FREE 05/21 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 7-game MLB slate features a few solid run-scoring opportunities, with the Phillies-Rockies game standing out at an 11.5 total in hitter-friendly Denver. The Angels-Oakland matchup also carries a high total of 10.5 runs, and both games are set for clear weather conditions, which should help the offenses. Meanwhile, the Padres-Toronto game offers a 9-run total inside a dome, so weather won’t be a factor there.

Weather could play a role in some of the earlier games, especially Texas at New York with a 71% chance of rain and potential delays in Yankee Stadium. Washington’s game against Atlanta also faces some uncertainty with a 27% chance of rain. Boston and New York Mets open the slate with an 8-run total under partly cloudy skies and light wind blowing in at Fenway, which could slightly suppress offense. Keep these conditions in mind when building lineups tonight.

Top Stacks

COL 5-Man ($20,400)

Jordan Beck, Ezequiel Tovar, Hunter Goodman, Ryan McMahon, Brenton Doyle

The COL stack offers solid value at 2.23 points per $1000 with a total salary of $20,400, making it an efficient spend in MLB DFS. The average ownership sits at a moderate 10.8%, closely mirrored by the optimal lineup rate of 10.7%, indicating this stack is appropriately leveraged in lineups without being overused. The game total of 11.5 suggests a high-scoring potential, supported by favorable weather conditions—clear skies, 75°F temperature, no precipitation, and a 14 MPH wind in Denver—which typically benefits hitters at Coors Field. This combination of strong value, balanced ownership, and hitter-friendly environment makes the COL stack an attractive option for DFS players targeting upside in a likely run-heavy game.

PHI 5-Man ($29,500)

Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, J.T. Realmuto

The PHI stack offers solid value at 1.84 points per $1000 with a total salary of $29,500, fitting well within typical DFS salary constraints for a high-upside group. The average ownership sits at a moderate 12.2%, with an optimal lineup inclusion rate of 10.6%, indicating this stack is fairly popular but not overexposed, allowing for differentiation in lineups. The game total of 11.5 suggests strong scoring potential, further supported by the favorable weather conditions—clear skies, comfortable 75°F temperature, no precipitation, and a steady 14 MPH wind in Denver—which typically benefits hitters due to the altitude and ball carry. This stack’s combination of star power (Turner, Harper) and depth (Schwarber, Castellanos, Realmuto) against what is likely a pitching matchup conducive to offense makes it a compelling option for DFS lineups today.

ATH 5-Man ($21,900)

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

The ATH stack offers solid value at 2.06 points per $1000 with a total salary of $21,900, making it an efficient spend relative to production. With average ownership at 11.5% and an optimal lineup rate of 10.5%, this stack presents a moderately leveraged option in the player pool, balancing popularity and uniqueness well. No game total or weather factors are provided to influence projection adjustments, so the focus remains on player talent and matchup quality. Overall, the ATH stack’s combination of above-average value and controlled ownership suggests it is a viable target for both cash games and tournaments in MLB DFS lineups.

SP Plays

Top Play: Garrett Crochet ($10,500)

Garrett Crochet has been consistently strong, striking out at least six batters in each of his last seven starts while maintaining a 2.00 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 63 innings. His ability to rack up strikeouts is clear with a 73:21 K:BB ratio, and he’s pitched deep into games recently, which boosts his floor and upside in DFS formats. Facing the Mets, who have struggled against left-handed pitching this season, offers solid strikeout potential even if run support could be limited in what should be a pitcher-friendly matchup.

At $10,500, Crochet presents strong value at 2.05x salary return and appears in over 30% of optimal lineups despite heavy ownership at 51%. The chalk looks justified given his recent form and matchup profile; he offers one of the safest floors among top-tier arms with upside to lead your GPP builds. While the game environment isn’t overly hitter-friendly, Crochet’s ability to generate swings and misses makes him a reliable option when you want to anchor your pitching slot with a high-floor, high-ceiling starter.

Honorable Mentions

• Jacob deGrom ($10,000)
• Tylor Megill ($8,300)

C Plays

Top Play: Shea Langeliers ($4,000)

Shea Langeliers offers strong value at catcher with a $4,000 salary and a solid matchup against the Angels. He bats fifth in a lineup that’s expected to produce, giving him consistent plate appearances in a middle-of-the-order role. Langeliers has shown moderate power this season with nine homers and has added some speed with three steals, which adds to his fantasy ceiling. His right-handed bat faces a pitching staff that hasn’t been particularly tough on righties, making him a reliable option for both floor and upside.

With an optimal lineup appearance near 15% and ownership just slightly below that at 14.2%, Langeliers fits well as a balanced play in tournaments. The Athletics’ implied total suggests run-scoring opportunities, and his recent contributions show he can provide multi-category stats. Given his price point and lineup spot, Langeliers is worth considering as a mid-tier catcher who offers more upside than most options at the position tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• J.T. Realmuto ($5,000)
• Logan O’Hoppe ($3,700)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($6,300)

Shohei Ohtani remains a top DFS option at $6,300, offering strong value with a 1.88x multiplier and a top-10 tournament rank. Batting leadoff for the Dodgers against Arizona, he benefits from maximum plate appearances in a favorable matchup. Ohtani’s left-handed power plays well here—he’s leading MLB with 17 homers and has hit .352/.427/.859 with 10 bombs in May alone. The Diamondbacks’ pitching staff has struggled to contain lefties recently, which boosts his upside.

The implied team total and park factors also support Ohtani’s ceiling. Dodger Stadium is hitter-friendly, especially for power hitters like him, and the lineup behind him should provide RBI opportunities. His ownership around 13% aligns with his profile as a strong but not overly chalky play, making him a solid pivot or core piece depending on roster construction. Given his combination of contact, speed, and elite power upside at this price point, he fits well in GPP lineups targeting balanced exposure.

Honorable Mentions

• Nick Kurtz ($2,600)
• Josh Naylor ($4,400)

2B Plays

Top Play: Jose Tena ($2,400)

Jose Tena offers strong value at just $2,400 with a 2.29x value multiplier, making him an intriguing option in tournaments. He hits eighth in the Washington lineup, which limits his plate appearances and upside somewhat, but his recent ability to find extra-base hits adds some appeal. Facing Atlanta’s pitching staff, which has been middle-of-the-road against lefties this season, Tena’s power upside is limited but not nonexistent given his doubles pop.

Ownership sits around 4.1%, slightly below the field average for this salary range, offering moderate leverage without too much risk. His spot at the bottom of the order and lack of home run production so far in May cap his ceiling, but he’s a solid punt play who can provide multi-hit upside on a decent Washington team implied to score multiple runs tonight. Overall, Tena fits well as a low-cost flier with some path to points in tournament lineups.

Honorable Mentions

• Luis Garcia Jr. ($3,500)
• Luis Urias ($3,100)

3B Plays

Top Play: Austin Riley ($4,400)

Austin Riley offers strong value at $4,400, especially batting second in the Braves’ lineup against Washington. He’s slashing .300/.355/.429 in May and brings consistent contact with moderate power upside. The Nationals’ pitching staff has shown some vulnerability to right-handed hitters this season, and with Atlanta’s implied team total around 4.8 runs, Riley should see plenty of quality plate appearances in a game environment that supports run scoring.

His ownership sits near the field average at 8.6%, which feels appropriate given his steady production but limited recent power output—he hasn’t homered since early May. At this price point and spot in the lineup, Riley provides a solid floor with upside from his ability to get on base and score runs. This combination makes him a reliable tournament option who can fit well into balanced lineups without pushing salary too high.

Honorable Mentions

• Alec Bohm ($4,300)
• Max Muncy ($3,200)

SS Plays

Top Play: Ezequiel Tovar ($3,100)

Ezequiel Tovar offers strong value at $3,100 with a 2.9x value mark, batting second for the Rockies in a game against the Phillies. He’s a right-handed hitter facing a pitcher who has struggled with lefties this season, making Tovar’s spot in the lineup appealing for maximizing plate appearances and run-scoring chances. The Rockies’ implied team total is moderate but supported by their recent offensive uptick, which benefits Tovar given his recent power surge.

Tovar’s recent form justifies his elevated ownership of 16.4%, as he ranks first among DFS options and appears in over 17% of optimal lineups. Since returning from the injured list, he’s gone 8-for-14 with two home runs across three games, showing clear upside at this price point. While his ceiling isn’t elite, his combination of contact ability and emerging power makes him a reliable option in tournaments where floor and value are key.

Honorable Mentions

• Trea Turner ($6,200)
• Zach Neto ($4,600)

OF Plays

Top Play: Lawrence Butler ($4,300)

Lawrence Butler offers strong value at $4,300 as the leadoff hitter for Sacramento against the Angels. He’s shown solid speed with seven steals in eight attempts and has a balanced profile with six home runs and 11 doubles this season. Batting first maximizes his plate appearances, which is critical in a game environment where the Athletics have an implied total around league average. As a left-handed hitter facing a right-handed pitcher, Butler’s chances to get on base and create scoring opportunities improve.

His recent form supports his DFS appeal, with multiple multi-hit games over the last week and consistent run production. The 15% ownership is a bit high relative to the field but justified given his affordability and role atop the lineup. While he doesn’t offer elite power upside, his combination of speed and contact makes him a reliable source of fantasy points in tournaments where you want exposure to value plays with moderate ceiling potential.

Honorable Mentions

• JJ Bleday ($3,400)
• Taylor Ward ($3,500)

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