the stack, there’s significant ceiling potential against most pitching matchups. Ownership sits at a manageable 11.3%, while the optimal rate of 14.4% indicates slight leverage on the field. This stack is well-suited for tournaments given its combination of top-tier talent, lineup synergy, and favorable weather conditions.

NYY 5-Man ($23,300)

Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm Jr.

The NYY 5-man stack projects for 47.7 points with a solid value of 2.05 pts/$1000, making it a viable option for MLB DFS lineups. This stack benefits from a favorable offensive environment, with a game total of 9.5 and clear weather conditions (73°F, 0% precipitation, and an 8 MPH crosswind in Baltimore). The batting order positions (1-5) maximize lineup correlation and run production potential, as these players are likely to see the most plate appearances and opportunities to drive in or score runs. With an average ownership of 11.7% and an optimal rate of 11.0%, this stack offers balanced leverage in tournaments without being overly contrarian. Facing Baltimore’s pitching staff in hitter-friendly Camden Yards further enhances the upside of this stack, particularly given Aaron Judge’s power and the strong mix of lefty-righty matchups across the lineup.

STL 5-Man ($20,100)

Lars Nootbaar, Willson Contreras, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman

The STL 5-man stack of Nootbaar, Contreras, Donovan, Arenado, and Gorman projects for 41.5 points with a solid value of 2.06 pts/$1000 on a $20,100 salary. This lineup benefits from strong batting order correlation, as all five players are positioned consecutively (1-5), maximizing RBI and run-scoring opportunities. Facing Cincinnati in a hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park with a high game total of 9.5 and clear weather (79°F, minimal wind impact), the offensive environment is favorable. The stack’s average ownership (10.7%) aligns closely with its optimal lineup rate (10.2%), suggesting it’s appropriately leveraged for tournaments without being overly chalky. This combination of strong projection, lineup synergy, and moderate ownership makes the stack an appealing option in DFS contests.

SP Plays

Top Play: Ronel Blanco ($8,300)

Ronel Blanco ($8,300) is one of the most intriguing pitching options on tonight’s slate, especially in tournaments. Facing the Tigers, who rank near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories and carry a 25.4% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching, Blanco finds himself in an ideal matchup. His recent performance has been inconsistent, but his ability to generate whiffs (12 in his last outing) and work deeper into games when efficient gives him both a solid floor and some upside at this price point. Detroit’s lackluster offense combined with Houston’s pitcher-friendly ballpark further boosts his appeal.

Blanco’s projected ownership of 37.4% is steep, but it’s not unwarranted given that he appears in 36.9% of optimal lineups and offers strong value at 2x his salary. While high ownership can sometimes be a concern in GPPs, this chalk looks justified given the matchup and his $8,300 price tag that allows you to comfortably fit higher-end bats elsewhere. If you’re looking for leverage, fading him might make sense in large-field tournaments, but for single-entry or small-field contests, he’s a strong play with minimal risk.

Honorable Mentions

• Dustin May ($9,500)
• Jack Flaherty ($10,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Will Smith ($3,900)

Will Smith ($3,900) offers strong value at catcher in tonight’s DFS slate, especially given his premium matchup against the Marlins. With a projection of 8.05 DK points and a solid 2.07x value multiplier, he stands out as the top-ranked catcher for tournaments. Batting sixth in a potent Dodgers lineup provides him ample RBI opportunities, and while this spot limits plate appearances slightly compared to higher-order hitters, it still keeps him firmly in play for run production. The Marlins’ pitching staff hasn’t been particularly imposing, making this a favorable environment for Smith to deliver.

At 11.6% projected ownership, Smith is moderately popular but not prohibitively chalky. His 13.12% optimal lineup percentage suggests he’s appropriately valued, and his combination of power and consistency makes him a reliable mid-tier option at a tough-to-fill position. While his recent performance has been quiet (0-for-7 over his last two starts), his ability to rack up fantasy points quickly—evidenced by his 23-point DraftKings outing just days ago—keeps him firmly in play as a tournament option with upside.

Honorable Mentions

• Yainer Diaz ($2,800)
• Shea Langeliers ($4,500)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,500)

Shohei Ohtani ($6,500) is always a premier option in DFS, and tonight’s matchup against Miami is no exception. Leading off for the Dodgers, Ohtani offers maximum plate appearance potential in one of the league’s most potent offenses. His .380 OBP and .550 SLG this season highlight his ability to get on base and deliver power, while his dual-threat profile as a left-handed batter facing right-handed pitching adds to his appeal. Miami’s pitching staff has struggled to contain lefty bats, making this an ideal spot for Ohtani to capitalize on a favorable matchup.

At 17.6% projected ownership, Ohtani will be one of the more popular plays on the slate, but it’s hard to argue against him given his consistency and upside. He appears in 18.4% of optimal lineups with a strong 1.83x value rating, making him worth the salary despite the chalky ownership. If you’re looking for differentiation in tournaments, consider pairing him with lower-owned Dodgers teammates or leveraging elsewhere in your lineup. With elite skills and a prime lineup spot, Ohtani remains a top-tier option even at elevated ownership levels.

Honorable Mentions

• Willson Contreras ($3,400)
• Paul Goldschmidt ($4,100)

2B Plays

Top Play: Luis Urias ($2,500)

Luis Urías ($2,500) offers strong value in tonight’s DFS slate with a 2.63x salary multiplier and a modest projection of 6.58 DraftKings points. While his seventh spot in the lineup isn’t ideal for maximizing plate appearances, his recent surge at the plate—batting .304 with three homers over his last seven starts—makes him an intriguing option. Facing the Rangers, who have a below-average bullpen and play in a hitter-friendly ballpark, Urías carries sneaky upside for tournaments given his power potential and multi-position eligibility (2B/3B). His 16% optimal lineup rate reinforces that he’s more than just a punt play.

At 13.3% projected ownership, Urías is slightly above field average but not prohibitively chalky for GPPs. This level of ownership reflects his affordability and recent production without making him overly popular to the point of losing leverage. For those looking to save salary while still getting exposure to a player with home run upside and solid recent form, Urías profiles as a high-value option who can differentiate lineups without feeling like a reach.

Honorable Mentions

• Nolan Gorman ($3,500)
• Brendan Donovan ($4,300)

3B Plays

Top Play: Josh Jung ($3,500)

Josh Jung ($3,500) presents a strong value option at third base tonight in a favorable matchup against the Athletics. Slotted in the heart of the Rangers’ lineup (batting third), he’s positioned to maximize run-producing opportunities in a game where Texas is expected to score plenty. Jung’s recent production has been steady, averaging 7.2 DK points over his last five games, highlighted by his power/speed upside with a home run and a stolen base during that span. Facing an Athletics pitching staff that ranks near the bottom of the league in most key metrics, including allowing significant power to right-handed hitters, Jung profiles as an excellent mid-range option for both cash games and tournaments.

At 16.2% projected ownership, Jung will be moderately popular but not overwhelmingly chalky. His appearance in 11.8% of optimal lineups suggests he’s worth considering even if he doesn’t offer contrarian leverage. With his combination of lineup spot, matchup, and price point yielding a solid 2.25x value projection, there’s little reason to fade him unless you’re building highly unique GPP lineups. Overall, Jung offers one of the better floor/ceiling combinations at his position tonight without breaking the bank.

Honorable Mentions

• Noelvi Marte ($3,800)
• Max Muncy ($2,900)

SS Plays

Top Play: Mookie Betts ($5,500)

Mookie Betts ($5,500) offers a compelling option at shortstop tonight in a matchup against the Marlins. Slotted second in the Dodgers’ potent lineup, Betts is primed for maximum plate appearances and run-scoring opportunities. His .304/.400/.554 slash line this season reflects his ability to get on base consistently while also delivering power when needed. Facing a right-handed pitcher, Betts’ balanced splits and elite plate discipline keep him in play regardless of handedness. With an optimal lineup appearance rate of 17.9% and strong value at 1.8x, he’s worth serious consideration in both cash games and tournaments.

At 14.6% projected ownership, Betts is slightly above the field average but not chalky enough to fade outright. He’s been steady even during brief cold stretches, as shown by his recent two-hit game that included a home run and double. The Dodgers have one of the highest implied team totals on the slate, further boosting his appeal in what should be a favorable hitting environment. While the salary is hefty, Betts’ combination of power, speed upside, and premium lineup spot make him a strong option for those willing to pay up at shortstop.

Honorable Mentions

• Gunnar Henderson ($5,200)
• Anthony Volpe ($4,200)

OF Plays

Top Play: Trent Grisham ($3,500)

Trent Grisham ($3,500) offers strong value in tonight’s slate as he leads off for the Yankees against the Orioles. Batting at the top of the order maximizes his plate appearances, and his left-handed bat gets a favorable matchup against Baltimore’s right-handed pitching staff. Grisham’s power has been on full display with seven home runs in just 65 plate appearances this season, ranking third in AB/HR (8.14) among qualified hitters. The 16.1% optimal lineup rate reflects his upside, making him an appealing option at a moderate salary.

While his projected ownership (12.8%) is slightly above average, it’s not high enough to deter tournament exposure, especially given his excellent value (2.52x). Grisham’s ability to hit for power and get on base (.420 OBP in recent weeks) makes him a strong play in what could be a high-scoring environment at Camden Yards, which is known to favor left-handed hitters. His combination of opportunity, production, and price point makes him a top GPP option worth considering in all contest formats.

Honorable Mentions

• Kevin Pillar ($2,700)
• Tommy Edman ($4,400)

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!