FREE 05/26 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Today’s 7-game MLB slate features several games with totals in the 7.0 to 9.0 run range, giving us a solid mix of pitching and hitting options. The highest total is 9.0 in the Cardinals at Orioles game, with favorable weather conditions and a light wind that shouldn’t have much impact on ball carry. Meanwhile, the Rockies at Cubs game has an O/U of 7.5 with a steady 11 MPH wind blowing in Chicago, which could slightly suppress offense despite the neutral temperature.

Weather will be a factor to monitor later in the slate, particularly in Kansas City where there’s a 56% chance of rain and possible delays for the Reds-Royals matchup. The rest of the games are either indoors or have clear skies with minimal precipitation risk, like the White Sox at Mets game where mild temperatures and light outfield wind could aid hitters. Keep an eye on these conditions as you build lineups around pitching matchups and park factors today.

Top Stacks

NYM 5-Man ($22,500)

Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, Jared Young

The NYM stack offers solid value at 1.88 points per $1000 with a total salary of $22,500, fitting well within budget constraints for MLB DFS lineups. With an average ownership of 9.5% and an optimal lineup rate of 12.0%, this stack is moderately owned but remains a viable differentiator in tournaments. The game total of 8.5 suggests a balanced scoring environment, and favorable weather conditions—72°F, partly cloudy, minimal wind at 5 MPH blowing out—support offensive upside in Flushing. Key players like Lindor, Nimmo, Soto, Alonso, and Young present a well-rounded mix of contact and power potential against what is implied to be a manageable pitching matchup given the implied run environment.

BOS 5-Man ($21,600)

Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, Carlos Narvaez, Kristian Campbell, Wilyer Abreu

The BOS stack offers solid value at 1.86 points per $1000 on a total salary of $21,600, indicating efficient production relative to cost. With an average ownership of 8.7% and an optimal lineup rate of 10.5%, this group presents a moderately leveraged play that can differentiate lineups without sacrificing upside. The game total sits at a modest 7.5 runs, suggesting some scoring potential but not an extreme offensive environment. Playing inside a domed stadium eliminates weather-related variables, providing consistent hitting conditions. Overall, the stack’s balanced ownership and decent value make it a viable option in tournaments, especially if the matchup favors BOS’s offense against the opposing pitching staff.

SF 5-Man ($21,300)

Mike Yastrzemski, Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee, Wilmer Flores, Willy Adames

The SF stack offers solid value at 1.89 points per $1000 on a $21,300 salary, aligning well with its moderate average ownership of 9.3% and optimal lineup rate of 10.5%, indicating it is reasonably leveraged but not oversaturated. The game total of 8.5 suggests a moderately favorable offensive environment, further supported by clear weather conditions with mild temperatures (62°F) and minimal wind (7 MPH left to right), minimizing external pitching or hitting disruptions. The inclusion of key contributors like Yastrzemski and Chapman adds upside against Detroit’s pitching staff, making this stack a balanced option for DFS lineups seeking efficient scoring potential without excessive ownership risk.

SP Plays

Top Play: Garrett Crochet ($10,300)

Garrett Crochet has been solid this season with a 1.98 ERA and a strong strikeout rate, averaging roughly 10.3 K/9 across 68 innings. He’s facing the Brewers in Milwaukee, a park that slightly favors pitchers, which could limit run scoring but helps his floor by reducing the chance of big innings against him. Milwaukee’s lineup doesn’t have a high strikeout rate against lefties, but Crochet’s ability to generate swings and misses should still give him upside for punchouts in this matchup.

At $10,300, Crochet offers good value at 2.13x salary multiplier and appears in nearly a third of optimal lineups. His ownership is high at 41%, reflecting confidence in his consistent performance and strikeout potential despite a middling win-loss record. Given the pitcher-friendly environment and his recent consistency keeping runs low, the chalk seems justified here, especially if you want a reliable SP1 with solid strikeout upside and reasonable risk of giving up big innings.

Honorable Mentions

• Jameson Taillon ($8,600)
• Jacob deGrom ($10,000)

C Plays

Top Play: Salvador Perez ($3,200)

Salvador Perez offers solid value at $3,200 against Cincinnati, batting fourth in the Royals’ lineup. While he’s been in a slump recently with a .205/.224/.301 line in May, his power and RBI upside remain intact in this matchup. The Reds have struggled to contain right-handed power hitters, which plays into Perez’s profile as a bat that can drive in runs even without a high average. His spot in the heart of the order should ensure consistent plate appearances.

His ownership around 11% aligns closely with his 11.5% optimal lineup share, indicating DFS players recognize his value but aren’t overloading on him given recent struggles. With a 2.1x value mark and moderate salary, Perez is a reliable low-cost option for tournaments looking to balance salary while targeting run-scoring potential against a vulnerable pitching staff.

Honorable Mentions

• Carlos Narvaez ($3,500)
• Adley Rutschman ($4,000)

1B Plays

Top Play: Miguel Vargas ($3,400)

Miguel Vargas offers strong value at just $3,400 while hitting third in the White Sox lineup, a spot that should provide plenty of plate appearances. He’s been swinging a hot bat lately, with five multi-hit games and nine extra-base hits in his last 10 contests. Vargas is a right-handed batter facing the Mets on the road—a decent matchup given the Mets’ bullpen has struggled to contain power hitters. His combination of power upside and consistent contact makes him an appealing option in tournaments.

At 4.9% projected ownership, Vargas sits slightly below field average but appears in nearly 13% of optimal lineups, signaling DFS models like his ceiling and floor for the price. The game environment isn’t particularly explosive, but Vargas’ place in the lineup and recent production justify paying up for him as a low-cost leverage play with multi-category upside. He’s worth considering if you want to differentiate while maintaining exposure to solid run-scoring potential against New York’s pitching staff.

Honorable Mentions

• LaMonte Wade Jr. ($2,100)
• Josh Smith ($4,100)

2B Plays

Top Play: Jonathan India ($3,400)

Jonathan India draws attention at $3,400 as a strong value option in the Royals’ lineup. Batting leadoff and serving as DH tonight, he’s set for maximum plate appearances in a game against Cincinnati. While his recent production hasn’t been standout, his 2.16x value and top tournament rank reflect solid upside at a low price point. The matchup is neutral but his role atop the order boosts his opportunity to rack up counting stats.

His projected ownership around 14% is slightly above field average but aligns with his DFS profile—low cost with decent ceiling. India’s right-handed bat faces a Reds pitching staff that doesn’t severely punish lefties or righties, so leverage here comes more from cost savings and lineup position than exploitable splits. Given the moderate ownership and solid value metrics, he makes sense as a tournament pivot or salary relief option without sacrificing upside.

Honorable Mentions

• Nolan Gorman ($3,300)
• Jackson Holliday ($4,100)

3B Plays

Top Play: Rafael Devers ($5,000)

Rafael Devers offers strong value at $5,000 with a 1.84x value mark and a solid spot batting second for Boston. He’s a left-handed hitter facing Milwaukee, a team that has struggled to contain lefties this season, especially in run-scoring environments like Miller Park. Devers’ power upside is clear given his recent surge in RBI production—he leads the majors with 47 RBIs—and his .299/.415/.557 slash line shows he’s getting on base and driving in runs consistently.

The Red Sox have an implied total near league average tonight, which keeps Devers in a good position for multiple plate appearances. His ownership around 9% is slightly above the field but still reasonable considering his elite GPP rank and value. This moderate ownership level makes him a viable option for gaining leverage or fitting salary while maintaining upside in tournaments. Overall, Devers fits well as a balanced DFS play with both floor and ceiling potential on this slate.

Honorable Mentions

• Nolan Gorman ($3,300)
• Marcelo Mayer ($3,000)

SS Plays

Top Play: Gunnar Henderson ($4,300)

Gunnar Henderson is showing strong value at $4,300, especially batting third in the Orioles’ lineup against St. Louis. He’s been hitting righties well this season with a .981 OPS, which matters since he struggles more against lefties. The Orioles have a solid offense and Henderson’s combination of power and speed gives him multiple ways to contribute fantasy points. His recent .303 average with four homers and three steals in May supports his upside.

Despite the 17% ownership, which is nearly triple the field average, that chalk looks reasonable given his consistent production and favorable matchup. The shortstop position rarely offers this kind of multi-category upside at a mid-tier price. If you’re looking for a balanced mix of floor and ceiling with exposure to Baltimore’s run-scoring potential, Henderson fits well in GPP lineups tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Willy Adames ($4,000)
• Marcelo Mayer ($3,000)

OF Plays

Top Play: Juan Soto ($5,300)

Juan Soto is a strong value play at $5,300, especially batting third in the Mets’ lineup against the White Sox. As a left-handed hitter facing a righty-heavy White Sox staff that struggles with high-OBP lefties, Soto’s .386 OBP in May and recent streak of stolen bases add both power and speed upside. The Mets’ implied team total suggests a solid run environment, which should boost his chances for RBI opportunities and runs scored.

With nearly 20% ownership but appearing in over 21% of optimal lineups, the chalk here looks justified given his balanced floor and upside. Soto’s combination of plate discipline—evidenced by his walk rate—and base-stealing threat provides a nice ceiling without sacrificing safety. At this price point and lineup spot, he fits well as both a core and value option in tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

• Brandon Nimmo ($4,000)
• Mike Yastrzemski ($4,100)

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!