MLB DFS Picks May 8th: 2 Sleeper Picks & 1 Hitter To Avoid

Rajiv Sharma

5 min read

Post on May 15, 2025

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Sleeper Pick #1: Ronald Acuña Jr. – Atlanta Braves

Reasoning: Acuña Jr. presents a compelling sleeper pick for May 8th due to a combination of factors. His recent performance shows signs of breaking out, and his matchup against a pitcher with a history of struggles against left-handed hitters like Acuña Jr. creates a high-value opportunity. His salary might not yet reflect his potential breakout performance.

• Strong batting average against right-handed pitching: Acuña Jr. historically boasts an excellent batting average against right-handed pitchers, making him a strong candidate for success. His career average against righties is significantly higher than his overall average.
• Recent hot streak with multiple hits or home runs: While not currently on a massive tear, Acuña Jr. is showing improved contact and power recently. Keep an eye on his pre-game stats and news for any signs of a continued hot streak.
• Playing in a hitter-friendly ballpark: The Braves play in a park known for being favorable to hitters, potentially boosting his power numbers and overall fantasy output.
• Low ownership projection in DFS contests: Many DFS players might overlook Acuña Jr. due to perceived inconsistency; this lower ownership translates into a higher potential return if he performs well.

Supporting Details: Check Acuña Jr.'s recent stats, specifically focusing on his batting average, on-base percentage (OBP), slugging percentage (SLG), and home run (HR) numbers against right-handed pitching. Compare these numbers to his historical averages and the opposing pitcher’s stats to gauge his potential.

Sleeper Pick #2: Brandon Nimmo – New York Mets

Reasoning: Nimmo's value stems from his consistent on-base skills and a favorable matchup. Even without massive power numbers, his ability to get on base frequently can generate significant fantasy points, particularly if he bats leadoff. His salary may be lower than expected for his potential contributions.

• Potential for increased playing time due to injury: Check for any recent injury news affecting other Mets batters. An injury opening up more at-bats for Nimmo boosts his value significantly.
• Historical success against the opposing pitcher: Examine Nimmo's past performance against the pitcher he’ll be facing on May 8th. Any evidence of past success increases his projected fantasy points.
• Low salary relative to projected fantasy points: Aim for players where the projected points significantly outweigh their DFS salary. Nimmo’s OBP skills make him a potentially high-value pick at a lower cost.
• Upside potential for a significant return on investment: Even without a home run, Nimmo's consistent on-base ability and potential for stolen bases could lead to a strong return compared to his relatively lower salary.

Supporting Details: Analyze Nimmo’s OBP, batting average, and stolen base numbers, comparing them to his salary and the opposing pitcher’s stats. Look for patterns of success against similar pitching styles.

Hitter to Avoid: Juan Soto – San Diego Padres

Reasoning: While Soto is a tremendously talented hitter, his recent slump and a tough matchup against a dominant pitcher make him a risky pick for May 8th. His high salary doesn't justify the risk considering his current performance and projected output.

• Recent cold streak with low batting average and minimal power: Review Soto's recent games. If he’s experiencing a significant slump with low batting averages and few extra-base hits, he's a high-risk pick.
• Facing a pitcher with a strong track record against his hitting style: Look at the opposing pitcher's stats against left-handed hitters (if Soto is a lefty) or right-handed hitters (if he's a righty). If the pitcher has historically dominated hitters similar to Soto, proceed with caution.
• High DFS salary that doesn't justify the risk: Soto’s high salary reflects his potential, but during a slump, it’s not worth the investment considering his current performance.
• Poor historical performance in similar matchups: Examine Soto's past performance against similar pitchers or in similar ballpark situations to assess his likelihood of success.

Supporting Details: Focus on Soto's recent stats, comparing them to his salary and the opposing pitcher’s strengths. A clear pattern of struggles against this type of pitching justifies avoiding him.

Conclusion

To recap, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Brandon Nimmo offer compelling sleeper pick potential for your MLB DFS lineups on May 8th, based on their favorable matchups, recent performance, and projected value relative to their salary. Conversely, Juan Soto presents a significant risk due to a recent slump and a challenging matchup. Remember to always consider player matchups, recent performance, and salary when constructing your MLB DFS lineups. Use our MLB DFS picks for May 8th to build a winning lineup and maximize your chances of success. Don't miss out on these key insights for a potentially profitable day of Daily Fantasy Baseball. Remember to always conduct your own research and adjust your strategy based on the latest news and updates before finalizing your MLB DFS lineup. Good luck!