1. Warmup (Overview) 

2. Roster Construction (You are here)

3. Choosing Starting Pitchers

4. Choosing Hitters

5. Stacking

6. Ownership and Leverage

7. Ballparks and Weather

8. Contest Selection

9. Advanced Tools and Resources

Note: DFS Profits focuses exclusively on DraftKings for simplicity and because the author only plays on that platform.

Roster Construction Strategies for DraftKings MLB Contests

Building effective rosters is a critical skill for success in DraftKings MLB contests. In this blog post, we'll discuss the different roster positions and requirements, explain salary cap restrictions and how to manage your budget effectively and introduce stacking strategies and the importance of team correlation. We'll also cover DraftKings' unique scoring system and how it impacts roster construction.

DraftKings MLB Roster Positions and Requirements

In DraftKings MLB contests, you'll need to construct a lineup consisting of 10 players: 1 pitcher, 1 catcher, 1 first baseman, 1 second baseman, 1 third baseman, 1 shortstop, and 3 outfielders. Additionally, you'll have one utility spot that can be filled by a player from any position except pitcher.

When selecting players for each position, consider the following:

1. Pitcher: Choose a pitcher with a favorable matchup, strong recent performance, and high strikeout upside. Pitchers earn 2.25 points per inning pitched and 2 points per strikeout on DraftKings.

2. Catcher: Focus on catchers with good batting averages and power potential, as the position tends to have limited offensive options. Catchers, like all hitters, earn points for hits, runs, RBIs, and walks.

3. Infielders: Target infielders with multi-position eligibility to increase your roster flexibility. Look for players with good on-base skills, power, and favorable park factors. Infielders can rack up points through hits, runs, RBIs, and stolen bases.

4. Outfielders: Prioritize outfielders with high batting order positions, as they'll have more opportunities to accrue points. Consider power-speed threats who can contribute in multiple categories. Outfielders earn points in the same manner as infielders.

Understanding DraftKings' MLB Scoring System

DraftKings' MLB scoring system rewards hitters for hits, runs, RBIs, walks, and stolen bases while penalizing them for strikeouts. Here's a breakdown of the hitting scoring system:

- Single: +3 points

- Double: +5 points

- Triple: +8 points

- Home Run: +10 points

- Run Batted In (RBI): +2 points

- Run: +2 points

- Walk: +2 points

- Stolen Base: +5 points

- Hit By Pitch (HBP): +2 points

- Strikeout: -0.5 points

For pitchers, DraftKings awards points for innings pitched, earned runs allowed, strikeouts, and wins, while deducting points for losses, walks, and hits allowed. Here's the pitching scoring system:

- Inning Pitched: +2.25 points

- Strikeout: +2 points

- Win: +4 points

- Earned Run Allowed: -2 points

- Hit Against: -0.6 points

- Base on Balls Against: -0.6 points

- Hit Batsman: -0.6 points

- Complete Game: +2.5 points

- Complete Game Shutout: +2.5 points

- No Hitter: +5 points

Keep these scoring nuances in mind when constructing your rosters, and target players who excel in the categories most rewarded by DraftKings.

Managing Your DraftKings Salary Cap and Budget

DraftKings MLB contests have a salary cap of $50,000 for your 10-player roster. To effectively manage your budget, consider the following strategies:

1. Identify value plays: Look for underpriced players with good matchups and recent performance. These value plays can help you save salary cap space for high-priced studs.

2. Allocate your budget wisely: Avoid overspending on a single position or player. Aim for a balanced roster with a mix of high-priced stars and value plays.

3. Be flexible: Be willing to adjust your roster construction based on the available players and matchups. Don't get too attached to a specific strategy or player.

Stacking Strategies and Team Correlation

Stacking is a popular strategy in DraftKings MLB contests that involves rostering multiple players from the same team to capitalize on their correlation. If one player has a big game, there's a good chance their teammates will also perform well. When implementing stacking strategies, consider the following:

1. Target teams with high implied run totals: Use Vegas odds to identify teams expected to score a lot of runs. Focus on stacking players from these high-powered offenses.

2. Stack players with good matchups: Look for hitters facing weak pitchers or playing in hitter-friendly parks. Stacking players in these favorable situations can increase your upside.

3. Correlate your stacks: When stacking, try to select players who are likely to be on base for each other. For example, stacking a team's 1-2-3 hitters can be effective, as they'll have more opportunities to drive in runs and score runs for each other.

4. Don't over-stack: While stacking is a valuable strategy, be careful not to over-stack and limit your lineup's diversity. Aim for a balance between correlation and diversification.

By understanding DraftKings' roster requirements, scoring system, and salary cap management, and implementing smart stacking strategies, you'll be well-equipped to build high-scoring MLB lineups. Remember to stay flexible, consider multiple factors when making your player selections, and continually refine your approach based on your results and the ever-changing MLB landscape. Good luck in your DraftKings MLB contests!