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Sunday features a 12-game main slate, and the action on DraftKings gets underway at 1:07 p.m. ET.
Let’s go position-by-position and break down everything you’ll need to know to set your lineups.
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PITCHER
Stud
Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals @ Miami Marlins ($10,700) – There are a couple of stud pitchers to consider on today’s slate, but Scherzer stands out above the rest. He’s in the midst of another terrific season, pitching to a 2.19 ERA and 12.24 K/9 through his first 14 starts, and he has an elite matchup vs. the Marlins. They rank 20th in wRC+ vs. right-handed pitchers this season, and they’ve posted the seventh-highest strikeout rate in that split. Scherzer leads all pitchers with an opponent implied team total of 3.1 runs, and he has plenty of strikeout upside, as well.
Other Options – Zack Wheeler ($10,300)
Value
Brady Singer, Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers ($6,000) – Singer was unable to make it out of the fourth inning in his last start, but he put himself in a bunch of trouble thanks to five walks. Singer has averaged 3.77 walks per nine innings this season, so that was a bit uncharacteristic for him.
If he can keep the walks under control on Sunday, I like his chances to return value vs. the Rangers. He’s a much better pitcher than his current salary indicates – he’s pitched to a 3.85 FIP this season – and the Rangers are a solid matchup. They own the eighth-highest strikeout rate vs. right-handers, and they’re also below-average in wRC+.
Other Options – Sandy Alcantara ($8,600), Jake Odorizzi ($6,900)
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $222K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
CATCHER
Stud
Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds vs. Atlanta Braves ($4,500) – We have plenty of offenses to choose from on today’s slate. Five teams are currently implied for at least 5.3 runs, including the Reds. They’re taking on left-hander Kyle Muller ($4,700), who will be making just the second start of his major league career. He posted a 5.35 xFIP in his first start, so he’s not an imposing figure.
Stephenson continues to do big damage against left-handed pitchers. He’s posted a .394 wOBA and .288 ISO in those matchups, and he owns a 182 wRC+ when facing a southpaw at home. He’s also expected to bat cleanup for the Reds, which makes him underpriced at $4,500.
Other Options – Salvador Perez ($5,300), Omar Narvaez ($5,200)
Value
Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians ($3,000) – The Twins are currently implied for 5.4 runs, and Jeffers will be in the middle of their batting order at just $3,000. Minnesota is taking on left-hander Sam Hentges ($5,400), who has allowed a dreadful .408 wOBA to opposing RHB this season. Not only does Jeffers bat from the right side of the plate, but he’s posted a ridiculous 212 wRC+ vs. southpaws. This is a match made in heaven.
Other Options – Reese McGuire ($3,400)
FIRST BASE
Stud
Yuli Gurriel, Houston Astros @ Detroit Tigers ($4,900) – Gurriel has had a fantastic season at the dish, particularly against left-handed pitchers. He’s posted a 186 wRC+, and six of his 10 homers have come against southpaws. He’ll be facing a left-hander on Sunday in Tarik Skubal ($6,300), who has surrendered a 5.67 FIP vs. RHB this season. The Astros are also implied for 5.4 runs on Sunday, so there is plenty to like with Gurriel in this matchup.
Other Options – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($6,200), Paul Goldschmidt ($4,800)
Value
Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels ($3,300) – First base is a position with a lot of heavy-hitters on Sunday, so there aren’t a ton of appealing value options. That said, Diaz does have some viability. He will bat leadoff for the Rays, and he’ll be on the positive side of his splits vs. Patrick Sandoval ($9,300). Sandoval has pitched to a respectable 3.69 ERA this season, but Diaz has historically fared well against southpaws.
Other Options – Nate Lowe ($4,300), Keston Hiura ($3,900)
SECOND BASE
Stud
Jose Altuve, Houston Astros @ Detroit Tigers ($5,700) – Altuve is another right-handed batter who should have the edge vs. Skubal. Altuve has had a big bounce-back season following a disappointing 2020, and he’s quietly among the league leaders with 17 homers. He’s always been able to hit against left-handed pitching, so there’s no reason why he can’t do some damage vs. Skubal.
Other Options – DJ LeMahieu ($5,000), Jonathan India ($4,700)
Value
Jeff McNeil, New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies ($3,300) – The Mets’ offense has been dreadful for most of the year, and they don’t figure to start piling up runs in a tough matchup vs. Zack Wheeler ($10,300). Still, $3,300 feels too cheap for McNeil, who is hitting leadoff for the Mets on Sunday. McNeil has missed a solid chunk of the season due to injuries, but he posted a 141 wRC+ vs. right-handers in 2020.
Other Options – Cesar Hernandez ($4,500), Jorge Polanco ($4,300)
THIRD BASE
Stud
Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians @ Minnesota Twins ($5,600) – Ramirez is a switch-hitter, but he has been at his best as an RHB over the past 12 months. He’s posted a .450 wOBA and .333 ISO against southpaws over that time frame, and he’ll be facing a left-hander on Sunday in J.A. Happ ($5,500). Happ has been among the worst starters in baseball this season, pitching to a 6.09 ERA and 5.47 FIP. He’s unsurprisingly been at his worst against RHB, who have averaged more than two homers per nine innings against him. Don’t be surprised if Ramirez goes yard in this matchup.
Other Options – Nolan Arenado ($5,500), Luis Urias ($5,200)
Value
Gio Urshela, New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox ($3,200) – Urshela has blossomed into one of the Yankees’ most reliable position players, and he seems underpriced for a matchup vs. left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez ($7,500). E-Rod has not been as bad as his 6.07 ERA indicates, but he’s still surrendered a .368 wOBA to RHB. Urshela has posted a 122 wRC+ against southpaws this season, so he’s a nice source of savings.
Other Options – Cavan Biggio ($4,400), Eugenio Suarez ($4,300)
SHORTSTOP
Stud
Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles ($5,900) – I think I’ve waited long enough to talk about the Blue Jays. They are undoubtedly the top team to target on today’s slate. They’re currently implied for 6.7 runs, which is the top mark on the slate by a sizable margin. The Astros and Twins are tied for second in that department, but they’re implied for just 5.4.
The Blue Jays are taking on Jorge Lopez ($6,100), who has pitched to a 5.68 ERA this season. He’s yet to face the Jays’ potent offense, but they figure to light him up like a Christmas tree. He’s been equally poor against right- and left-handed batters, so feel free to load up on whoever you like for the Blue Jays. Bichette is my favorite option because he can rake and steal bases, but their whole lineup is in play.
Other Options – Marcus Semien ($5,600), Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($4,700)
Value
Gleyber Torres, New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox ($3,200) – Torres is an interesting buy-low target on Sunday. His price tag has dropped by $1,600 over his past 10 games, and he’s in the midst of an awful slump. He’s posted a 63 wRC+ during June, and he’s hit just three homers so far this season. Still, this guy is too talented to struggle forever. Don’t forget that he hit 38 homers at just 22 years old, so I’m willing to roll the dice with him at a reduced salary.
Other Options – Jorge Polanco ($4,300), Amed Rosario ($4,000)
OUTFIELD
Stud
Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Colorado Rockies ($6,200) – Yelich is officially back. His numbers are still a bit down from his MVP peak in 2019, but he’s posted a strong 151 wRC+ vs. right-handers in June. He has an exploitable matchup on Sunday vs. Chi Chi Gonzalez ($6,600), who has been a disaster this season. He’s pitched to a 6.12 ERA in nearly 65 innings, and his 5.15 K/9 is nearly unfathomable in 2021. Left-handed batters have posted a .376 wOBA against Gonzalez, so Yelich has a massive edge in this matchup.
Other Options – Aaron Judge ($5,000), Nelson Cruz ($4,900)
Value
George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles ($4,100) – Everything I wrote about Bichette also applies to Springer, but you can save nearly $2,000 in salary with the former Astros outfielder. The only reason Springer is this cheap is that he was just recently activated from the IL, so take advantage while you can. He’s scored at least 12.0 DKFP in back-to-back games, and he launched a homer two days ago.
Other Options – Michael Brantley ($4,300), Dylan Carlson ($3,600)
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $222K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is mlamarca) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
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