The concept of daily fantasy may be new to you. If that is the case then daily fantasy baseball is probably extremely new to you. Many have at least heard of daily fantasy football or even just fantasy football, but likely nothing to do with baseball. Yet, for a lot of people, it is growing in popularity. A sport that plays so many games along with being one of the most statistical sports makes it a fun challenge for even the most casual baseball fans.
This is not a daily fantasy sport for people who are completely casual. That means someone who barely knows baseball and just likes to bet. You will need to be someone who has a strategy and has done some research if you want to not just be throwing your money.
Luckily for you, the entire reason this guide is being written is to provide essential tips for MLB DFS success. That means by the end of this betting guides, you should have enough knowledge and potential strategies to chew on to make more informed choices when starting your Daily Fantasy Baseball betting journey.
Understanding Daily Fantasy Baseball
Dailey Fantasy Baseball needs to not be confused with Fantasy Baseball or with daily fantasy football strategies as that is a completely different sport.. The two are extremely different for one major reason, you play with a new team every day in one and keep the same team, generally, for the full baseball season with the other. You can probably guess that DFB is the one with new teams daily.
What this means is that you are drafting new baseball players every day for a certain number of positions. You cannot just draft anyone, you have a salary cap or a certain amount of money you can spend on each one. Then you pick the players you think will perform best that day in each given position and hope they score you the most points.
The scoring systems can vary but generally, for hitters you are getting points for all the positive events that happen. This includes all of the different hits with points being valued differently for each of them and walks. Then strikeouts lose you points in some leagues as well. As for pitchers you are getting points taken or given based on how many hits and runs they gave up or how many strikeouts or walks that they had.
Truthfully, this is a great and enjoyable game for both the casual fan and seasoned bettors. The reason is that it is fun in general to compete against others based on your own strategies and mindsets. Also, it is something that you can do every day during the season. In case you are rally new to baseball, the MLB has 162 games a year for all 30 teams with very few off days between the beginning of April all the way through October.
Daily Fantasy Baseball Strategy Basics
No matter what, research and preparation are absolutely crucial in Daily Fantasy Baseball and most daily fantasy sports tips will tell you this too. If you do not do any, you might as well be giving your money to the betting site you are using and to your fellow competitors. This does not necessarily mean you have to be an expert to have fun and win some cash, but the more information you have in a game like baseball, the better chance you have to come out on top.
Making sure you understand bankroll management is also important when learning how to play daily fantasy sports. You cannot just pick the best players every single day. You have limited money and have to make choices based on that. Finding potential diamonds in the rough or sacrificing certain positions for players you expect to have big games is a delicate balance and one you have to learn while playing Daily Fantasy Baseball.
Also, it is important, especially in baseball to diversify your lineups. Having too many players on the same team can be a bit of an issue. This is because baseball is a hard sport, getting a hit three out of 10 times for your career puts you in the Hall of Fame. So looking for players from multiple teams, unless they are playing an absolutely horrible team, is the best move you can make. It minimizes your risk and helps you predict and learn players who could be in better situations moving forward.
Fantasy Baseball Daily League Strategy
To excel in daily fantasy baseball, a deep understanding of player statistics, trends, and historical data is crucial. We have not mentioned this yet but this is not a fantasy sports vs esports conversation as both are very different. Advanced metrics like wOBA (weighted on-base average), BABIP (batting average on balls in play), and FIP (fielding independent pitching) offer insights into a player's true performance beyond traditional stats. These metrics help you identify undervalued players and avoid those with unsustainable performance levels.
Historical data is equally important. Analyzing how players have performed in specific stadiums or against particular pitchers can reveal valuable trends. For example, a hitter might excel in certain ballparks due to favorable dimensions or weather conditions. Similarly, some pitchers might struggle against teams with a strong lineup against their pitching style.
Differentiating your strategy between cash games and tournaments is vital. In cash games), consistency is key. Focus on players with a high floor, those who consistently deliver solid performances. These players might not always have the highest ceilings but are less likely to produce dud games.
In tournaments, the approach shifts to targeting upside and differentiation. Here, you're looking for players with the potential for explosive performances, even if they come with higher risk. Selecting lower-owned players can set your lineup apart and provide the edge needed to win large-field tournaments.
The size of the game slate impacts your strategy. Larger slates offer more options and reduce the chances of lineup overlap, allowing for more diverse and unique lineups. On smaller slates, consider stacking players from the same team to capitalize on favorable matchups. This approach can significantly increase your lineup's potential if that team has a big scoring day.
By incorporating these strategies and continuously adapting to the evolving landscape of fantasy baseball, you can enhance your chances of long-term success in daily leagues.
How to Play MLB DFS
Playing Major League Baseball Daily Fantasy Sports can be both exciting and profitable if approached with the right strategy. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started and improve your chances of winning and winning big:
Understanding the Basics - What is MLB DFS?
Daily Fantasy Sports involves creating a lineup of real-life players who earn points based on their actual game performance. In MLB DFS, you draft a team of players and accumulate points based on their hitting, pitching, and fielding statistics.
Types of Contests:
- Cash Games: Includes 50/50s, Double-Ups, and Head-to-Head contests. Your goal is to finish in the top half to win.
- Guaranteed Prize Pools: These tournaments have larger prize pools but only a small percentage of entrants win significant prizes.
Setting Up Your Lineup
Salary Cap:
Each player has a salary, and you must stay under a total salary cap, typically $50,000. This requires balancing stars with lower-cost players.
Positional Requirements:
DraftKings and FanDuel, the two main DFS sites, have slightly different lineup requirements:
- DraftKings: Requires two pitchers, and a mix of infielders and outfielders.
- FanDuel: Generally requires one pitcher and a similar spread of infielders and outfielders.
Research and Analysis
Studying Player Statistics:
Look at player performance metrics such as batting average, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases for hitters, and ERA, strikeouts, WHIP for pitchers.
Matchup Analysis:
- Lefty vs. Righty Splits: Some players perform better against pitchers of the opposite hand.
- Ballpark Factors: Certain stadiums are more hitter-friendly or pitcher-friendly.
- Weather Conditions: Wind, temperature, and humidity can significantly affect game outcomes.
Advanced Metrics:
- WHIP (Walks Plus Hits Per Innings Pitched): How many times pitchers allow someone to get on base outside of an error. Only walks and any type of hits will count.
- wOBA (Weighted On-Base Average): Combines all aspects of hitting.
- xFIP (Expected Fielding Independent Pitching): Focuses on what a pitcher can control (strikeouts, walks, home runs).
- BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play): Helps identify luck in a player’s performance.
Strategy and Game Theory
Stacking: Involves selecting multiple players from the same team to capitalize on high-scoring games. Commonly used in Guaranteed Prize Pools where upside is critical.
Pitching Strategy: Investing in a strong pitcher can provide a solid foundation, as pitchers generally score more points than hitters. In cash games, it’s safer to choose reliable pitchers, while in Guaranteed Prize Pools, you might take risks on lower-owned pitchers with high upside.
Ownership Projections: Understanding how popular certain players will be can help you differentiate your lineup in Guaranteed Prize Pools. Fading highly owned players in favor of less popular ones can provide a unique edge.
Lineup Optimizers: Many websites offer tools to generate optimal lineups based on your input criteria. These are similar to fantasy football draft software but for baseball.
DFS Projections and Models: Using projections from experts can provide a statistical edge. Sites like FanGraphs, Baseball Savant, and others offer in-depth data. PLaces like espn fantasy games have these stats as well but they are not as in-depth.
Late Swaps and News: Stay updated with last-minute lineup changes, injuries, and weather updates. Late swap flexibility can be crucial, especially on platforms like DraftKings that allow post-lock changes for players in later games.
Bankroll Management
Setting a Budget: Decide how much money you’re willing to invest in DFS and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses by playing responsibly.
Contest Selection:
- Cash Games: Allocate a larger portion of your budget to safer cash games.
- Guaranteed Prize Pools: Use a smaller portion for high-risk, high-reward tournaments.
Diversification:
Don’t put all your money into one lineup or contest. Spread out your entries to mitigate risk.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
- Reviewing Performance: Analyze your lineups after each slate to understand what worked and what didn’t. Keep track of your results to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Staying Informed: MLB is a long season, and player performance can vary. Stay updated with the latest news, trends, and advanced analytics.
Playing MLB DFS requires a combination of good researching skills, statistical analysis, strategic lineup construction, and effective bankroll management. By leveraging tools, staying informed, and continuously learning, you can enhance your skills and increase your chances of winning in MLB DFS contests.
The best DFS bonuses in 2025
1.
Claim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!
2.
3.
20% up to $500
+ free $3 ticket
Wagering (WR): 25x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $5
4.
100% up to $500
Min. Deposit: $10
5.
Daily Fantasy Baseball Strategy Conclusion
At this point, hopefully, you are familiar with Daily Fantasy Baseball and some strategies for how you can win. There are a lot of different ways for you to win but the most important aspect is research. To be a completely casual fans will not yield the results you will likely be striving for.
The main reason for this is that baseball is a more complex sport. There are a lot of nuances and different statistics. Understanding these and the rules of the game intimately are a great start. They can help you know what you need to be looking for and see what the players are doing in a completely different light. You will likely never think baseball is boring again. Instead you will look at each at-bat like a game of chess or see what strategies could be getting cooked up in the one versus one matchup.
After you have that base knowledge you will dive into the advanced metrics and outside factors. These include different baseball statistics that can help you see the slight differences in values between each player. Does one strike out a lot of batters but also walk more which leads them to give up more runs? Then they are a bit riskier than the guy that gets fewer strikeouts but gives up at least a run less per game.
This lastly leads to continued research and adaptation based on what type of daily fantasy baseball you are playing. The more you play and the more you study, the best chance you are going to have at winning. Knowing what players to use in what situations and in certain matchups can give you the biggest edge and help you with your Daily Fantasy Baseball strategy.
As always we hope that this has been a helpful guide as you make your way into Daily Fantasy Baseball. Use these tips to make sure that you have the opportunity to find consistent success. If you do then you should be coming out on top more often than not.
