If you haven’t done this already, grab your phone (or laptop) and open up the DK app to check out the slate tonight. Start by going through the list of pitchers, and if your bias works anything like mine, you will start identifying pitchers who you want to play tonight. Up at the top, Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, and Robbie Ray have great matchups, and if you trust those three and can make salary work with your offense, part of your job tonight is done. Those three stick out like a sore thumb.
You probably noticed the 4k pitcher getting their MLB start against the Marlins in Miami, and plenty of DFS players will attempt to save salary with that pick. It is a very viable strategy. You may have missed one SP. This SP started the year with a 27 DK point performance, but has only averaged 12 DK points per start. They get 60+% GBs and have done it for multiple years, it’s kinda their thing. Nothing else stands out about this pitcher until you check out the Razzball Streamonator for tonight and notice that Jose Soriano has a very solid projection at home against the Detroit Tigers. He is a bold pick tonight, but one who could help you take down a tournament.
With so many people expected to roster two SPs above 8.6k tonight (and those who save salary will likely go all the way down to Hoglund) you can start making the case that leverage can be gained by playing a more expensive offensive stack, something that most people will not be able to make fit. The best stacks, in my opinion, are LAD, CHC, TOR, ATH, KC, SF, MIA, BAL, NYY, and SEA. The Cubs and Dodgers will be the most difficult to roster as full 5 man stacks. Rostering either of those stacks is a very strong strategy for tonight’s slate.
I am also aware that a few of these teams will go low owned because of their production to date. Not many people will roster BAL, KC, or TOR. Despite their lack of success so far, we are only one month into the season, and people (even teams) who have been struggling will start to turn it around. MIA has not been playing bad at all, but people rarely roster pieces from that offense. Is tonight the night? I’m not quite all in on 5 man MIA stacks, but I will look for a one off or two from that lineup as well tonight.
The bottom line is that you need to stack up at least one team and often two in order to win tournaments. Tonight’s slate offers plenty of good options, and realize that the lower cost stacks will likely attract more ownership tonight due to the obvious pitching options up top.
New to DFS? You can start playing right now on Underdog and put our picks to the test. If you’re scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray, it helps support your Razzball team!
Jose Soriano, SP: $6,900 – A 63% GB pitcher needs a good infield defense and some luck in order to produce double plays. The Angels are decent up the middle, but not good at the corners. Soriano needs to get lucky to post a great score, but we always need a little luck to win a tourney. He has the tools to produce a tourney winning score, and the matchup is decent. He’s the best option if you want to save some money at SP tonight.
Framber Valdez, SP: $8,800 – Valdez is not always efficient with his pitches, but when he is on, he can throw a complete game as he did his last time out (only 8 IP though) and strike out enough batters to put up the highest score on the slate. The good thing about Framber tonight is that the weather is going to help him out a lot. Even if he lets a curve hang or tries to get too fine with a sinker, he will not likely be punished. Valdez is my favorite high floor/ceiling play today. He will be owned.
Alejandro Kirk, C: $2,800 – This is simply a play focused on saving salary and providing a nice floor. Shea Langeliers has a bit more upside for an extra $1500.
Ryan Mountcastle, 1B: $3,600 – Mountcastle has as much power as the next guy, but he has been unlucky in converting his solid barrel rate into HRs, ironic with the changes in dimensions at Camden. I am still counting on some reversal of luck, knowing those barrels will start flying out of the park. Maybe tonight’s high game total is indicative of that happening.
Maikel Garcia, 2B: $3,700 – Garcia had been struggling to successfully steal bases this year, and he may have figured it out after 3 SBs yesterday. He should have plenty of chances to get on base in this one, and he still has the always green light from his coaching staff.
Max Muncy, 3B: $3,300 – I don’t know if Muncy has figured it out, but some of the data is pointing in that direction. Muncy has historically been a super consistent hitter who has prolonged slumps from time to time. When he gets himself out of the slump, he is dangerous. The price is too low not to buy in on what could be “liftoff”.
Bobby Witt Jr., SS: $5,800 – Don’t be afraid to spend up at SS. Witt finally has some company on his team in terms of offensive help. We all saw what happened in 2024 with the top half of the Royals lineups. If Vinnie P. and Garcia can start gaining consistency, Witt’s numbers will also skyrocket.
Kyle Tucker, OF: $6,200 – Take your pick of high priced OFs, and I do mean that. I should probably pick one of the several high priced options tonight that can produce a 30 point score. Someone will put up a monster score tonight, and you better at least have rostered someone who could compete with that. Tucker has been the second best behind Judge this season. You might also consider Teoscar Hernandez.
Ian Happ, OF: $4,200 – The leadoff bat for such a high flying offense with power and speed only costs 4.2k. There is no way Quinn Priester and the Brewers patch work bullpen is going to keep this team off the scoreboard. This is a great part of any Cubs stack.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
I am really not happy when it is cold, which is the case in Chicago AGAIN this Friday. Cool winds blowing in should help Framber Valdez put up a ceiling score tonight. BOS is usually a good home ballpark for offense, especially when it is warm with a helping wind blowing out. Joe Ryan or not, Boston may be in play again tonight. Rain may impact the game in Atlanta, but it is still too early in the day to know for sure.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Why is a game in Miami carrying such a large total? Despite our assumptions as an industry, the park and the team in Miami have not been all that bad for offense. I am wary of the 9.5 point total, but also intrigued for DFS purposes. It will be low owned for sure, and if the 4k Hoglund attracts ownership, this spot could produce some nice leverage.
KC at BAL has another high game total (9.5) for two teams that have been struggling offensively. KC broke out a bit last night, and we may be in for some fireworks in this game between Dean Kremer and Michael Wacha.
