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 are several elite starting pitchers to choose for your DraftKings entry Sunday with Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, Chris Sale and Zack Greinke all scheduled to take the mound.
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STARTING PITCHER
Justin Verlander, HOU vs. ARI ($12,300): At age 35, Verlander is having one of the best seasons of his career. His 2.72 ERA is supported by a 2.95 FIP, and his 0.94 WHIP would be his lowest mark since 2011. He's shown great control by issuing only 1.6 BB/9, and he's been a strikeout machine with his 14.1 percent swinging-strike rate leading to an 11.9 K/9. The Diamondbacks entered Saturday tied for the fifth-lowest OPS against right-handed pitchers (.700), potentially setting up Verlander for another dominant performance.
GPP Fade: Chris Sale, BOS vs. NYM ($11,000): Sale against the lowly Mets offense would normally be a matchup you should jump on to exploit. However, Sale is still working his way back from a shoulder injury and threw just 26 pitches in his last start Tuesday. He may throw more pitches Sunday, but he still likely won't pitch deep enough into to this contest to warrant his lofty price tag.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Jakob Junis, KC vs. MIN ($7,900): Junis' overall numbers aren't great, but over his last eight starts, Junis has a 2.61 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. His 3.02 FIP and .285 BABIP allowed during that stretch suggest his improved numbers aren't the product of some lucky streak. One of the biggest reasons for his recent success: He's allowed just four home runs across 51.2 innings. In his previous 110.1 innings, he had allowed 25. The Twins lineup leaves a lot to be desired, making Junis a viable option in tournament play.
CATCHER
Yan Gomes, CLE vs. DET ($4,100):Francisco Liriano will start this game for the Tigers, and he's had plenty of problems keeping runners off base this season, resulting in a 1.53 WHIP. He's had significant control issues with a 5.1 BB/9, and his 5.46 FIP would be the highest mark of his career. Gomes might not be a flashy option, but he entered Saturday with a .367 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
FIRST BASE
Luke Voit, NYY vs. TOR ($4,100): While it didn't seem like a big move at the time, the Yankees acquiring Voit from the Cardinals has proven to be important. He's hitting .302 with seven home runs since joining the team, thoroughly outplaying Greg Bird in the process. Expect Voit to be in the lineup Sunday against lefty Thomas Pannone, who posted a 5.36 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in the minors this year and has struggled since being recalled with a 5.19 FIP.
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. TOR ($4,300): With Pannone on the mound, the Yankees will likely be one of the more popular stacks for the day. Torres came through with two hits Saturday, boosting him to a .296 batting average at home this season. He's also hit 15 of his 23 home runs at Yankee Stadium.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN at CHC ($4,600): Suarez might not get a lot of press on a bad Reds team, but he's having a spectacular season. He's already racked up 32 home runs and 101 RBI to go along with a .288 average. He's been particularly lethal against lefties with a 191 wRC+. He'll face Jose Quintana, and although Quintana has pitched better of late, Suarez still has excellent upside.
SHORTSTOP
Jose Peraza, CIN at CHC ($4,500): Peraza has a lot of speed, and although he did steal 23 bases in 2017, he could have had more stolen base attempts if it weren't for his .297 OBP. His OBP still isn't great this year at .332, but he's seen a significant power increase with 12 home runs and 30 doubles. He's another member of the Reds lineup who has better numbers versus lefties, posting a .355 wOBA against then them this year.
OUTFIELD
Giancarlo Stanton, NYY vs. TOR ($4.900): Stanton isn't going to come anywhere close to the 59 home runs and 132 RBI he had last year, but his first season with the Yankees has been a success with 34 home runs, 89 RBI and 92 runs scored. With his .432 wOBA against lefties, he's another Yankee who could provide a meaty stat line against Pannone.
Kevin Kiermaier, TB vs. OAK ($4,300): Kiermaier posted two more hits Saturday and now has at least two hits in five of his last seven games. His overall numbers are bad due to a slow start, but he's hitting .375 with three home runs, four doubles and five triples across his last 20 games. Mike Fiers has pitched well since joining the Athletics, but Kiermaier might still be worth the risk at this reasonable price.
Billy McKinney, TOR at NYY ($3,600): The Blue Jays are giving McKinney an extended look as the season comes to a close, and he hasn't let them down, batting .307 with a .923 OPS since being called up. Lance Lynn will start for the Yankees in this game, and while he started off strong after being acquired from the Twins, he's allowed at least five runs in three of his last five outings. At this cheap price, McKinney is someone to target in tournament play.
