MLB DFS Lineup Advice: May 8th Sleeper Picks And One Batter To Avoid

Laila Abdi

4 min read

Post on May 16, 2025

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Top Sleeper Picks for May 8th MLB DFS

Building a successful MLB DFS lineup requires identifying undervalued players with significant potential. Here's how we find those sleepers and our top recommendations for May 8th.

Identifying Undervalued Players

Finding sleeper picks in MLB DFS requires a multifaceted approach:

• Favorable Matchups: Look for batters facing pitchers with a high ERA (Earned Run Average) and WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) against their hitting handedness. A left-handed batter facing a right-handed pitcher with a poor record against lefties is a prime example.
• Recent Performance Improvements: Don't just look at season-long stats. Analyze recent games. A player showing a recent uptick in batting average, on-base percentage (OBP), slugging percentage (SLG), or home runs is a potential sleeper.
• Low Ownership Projections: Tools like RotoGrinders and FantasyPros provide ownership projections. Targeting players with lower projected ownership is crucial. If they perform well, you'll have a significant advantage.

Specific Sleeper Recommendations

Based on our analysis, here are three sleeper picks for your May 8th MLB DFS lineup:

• Player 1 (Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays): Arozarena is facing a pitcher with a historically high WHIP against left-handed batters. His recent power surge makes him a high-reward, low-risk option. Look for a potential home run or multiple RBIs.

• Player 2 (Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers): Garcia's power numbers against right-handed pitching are excellent, and he's facing a pitcher with a history of struggling against right-handed bats. His high projected run environment provides excellent upside.

• Player 3 (Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies): Bohm has been quietly improving his batting average and OBP recently, and his matchup today is particularly favorable. He's a solid value play with potential for a multi-hit game.

One Batter to Avoid on May 8th

Knowing which players to avoid is just as important as knowing who to pick. One batter stands out as particularly risky for your MLB DFS lineup on May 8th.

Analyzing High-Risk Players

Identifying high-risk players involves:

• Tough Matchups: Consider pitchers with a low ERA and WHIP against the batter's hitting handedness. A consistently strong pitcher against a struggling batter is a recipe for disaster.
• Poor Recent Performance: Look at recent batting averages, strikeout rates, and overall offensive production. Consistent underperformance is a major red flag.
• High Ownership Projection: High projected ownership means that if the player underperforms, many other lineups will also suffer. This limits your potential upside.

The Batter to Avoid (Joey Gallo, Minnesota Twins):** Gallo is currently struggling at the plate, and he's facing a pitcher who has historically dominated left-handed hitters. His high strikeout rate further exacerbates the risk. Avoid Gallo in your MLB DFS lineup on May 8th. His projected ownership is high, making his potential downside even more significant.

Optimizing Your MLB DFS Lineup Construction

Even with great player selections, optimal lineup construction is key.

Building a Balanced Lineup

• Positional Balance: Don't overload on one position. Aim for a balanced lineup across catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, third base, outfield, and pitcher.
• Salary Cap Management: Distribute your salary effectively. Don't put all your eggs in one expensive basket. Mix high-priced studs with value sleepers.
• Team Stacking: Team stacking can be effective, but only if that team has a very high projected run total. Avoid stacking too many players from a team that lacks projected run support.

Utilizing DFS Tools and Resources

Leverage available resources:

• Ownership Projections: Use websites like RotoGrinders and FantasyPros to identify contrarian plays (low ownership, high potential).
• Advanced Stats: Explore advanced metrics like wOBA (weighted on-base average) and xSLG (expected slugging percentage) for a deeper understanding of player performance.

Conclusion

To recap, our MLB DFS lineup advice for May 8th highlights Randy Arozarena, Adolis Garcia, and Alec Bohm as strong sleeper picks. Conversely, avoid Joey Gallo due to his poor recent performance and unfavorable matchup. Remember to build a balanced lineup, manage your salary cap effectively, and use DFS tools to your advantage. Consider player matchups and recent performance when constructing your MLB DFS lineup.

Call to Action: Use this MLB DFS lineup advice to build a winning lineup for May 8th! Remember to consider undervalued players and avoid potential pitfalls to maximize your chances of success in your MLB DFS contests. Check back for more daily MLB DFS lineup advice and further optimize your MLB DFS strategy!