As a part of the Playbook PRO we are excited to announce a new daily feature dubbed “Stack the Deck". Each day one of our experts will provide you with different options for stacks within the DFS MLB slate. This article will be different each day. Sometimes we will go the traditional team stack route and provide insight into constructing lineups based on that. We will also introduce some new ideas for stacks, explain the strategy behind it and the factors used to develop them. We will then assess and analyze them.
 

In other words, we will have some fun with this. Because DFS is fun.
 

We will be reaching out to you for thoughts, pivots and success stories throughout the year. Also, have an idea for a feature on a certain type, let us know. Post in the comments or hit us up on the FANation boards.
 

Opening Day Stack
 

This first edition we'll be a simple straight forward edition with just the three games on the opening slate, our options are a bit limited. Also, with six “aces" taking the mound, identifying a couple of teams with a good chance of offensive outbursts is difficult. Though, if you have read the Playbook or seen our Optimal Lineups, you'll notice a trend. Giants. Lots and lots of Giants.
 

I'm suggesting that we stack on the Giants for a few reasons, all of which point to the best chance for a 6+ run performance:
 

  1. Familiarity with Zack Greinke, even though the numbers themselves haven’t been pretty (.180 batting average), they have seen him a combined 250 times.

  2. Chase Field certainly can take on the shape of a launching pad. Those long flies that come up short at AT&T Park in San Francisco can carry out in Phoenix.

  3. If the Giants manage to get to Greinke and get his pitch count elevated, they can feast on a weaker backend of the Arizona bullpen.
     

Our rankings align with this belief as Giants lead the way in most positions. With Buster Posey (C) , Eduardo Nunez (3B), Brandon Crawford (SS) and both Hunter Pence (1) and Denard Span (2) leading the way in the outfield rankings.

 

Let's take a look at how we can construct some stacked lineups with Giants and fill in with players from other teams…

 

DraftKings

P - Madison Bumgarner (SF)

P - Masahiro Tanaka (NYY)

C - Yadier Molina (STL)

1B - Brandon Belt (SF)

2B - Joe Panik (SF)

3B - Kris Bryant (CHC)

SS - Brandon Crawford (SF)

OF - Corey Dickerson (TB)

OF - Jarrett Parker (SF)

OF - Kevin Kiermaier (TB)

 

FanDuel

P - Chris Archer (TB)
C - Buster Posey (SF)
1B - Anthony Rizzo (CHC)
2B - Ben Zobrist (CHC)
3B - Eduardo Nunez (SF)
SS - Brandon Crawford (SF)
OF - A.J. Pollock (ARZ)
OF - Hunter Pence (SF)
OF - Kyle Schwarber (CHC)

 

As you can see in the FanDuel example, if you want to stack with another team, I'd suggest the Cubs in St. Louis. The simple reasoning is that they are a loaded lineup from top-to-bottom and Carlos Martinez has a bit of trouble controlling his emotions. Opening Night in St. Louis on national television with the rival Cubs in town, who happen to be the defending champs, well, it doesn't get much more high-leverage than that outside the post-season.

 

This is a quick example of what we are looking to do with this piece throughout the season. We hope you enjoy it and be sure to send in your ideas for future “Stack the Deck” features.