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). With the usual full slate of Sunday afternoon games, there are plenty of options to sift through on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
Aaron Nola, PHI at MIL ($12,800): Nola has been the reliable anchor for the Phillies rotation, posting a 2.27 ERA and a 2.61 FIP in 14 starts. His .253 opponents BABIP is almost 50 points lower than his career mark, but he is also getting hitters to swing at more pitches outside of the strike zone. The most runs he has allowed in a game this year is four, and he has 11 starts where he allowed two runs or fewer. The Brewers lineup isn't exactly a pushover, but Nola still has a tremendously high upside.
GPP Fade: Trevor Richards, MIA at BAL ($7,900): The rebuilding Marlins are thin at starting pitcher, which has allowed Richards to get his first taste of action in the majors. He's made seven starts this season, posting a 4.41 ERA and a 4.50 FIP. He allows a lot of base runners with a 1.39 WHIP and doesn't have much strikeout ceiling with a 7.8 K/9. The Orioles struggle to score runs, but a lot of that has to do with their .630 OPS on the road. They have been much better in Baltimore with a .700 OPS, so with Richards' lack of strikeout upside, he might not be worth the risk at this price.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Jon Gray, COL at TEX ($8,200): Gray is one of the more frustrating pitchers in fantasy. He can rack up strikeouts in a hurry and has a career-best 10.8 K/9 this year. He doesn't allow many home runs either, but his 1.49 WHIP has led to a bloated 5.68 ERA. His FIP is much better at 3.17, and opposing hitters do have an abnormally high .371 BABIP against him, so he hasn't exactly been as bad as his ERA and WHIP indicate. The Rangers have struck out more than any other team in baseball, so Gray could be in line for another big strikeout performance.
CATCHER
Wilson Ramos, TB at NYY ($3,400): Ramos received the day off Saturday, so he should be back behind the plate Sunday. He's been one of the most productive catchers this season, batting .282 with eight home runs. Ramos has a .344 wOBA against left-handed pitchers in his career and will be facing CC Sabathia, who doesn't exactly have overpowering stuff at this stage of his career.
FIRST BASE
Jose Abreu, CWS vs. DET ($4,000): Abreu might be boring, but he continues to churn out productive seasons. He has hit at least .290 with 25 home runs and 100 RBI in every year of his career and is on his way to achieving those marks again this season, batting .284 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI. Abreu will face left-hander Blaine Hardy, which is great news since Abreu has a career .384 wOBA against lefties.
SECOND BASE
Josh Harrison, PIT vs. CIN ($4,000): With another two hits Saturday, Harrison has boosted his batting average to .297 for the season. He doesn't provide much power with just four home runs, but he does have at least two hits in six of his last nine games. He has fairly even splits against lefties and righties in his career, so don't shy away from him against Anthony DeSclafani just because he doesn't have the platoon advantage.
THIRD BASE
Matt Duffy, TB at NYY ($3,400): Duffy has had flashes where he looks like he can be a good hitter, but injuries have taken their toll on him the last couple of seasons. He's healthy now and playing every day for the Rays, batting .311 with four homers. He only has an 18.4 percent strikeout rate, and considering Sabathia doesn't strike many hitters out either, Duffy has a good chance for a productive game.
SHORTSTOP
Tim Anderson, CWS vs. DET ($3,600): Anderson's batting average continues to be on the decline as he is hitting just .232 this season. On a positive note, his 8.5 percent walk rate is well above his career mark, and he already has 11 home runs. Anderson has struggled with a .300 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year, but he's been much better against lefties with a .350 wOBA, making him another White Sox righty to consider against Hardy.
OUTFIELD
Juan Soto, WAS at TOR ($4,500): When the Nationals outfield was depleted by injuries, they turned to their 19-year-old prospect to help keep them afloat. He's here to stay now, hitting .319 with five home runs. He only has 15 strikeouts compared to 12 walks, which is very impressive for anyone, let alone someone as young as he is. He'll face Sam Gaviglio on Sunday, who has a .272 wOBA against righties, but lefties have had much more success against him with a .340 wOBA.
Adam Eaton, WAS at TOR ($4,300): The injury to Eaton was one of the reasons why Soto had to be called up, but Eaton is back now and has at least one hit in four of five games since he returned. He's another Nationals lefty you want to target since he has a .351 wOBA for his career against right-handed pitchers.
Josh Reddick, HOU at KC ($3,300): Reddick was struggling this season before eventually landing on the disabled list with a leg injury. The time off seems to have done him some good as he is 9-for-30 (.300) since his return. He had a .363 wOBA against righties last year, making him a viable cheap option against Brad Keller.
