MLB DFS: May 8th - Sleeper Picks, Value Plays & Hitters To Avoid

Kenji Nakamura

4 min read

Post on May 16, 2025

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Top MLB DFS Sleeper Picks for May 8th

Finding under-owned players with high upside is key to winning big in MLB DFS. These sleeper picks offer significant potential for a strong return on investment without the high ownership percentages of top projected players.

• Player 1 (Position, Team): Kyle Tucker (OF, Houston Astros) Reasoning: Tucker has been hitting well recently, especially against right-handed pitching. He's facing a pitcher with a high ERA and WHIP against lefties this season. Recent Stats: .300 batting average over the last week, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs. This makes him a strong DFS value play and a high upside sleeper pick.

• Player 2 (Position, Team): Adolis García (OF, Texas Rangers) Reasoning: García's power potential is undeniable, and he’s batting in a favorable spot in the Rangers lineup. He has a track record of hitting well against the opposing pitcher’s style. Recent Stats: .280 batting average, 3 HRs over the last 10 games. This makes him an excellent under-owned MLB DFS sleeper pick.

• Player 3 (Position, Team): Jonathan India (2B, Cincinnati Reds) Reasoning: India's speed and potential for stolen bases make him a great value pick, especially considering his salary. His recent improvement in batting average also adds to his DFS value. Recent Stats: .270 batting average, 2 stolen bases in the last week. This under-owned player represents excellent DFS value.

Value Plays: Maximize Your MLB DFS Budget on May 8th

Finding value picks is crucial for optimal lineup construction within your salary cap. These players offer excellent performance potential relative to their relatively low salaries.

• Player 4 (Position, Team): Brendan Rodgers (2B, Colorado Rockies) Reasoning: Rodgers is a consistent hitter against left-handed pitching, and the Rockies have a hitter-friendly home park. His salary is surprisingly low considering his potential. Recent Stats: .290 batting average against lefties. This represents significant bang for your buck in your MLB DFS lineup.

• Player 5 (Position, Team): Daulton Varsho (OF/C, Toronto Blue Jays) Reasoning: Varsho is hitting higher in the Blue Jays batting order and demonstrating consistent performance. His versatility offers lineup flexibility. Recent Stats: .260 batting average, .800 OPS over the last two weeks.

Hitters to Avoid in Your MLB DFS Lineups on May 8th

Identifying risky plays and hitters likely to underperform is just as important as finding high-upside options. These players present a high probability of disappointing returns.

• Player 6 (Position, Team): Joey Gallo (OF, Minnesota Twins) Reasoning: Gallo is facing a tough matchup against a pitcher who dominates left-handed batters, and he's been in a recent slump. Recent Stats: .180 batting average over the last 10 games. Avoid this risky play in your MLB DFS lineup.

• Player 7 (Position, Team): Anthony Rizzo (1B, New York Yankees) Reasoning: Rizzo has a poor historical record against the opposing pitcher, and the park factors aren't favorable for power hitters. Recent Stats: Low average and slugging percentage against similar pitchers.

• Player 8 (Position, Team): Ketel Marte (2B, Arizona Diamondbacks) Reasoning: Marte's playing time is questionable due to a recent injury; avoid this negative matchup.

May 8th MLB DFS Lineup Strategy Considerations

Building a winning lineup involves more than just selecting individual players; strategic considerations are key for MLB DFS optimization.

• Stacking: Consider stacking players from the same team to increase correlation. If one player performs well, others on the same team are more likely to as well.

• Weather: Pay close attention to weather conditions that may impact game outcomes – rain delays or extreme heat can significantly affect player performance.

• Projection Tools: Utilize various DFS projection tools to help refine your lineup decisions. Many tools consider advanced statistics to project player performance.

• Lineup Optimization: Use different lineup optimization tools to ensure you're getting the most out of your roster spots and salary cap.

• Diversification: Diversify your lineup with players from various teams and positions to mitigate risk.

Conclusion

To recap, we've highlighted key MLB DFS sleeper picks like Kyle Tucker and Adolis Garcia, value plays such as Brendan Rodgers, and players to avoid, including Joey Gallo. Remember to consider matchups, player form, and salary constraints when constructing your MLB DFS lineup. Always check for late-breaking news before lock!

Ready to build your winning MLB DFS lineup for May 8th? Use this analysis to inform your picks and remember to always check for late-breaking news before lock! Good luck and happy stacking! Keep checking back for more MLB DFS advice and analysis!