Dominate Your MLB DFS League On May 8th: Sleeper Picks & Hitter To Avoid

Henrik Larsen

5 min read

Post on May 15, 2025

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Top Sleeper Picks for May 8th MLB DFS

Identifying the right sleeper picks for your MLB DFS lineup on May 8th is crucial for maximizing your return. This means looking beyond the obvious stars and digging into the data to find undervalued players with high upside.

Identifying Undervalued Players

To find the best sleeper picks, consider these crucial factors:

• Pitcher Matchups: A favorable matchup against a pitcher with a high ERA or a history of struggling against left-handed hitters (or vice-versa, depending on the batter's handedness) significantly increases a hitter's potential for a big game. Look for pitchers with recent struggles or those facing a potent offense.
• Recent Performance Trends: Don't just look at season-long stats. Analyze recent games (last 7-10 days) to identify players heating up. A sudden surge in performance can indicate an undervalued asset in your MLB DFS lineup.
• Projected Lineups: Knowing the projected batting order is key. A player batting leadoff or cleanup has a greater chance of more plate appearances and thus, more scoring opportunities.
• Key Statistical Metrics: Pay attention to statistics like BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play), ISO (Isolated Power), and wRC+ (weighted Runs Created Plus). These advanced metrics can reveal hidden value in players often overlooked in traditional statistical analysis.

Here are some sleeper picks for May 8th based on our analysis (Note: These are hypothetical examples and should be verified with updated information closer to game time):

• Player X (OF, NYY): Low ownership projected despite a favorable matchup against a pitcher with a high ERA and a history of struggling against left-handed hitters.
• Player Y (SS, LAD): Recent hot streak with a high BABIP and ISO, suggesting he’s due for regression to the mean and could greatly outperform his salary projection.
• Player Z (1B, CHC): Batting cleanup in a strong Cubs lineup against a pitcher with a mediocre record against right-handed batters.

Value Plays Based on Projected Lineup Spots

Batting order significantly impacts fantasy scoring. Players batting leadoff or in the cleanup spot have more opportunities to score runs and drive in RBIs. Targeting players in these positions with lower salaries than their projected performance can lead to significant value in your MLB DFS lineup.

For May 8th, look for players projected to bat high in the order for teams facing weaker pitching staffs. Even a single-digit increase in their batting average can greatly influence their fantasy output. This strategy of finding value in key lineup positions will drastically improve your chances of dominating your league.

Hitters to Avoid on May 8th: Identifying High-Risk Plays

Knowing which hitters to avoid is just as crucial as finding the right sleeper picks in MLB DFS. These high-risk plays can derail your lineup’s potential.

Pitcher Matchups to Steer Clear Of

Some pitchers have historically dominated certain hitters or teams. This is a major factor to consider when building your lineup.

• Example: A pitcher with a historically low WHIP and high strikeout rate against a specific team scheduled to play on May 8th should make you think twice about selecting players from that team.

Here are a couple of hitters to avoid on May 8th due to tough matchups:

• Player A (3B, ARI): Historically struggles against the opposing pitcher, who has a low ERA against left-handed hitters.
• Player B (C, ATL): The opposing pitcher possesses an exceptional record against the Braves this season.

Considering Recent Slumps and Injuries

Always check injury reports and recent performance before selecting players. A player in a slump or dealing with an injury, even a minor one, is a high-risk play.

• Example: A player with a recent batting average significantly below his season average is a red flag.

Overpriced Players to Avoid

Some players are overpriced relative to their projected performance. Carefully analyze their salary compared to their projected points to avoid overspending.

Optimizing Your MLB DFS Lineup for May 8th

Building a winning MLB DFS lineup involves more than just selecting the right players. It's about strategically balancing salary and projected points.

Balancing Salary and Projected Points

Use DFS site tools to optimize your lineup, ensuring you maximize your projected points while staying within the salary cap.

Utilizing Different DFS Strategies

Consider stacking teammates (selecting multiple players from the same team to capitalize on a potential offensive outburst) and using contrarian plays (selecting less popular players who have a high upside).

Considering Tournament vs. Cash Game Strategies

Tournament lineups prioritize higher-risk, higher-reward players, while cash game lineups focus on safer, consistent performers.

Conclusion

Dominating your MLB DFS league on May 8th requires a combination of identifying promising sleeper picks, recognizing hitters to avoid, and employing smart lineup construction strategies. Remember to check for updated news and injury reports before making your final selections. Use the identified sleeper picks and strategies to dominate your MLB DFS league on May 8th! Good luck and happy stacking!