FREE 05/02 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 12-game MLB slate offers a variety of intriguing DFS options, with several high-total games and weather conditions to consider. The KC-BAL (9.0 O/U) and MIN-BOS (9.0 O/U) matchups stand out as potential high-scoring environments, especially with hitter-friendly winds blowing out in both Baltimore and Boston. Meanwhile, the LAD-ATL game (9.0 O/U) could be appealing for stacks but comes with some weather risk due to a 43% chance of rain in Atlanta, so keep an eye on updates closer to lock. On the pitching side, Framber Valdez draws a favorable matchup against the White Sox in a low-total (7.5 O/U) game with cooler temps in Chicago.

Weather will play a key role across the slate, with several games featuring mild winds that could impact hitting conditions. In New York, the TB-NYY matchup (8.5 O/U) has winds blowing right to left, while St. Louis (NYM-STL, 7.5 O/U) faces a moderate rain threat at 34%. Late-night games like DET-LAA and COL-SF offer more stable conditions, including clear skies in Anaheim and pitcher-friendly temperatures in San Francisco despite a slight wind boost blowing out. With domed stadiums hosting four of tonight’s matchups, you’ll also find some safer options for hitters and pitchers unaffected by weather concerns.

Top Stacks

ATH 5-Man ($22,600)

Lawrence Butler, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers

The ATH 5-man stack projects for 44.4 points at a solid value of 1.96 pts/$1000, making it a viable mid-range option in MLB DFS contests. The stack features excellent lineup correlation with players occupying the top five spots in the batting order (1-5), maximizing opportunities for run creation and RBI potential. While no game total or weather data is provided, this group benefits from full exposure to the heart of the ATH offense, including power threats like Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers. With an average ownership of just 6.9% and an optimal lineup rate of 7.8%, this stack offers leverage in tournaments, especially if it outperforms projections relative to its modest popularity. The multi-positional eligibility of players like Tyler Soderstrom adds flexibility when constructing lineups, further enhancing its appeal in GPP formats.

LAD 5-Man ($27,300)

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

The LAD 5-man stack featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Will Smith projects for 49.7 points at a solid value of 1.82 pts/$1000. This lineup benefits from elite lineup correlation, as all players are positioned consecutively in the batting order (1-5), maximizing RBI and run-scoring opportunities. The offensive environment is favorable, with a game total of 9.0 and wind blowing out at 7 MPH in Atlanta, though the 43% chance of rain introduces potential delay or cancellation risk. The matchup against Atlanta’s pitching staff could be challenging depending on the starter, but this stack’s power-heavy profile and strong individual hitters mitigate that risk. Ownership is moderate at 8.3%, slightly exceeding its optimal rate of 7.6%, making it a viable option but not overly contrarian in tournaments. Overall, this stack offers strong upside in high-scoring conditions but comes with slight weather-related uncertainty.

KC 5-Man ($18,200)

Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Maikel Garcia, Michael Massey

The KC 5-man stack, featuring Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, Maikel Garcia, and Michael Massey, projects for 42.3 points with a solid value of 2.32 pts/$1000 at a total salary of $18,200. This lineup benefits from strong positional correlation (1-5 batting order) that maximizes run creation opportunities in a game with a favorable 9.0 total. The matchup against Baltimore’s pitching staff in hitter-friendly conditions—82°F with 6 MPH wind blowing out—adds upside to the offensive environment. Ownership is moderate at an average of 9.3%, slightly outpacing its optimal rate of 7.3%, which makes it a viable but not overly contrarian play in tournaments. Overall, this stack offers solid upside and lineup synergy but may lack significant leverage relative to its ownership levels in large-field contests.

SP Plays

Top Play: Robbie Ray ($8,600)

Robbie Ray ($8,600) is positioned as one of the top pitching options on tonight’s slate, and it’s easy to see why. He draws a favorable matchup against the Rockies, whose well-documented struggles on the road make them a prime target. Colorado has one of the league’s lowest wRC+ marks away from Coors Field and strikes out at a 25.3% clip versus left-handed pitching this season. Ray has shown flashes of his strikeout upside recently, including an eight-strikeout performance over seven innings in his last start. While his 3.73 ERA and 1.40 WHIP suggest some volatility, his ability to miss bats (33 Ks in 31.1 IP) provides a solid floor with tournament-winning upside at this salary.

At 38.6% projected ownership, Ray is clearly popular, but that chalk feels justified given his combination of price point, matchup, and strikeout potential. His $8,600 salary offers strong value (2.49x), and he appears in 14.4% of optimal lineups—both indicators of his viability in all contest formats. The biggest concern here is efficiency; Ray has struggled with walks at times (19 BBs on the season), which could limit his ceiling if he can’t work deep into the game. That said, with Colorado’s weak offense and elevated strikeout rate, he’s worth embracing even at high ownership in cash games or GPPs where you’re prioritizing raw points over leverage.

Honorable Mentions

• Tarik Skubal ($10,500)
• Gunnar Hoglund ($4,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Yainer Diaz ($3,000)

Yainer Diaz offers intriguing value at just $3,000 tonight in a matchup against the White Sox. Slated to bat sixth for the Astros, Diaz has shown consistent production recently, including a 12-point DK performance two games ago. While his lineup spot isn’t ideal for maximizing plate appearances, it’s still serviceable given Houston’s strong offense and their implied team total hovering around 4.5 runs. Facing a right-handed pitcher in a hitter-friendly park like Guaranteed Rate Field adds further appeal, especially considering Diaz’s ability to hit for power (four homers in April) and his 2.44x value projection.

At an expected 9% ownership, Diaz is slightly more popular than the field average but remains manageable in tournaments given his strong GPP rank (1st) and appearance in 7.7% of optimal lineups. His moderate ownership reflects his affordability and upside without being overly chalky, making him a solid option for both cash games and GPPs. If you’re looking for salary relief at catcher without sacrificing too much ceiling, Diaz fits the bill nicely in this spot.

Honorable Mentions

• Agustin Ramirez ($4,200)
• Will Smith ($4,000)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,300)

Shohei Ohtani ($6,300) remains one of the most dynamic DFS options, and tonight’s matchup against the Braves presents an intriguing spot. Batting leadoff for the Dodgers gives him maximum plate appearance potential, and his combination of power and speed is unmatched. Over his last five games, he’s racked up three stolen bases and two home runs while averaging 20.2 DraftKings points per game. Facing a right-handed pitcher in Atlanta could play to his strengths as a left-handed hitter, especially given Truist Park’s favorable dimensions for power hitters.

At 14.6% projected ownership, Ohtani will be chalky, but it’s hard to argue against it given his consistency and upside. His 12.9% optimal lineup rate supports the idea that he’s worth paying up for despite the heavy ownership. While the $6,300 salary is steep, his ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him a strong play in both cash games and tournaments. If you’re fading him in GPPs, make sure your pivot has comparable upside because passing on Ohtani always carries risk when he’s this locked in at the plate.

Honorable Mentions

• Vinnie Pasquantino ($3,100)
• Tyler Soderstrom ($4,700)

2B Plays

Top Play: Michael Massey ($2,400)

Michael Massey ($2,400) offers intriguing value at second base tonight in GPPs. Projected for 6.83 DraftKings points with a strong 2.84x value rating, he’s an affordable option in a Royals lineup that lacks star power but could benefit from Camden Yards’ hitter-friendly dimensions. Massey is expected to bat fifth, a premium RBI spot, and faces a Baltimore pitching staff that has been inconsistent against left-handed hitters. While his .188/.206/.219 slash line this season is concerning, his low salary and presence in 8.32% of optimal lineups suggest he could be worth the risk in tournaments.

Ownership sits at a moderate 9.01%, slightly above the field average but not prohibitive for GPPs. Given his salary and lineup position, Massey provides some leverage as a value play on a slate where paying up for pitching might be necessary. While he’s far from a safe option due to his struggles at the plate, his combination of price point and projected opportunity makes him an interesting tournament dart throw in multi-entry builds.

Honorable Mentions

• Jose Altuve ($4,800)
• Edouard Julien ($3,300)

3B Plays

Top Play: Jonathan India ($3,200)

Jonathan India ($3,200) offers strong value tonight as he leads off for Kansas City in a favorable matchup against Baltimore. Batting first maximizes his plate appearance potential, and his ability to contribute across multiple categories enhances his floor. While India hasn’t shown much power or speed lately, his consistent ability to get on base and score runs (five runs in his last five games) aligns well with Kansas City’s implied team total. At a 2.55x value projection and appearing in nearly 9% of optimal lineups, India profiles as a solid mid-range option with upside.

However, his projected 10.9% ownership is worth considering in tournaments. While he’s priced affordably and ranked as the top GPP value for the slate, high ownership could limit leverage opportunities if he underperforms. That said, the chalk appears reasonable given his lineup spot and matchup against a Baltimore pitching staff that has struggled to contain right-handed hitters this season. If you’re looking for a reliable piece at a modest salary, India makes sense even in higher-ownership builds.

Honorable Mentions

• Matt Chapman ($4,500)
• Rafael Devers ($4,800)

SS Plays

Top Play: Willy Adames ($3,600)

Willy Adames ($3,600) offers strong value tonight in a favorable matchup against Colorado. Hitting second in the Giants’ lineup, he’s positioned for plenty of plate appearances and run-scoring opportunities. Adames has been heating up at the plate, slashing .294/.381/.529 over his last five games with a homer, four RBIs, and three runs scored. His recent surge coincides with an 11.4% optimal lineup rate, which highlights his potential to deliver at this salary. With a 2.45x value projection and an implied team total that suggests offensive production, Adames is a solid mid-tier option at shortstop.

At 11.8% projected ownership, Adames will be relatively popular compared to the field average, but the chalk appears warranted given his price point and matchup. He’s facing a Colorado pitching staff that struggles on the road and lacks quality arms to neutralize right-handed hitters like Adames. While his ownership makes him less of a contrarian play in tournaments, his consistency and upside in this game environment justify inclusion in both cash games and GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Carlos Correa ($3,400)
• Joey Ortiz ($2,600)

OF Plays

Top Play: Lawrence Butler ($4,500)

Lawrence Butler is an intriguing tournament play at $4,500, especially given his leadoff spot against the Marlins. As a left-handed hitter, he’ll face a right-handed starter in Miami, a park that slightly suppresses power but can still support offense in the right matchups. While Butler’s recent production has been inconsistent, his grand slam earlier this week highlights his upside. His .254/.328/.432 slash line on the season isn’t eye-popping, but his spot atop the order maximizes plate appearances and opportunities to rack up runs and RBI in what could be a competitive game.

At 6.7% projected ownership, Butler offers modest leverage for tournaments without being overly contrarian. His 12.8% optimal lineup rate and solid 2.1x value suggest he’s priced fairly for his potential upside. While he doesn’t come with elite power or speed metrics, the combination of batting leadoff and facing a vulnerable pitching staff makes him worth consideration as part of an Athletics stack or as a standalone value option in GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Trent Grisham ($3,900)
• Ramon Laureano ($2,400)

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