MLB DFS Top Stacks Early Slate 4/20/24

1. Houston Astros vs. Trevor Williams (Nationals)

• Key Players: Yordan Alvarez (L), Jose Altuve (R), Kyle Tucker (L)
• Why Stack Astros?:
  • Pitcher Matchup: Trevor Williams has a high xwOBA allowed to lefties (.357) and a notable ISO given up to both lefties (.206) and righties (.236).
  • High Offensive Potential: Alvarez, Altuve, and Tucker all show strong on-base and slugging metrics, making them prime candidates to exploit Williams’ weaknesses.
  • Wind Conditions: With favorable wind conditions at Nationals Park, the ball could carry well, enhancing the Astros’ power potential.

2. Minnesota Twins vs. Reese Olson (Tigers)

• Key Players: Alex Kirilloff (L), Byron Buxton (R), Carlos Santana (S)
• Why Stack Twins?:
  • Rookie Struggles: Olson, a rookie, has shown control issues with a high BB% and vulnerability in power stats (.300 xwOBA vs RHB).
  • Balanced Attack: Kirilloff and Buxton provide power, while Santana offers switch-hitting flexibility. Their combined ability to exploit Olson’s inexperience could lead to multiple RBI opportunities.

3. New York Yankees vs. Zach Eflin (Rays)

• Key Players: Aaron Judge (R), Giancarlo Stanton (R), Anthony Rizzo (L)
• Why Stack Yankees?:
  • Pitcher’s ISO Vulnerability: Eflin’s stats reveal he can be taken deep, with a .153 ISO vs RHB and a slightly better but still exploitable .144 vs LHB.
  • Slugger’s Paradise: Yankee Stadium favors right-handed power hitters like Judge and Stanton, while Rizzo offers balance against any right-handed pitching slip-ups.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Jose Butto (Mets)

• Key Players: Mookie Betts (R), Freddie Freeman (L), Will Smith (R)
• Why Stack Dodgers?:
  • Exploiting Inexperience: Butto’s limited exposure at the major league level (.281 xwOBA vs RHB) makes him a target for a seasoned lineup like the Dodgers.
  • High On-Base Skills: Betts and Freeman exhibit high OBP, which can translate into scoring opportunities, especially with Smith’s ability to drive in runs from behind the plate.

Under the Radar Stack

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Kyle Harrison (Giants)

• Key Players: Ketel Marte (S), Christian Walker (R), Randal Grichuk (R)
• Why Consider Diamondbacks?:
  • Rookie Matchup: Harrison has shown vulnerabilities, especially against right-handers (.217 ISO allowed vs RHB).
  • Power and Contact: Marte provides contact and on-base ability, while Walker and Grichuk offer substantial power against left-handed pitching.

Key Insights on Matchups

• Trevor Williams struggles significantly against left-handers, making any lefty-heavy lineup a good stack against him.
• Reese Olson‘s high walk rates and susceptibility to power hits make him an ideal target for stacks, especially by teams with disciplined hitters.
• Zach Eflin‘s tendency to give up extra-base hits makes powerful lineups like the Yankees particularly dangerous against him.
• Jose Butto and Kyle Harrison are less experienced, which can be exploited by strategic stacking of seasoned hitters or those with favorable splits against their weaknesses.

Final Thoughts

Stacking can significantly boost your DFS lineup’s potential, especially when targeting pitchers with known vulnerabilities. Today’s slate offers several promising opportunities to capitalize on matchups against pitchers who may struggle due to inexperience, control issues, or specific hitter splits. Be sure to consider these stacks for their potential to synergize and rack up big points in today’s games.