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). The main Sunday afternoon slate on DraftKings is light on quality starting pitchers, which could lead to plenty of scoring across the league.
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STARTING PITCHER
Aaron Nola, PHI vs. CHC ($12,800): Nola is in a tier by himself at starting pitcher Sunday. He's allowed more than three runs in a start only twice this year, helping him boast a sparkling 2.10 ERA and 2.62 FIP. He's done an excellent job keeping hitters off base with a 0.97 WHIP and has given up just eight home runs across 176 innings. He also has a 9.1 K/9, which would mark his third straight season with a K/9 over nine. The Cubs lineup is no cakewalk, but Nola's consistency still makes him a great option for your entry.
GPP Fade: Jon Lester, CHC at PHI ($9,500): Lester enters this start with a 3.67 ERA, but his 4.78 FIP suggests he's not pitching that well. His WHIP is up again this season at 1.32, but maybe most concerning is his paltry 7.0 K/9. He entered 2018 with a swinging-strike rate of over 10 percent in each of the last four seasons, but he only has 8.4 percent this year. He's the second-most-expensive pitcher on the slate, so it might not be worth paying up for him based on his limited strikeout upside.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Lance Lynn, NYY vs. DET ($8,800): Lynn isn't overly cheap, but I don't like any of the other options priced lower than him. He's posted a 3.98 ERA in five appearances since joining the Yankees, but that mark could be much lower based on his 2.02 FIP. He issued 5.5 BB/9 with the Twins, but he has just a 2.6 BB/9 with the Yankees. He's also recorded 38 strikeouts over 31.2 innings, helping boost his K/9 for the season to 9.3. In two previous starts against the Tigers, Lynn has allowed three runs and recorded 13 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.
CATCHER
Kevan Smith, CWS vs. BOS ($2,900):Omar Narvaez started Saturday's night game, leaving Smith with an opportunity to start Sunday afternoon due to the quick turnaround. Smith has only one home run in 146 plate appearances entering Saturday, but he's batting .281 this year and has at least one hit in five of his last six games. He'll be facing Brian Johnson, who has allowed a .341 wOBA against right-handed hitters compared to a .287 wOBA versus lefties. Smith has limited upside, but he still is worth considering in tournament play at this cheap price.
FIRST BASE
Tyler Austin, MIN at TEX ($4,400): Austin had eight home runs in 132 plate appearances with the Yankees earlier this season, but he entered Saturday with seven homers over 64 plate appearances since being traded to the Twins. He's also managed to hit .263 and should get plenty of playing time over the final month of the season. He has a career 165 wRC+ against left-handed pitching and will face one in Yohander Mendez who recorded a 1.37 WHIP across three levels in the minors this year.
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. DET ($4,900): Torres hit another home run Saturday, marking his third in the last nine games. He initially struggled to get back on track after being activated from the DL, but he's 22-for-53 (.415) over his last 15 games. He's also batting .307 at home compared to only .250 on the road. Add in his .388 wOBA against lefties and he's a great option against Matt Boyd.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL at WAS ($4,400): Shaw's .247 batting average entering Saturday has been a disappointment, but he also has an abnormally low .247 BABIP. He's still been an excellent source for power with 27 home runs, leaving him with a reasonable chance to surpass the 31 homers he hit last year. All but one of his home runs this year have come off righties, and he'll look to take advantage of an underwhelming one in Jefry Rodriguez, who has a 5.37 FIP and a 1.43 WHIP during his brief time in the majors.
SHORTSTOP
Adalberto Mondesi, KC vs. BAL ($4,300): Mondesi entered Saturday with four straight multi-hit games. He doesn't walk much, but he's managed to bat a respectable .273 while playing every day. He's shown some power with six home runs, but he's also a major weapon on the bases with 18 steals across 49 games. He'll face David (5.83 FIP).
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich, MIL at WAS ($5,900): Yelich is on some kind of hot streak. He hasn't just turned things up for a few games: He's batting .352 since July 1. He's also hit for tremendous power with 15 home runs and 17 doubles during that stretch. He's going to eat up a significant portion of your budget, but he also provides plenty of upside against Rodriguez.
Andrew McCutchen, NYY vs. DET ($4,300): The Yankees still don't know when they'll welcome back Aaron Judge (wrist), whose injury left them with limited depth in their outfield. They helped plug that hole with the addition of McCutchen on Friday. He went 0-for-3 in his first game Saturday, but it was encouraging to see him bat leadoff. With his .352 wOBA against lefties, he's another Yankee to consider against Boyd.
Billy McKinney, TOR at MIA ($3,600): A former first-round pick by the Athletics, McKinney has yet to make his mark in the majors. His path was blocked in the Yankees system, but he's finally getting a chance to play with the Blue Jays. He's made the most of his opportunity so far, hitting 15-for-38 (.395) with three home runs and five doubles entering Saturday. He likely can't keep up at this pace, but he's still someone to target in tournament play against right-hander Jeff Brigham.
