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 brings a packed schedule across the majors with 12 games making up the main slate on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
Carlos Carrasco, CLE at CWS ($11,100): Carrasco might not get a ton of press on a loaded staff that includes Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, but he's having yet another special season with a 3.69 ERA supported by a 3.27 FIP. He's done a great job limiting baserunners throughout his career, and this year has been no different with a 1.16 WHIP. He also has a 10.2 K/9, which would mark the third time in the last four seasons he has reached that threshold. In his first start against the White Sox this season, Carrasco allowed only three baserunners and recorded 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings. With the White Sox in the bottom third of baseball in runs scored, look for Carrasco to be successful again in their rematch.
GPP Fade: Dallas Keuchel, HOU vs. SEA ($8,200): On a staff loaded with strikeout pitchers, Keuchel has an underwhelming 6.7 K/9. His overall numbers aren't bad with a 3.53 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, but his lack of strikeouts doesn't always make him an appealing option in DFS. He's already made three starts against the Mariners this season, allowing 12 runs across 21.2 innings. With so many other quality options on a busy afternoon, Keuchel's ceiling might not be high enough to warrant this price tag.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Wei-Yin Chen, MIA vs. NYM ($5,500): At first glance, Chen's 5.48 ERA and 1.43 WHIP stand out like warning signs. He's not a big strikeout pitcher with a 6.7 K/9, and he's allowed 14 home runs in only 88.2 innings. However, most of the damage done against him has come on the road, where he has a 10.27 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. He has a sparkling 1.94 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP pitching at home. The Mets also entered Saturday with the lowest OPS against lefties in baseball, so Chen could provide value at this dirt cheap price in tournament play.
CATCHER
Robinson Chirinos, TEX at NYY ($4,300): After batting .255 last year, Chirinos' batting average has plummeted to .219 this season in large part due to his 36.2 percent strikeout rate. On the plus side, his walk rate is still above his career mark, and he's slugged 15 home runs. He has a .362 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this year, making him someone to consider against C.C. Sabathia.
FIRST BASE
Yonder Alonso, CLE at CWS ($4,100): The Indians are going to be a popular stack with Dylan Covey starting for the White Sox. Covey enters this contest with a 5.58 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He's been even worse of late, allowing 17 runs (14 earned) in 15.1 innings over his last three starts. Alonso isn't overly expensive and has much better numbers against righties, making him someone to target for your entry.
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. TEX ($4,600): Like so many of his teammates, Torres loves hitting in Yankee Stadium. He's only batting .240 on the road, but he's hitting .295 at home. He also has a .386 wOBA against left-handed pitchers overall this season, potentially setting him up for a productive afternoon against Martin Perez.
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL at KC ($5,700): Carpenter entered play Saturday with a staggering six home runs across his last seven games. He's already crushed 32 home runs to go along with 33 doubles, and his .280 batting average would be his highest mark since 2013. Although it's not easy to keep up this kind of homer pace, he has a favorable chance of going deep against Jakob Junis considering Junis has allowed 1.9 HR/9.
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor, CLE at CWS ($5,900): Lindor is swinging a hot bat right now as he entered Saturday 13-for-33 (.394) with two home runs and five doubles during his current eight-game hitting streak. He does have better numbers against left-handed pitchers, but he hasn't exactly struggled with a .387 wOBA against righties.
OUTFIELD
Giancarlo Stanton, NYY vs. TEX ($5,400): Stanton is battling hamstring tightness that has limited him to DH duties. The Yankees can ill afford to lose him from their lineup with Aaron Judge (wrist) and Gary Sanchez (groin) both on the DL, so they are lucky Stanton has been able to battle through his injury. It certainly hasn't slowed him at the plate since he is 12-for-39 (.308) with five home runs in his last 10 contests. He also has a 189 wRC+ against lefties, making him a prime target against Perez.
Michael Brantley, CLE at CWS ($4,600): Brantley has been able to stay healthy and has already played more game this year than he did in the last two seasons combined. He's shown an excellent eye at the plate with only 38 strikeouts compared to 32 walks entering play Saturday. Although he doesn't hit a ton of home runs, he's batting .293 and still has the potential to do plenty of damage against Covey.
Joey Wendle, TB at TOR ($4,000): Wendle has taken full advantage of his first significant playing time in the majors, entering Saturday hitting .292 across 97 games. He's been even better of late, batting .367 with a .438 OBP since July 1. Although his power upside in limited, his price leaves him as a viable option in tournament play against Marcus Stroman and his 1.43 WHIP.
