FREE 05/20 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 11-game MLB slate features some solid scoring potential, with four games carrying totals of 9 or more runs. The Phillies-Rockies matchup stands out with the highest total at 11 runs in Denver’s hitter-friendly environment, while Tampa Bay-Houston and Texas-New York both have totals above 8.5, offering good stacking opportunities. Weather looks mostly favorable for hitters in New York and Tampa, with light winds that could provide a slight boost.

That said, there are some weather concerns to keep in mind. The Seattle-Chicago game faces a high chance of rain and possible delays, which could limit DFS options there. Similarly, the Minnesota-Cleveland game has a heavy rain forecast that might impact playing time or conditions. St. Louis should be fine overall but keep an eye on a small chance of rain and moderate wind that could influence run scoring in that ballpark.

Top Stacks

SEA 5-Man ($23,100)

J.P. Crawford, Jorge Polanco, Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena

The SEA stack offers a solid value at 2.08 points per $1000 with a total salary of $23,100, aligning with an average ownership and optimal lineup rate of 9.1%, indicating moderate popularity without oversaturation. The game total is set at 8.5 runs, suggesting a reasonably favorable offensive environment for this stack. However, weather conditions pose a significant risk, with a 72% chance of rain, likely delays or postponement, and a 16 MPH wind blowing in at 54°F in Chicago, which could suppress run-scoring opportunities. Given the moderate ownership and decent value against these weather challenges, this stack may offer upside if the game proceeds as scheduled but carries notable risk due to potential weather disruptions.

ATH 5-Man ($21,400)

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

The ATH stack offers solid value at 2.16 points per $1000 with a total salary of $21,400, making it an efficient use of salary cap space. With an average ownership of 9.3% and an optimal lineup rate slightly lower at 8.5%, this stack presents a moderately leveraged play that is not overly chalky but still popular enough to be relevant in large-field tournaments. The inclusion of key contributors like Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker supports consistent scoring potential. No specific game total or weather conditions are noted, so no external factors impact expected performance. Overall, the stack balances cost-effectiveness and moderate ownership in a neutral context, making it a reasonable option depending on opposing pitching matchups.

LAD 5-Man ($27,100)

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

The LAD stack offers solid value at 1.81 points per $1000 on a total salary of $27,100, indicating efficient production relative to cost. With an average ownership of 7.9% and an optimal lineup rate of 8.1%, this stack strikes a balance between leverage and popularity, making it a viable option for both cash games and tournaments. The game total sits at a moderate 9.5 runs, supported by ideal weather conditions—clear skies, 76°F temperature, no precipitation, and a 10 MPH wind blowing out—favoring offensive output in Los Angeles. Featuring high-impact bats like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts alongside consistent producers Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Max Muncy enhances the stack’s upside against likely favorable pitching matchups given the implied run environment.

SP Plays

Top Play: Gavin Williams ($7,600)

Gavin Williams offers solid DFS value at $7,600 facing the Twins on the road. He’s shown good strikeout upside recently with 14 Ks to just 5 walks over his last two starts and has averaged around five innings per outing. While he hasn’t pushed deep into games consistently, his ability to limit runs—allowing just two in that span—keeps his floor respectable in a neutral run environment like Target Field.

His 16.4% ownership aligns well with his profile as a strong mid-range option who ranks first in our GPP model and appears in nearly 18% of optimal lineups. The Twins don’t have a particularly high strikeout rate against righties, but Williams’ K/BB ratio and Cleveland’s implied total make him a reasonable play for both floor and upside. Expect a mix of safe points from innings and some strikeout potential; the chalk here looks justified given his price and recent form.

Honorable Mentions

• Will Warren ($7,500)
• Erick Fedde ($7,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Shea Langeliers ($3,900)

Shea Langeliers offers strong value at $3,900 in a matchup against the Angels, who have struggled to contain right-handed power this season. Batting fifth in the Athletics’ lineup, he should see a solid number of plate appearances in what projects to be a moderately productive offensive environment. Langeliers has shown some speed with three steals on the year, adding an extra dimension beyond his .758 OPS and eight home runs through 42 games.

His moderate ownership around 9.6% aligns closely with his optimal usage near 9%, making him a balanced GPP option rather than a contrarian play. While recent hitting has been streaky, Langeliers’ combination of power and speed upside at a low salary provides leverage on this slate. The spot against LAA’s pitching staff offers enough upside to warrant consideration in tournament lineups looking for affordable catcher production.

Honorable Mentions

• J.T. Realmuto ($4,900)
• Danny Jansen ($2,400)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,500)

Ohtani remains one of the top DFS values at $6,500, especially batting leadoff for the Dodgers against Arizona. He’s been outstanding in May with a .352/.427/.859 slash line and 10 homers over 17 games. The Diamondbacks’ pitching staff has struggled to contain left-handed power, making Ohtani’s matchup appealing given his ability to reach base and hit for power early in the lineup.

At nearly 14% ownership, Ohtani is clearly chalk but justified given his consistent production and elite power upside. His 1.93x value and presence in over 12% of optimal lineups underline his floor and ceiling combination. If you want exposure to a high-scoring Dodgers team with strong run potential, Ohtani is a reliable core piece despite the elevated ownership.

Honorable Mentions

• Yandy Diaz ($3,800)
• Christian Walker ($3,400)

2B Plays

Top Play: Brandon Lowe ($3,900)

Brandon Lowe offers strong value at just $3,900 against Houston, a team that has struggled to contain left-handed power this season. Batting fifth in the Rays’ lineup, he should see plenty of quality pitches and regular plate appearances in a game environment where Tampa Bay projects for a solid run total. His recent power display, including multiple homers over the past week, suggests he can capitalize on favorable matchups even if his overall average remains modest.

Lowe’s moderate ownership around 4.3% is slightly below his optimal rate of 10%, which could provide leverage in large-field tournaments given his upside and price point. While he hasn’t been consistently productive, the combination of his power potential and lineup spot makes him an intriguing GPP option tonight. If Tampa Bay’s offense clicks again, Lowe has the tools to deliver strong fantasy returns without costing too much salary.

Honorable Mentions

• Josh Rojas ($2,400)
• Jonathan India ($3,000)

3B Plays

Top Play: Max Muncy ($3,500)

Max Muncy offers strong value at $3,500 against Arizona, a team that ranks near the bottom in strikeout rate and has struggled to contain left-handed power this season. Batting fifth for the Dodgers, he is positioned well to maximize plate appearances in a lineup that projects a solid run environment. His recent power display—highlighted by multiple RBI games—adds upside, especially given Arizona’s below-average bullpen and a hitter-friendly ballpark.

Ownership around 9.4% is reasonable considering Muncy’s price and potential ceiling. While he hasn’t been consistent in the last couple of games, his ability to produce multi-RBI outings makes him an attractive tournament play with leverage against chalkier options. The matchup and lineup spot support his inclusion as a strong mid-tier bat with upside in GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Alec Bohm ($4,100)
• Yandy Diaz ($3,800)

SS Plays

Top Play: Jose Caballero ($3,400)

Jose Caballero is a strong value play at $3,400 who slots in second in the Tampa Bay lineup against Houston. He’s hitting .260 with 12 steals on the season and has been consistently productive on the basepaths, swiping nine bags in May alone. His speed upside combined with a premium lineup spot ensures plenty of plate appearances, which is key given his modest power profile. The Rays have a solid implied team total tonight, which supports his run-scoring and RBI chances.

At nearly 12% ownership, Caballero is one of the chalkier value options, but that makes sense given his recent five-game hitting streak and multi-steal upside. The matchup against Houston’s right-handed pitching fits well with his profile as a right-handed hitter who thrives on speed and contact rather than power. While he won’t deliver massive ceiling upside like some bats, his combination of floor and value makes him an attractive target for tournaments where you want to stretch your salary cap without sacrificing lineup stability.

Honorable Mentions

• Ezequiel Tovar ($3,100)
• J.P. Crawford ($3,500)

OF Plays

Top Play: Julio Rodriguez ($4,500)

Julio Rodriguez comes in as a solid value play at $4,500 with a strong 2.38x value multiplier. Batting third for Seattle against the White Sox, he should see plenty of quality plate appearances in what’s projected to be a moderately favorable run environment. While his overall slash line this season (.235/.313/.412) hasn’t stood out, Rodriguez has shown some power upside recently with five home runs over his last 20 games. Facing a right-handed pitcher who has been vulnerable to right-handed power hitters, his spot in the lineup and recent pop make him an intriguing middle-tier option.

His ownership is elevated at 12.4%, reflecting confidence from the field given his recent production and affordable salary. That chalk looks justified since he appears in over 14% of optimal lineups and offers upside through both contact and power in a matchup where Seattle’s offense should be active. While not a lock for massive points every night, Rodriguez provides a balanced floor with enough ceiling to warrant consideration in tournaments targeting leverage around pricier outfielders.

Honorable Mentions

• Taylor Ward ($3,500)
• Lawrence Butler ($4,200)

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