Stacks are an integral part of daily fantasy baseball. They can push a team to the top of a GPP by driving upside. However, they're also viable in cash games, namely smaller (two-person or three-person) stacks that mitigate the volatility of a full four-person stack.
This article is your home throughout the 2022 Major League Baseball season for the day's top stacks. The primary goal is to identify the highest-scoring upside stack. Still, game theory will play a role in contrarian stacks making the cut as GPP options. Nevertheless, chalky stacks will make appearances in this space, too.
Beyond my analysis in this space, I strongly suggest numberFire premium members using our DFS Sharpstack tool and hitting heat map tool. The DFS Sharpstack helps plug stacks into optimized lineups, allowing you to change parameters and lock or exclude players and teams. Meanwhile, the heat map offers a one-stop-shop for the opposing starting pitcher, implied total, park factor, and other notable goodies.
Now, let's look at the top stacks on today's main slate.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have another cushy pitching matchup tonight.
Paolo Espino has struggled as a starter. Additionally, he's been lousy lately. According to FanGraphs, in his last eight starts spanning only 38 and 1/3 innings, Espino has had a 4.93 ERA and ceded 1.41 homers per nine innings.
The righty pitcher has also struggled with all hitters. Lefties have had a .325 wOBA against Espino this year. Conversely, righties have teed off for a .487 slugging and .341 wOBA. Thus, all of Atlanta's hitters can partake in the fun tonight.
The Braves are stackable from top to bottom. Yet, Austin Riley ($3,700), Matt Olson ($3,300), and Michael Harris II ($4,100) are a few of my favorite choices. Since last year, Riley has had a .352 OBP, .238 ISO, and 135 wRC+. Additionally, Harris has been a world-beater with the platoon advantage in his rookie campaign, amassing a .372 OBP, .273 ISO, and 169 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. He's also a threat to steal a base, swiping 20 in 22 attempts.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles unloaded 14 runs on the Boston Red Sox last night. They have a more challenging pitching matchup against Michael Wacha tonight, but still, Fenway Park is a hitting paradise.
In addition, Wacha's 2.70 ERA in 21 starts has overstated how well he's pitched. The righty's 4.33 Expected ERA (xERA) is a more exciting number to stack against. Boston's bullpen also enhances Baltimore's scoring outlook. Boston's relievers are tied for the fifth-highest ERA (4.55) this season.
Sadly, Adley Rutschman ($3,100) had only a small hand in last night's offensive outburst after I shouted him out. Still, he's had a .384 OBP, .223 ISO, and 154 wRC+ against righties this year. So, it's a great night to go back to the well with him.
Cedric Mullins ($3,000) is another outstanding choice from the leadoff spot. Since last year, he's had a .360 OBP, .207 ISO, and 137 wRC+ against righties. Mullins has also stolen 31 bases this season. Gunnar Henderson ($2,900) hit a bomb last night, and Anthony Santander ($3,000) mashed two taters. Both are attractive options again tonight.
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros face a lucky righty who doesn't miss many bats. So, their upside is significant tonight.
Zach Davies has had a 4.03 ERA in 25 starts, but his 4.49 xFIP has been less flattering. The veteran righty has also ceded 1.44 homers per nine innings and had a paltry 18.2 percent strikeout rate.
In addition, the Arizona Diamondbacks' bullpen is an excellent matchup for Houston's offense. Arizona's relievers are tied for the fifth-highest ERA (4.55) this season. So, Houston can tee off on Davies and then continue the fun against Arizona's relievers.
Houston's stacking options are straightforward. They have a top-heavy lineup, and their studs, Jose Altuve ($3,900), Yordan Alvarez ($4,500), Alex Bregman ($3,600), and Kyle Tucker ($3,900), are the best options to stack. But, of course, they command a significant portion of the salary cap. As a result, they're more attractive as a GPP pivot from the Braves than as an option to stack with Atlanta's high-powered offense.
Joshua Shepardson is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Joshua Shepardson also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username bchad50. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.