DFS Breakdown: Houck’s Value, Ryan & Skubal’s K Upside, and Stack Power from ATL/TOR
It’s a loaded MLB DFS slate, and there’s a ton of value and upside to tap into on both the pitching and hitting sides. Whether you’re building around an ace or looking for leverage in your stacks, this is a day where the right calls can separate you from the field. Let’s break it down.
Pitching Targets
Tanner Houck – Value Play vs. Rays
Houck is flat-out underpriced for this matchup. He’s been quietly dominant to start the year, showing sharp command and generating groundballs at a high clip. Against a Rays lineup that’s struggled against righties and carries a high strikeout rate, Houck is a strong value arm that gives you plenty of salary relief without sacrificing floor or upside.
Joe Ryan & Tarik Skubal – Premium Spend-Ups
If you’re paying up at pitcher, it starts with Joe Ryan and Tarik Skubal. Both are in elite spots today and bring serious strikeout potential to the table. Ryan’s been flashing dominant stuff, with his velocity up and swing-and-miss numbers trending in the right direction. Skubal, on the other hand, has looked like an ace all season. He’s mowing through lineups with efficiency and should have no problem working deep into his outing. Both are capable of putting up slate-breaking scores.
Framber Valdez – Strong Mid-Range Anchor
Framber sits in a perfect mid-range pocket today. He’s not quite priced among the elite arms, but he brings a long leash and elite groundball skills that help him avoid big innings. He’s consistently efficient and can easily get you 6-7 innings of clean work with strikeout upside depending on the matchup. On a slate with volatility, Valdez gives you a strong floor and underrated ceiling.
Hitting Stacks
Braves vs. Blue Jays – Power Game Stack
This game is oozing with home run upside on both sides. The Braves’ right-handed power matches up well here, and the Jays can absolutely return fire. Expect fireworks, especially if the bullpens get involved early. This is a great stack to build around if you’re looking to capture the highest ceiling on the slate.
Red Sox – Prime Offensive Spot
Boston is in a fantastic spot to do damage. They’re facing a weak starter and a bullpen that’s been bleeding runs. The Red Sox lineup is heating up, and this is the type of matchup that could lead to a crooked number early. Their mid-range salaries also make them easy to stack around your preferred arms.
Cubs – Leverage Stack vs. Dylan Cease
Cease will carry ownership, but the Cubs have the type of patient bats that can cause him trouble. If his command is even slightly off, this lineup has the patience and power to capitalize. It’s a high-risk play, but that’s exactly what makes it a strong leverage stack. If Cease struggles, the Cubs could break the slate.
Final Takeaway
This slate offers a strong mix of safety and upside at pitcher, and there are a handful of hitting spots that can win you a GPP. Build with purpose—pair your stacks with pitchers who correlate with the story you’re telling in your lineup. Houck is your value key, Ryan and Skubal are your ceiling plays, and Valdez is the reliable anchor. Stack up that Braves/Jays game, lean into Boston, and don’t be afraid to get sneaky with the Cubs if you’re chasing leverage.
Let’s crush it.
