MLB DFS Lineup Advice: May 8th Sleeper Picks & Player To Avoid

Henrik Larsen

4 min read

Post on May 16, 2025

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Top Sleeper Picks for May 8th MLB DFS

Finding value is crucial in MLB DFS, and identifying undervalued players—your sleeper picks—can be the difference between a winning lineup and a losing one. Here are a couple of players to consider for May 8th, focusing on their matchups and projected performance against their expected opponent.

• Pitcher X: Spencer Strider (ATL) vs. Washington Nationals: Strider, while not necessarily a "sleeper" in the traditional sense, may be slightly underpriced considering his recent strikeout upside and the Nationals' struggles against right-handed pitching. He's a strong candidate for a high-strikeout game, offering significant value for his projected price point. Their low batting average against righties makes him an attractive option.

• Batter Y: Randy Arozarena (TB) vs. Baltimore Orioles: Arozarena boasts a strong historical record against the Orioles' pitching staff. The combination of a favorable matchup and a potentially lower ownership percentage could make him a high-upside sleeper pick on May 8th. Look at his wOBA and xSLG against right-handed pitching to confirm his potential for a big game.

Analyzing Pitcher Matchups for Underrated Value:

When selecting pitchers, scrutinize the opposing team's batting statistics against the pitcher's handedness. A pitcher facing a team with a low batting average against their style of pitching represents significant value. Consider also park factors—some ballparks favor pitchers more than others.

Identifying Bargain Bats with High Upside:

Focus on batters with a history of success against their opposing pitcher. Look for players who are underpriced relative to their projected performance. Don’t hesitate to use advanced statistics like wOBA (Weighted On-Base Average) and xSLG (expected Slugging Percentage) to identify potentially undervalued hitters.

Players to Avoid on May 8th

Balancing your lineup with sleepers requires identifying players likely to underperform relative to their projected price. Avoiding these high-risk, overpriced players is essential for maximizing your ROI in MLB DFS.

• Pitcher A: Shohei Ohtani (LAA) vs. Houston Astros: While Ohtani is undoubtedly talented, his price tag often reflects his ceiling rather than his floor. Facing the potent Houston Astros lineup presents a considerable risk. His recent performance and the challenging matchup warrant caution.

• Batter B: Aaron Judge (NYY) vs. Gerrit Cole (NYY): Although Judge is a premier hitter, facing his own teammate, Gerrit Cole, who has a dominant track record against him, makes him a risky proposition. The projected ownership percentage for Judge will likely be high, meaning less ROI for you if he doesn't perform exceptionally well.

Recognizing Overvalued Pitching Options:

High-priced pitchers don't guarantee success. Carefully assess their recent performance, their projected strikeout rate, and the opponent's batting order. A high price tag coupled with a tough matchup often signifies a high-risk, low-reward scenario.

Avoiding Batters Facing Dominant Pitching:

Avoid batters scheduled to face elite pitchers known for suppressing runs and strikeouts. Their potential for a big game is diminished against a pitcher of this caliber, and their high ownership percentage only compounds the risk.

Optimizing Your MLB DFS Lineup for May 8th

Building a winning MLB DFS lineup requires more than just selecting talented players; strategic lineup construction is crucial. This involves skillful salary cap management, position diversification, and clever stacking strategies.

• Consider stacking your lineup with players from the same team: If multiple players from one team perform well, you receive bonus points. This strategy amplifies the positive correlation between players on the same team, increasing your chances of winning.

• Ensure a balance across all positions: Avoid heavily weighting your lineup toward one position or one team, minimizing risk.

• Utilize advanced statistics (wOBA, xSLG): These metrics offer a deeper insight into player performance, going beyond traditional stats like batting average.

Mastering Salary Cap Management: Effectively allocate your budget across all player positions, ensuring you have a balance of high-priced and value players.

Effective Stacking Strategies for Increased Points: Strategically stack your lineup to take advantage of the potential for multiple players from the same team to perform exceptionally well. Research team matchups to find those most likely to yield high scores.

Conclusion

To recap, for May 8th MLB DFS, we've highlighted potential sleeper picks like Spencer Strider and Randy Arozarena, while advising against high-risk players such as Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. Remember, considering matchups and identifying value plays are vital to building a winning MLB DFS lineup.

Utilize this MLB DFS lineup advice to build a winning lineup on May 8th! Don't miss out on the opportunity to capitalize on these sleeper picks and avoid costly mistakes. Good luck, and happy stacking! Remember to check back for more MLB DFS lineup advice throughout the season.