This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We have an eight-game slate featured on DraftKings for Sunday. From a pitching standpoint, there isn't one arm that stands out as a must play. However, there are some decent pitchers in favorable matchups we can target and hope they are able to take advantage of opponents' specific inefficiencies at the plate.
Pitching
Michael Pineda, MIN vs. CLE ($8,200): With only two starts under his belt for 2020 season, Pineda has looked solid in both outings after reaching 101 pitches in his last matchup against the Tigers where he mowed down eight Detroit bats on his way to a 28.8 fantasy point gem. He gets the Indians today, a team struggling mightily at the plate this season. Over their last three, they've only registered one run with a team batting average sitting at a paltry .161 combined. Pineda should have a solid opportunity to pitch deep into this game and may have the win equity in his favor if the Twins' bats are able to chase rookie pitcher Triston McKenzie off the mound.
Jonathan Stiever, CWS vs. DET ($4,000): There hasn't been any indication as to how long they'll let Stiever go here, but there aren't many paths to where he won't return value at $4,000. The rookie faces a prime matchup against the Tigers who are near bottom in strikeouts per game at 9.73, which sets up well for Stiever who boasted a 154:27 K:BB ratio - albeit at the minor league level. His cheap salary allows you to roster just about any bat you want, which will come in handy with several teams in position to score lots of runs.
Top Targets
DJ LeMahieu, NYY vs. BAL ($5,400): The Yankees represent an attractive team in this spot against John Means, but one that stands out most is LeMahieu. He continues to lead off and provides a power bat in the Yankee lineup with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton still injured. LeMahieu has hit two home runs over his last four and has taken Means deep once before, so I like his chances with the short porch in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium.
Renato Nunez, BAL at NYY ($4,300): Staying in the same game, Nunez squares off against J.A. Happ, a pitcher he faced 19 times over his career. In those at-bats, he's accumulated 11 hits that includes four home runs and eight RBI. It's pretty obvious Nunez has Happ's number and I expect him to continue his batting barrage against the Yankees' lefty and hope he finds himself in a position to drive in multiple runners.
Key Values
Bobby Dalbec, BOS at TB ($3,300): Since getting called up, Dalbec has been one of the bright spots for the Red Sox with double-digit fantasy points in his last six starts. It's not a guarantee he'll crack the lineup here, but his upside has clearly been on display when given the opportunity. Dalbec carries a frightening 46.5 percent strikeout rate, but Morton has struggled to blow the ball by anyone this season by only averaging four strikeouts per game.
Adalberto Mondesi, KC vs PIT ($3,100): After a extremely slow start, Mondesi has recently been turning it on big time. He's crushed home runs in three straight games and gets Pirates' righty Chad Kuhl at home where he'll look to continue his hot streak. Mondesi's main appeal is his speed with 16 steals on the season. If he can find his way on base, he can rack up fantasy points in a hurry. Being a switch hitter helps since Mondesi will rarely be a pinch-hit candidate, leaving him maximum at-bats despite typically sitting lower in the batting order.
Stacks to Consider
White Sox vs. Spencer Turnbull: Tim Anderson ($5,500), Eloy Jimenez ($5,300), Luis Robert ($4,900)
You have to pay up for these guys, but they promise the ability to hang double-digit runs on any given night as we saw Saturday. They get Turnbull today, who has had a decent season but mainly against subpar offenses with high strikeout rates. Anderson and Robert offer stolen base upside, while Jimenez is a masher at the plate sporting a .296 batting average that features 12 home runs and 34 RBI. Filling infield positions also makes them appealing and you could even round it out with Jose Abreu ($5,300), who is coming off a monster 52-point showcase and has been consistently been one of baseball's best hitters this season.
Orioles vs. J.A. Happ: Hanser Alberto ($4,000), Pedro Severino ($4,600), Ryan Mountcastle ($3,600)
I highlighted the success Renato Nunez has had when facing Happ, while Alberto and Severino haven't seen the same production although the latter sent one over the fence in their most recent meeting. Mountcastle offers salary relief and has looked great since getting called up by bashing four homers with 15 RBI and a 1.039 OPS. The Orioles fill multiple infield position with Severino taking up the tricky catcher slot, leaving plenty of flexibility to add a secondary stack to your lineup.
