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). Eleven games make up the main Sunday afternoon slate on DraftKings, but some of those contests might be impacted by poor weather. Be sure to keep your eye out for updates leading up to lock.
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STARTING PITCHER
Jacob deGrom, NYM vs. PHI ($13,500): Simply put, deGrom has been one of the most dominant forces on the mound this season. He has a sparkling 1.68 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and has allowed just nine home runs across 188 innings. His 11.0 K.9 would also be the highest mark of his career. It's sad that he only has an 8-8 record to show for it, but the fact that he's allowed more than three runs in a game only one time all season is spectacular. In his last start against the Phillies, deGrom allowed one unearned run and posted nine strikeouts in nine innings. He's expensive, but he also has a tremendously high floor.
GPP Fade: Rich Hill, LAD at COL ($7,800): Hill hasn't pitched as well as he did in 2017, but he still has a 3.73 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. His swinging-strike rate is down at 9.9 percent, but he's been a valuable source for strikeouts with a 10.0 K/9. He's even pitching deeper into games lately, logging at least six innings in four of his last five starts. That being said, this is not a good matchup playing the Rockies in Coors Field. The Rockies entered Saturday with the third-highest OPS at home (.819) and the second-highest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.800) in baseball.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Zach Davies, MIL vs. SF ($6,900): Davies had been sidelined since the end of May with a shoulder injury, but he returned Monday to throw five innings against the Cubs. He pitched well, allowing only one run and recording seven strikeouts. He'll get a much easier opponent Sunday in the Giants, who are in the bottom third of baseball in runs scored. They also have the second-lowest OPS on the road (.656) entering Saturday. Davies doesn't cost much, but he has upside in tournament play.
CATCHER
Yan Gomes, CLE at TOR ($3,700): The Blue Jays will start left-hander Thomas Pannone, who had a 5.36 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in the minors this season. His last start against the Orioles was a disaster as he allowed seven runs across 3.1 innings. Gomes is one of several players on the Indians who could provide value, especially considering his .376 wOBA against lefties.
FIRST BASE
Ryan O'Hearn, KC at MIN ($4,000): Not much has gone right offensively for the Royals this season, but O'Hearn has been a bright spot for them down the stretch. He entered Saturday batting .261 since being called up, and he's provided plenty of power with nine home runs and four doubles over 105 plate appearances. He's someone to consider against Chase De Jong, who will be making his first appearance in the majors this year after recording an underwhelming 6.9 K/9 in the minors.
SECOND BASE
Adam Frazier, PIT vs. MIA ($4,300): Frazier has hit .347 across 37 games since being recalled from the minors toward the end of July. Not known for his power, he's contributed five home runs and 15 doubles during that stretch. He also has a 177 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers since being recalled and will face one in Jeff Brigham, who will be making just his second major-league start. His first outing didn't go well as he allowed three runs over three innings.
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner, LAD at COL ($5,600): The Rockies will start Tyler Anderson, who has collapsed for them down the stretch. Over his last six starts, Anderson has a 10.13 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. He allowed 10 home runs across 26.2 innings during that stretch. Turner is normally someone to target versus lefties, considering he entered Saturday with a .440 wOBA against them.
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor, CLE at TOR ($5,300): Lindor has already tied his career high with 33 home runs and has set new personal bests in steals (23) and runs scored (117). He's also improved his walk rate to 9.5 percent, helping him produce a .358 OBP. With his .430 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, he's another Indians hitter who has excellent upside against Pannone.
OUTFIELD
Starling Marte, PIT vs. MIA ($4,700): Marte's .321 OBP leaves a lot to be desired, but he's hit for more power this year with a .455 slugging percentage. He's been a menace on the base paths with 31 stolen bases, although he has been caught stealing 12 times. While Marte doesn't have the platoon advantage against Brigham, he has actually hit slightly better against right-handed pitchers (.337 wOBA) than lefties (.315 wOBA).
Jake Cave, MIN vs. KC ($3,900): Cave has flashed power upside during his career in the minors, but he had never received a chance to prove himself in the majors heading into this season. The Twins have finally given him that opportunity, and he's cashed it in with 10 homers and 12 doubles over 71 games. Ian Kennedy, who will be making his first start since July, has allowed at least 1.5 HR/9 in each of the last four seasons, including this year.
Melky Cabrera, CLE at TOR ($3,600): Cabrera has played his way into being an important part of the Indians outfield, posting a .380 wOBA across his last 13 games. He hasn't homered during that stretch, but he has chipped in five doubles. He only has a .307 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, but he's been much better against lefties with a .399 wOBA.
