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 aren't a lot of great starting pitching options Sunday, so there could be plenty of offensive outbursts to take advantage of on DraftKings.
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STARTING PITCHER
J.A. Happ, NYY vs. TOR ($10,700): Happ has pitched well in his first three starts for the Yankees, allowing four runs across 19 innings in three starts. He only recorded 15 strikeouts during that stretch, but he has a 10.5 percent swinging-strike rate and a 9.8 K/9 for the season overall. The Blue Jays own a .748 OPS against right-handed pitchers, but they only carry a .708 OPS against lefties. They also haven't hit as well on the road, potentially positioning Happ for a valuable outing against his former team.
GPP Fade: Jameson Taillon, PIT vs. CHC ($8,800): Taillon allowed way too many baserunners last year with a 1.48 WHIP, but he's been vastly improved this season with a 1.23 WHIP. His 3.66 ERA is supported by a 3.47 FIP, and he's allowed just 13 home runs over 140 innings. However, he's not a great source for strikeouts with a 7.9 K/9. He's been even worse lately, recording 14 strikeouts in 28.2 innings over his last four starts. The Cubs have plenty of dangerous hitters in their lineup, so it might not be worth taking a chance on Taillon at this price based on his limited strikeout upside.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Luis Castillo, CIN vs. SF ($7,600): Castillo hasn't been able to build on an excellent start to his career in 2017, recording a 5.04 ERA this season. He's allowed plenty of baserunners with a 1.32 WHIP and he's given up 1.6 HR/9, which isn't doing him any favors. He still has a respectable 8.5 K/9, but even that is down from his 9.9 K/9 last year. A lot of his struggles this season have come on the road, though, where he has a 6.18 ERA and a 1.52. He's pitched much better at home with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. The Giants entered Saturday with a lowly .668 OPS on the road, making Castillo a viable potion in tournament play.
CATCHER
Tucker Barnhart, CIN vs. SF ($3,900): The Giants will start Andrew Suarez, who has an underwhelming 4.40 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He's held left-handed hitters to a .220 wOBA, but righties have had far more success with a .360 wOBA. Add in Barnhart's .366 wOBA against left-handers entering play Saturday and he's a cheap option worth considering for your entry.
FIRST BASE
Joey Gallo, TEX vs. LAA ($4,900): Gallo is all about the power numbers as he has slugged 32 homers entering Saturday despite batting just .203 with a 35.5 percent strikeout rate. He could prove troublesome for Angels starter Jaime Barria, who has allowed 1.5 HR/9.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. MIA ($4,400):Jose Urena is appealing his suspension for hitting Ronald Acuna, so he'll start for the Marlins in this contest. Before that ugly incident where Urena was ejected, he had allowed at least five runs in three of his last five starts. Murphy entered Saturday with a .360 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, potentially setting him up for a big performance against Urena.
THIRD BASE
David Freese, PIT vs. CHC ($3,900): Freese has been a pleasant surprise for the Pirates, posting a .297 batting average and a .473 slugging percentage entering Saturday. He's been even hotter of late, batting .345 with a .564 slugging percentage across his last 17 games. He also has a .363 wOBA against lefties for his career, making him someone to consider against Jose Quintana and his 1.38 WHIP.
SHORTSTOP
Jose Peraza, CIN vs. SF ($4,100): With Suarez's struggles against right-handed hitters, Peraza could be another target for your entry. While he doesn't provide much power upside, Peraza only has a 10.4 percent strikeout rate entering Saturday, and he has at least one hit in nine of his last 10 games.
OUTFIELD
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX vs. LAA ($4,800): Barria's 3.50 ERA doesn't look bad, but his 4.74 FIP and .270 opponents' BABIP suggests he's been lucky. Choo has been an on-base machine this season, and he has a 149 wRC+ against righties, so don't be surprised if he has another productive performance.
Kole Calhoun, LAA at TEX ($4,600):Bartolo Colon is scheduled to start for the Rangers, but there is a chance he could be scratched as he's dealing with some back stiffness. He's having a bad season with a 5.19 ERA and he's allowed 1.7 HR/9, making Calhoun a stellar option if he does start. The Rangers don't really have any great options even if Colon can't take the mound, so Calhoun is still someone worth considering as long as the Rangers don't start a lefty.
Melky Cabrera, CLE vs. BAL ($4,000): The Indians have turned to Cabrera to try and fill one of the holes in their outfield. While he's not much more than a journeyman outfielder at this stage of his career, he's 8-for-19 with two home runs over his last five games entering Saturday. He can still provide value in the right matchup, which could be the case Sunday considering he will face Yefry Ramirez, who has 1.43 WHIP and has allowed 1.6 HR/9.
