FREE 05/23 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 12-game MLB slate features a few high-scoring matchups worth noting, led by the Yankees-Rockies game with an 11.5 total in hitter-friendly Coors Field. The Orioles-Red Sox game carries a 9.5 total, though weather could be a factor there with a 44% chance of rain and light wind blowing out at Fenway. Meanwhile, the Dodgers-Mets and Marlins-Angels games both sit at 8.5 runs, offering balanced spots for both pitching and hitting plays.

Weather concerns are limited but important to consider. Detroit’s game has a strong 14 MPH wind blowing out, which could boost offense despite cooler temps near 52°. Boston faces the highest rain risk on the slate with potential delays impacting lineup decisions. Other parks like Tampa, Chicago, and Anaheim have favorable conditions with mild temperatures and low precipitation chances. Denver’s thin air remains a key factor for run scoring in that high-total contest later in the evening.

Top Stacks

NYY 5-Man ($28,200)

Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Jasson Dominguez

The NYY stack offers solid value at 2.14 points per $1000 on a $28,200 total salary, aligning well with the game total of 11.5 runs. Despite the presence of high-profile bats like Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, the average ownership is moderate at 13.0%, with an optimal lineup rate of 8.7%, indicating it’s a moderately leveraged but not oversaturated option. The partly cloudy weather in Denver with mild temperatures (81°F), low precipitation risk (6%), and manageable 10 MPH winds suggests neutral hitting conditions that should not significantly suppress run-scoring potential. This stack’s combination of star power and reasonable ownership makes it a viable target for DFS lineups aiming to capitalize on a mid-range scoring environment.

TB 5-Man ($20,800)

Yandy Diaz, Jose Caballero, Christopher Morel, Junior Caminero, Brandon Lowe

The TB stack offers solid value at 2.01 points per $1000 salary, totaling $20,800 across five hitters with a moderate game total of 9.0. Ownership sits low at 5.9%, slightly below the optimal lineup rate of 6.6%, indicating potential leverage against the field. Weather conditions are generally favorable, with partly cloudy skies, a warm 90°F temperature, minimal 15% precipitation risk, and a mild 6 MPH wind blowing left to right—unlikely to suppress offensive output significantly in Tampa’s hitter-friendly environment. This stack’s combination of affordable salaries and reasonable ownership makes it an efficient option for MLB DFS lineups targeting upside in a moderately high-scoring game scenario.

ARI 5-Man ($23,200)

Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez

The ARI stack offers solid value at 1.87 points per $1000 on a moderate total of 8.5, indicating decent scoring potential relative to salary. With a combined salary of $23,200, the group balances cost and upside effectively, anchored by high-impact bats like Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte. Ownership is relatively low at 3.6%, suggesting this stack is underutilized in the player pool, while an optimal lineup rate of 6.4% points to moderate preference among advanced optimizers. The weather conditions are favorable with mild temperatures around 70°F, minimal wind at 5 MPH blowing right to left (neutral for most hitters), and only a slight chance of rain (12%), reducing game disruption risk. Overall, this stack presents a cost-efficient option with low ownership and stable weather conditions in a moderately scored game environment.

SP Plays

Top Play: Yusei Kikuchi ($8,200)

Yusei Kikuchi offers strong value at $8,200 against the Marlins, a lineup that ranks near the bottom in strikeout rate versus left-handed pitching. His recent form shows solid strikeout upside with 7 Ks over 5.2 innings in his last outing and consistent run prevention overall. The Angels’ home park is neutral for pitchers, so expect Kikuchi to have a stable floor with some upside for punchouts given Miami’s contact profile.

Kikuchi’s ownership will be high at nearly 28%, which makes sense given his combination of price, matchup, and recent performance. He appears in almost 18% of optimal lineups and carries a strong value multiplier at 2.15x. While the ownership is elevated, it reflects his reliable floor and strikeout ability against a weaker offense. He fits well as a core GPP play when you want to lock in solid pitching without breaking the bank.

Honorable Mentions

• Chris Sale ($9,400)
• Clarke Schmidt ($7,200)

C Plays

Top Play: J.T. Realmuto ($4,000)

J.T. Realmuto offers strong value at catcher for $4,000, especially batting fifth in the Phillies’ lineup where he should see plenty of quality pitches and RBI opportunities. While his recent performance has been up and down, he still provides solid upside given Philadelphia’s implied team total around 4.5 runs in a hitter-friendly ballpark like Citizens Bank Park. Realmuto’s right-handed bat matches well against most right-handed starters, and his role in the middle of the order ensures consistent plate appearances.

Ownership is elevated at 9.1%, which is understandable given his salary and lineup spot, but it’s not overwhelming relative to other value plays. The chalk seems justified if you’re looking to balance floor with upside at a thin position. However, keep an eye on lineup news since he sat out the afternoon game recently—if he’s confirmed in, Realmuto fits nicely as a mid-range option with upside from both power and RBI potential.

Honorable Mentions

• Danny Jansen ($2,700)
• Connor Wong ($2,000)

1B Plays

Top Play: Abraham Toro ($2,200)

Abraham Toro offers strong value at just $2,200 against Baltimore, a pitching staff that has struggled to contain left-handed hitters this season. Slated to hit sixth for Boston, he should see a solid number of plate appearances in what projects as a moderately competitive game environment. While his power upside is limited, his ability to work counts and get on base gives him floor in tournaments, especially given the Red Sox’s implied run total near league average.

Toro’s 4.1% ownership is slightly above the field but reasonable considering his price and matchup. He appears in nearly 8% of optimal lineups, reflecting DFS models’ confidence in his multi-category contributions at a low cost. This moderate ownership level makes him an appealing leverage option in GPPs where salary relief and lineup flexibility matter most.

Honorable Mentions

• Joc Pederson ($2,400)
• Jake Burger ($3,300)

2B Plays

Top Play: Marcus Semien ($3,200)

Marcus Semien offers strong value at $3,200 against the White Sox, a matchup that suits his profile as a right-handed hitter. Batting fifth in the Rangers’ lineup, he should see plenty of opportunities in a game with moderate run expectations. While his recent stretch has been rough—just a .121 average over the last nine games—he’s still generating some on-base chances and remains involved enough to provide floor stability. The ballpark and pitcher matchup don’t present major red flags for power or speed upside.

His 9.8% ownership is high relative to the field average but justified given his top ranking in DFS Hero’s model and 2.4x value mark. Semien’s price point makes him an accessible option for tournaments, especially since he appears in nearly 7% of optimal lineups. While recent production has been uneven, his lineup spot and contact skills keep him relevant, making him a sensible play despite some risk around his current form.

Honorable Mentions

• Jose Altuve ($3,700)
• Brandon Lowe ($4,400)

3B Plays

Top Play: Josh Jung ($3,600)

Josh Jung offers strong value at just $3,600 while hitting third for Texas in a matchup against the White Sox. He’s been swinging a hot bat lately, with five of his seven homers coming in the last 10 games and a .371 average over that span. This power surge, combined with consistent plate appearances in a middle-of-the-order spot, gives him solid upside even against a White Sox pitching staff that has shown some vulnerability to right-handed power hitters.

His 9.1% ownership is elevated but justified given his recent production and affordable salary, making him a popular target in GPPs. The implied run environment for this game isn’t elite but respectable enough to support scoring opportunities. Considering his multi-homer ability and RBI potential, Jung fits well as a mid-range option who can deliver strong returns without breaking the bank or forcing lineup construction issues.

Honorable Mentions

• Yandy Diaz ($4,600)
• Max Muncy ($3,500)

SS Plays

Top Play: Gunnar Henderson ($4,700)

Gunnar Henderson offers strong value at $4,700, especially batting second in the Orioles’ lineup against Boston. He’s left-handed and has shown solid power with five homers and an .473 slugging percentage this season. The Fenway Park matchup is mixed—Boston’s pitching staff limits lefty power somewhat, but Henderson’s recent ability to generate extra-base hits and a good walk-to-strikeout ratio (8:38 BB:K) supports his upside in this spot.

His 11.7% ownership is elevated compared to the field average but fits his top-ranked DFS projection and 2.17x value multiple. The Orioles have a moderate implied run total, so he should get plenty of plate appearances from the two-hole spot. While not a high-ceiling play like some salary stars, Henderson’s combination of contact skills, power potential, and solid lineup position makes him a reliable mid-range option for GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Jose Caballero ($3,700)
• Ezequiel Tovar ($4,100)

OF Plays

Top Play: Aaron Judge ($7,000)

Aaron Judge slots into the Yankees’ lineup second tonight, providing plenty of plate appearances in a game at Coors Field—a notoriously hitter-friendly park. He’s a right-handed power bat facing a pitcher who hasn’t been specified yet, but Judge’s recent power surge is clear with six homers in May and 16 on the season. His ability to drive the ball in a high-altitude environment boosts his ceiling, especially with the Yankees projected for a solid run total.

Judge’s $7,000 salary offers strong value at 2.18x while carrying nearly 18% ownership in tournaments. That chalk seems warranted given his upside and lineup role. While he’s not an elite leverage play, his combination of volume and power makes him an anchor option in GPPs where you want exposure to a prime run-scoring spot and favorable ballpark conditions.

Honorable Mentions

• Jasson Dominguez ($5,000)
• Adolis Garcia ($4,000)

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!