Getting started with
MLB DFS
strategy – 3 key facts to help you win
Before I get down to the nitty gritty of building your team, there are three key facts I want to share. Even if you’re new to playing fantasy baseball, these factors can help shape your overall strategy and influence your chances of success at
DFS betting.
Baseball experiences a lot of upsets. While you can rely on Patrick Mahomes to score at least one touchdown in 90% of NFL games, baseball players may not be so predictable.
Baseball is the only daily fantasy sport with morning, afternoon, and evening games. It offers total flexibility which makes it attractive to a large range of players looking to play fantasy baseball for money.
Morning games may not get so much attention, but evening matches will be a hive of activity. That means prize pool payouts can range from a few dollars to several thousand dollars.
MLB has a uniquely long season, with 162 total games. That means there are games happening, on average, every three days. In fact, it’s one of the lengthiest seasons in sport, and stretches into the warmer weather when the NFL and NHL have both stopped.
How to play fantasy baseball
– creating the perfect baseball lineup
In the simplest terms, to be a winner in fantasy baseball your team has to outperform everyone else’s. Easy right? That means choosing the strongest lineup is essential. Here’s how to give yourself the best odds for success.
Opt for a mixture of high and lower value players
Every player you can pick is assigned a value and, at lots of sites, you’ll only have a limited budget (known as a salary cap). A good approach is to make a balanced team of high and low value players from a variety of teams. That way, you won’t lose too many points if one team has a bad day.
Look out for low value picks
Players can lose value for lots of reasons, including injuries. I always keep an eye on an injured player’s rehab, and their possible return to the diamond, to give me an edge against other players.
Before you make your choice of players, you’ll need to research their current form. Looking out for injuries and suspensions is a good idea straight off the bat, but it also pays to consider how players have performed in recent games. Are they in a slump because they want to change teams? Even better, are they on a bit of a hot streak?
Consistency is key
When selecting your team you’ll want to focus on consistent players who offer a solid performance every time. While we all love a David vs Goliath story, they don’t happen all that often.
Consider the matchups
When you’re selecting your players you’ll need to think about potential matchups. Some of your draft picks will face off better against particular opponents, impacting your chances of success.
Rules vary across platforms but your roster will need to have members from at least two different teams; on some platforms it could be three.
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My top tips for DFS MLB success
There’s no sure fire way to win in fantasy baseball, but there are a few tips and strategies you can follow to make the process easier.
Narrow down your research to a few key sources that you look at regularly
It can be overwhelming to try and synthesise all of the data impacting baseball; there are hundreds of statistics coming in every second. A good strategy therefore, is to keep to a few trusted daily fantasy sports sites which you check regularly. This will give you useful information without overloading you with facts and figures.
Get to grips with the scoring system at each app
All MLB DFS apps award different points for each action in the game. For example a home run is worth 12 points at FanDuel and 10 points at DraftKings.
The numbers themselves aren’t too significant here, it’s how they stack up against each other, e.g. a double is worth half a home run at both of those popular DFS brands.
Build from the pitcher up
If you’re not sure where to start with creating your draft then a good strategy is to begin with a strong pitcher. Then add two more higher value hitters, two lower value players, and fill up the rest with any picks you fancy.
The weather can have a serious impact on your fantasy baseball pick. While it’s not necessary to be a meteorological expert, knowing how certain conditions can impact the game is useful.
- Rainouts: If the game your players are in is rained off completely, you won’t score any points. If you have a pick planned, check the weather for DFS baseball today to see if it’s worth your while participating.
- Postponements: If a weather postponement takes place before a game, the biggest impact will be on your starting pitcher. Therefore, if rain looks likely, you might want to adjust your lineup.
Now that you’ve got the full pitcher (!) on crafting an unbeatable roster, you’ll want to try it out at the
best apps for fantasy baseball. These are five of the very top apps offering fantasy MLB action; here’s a look at each site’s welcome bonus and its key terms and conditions.
| Site | Bonus | Notable terms and conditions |
| Underdog | First deposit match up to $100 |
- Use the promo code to claim
- Minimum deposit $10
- 60 day limit to meet the playthrough requirements
|
| DraftKings | 20% deposit match up to $500. |
- Minimum deposit of $25
- Playthrough requirement of 25x which must be met within 90 days
|
| FanDuel | Get $5 extra when you make your first deposit. |
- $10 minimum deposit
- No promo code needed
|
| ParlayPlay | 100% deposit match up to $100. |
- Minimum deposit $10
- You’ll receive your deposit match as promo entries which must be used within seven days in a 2-pick More/Less contest
|
| OwnersBox | 100% first time deposit match bonus up to $500 |
- Minimum deposit $10;
- Bonus bets are delivered as onsite credit, called OwnersBucks so wagering requirements work a little differently
|
Underdog – fresh new
MLB DFS
site with innovative ideas
Pros & Cons
- App for iOS and Android
- Best Ball feature is great for first timers
- Lots of celebrity fans
- Daily, weekly, or season – long contests
- Limited withdrawal methods
Underdog has emerged as one of the best daily fantasy baseball sites of recent years. There are full apps for both iOS and Android devices, and both have an excellent ranking (4.8 on the App Store and 4/5 on Google Play). Signing up is easy and gives you instant access to the welcome promo of a 100% deposit match up to $100.
Underdog offer daily, weekly, and season-long leagues. Their Best Ball contests are good for beginners because each space in the roster is filled with the best player possible. Or, if you fancy something longer, you can opt for the Weekly Winners where you get to draft a team for a week.
The innovative Breaking News tool is great to keep you in the loop about all of the latest developments, helping you to make the most successful picks possible.
$10 Free on Signup, No Deposit Required
DraftKings – Reliable site with excellent MLB credentials
Pros & Cons
- Apps for Apple and Android
- Excellent range of promotions
- Dynasty Rewards program
- Playing the Tier game is good for first timers
- Support not available via phone
It’s fair to say that DraftKings is probably the first site you think of when you hear the words baseball and fantasy sports in the same sentence. Along with FanDuel, DraftKings are top of the league in fantasy baseball sites, and for good reason.
As soon as you sign up to DraftKings you can access the new player bonus: 20% deposit match up to a limit of $500. Your bonus funds will be paid out in the form of DK dollars which can be used to play in DFS MLB leagues. You can also claim this deal via the apps, both of which are easy to use (and have a ranking of 4.7 on both the Play Store and the App Store to prove it).
DraftKings has lots of DFS game variations for MLB:
- Single game
– make your pick of players under a salary cap for a set game,
- Beat the Score
– equal or beat the point total set by DK and you’ll nab a cash prize.
- Head-to-head
– build your team and face off against another player. Whoever’s team scores the most points wins.
To make building your draft easier, DraftKings has a Quick Pick tool that can suggest players.
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FanDuel – the Daily Fantasy Sport OG
Pros & Cons
- Beginner contests for first timers
- Fantasy Anything competitions
- Set up private games with your friends
- Excellent reputation and huge user base
- Less generous welcome bonus
FanDuel started in 2009 as the very first daily fantasy site and are now, understandably, one of the titans in the industry. Their site is easy to navigate whatever your skill level, and there are apps to download from both the App Store and Google Play (where they have a 4.8 and 4.7 rating respectively).
There are a massive range of MLB DFS choices including 50/50s, heads to heads, triple ups and more. Plus, the Guaranteed Prize Pools with entry stakes as low as $1, going up to more than $1000, can offer big rewards but is also a good choice for beginners. There are also unique Survivor competitions where only a select percentage of players progress through each round until there are only five lucky players left.
FanDuel has lots of special tools to help players, such as the Guru Suggestions. This automatically gives you hints and information on players to help you make your draft.
ParlayPlay – user friendly site with strong socials
Pros & Cons
- No deposit welcome bonus
- ParlayPlay rewards program
- Refer a friend for a $5 bonus
- User friendly site and apps
ParlayPlay is an excellent choice for daily fantasy baseball fans. They started in 2020 but have accelerated like a Randy Johnson pitch to become one of the best DFS MLB apps. The welcome bonus starts things off with a 100% deposit match up to $100, but the Parlay Club and refer a friend deals keep the promos rolling.
One of the things I love about ParlayPlay is the clean, pared back design of the site. This makes it very easy to use whether you’re opting for the desktop version or the iOS or Android app.
ParlayPlay gives members the chance to go head-to-head against themselves by picking out the winner in various prop style, statistics based bets. You can also take part in Higher/ Lower fantasy baseball leagues for money or
Pick’M
contests, with insurance available to protect some of your investment. There are several free to enter contests running every week too.
100% First Deposit Match up to $100 in Promo Funds
OwnersBox – Weekly Fantasy Sports pioneers
Pros & Cons
- Innovative Lightning Lineups MLB feature
- iOS and Android apps
- Strong community focus
- Deposit match welcome up to $500
- Limited range of banking methods
If you’re seeking the top daily fantasy baseball apps, you can’t go too far wrong with OwnersBox. Founded in 2019, this site has four game modes. As well as conventional weekly and multi-weekly head-to-heads and prize pool tournaments, there are thrilling Lightning Lineups. This daily contest gives you three possible lineups of three players. Pick the one that looks strongest and, if yours scores the most points that day, you’ll be the winner.
During my time exploring the OwnersBox site, I also discovered an outstanding welcome bonus – a 100% deposit match up to $500.
100% bonus of first deposit – up to 100 OwnersBucks instantly
Conclusion – America’s pastime offers full time fantasy entertainment
It’s no wonder MLB is such a big hitter in the DFS leagues. There are lots of lovely stats to sink your teeth into, and literally anything can happen. But, the key to guaranteeing your draft stays in the diamond is to keep to a simple strategy. With such a long season, fantasy baseball gives you a unique chance to test out different rosters, refine it over a series of slates, and develop your knowledge.
Learning fantasy strategies can seem daunting but there are a lot of resources to help you. GameChampions has lots more guides on MLB DFS, and other fantasy sports, including a detailed look at where daily fantasy sports are legal. You’ll also discover insights into the newest promos so make sure to stop by again soon, I’ll have the kettle on ready.
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Daily fantasy baseball
FAQs
📈 What’s the easiest strategy to make a winning draft in MLB DFS contests?
There are hundreds of potential strategies for fantasy baseball success out there on the web, all claiming to be the best fantasy baseball draft strategy. In this guide I’ve gone over some simple, easily comprehensible tips and hints that will help out first base huggers, and the more advanced fantasy baseball player.
⚾️ What’s the top daily fantasy baseball site for new players?
All of the sites in my list offer easy to use apps, exciting contests to appeal to a range of different players, and welcome bonuses that you’ll definitely want to get your mitts on. The best site is completely down to you as an individual. If you’re looking for exciting match ups then OwnersBox should be your first port of call, but if large bonuses call to you like a siren, then you’ll want to sample DraftKings.
⏰ How long does it take you to get winnings from MLB DFS apps?
One of the great things about fantasy baseball is that the regular, even daily depending on the site and the point in the season, contests mean that you’ll know if you’re a winner straightaway. Payouts vary by site but at the top apps, your winnings should be with you within 30 minutes
