Tonight’s DraftKings MLB DFS slate might only have five games, but it packs a punch — and might force us to do something rare: Pay up for both starting pitchers. We have high implied totals, few value arms and a clear opportunity to build the perfect DraftKings lineup using elite pitching and sneaky stacks. In this article, we’ll break down the top pitchers, key value pivots and the most underrated offense to stack — all built using Stokastic’s MLB Sims tools.
Perfect DraftKings MLB DFS Lineup: Optimal Strategy
Top Pitchers for Your DraftKings MLB DFS Lineup
SP1: Spencer Strider (ATL)
Strider may be back. In his last start, he posted a 59% strikeout rate with 26% swinging strikes — absolutely elite numbers. His fastball velocity is back over 96 mph, and his slider was nearly unhittable with 17 whiffs and a 75% whiff-per-swing rate.
Despite a tougher matchup against the Mets, Strider’s strikeout prop sits at 7.5 compared to Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 5.5 — a telling market indicator. If you’re looking to lock down your MLB DFS lineup tonight, Strider is the clear anchor.
SP2: Christopher Sanchez (PHI)
If you’re playing single-entry or small-field contests, Sanchez makes a ton of sense. Miami has the lowest implied total on the slate (3.8 runs), and Sanchez has quietly been effective:
- Six-plus innings in six of last eight starts
- 26% strikeout rate
- Dominant versus right-handed bats (which he’ll see plenty of tonight)
If you want to go double-pay-up at pitcher on DraftKings MLB DFS, this is the slate to do it.
Pitcher Pivots for GPPs
If you’re building multiple MLB DFS lineups or looking to save salary:
- Charlie Morton (BAL) – Always has strikeout upside, even in volatile spots.
- Drew Rasmussen (TB) – Boom-or-bust spot against Baltimore.
- Edward Cabrera (MIA) – Tough matchup but elite stuff when dialed in.
- Jacob Lopez (ATH) – Only $6,300 and showing real flashes recently.
Top DraftKings MLB DFS Stack: Athletics
Looking to squeeze in two expensive pitchers means finding the right value stack — and the Athletics check all the boxes for your DraftKings MLB DFS lineup.
- Colton Gordon (LHP) has allowed a .190 xISO to righties across 400-plus pitches.
- The A’s rank top 10 in ISO and WRC+ at home.
- The park is power-friendly, especially to righties.
According to Stokastic’s Top Stack Tool:
- 3rd in Top Stack Probability
- 2nd in Top Value
- 2nd overall Stack Score (behind only Houston)
Target Bats
- Brent Rooker (OF) – Power bat, crushes lefties
- Luis Urias (2B) – Chalk bat
- Max Muncy (3B) – Salary relief with pop
- Lawrence Butler (OF) – Lefty versus lefty but low-owned leadoff option
Even catcher Willie MacIver (deep value) could sneak into a winning MLB DFS lineup as a low-owned fifth piece.
Simulation Results
This is not the highest-ROI lineup, but it has a solid foundation for adjusting. Use the Single Lineup Simulator to tweak, re-run and iterate until you find the best version of your DraftKings MLB DFS lineup.
Final Word: Dominate MLB DFS Tonight
This is a rare slate where paying up at both pitcher slots may be optimal. Build around Strider and Sanchez, plug in a value stack like the A’s, and let the rest of your perfect DraftKings lineup fall into place.
