This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Sunday's afternoon slate on DraftKings will be a busy one consisting of 11 games. There are some big-time pitchers set to take the mound and several lineups with favorable matchups, making for an interesting mix of options. Let's highlight some of the betters players and stacks to consider.
Pitching Overview
Whenever Chris Paddack ($10,400) takes the mound for the Padres, he's one of the top options in DFS. One of the most exciting young players in baseball, he's recorded a 1.93 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP. Those numbers likely won't hold up based on his 3.51 xFIP and .198 BABIP allowed, but he's a dominant strikeout force with his 28.7 percent strikeout rate. He'll be facing a Blue Jays team tied for the fifth-fewest runs scored in the league, making him one of the top pitchers to target.
Caleb Smith ($9,700) has been one of the few bright spots for a struggling Marlins team with his 2.97 xFIP and 0.89 WHIP. Not only does he boast a sparkling 35.5 percent strikeout rate, but he also has a seven-percent walk rate. Even though facing the Nationals isn't as easy now that they are healthy, this is still a prime spot to deploy Smith.
If you're looking to save a little money at pitcher, Jose Quintana ($7,700) qualifies as a viable target for his matchup against the Reds. He's allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts and has only given up two home runs across his last 23.2 innings. The Reds have the sixth-lowest OPS in baseball, so don't be surprised if Quintana comes away with at least another quality start.
Key Values/Chalk
The chalk stack of the day will likely be the Rockies against David Hess at Coors Field. Hess has given up a whopping 17 home runs in 45.1 innings, which is compounded by the fact he has a 1.41 WHIP. He also has thrown only 38 strikeouts, so he's not fooling many hitters. The Rockies will be expensive, but that doesn't mean you should fade them.
The Twins' lineup has been demolishing pitchers all season, which has resulted in them leading the league in runs scored, home runs and OPS. Now they'll step into the batter's box against Dylan Covey, who enters with a 7.39 xFIP and a 1.57 WHIP. Expect to see several of the Twins' hitters among the ownership leaderboard.
Once one of the top pitchers in baseball, Chris Archer will enter his start against the Dodgers with a 5.08 xFIP and a 1.43 WHIP. He's allowed seven home runs over 35.2 innings and has seen his strikeout rate drop all the way down to 23.6 percent. As hard as it might be to resist the Rockies and Twins, the Dodgers are also a stack to strongly consider.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Hess (Orioles)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $5,700), David Dahl (OF - $4,600), Daniel Murphy (1B - $4,900)
Arenado has recorded five straight multi-hit games and has launched three home runs in the first two games of this series against the Orioles. When you add in how poorly Hess has pitched, he is the top option for a Rockies stack. Dahl also has three straight multi-hit performances while Murphy has started to turn things around by hitting 6-for-17 over his last five games.
Twins vs. Covey (White Sox)
Max Kepler (OF - $5,200), Eddie Rosario (OF - $5,400), Jonathan Schoop (2B - $4,900)
Kepler and Rosario could be a deadly duo since they are both hot right now, while Covey has allowed a career .355 wOBA against left-handed hitters. Schoop might not have the platoon advantage, but he has slugged four home runs across his last nine games and is enjoying the best power season of his career with a .254 ISO. While this stack possesses excellent upside, you'll need to spend down at pitcher if you're going to make it work within your budget.
Dodgers vs. Archer (Pirates)
Cody Bellinger (OF - $5,700), Max Muncy (1B/2B - $4,600), Corey Seager (SS - $3,900)
Bellinger is showing no signs of slowing down, hitting 17-for-45 with a .462 OBP and four home runs over his last 12 games. Muncy enters this matchup having gone 10-for-30 with two home runs and three doubles during his seven-game hitting streak. With how expensive Bellinger is, Seager is a cheap option who might be worth taking a chance on. He's not off to the best of starts, but his wOBA is 50 points higher against righties than it is versus lefties.
Cubs vs. Tanner Roark (Reds)
Anthony Rizzo (1B - $5,300), Kris Bryant (3B/OF - $5,200), Kyle Schwarber (OF - $4,100)
Roark's 4.64 xFIP indicates he hasn't pitched as well as his 3.51 ERA would suggest. He comes in with a 1.42 WHIP and doesn't strike out a lot of batters, so rolling with Cubs is another stack to pursue. While Rizzo hit 25 home runs last year, that broke his streak of four straight seasons with at least 30. He's regained his power stroke this season, slugging 14 long balls on his way to what would be a career-high .307 ISO. Bryant has also returned to providing plenty of power with his .288 ISO. Schwarber is 10-for-34 with a .386 OBP over his last nine games, providing a viable cheaper option to round out this trio.
