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). There are only nine game Sunday for the featured afternoon slate on DraftKings, and there could be some weather issues as well, leaving limited options overall.
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STARTING PITCHERS
Mike Clevinger, CLE at MIN ($11,100): Clevinger is quietly putting together an excellent season with a 3.14 ERA, A 3.15 FIP and a 1.19 WHIP across 11 starts. He had at least a 4.4 BB/9 and 1.0 HR/9 in both of first two seasons but has shown major improvement this year with a 2.9 BB/9 and 0.5 HR/9. He posted an excellent 10.1 K/9 last year, but only has a 7.7 K/9 this season despite throwing more first-pitch strikes and getting hitters to chase more pitches outside of the strikeout. Expect his strikeouts to increase as the season wears on. The Twins have a middling offense, especially with Byron Buxton still injured, making Clevinger an excellent option on a day that lacks high-end starting pitchers.
GPP Fade: Aaron Sanchez, TOR at DET ($8,000): This seems like an odd price for Sanchez since he has been priced under $6,000 in each of his last four starts. The Tigers don't have one of the best lineups in baseball, but they are in the top half of the league in terms of runs scored. Sanchez is not having a good season with a 4.77 ERA and a 5.15 FIIP. He also has an ugly 5.2 BB/9 that has helped lead to an inflated 1.56 WHIP. Without much strikeout upside either, it's hard to justify spending this much to get him into your entry.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Brent Suter, MIL at CWS ($7,700): Suter hasn't been lights-out, but he has allowed six runs to go along with 18 strikeouts in 16.1 innings over his last three starts. He doesn't issue many walks which has helped result in a respectable 1.29 WHIP, but his 1.7 HR/9 is a cause for concern. Not only are the White Sox only middle-of-the-pack in terms of home runs this season, but they also entered Saturday with the eighth-worst OPS against left-handed pitchers. At this reasonable price, Suter has upside in tournament play.
CATCHER
Yasmani Grandal, LAD at COL ($4,500): Chad Betts will take the mound for the Rockies in this game. Like many pitchers, he has struggled in Coors Field, posting a 5.42 ERA and 1.49 WHIP there for his career. The switch-hitting Grandal has a .365 wOBA against righties entering Saturday and could enjoy a Coors Field boost.
FIRST BASE
Matt Olson, OAK at KC ($3,900): Olson has nine of his homers and owns an .825 OPS against right-handed pitchers. Jake Junis isn't a slouch, and Kauffman Stadium is hardly hitter-friendly, but the masher, who left the yard twice there Friday, should outperform this price.
SECOND BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL vs. PIT ($4,000): Carpenter was having an awful season heading into May, hitting just .155, but he was also very unlucky with a .190 BABIP. He turned things around in May, batting .297 with the help of a .367 BABIP. Now that Carpenter is back on the right track, he's someone to consider against Nick Kingham since he has a .373 wOBA against right-handers for his career.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL at CWS ($4,700):Dylan Covey is starting for the White Sox, and while his 3.63 ERA and 2.72 FIP in his three starts this season looks great, his 1.44 WHIP is concerning. He had a 7.71 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP in 18 games (12 starts) last year and only has a 5.7 K/9 for his career, so he's not exactly an overpowering pitcher. Shaw has followed up his 127 wRC+ against right-handers in 2017 with a 155 wRC+ this season.
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story, COL vs. LAD ($4,600): When Story is playing in Coors Field and facing a lefty, he immediately jumps towards the top of the discussion at shortstop in DFS. He has an OPS of .957 at home for his career compared to a .694 OPS on the road. He also has a career .425 wOBA against lefties, making him a great option against Alex Wood.
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich, MIL at CWS ($4,800): With Covey pitching for the White Sox, the Brewers present an excellent stacking opportunity. Yelich has made a nice first impression with his new team, batting .304 with seven home runs and six steals entering Saturday. He also has a .398 wOBA against righties, potentially leaving him with plenty of value even at this expensive price.
Juan Soto, WAS at ATL ($3,800): Injuries have limited Anibal Sanchez to only 18 innings this season and even though he has a 3.00 ERA, his 5.18 FIP would suggest he is pitching poorly. He's allowed three home runs in his three starts after recording a HR/9 of at least 1.7 in each of the last three seasons. Soto only has one home run in 12 games entering Saturday, but he is hitting for average and is priced low enough to still be someone to consider for your lineup.
Curtis Granderson, TOR at DET ($3,600): Granderson is almost unplayable against lefties, following up his 76 wRC+ against them last year with a 50 wRC+ this season. He's still someone to target against righties, though, as he has finished with a wOBA against them of at least .343 in three straight seasons. If you need to save some money as your fill out your outfield, Granderson has upside against Michael Fulmer.
