FREE 06/24 MLB Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 12-game slate is packed with high-scoring potential, headlined by the Dodgers-Rockies matchup at Coors Field carrying a massive 12-run total—though the 40% chance of rain in Denver adds some risk. The Yankees-Reds game in Cincinnati (9.5 total) and Braves-Mets in New York (9.0 total) also stand out as strong stacking spots, with warm temperatures and light winds favoring hitters. Weather is a factor in Chicago (50% rain for ARI-CWS) and St. Louis (22% rain, wind blowing out), which could impact lineup decisions, while the wind blowing out in San Francisco (10 MPH) boosts the Giants-Marlins game slightly.

Pitching options are thin, but Luis Castillo’s strikeout upside against the Twins and Spencer Strider’s dominance in a tough matchup with the Mets are worth considering. The Rays-Royals game in Kansas City (8.5 total) could see a slight boost from the 8 MPH wind blowing out, while the Mariners-Twins matchup has a modest 8.5 total with wind blowing in, favoring pitchers. Keep an eye on the Coors Field weather—if it clears, it’s a must-stack environment, but delays could shift focus to other high-total games late in the slate.

Top Stacks

LAD 5-Man ($30,800)

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

The Dodgers stack offers strong value at 1.99 pts/$1K, making them an efficient spend despite their premium salaries. At just 12.8% average ownership and an 8.9% optimal rate, they’re slightly overlooked relative to their upside in a slate-high 12-run game environment at Coors Field. The wind blowing right to left (8 MPH) slightly favors right-handed power, benefitting Ohtani, Betts, and Hernandez, while Freeman and Smith provide balanced lefty-righty coverage. The 40% rain risk is a concern, but if the game plays, this stack’s combination of elite talent, park factors, and underrated leverage makes them a sharp tournament play.

KC 5-Man ($20,800)

Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez

This Royals stack brings strong value at 2.02 pts/$1K with below-average ownership (6.0%) and an 8.2% optimal rate, making it a sharp leverage play in large-field tournaments. Kansas City faces a vulnerable right-handed starter in a warm evening game (91°F) with a moderate 8.5-run total—conditions that slightly favor offense despite the light right-to-left wind. Witt Jr. and Perez anchor the group with elite upside, while Garcia and India provide salary relief with multi-category potential. The balanced ownership distribution suggests this stack could differentiate lineups without sacrificing production, especially against a pitcher with below-average strikeout rates.

NYY 5-Man ($23,800)

Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton

This Yankees stack brings strong value at 2.12 pts/$1000, making it one of the more efficient plays on today’s slate. With an 8.3% average ownership and an 8.0% optimal rate, it’s a sneaky pivot off chalkier teams, offering leverage in tournaments. The 9.5-run game total and hot, clear weather in Cincinnati are ideal for power—especially with the wind blowing out to left at just 5 MPH, favoring right-handed bats like Judge and Stanton against Reds RHP Carson Spiers, who allows a .355 xwOBA to righties. Grisham and Bellinger add lefty balance against a pitcher who’s been vulnerable to both sides (.314 xwOBA vs. LHH). At just $23.8K, this group has top-tier upside without the heavy ownership.

SP Plays

Top Play: Freddy Peralta ($9,200)

Freddy Peralta has been a strikeout machine with 30 Ks over his last 24 innings, including a 9-K performance against Cincinnati two starts ago. Tonight he faces a Pirates team whiffing at a 26.5% clip against right-handed pitching, the fifth-highest mark in baseball, while Milwaukee’s implied win probability sits at 68%. His 2.1x value at $9,200 is one of the strongest pitcher multipliers on the slate, backed by a 19.2% optimal lineup appearance rate.

Peralta’s recent 6-inning, 1-run outing against St Louis showcased his elite upside, and Pittsburgh’s .298 team wOBA against righties plays directly into his strengths. The Brewers’ bullpen ranks top-10 in ERA, reducing blowup risk and preserving his win potential. With a tournament rank of 1 and ownership concentrated among sharp players (27.1% vs field average 3.9%), he’s the clear alpha pitching option in all formats.

Honorable Mentions

• Garrett Crochet ($11,000)
• Ryne Nelson ($6,500)

C Plays

Top Play: Hunter Goodman ($4,600)

Hunter Goodman continues to deliver strong value at just $4,600, batting second for the Rockies in a high-leverage lineup spot. His 2.13x value projection stands out in a matchup against the Dodgers, who have struggled against right-handed power this season. With appearances in 12.7% of optimal lineups, Goodman’s combination of affordability and upside makes him a prime tournament target.

Facing a lefty-heavy Dodgers bullpen, Goodman’s right-handed bat gains an edge in Coors Field’s hitter-friendly environment. His recent form shows consistent contact, including multi-RBI potential, and his 10.3% ownership is justified given his elevated ceiling in this spot. The Rockies’ implied run total and his premium lineup placement lock in ample opportunities to produce.

Honorable Mentions

• Salvador Perez ($3,500)
• William Contreras ($4,200)

1B Plays

Top Play: Shohei Ohtani ($7,200)

Shohei Ohtani continues to deliver explosive performances, including a 36-point DraftKings outing just two games ago with a homer and five RBIs. Hitting leadoff for the Dodgers, he maximizes at-bats in a Coors Field environment where the ball carries exceptionally well. The Rockies’ pitching staff ranks among the league’s worst in ERA and hard-contact rate, and Ohtani’s 2.1x value projection is the highest among elite-tier bats tonight.

His left-handed power plays perfectly against Colorado’s right-handed starters, who have allowed a .450 slugging percentage to lefties this season. Despite the high ownership (18%), his ceiling in this matchup justifies the popularity—he’s appeared in 18.6% of optimal lineups for a reason. With the Dodgers’ implied run total hovering near six, Ohtani’s combination of lineup spot, park factor, and recent form makes him the top play on the slate.

Honorable Mentions

• Salvador Perez ($3,500)
• Michael Toglia ($3,400)

2B Plays

Top Play: Matt McLain ($3,800)

Matt McLain faces the Yankees with elite value metrics at just $3,800, ranking as the top tournament play at second base. He’s batting second for a Reds offense with upside, and his 2.34x value projection is among the highest on the slate. Over his last three games, he’s delivered 14+ DraftKings points twice, including a homer and multiple hits, showing the power-speed combo that fits perfectly for GPPs. The Yankees’ pitching staff has been vulnerable to right-handed bats, and McLain’s spot in the heart of Cincinnati’s order ensures plenty of scoring opportunities.

His 10.9% optimal lineup rate and 8.6% projected ownership make him a leverage play in tournaments, offering both ceiling and differentiation. The recent 17-point outburst against St. Louis highlights his ability to pile up points through hits and runs, and his salary remains mispriced for his production. With a premium lineup spot and a matchup that favors right-handed hitters, McLain’s combination of floor and upside is too good to ignore at this price.

Honorable Mentions

• Tommy Edman ($4,200)
• Jonathan India ($3,300)

3B Plays

Top Play: Miguel Vargas ($3,100)

Miguel Vargas has been heating up with hits in two of his last three games, including a 12-point DK performance against Toronto with two RBIs. He’s batting cleanup for the White Sox tonight against an Arizona pitching staff that ranks bottom-10 in ERA against right-handed hitters, and his $3,100 salary provides elite value at 2.4x. The 4th spot in the lineup ensures RBI opportunities in a game with a solid implied run total.

Vargas faces a vulnerable Arizona bullpen that has struggled to contain right-handed power, and his 8.2% optimal lineup rate reflects his high-ceiling potential in tournaments. Despite the moderate 6.6% ownership, his recent multi-hit game and premium lineup placement make him a strong contrarian play. At this price, Vargas doesn’t need a monster game to pay off, but the matchup gives him clear upside for a big night.

Honorable Mentions

• Max Muncy ($4,900)
• Curtis Mead ($2,400)

SS Plays

Top Play: Bobby Witt Jr. ($5,500)

Bobby Witt Jr. faces a Tampa Bay pitching staff that has struggled against right-handed power, allowing a .330 wOBA over the last 30 days. Hitting second in a Royals lineup with an implied total of 4.5 runs, he’s positioned for both run production and stolen base upside in a game with a manageable 8.5-run total. His 1.9x value at $5,500 is one of the best among shortstops tonight, and his 12.8% optimal lineup rate reflects his ceiling in this matchup.

Witt has shown consistent contact lately with hits in four of his last five games, including a 14-point DraftKings performance with a homer on June 20. His moderate 8.2% ownership keeps him under the radar despite ranking fourth in tournament projections, and his dual-threat ability (power and speed) plays perfectly against a Rays staff that’s allowed the sixth-most steals to right-handed bats this season. The combination of lineup spot, matchup, and salary efficiency makes him a must-play in GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Willy Adames ($3,800)
• Mookie Betts ($5,700)

OF Plays

Top Play: Aaron Judge ($6,700)

Aaron Judge continues to crush the ball with 28 homers this season, including a 398-foot blast in his last game against Cincinnati. He’s rebounded from a brief slump by going 6-for-16 with two homers and six walks over his past five contests, showcasing his elite power and plate discipline. Hitting second in a Yankees lineup with a high implied run total, Judge faces a Reds pitching staff that ranks in the bottom third of the league in ERA, giving him prime opportunities to rack up fantasy points.

Judge’s 1.95x value at $6,700 makes him a strong play in all formats, especially with his 14.1% optimal lineup appearance rate. Great American Ball Park boosts right-handed power, and his 12.8% ownership—while elevated—remains manageable given his ceiling in this matchup. His combination of recent form, lineup spot, and ballpark factors creates a perfect storm for a big performance.

Honorable Mentions

• Giancarlo Stanton ($3,800)
• Tommy Edman ($4,200)

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!