How to Build a DraftKings MLB Optimal Lineup

A repeatable framework for building DraftKings MLB lineups — the same logic the Diamond DFS optimizer uses to solve the slate every night.

Roster & salary cap

DraftKings MLB classic has 10 roster slots and a $50,000 salary cap:

• 2 SP — starting pitchers
• 1 C, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SS — infielders
• 3 OF — outfielders

Scoring is PPR-style: singles 3, doubles 5, triples 8, HR 10, RBI 2, R 2, BB 2, HBP 2, SB 5. Pitchers: 2.25 per IP, 2 per K, 4 for W, 2.5 for ER allowed (negative), 6 for CG, 4 for CGSO, 2.5 for no-hitter bonus.

Step 1 — Set the slate

Identify the main slate (usually 7:05 PM ET first pitch) and pull the player pool. Filter out late-swap risks, players not in starting lineups, and pitchers who aren't probable. The Diamond DFS engine does this automatically — see today's slate.

Step 2 — Pick pitchers first

Pitchers carry the most variance and the most salary. Lock in 1–2 SPs you want exposure to before building the rest of the lineup. Look for:

• High projected strikeouts (K is the single highest-leverage pitcher stat)
• Opposing team with low implied total (≤ 4.0 runs)
• Pitcher-friendly park or favorable weather (no wind out, low temps)
• Win equity — favored by 1.5+ runs at Vegas helps

A common construction is one "ace SP" ($9,000+) and one "value SP" ($6,000–$7,500) who has a strong matchup at a discount.

Step 3 — Choose your stack(s)

Hitter scoring is heavily correlated within a team — when one bat goes off, the rest of the lineup is usually also putting balls in play against the same pitcher. Stack to capture that correlation.

• Cash: 3-man stack of a high-floor team in a great matchup. Pair with hitters from another mid-implied team.
• GPPs: 4 or 5-man stack of a high-ceiling team (implied total 5+), often paired with a 2 or 3-man secondary stack.
• Target the top of the order — leadoff through cleanup hitters get the most plate appearances and the highest RBI/run rates.

See today's top stacks ranked by implied total.

Step 4 — Fill the rest with value

After locking SPs and your stack(s), fill remaining slots by points-per-$1,000 of salary. Look for the players with 3x or greater projected value. The DraftKings MLB benchmark is 3x-4x value across all players in your lineup for higher odds of success ($50,000 salary equal to 150-200 points) — players will typically need to exceed their projections, which is a normal occurrence.

Step 5 — Add leverage

In GPPs, identify chalk plays (≥25% projected ownership) and decide whether to pivot. The cheapest way to gain leverage is to fade the most over-owned mid-tier hitter while keeping their stack mate — your lineup wins more when the stack hits but your specific hitter outscores the field's preferred choice.

Use an Optimizer

Once you have preferences around constraints (locks, excludes, max ownership, stack rules), use an optimizer to run projections and create optimal lineups using your strategy. The Diamond DFS optimizer automates this process and returns the highest-projected lineup in <100ms. You can run dozens of constraint and projection factor variations to customize and experiment with lineup strategies that are unique to you and save those "presets" for future use. The goal is to build a winning strategy through experimentation that is differentiated from everyone else and the mass tools they use.

Try Diamond's optimizer on today's slate →

Common mistakes

• Stacking against a great pitcher because the team is popular
• Punting a hitter who isn't in the starting lineup (zero floor)
• Two SPs in the same game (their fantasy points are negatively correlated)
• Maxing salary at the cost of leaving a lineup hole — $50,000 used isn't a goal, projection is

Frequently asked