This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). Sunday is loaded with elite starting pitchers, leaving fewer quality hitting options to select from for your DraftKings entry as a result.
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STARTING PITCHER
James Paxton, SEA at DET ($12,500): Talk about stringing together two impressive starts. Two starts ago, Paxton threw seven shutout innings and recorded 16 strikeouts against the Athletics. He followed that up with a no-hitter against the Blue Jays. Paxton made significant strides last season by lowering his WHIP and increasing his strikeouts, leading to a 2.98 ERA. He's carried those trends into this season with a 1.13 WHIP and 12.7 K/9 across eight starts. The Tigers lineup wasn't great to begin with and is missing two key players now with Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) and Leonys Martin (knee) on the disabled list, leaving a prime opportunity for Paxton to throw another impressive start.
GPP Fade: Dallas Keuchel, HOU vs. TEX ($8,000): The Astros starting rotation is relentless. Houston may have the deepest starting staff in the league and have some starters with tremendous strikeout outside. Keuchel has pitched well again with a 3.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, but he only has a 6.5 K/9. He has a 7.2 K/9 for his career, so he is one starter for the Astros who doesn't really overmatch opposing hitters. With so many big strikeout pitchers taking the mound Sunday, Keuchel might not have enough upside to warrant putting into your entry, even though he won't destroy your budget.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Ivan Nova, PIT vs. SF ($6,400): Nova's numbers certainly don't jump off the page, finishing with a 4.14 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 6.3 K/9 last year. One area he does excel in, though, is limiting walks, posting a BB/9 of 1.6 or lower in back-to-back seasons. His numbers aren't great this year, as well, but it should be noted that six of his eight starts have come on the road. He struggled with a 5.02 ERA on the road last year yet had a sparkling 2.80 ERA at PNC Park. The Giants offense entered play Saturday in the bottom five in baseball in terms of runs scored, so this might be the time to take a chance on Nova.
CATCHER
Gary Sanchez, NYY vs. OAK ($4,500): The Yankees have been deploying Austin Romine as Sonny Gray's personal catcher, and they just played a day game Saturday, setting up Sanchez to play Sunday. That's a big help considering how many starting catchers tend to sit Sundays after playing a night game Saturday. After posting a .369 wOBA against left-handed pitchers last year, Sanchez has a .411 wOBA against them this season, making him a great option against Brett Anderson.
FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo, CHC vs. CWS ($4,700): Rizzo has been off to a bad start in terms of batting average this season, but a lot of that is due to an abnormally low BABIP. His walk rate is down, but so is his strikeout percentage. He has finished with a wOBA of at least .382 against righties in four straight seasons, leaving him with significant upside against the struggling Lucas Giolito.
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. OAK ($4,200): Torres failed to record a hit Sunday, which snapped a nine-game hitting streak. He's been consistent since being called up, logging at least one hit in 16 of the 20 contests that he has played. Anderson has only thrown 76 innings in the majors since 2016 and has struggled against righties during that stretch, leaving Torres with an excellent opportunity to start a new hitting streak.
THIRD BASE
Rafael Devers, BOS at TOR ($3,800):Joe Biagini will start for the Blue Jays, and while he made his mark as a reliever in 2016, he made 18 starts in 2017. He wasn't successful in a starting role, posting a 5.73 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Left-handed hitters had more success against him last year a well, so Devers becomes a viable option at this reasonable price.
SHORTSTOP
Jean Segura, SEA at DET ($4,000): The Tigers will give lefty Blaine Hardy the first start of his career Sunday after making 167 appearances out of the bullpen. Hardy has not thrown more than two innings in any of his three games this season, so he might not be able to pitch deep into this contest. Segura hits lefties well, recording a .353 wOBA against them last year, so he could be one of the Mariners' righties to target as you craft your entry.
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge, NYY vs. OAK ($5,500): Judge loves hitting a Yankee Stadium, batting .312 with 33 home runs there in 2017. That trend has continued this year with 10 of his 11 homers coming in the Bronx. He also finished with a 149 wRC+ against lefties last year, making him another Yankee to consider for your entry.
Nick Markakis, ATL at MIA ($4,200): Markakis entered play Saturday batting .345, which is impressive considering his .341 BABIP isn't that much higher than his career mark of .317. He's done a tremendous job cutting down on his strikeouts as well with a 7.7 K%. Jose Urena will take the hill for the Marlins, who has allowed a .342 wOBA to lefties.
Aaron Hicks, NYY vs. OAK ($3,500): Stacking Yankees could be the ticket to success for the afternoon, especially considering how well they hit at home. Hicks hits lefties particularly well, finishing with a .383 wOBA against them last year. If you're looking for a cheaper option with upside, Hicks might be your man.
