This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There will be a few big name pitchers to choose from for Sunday's main afternoon slate on DraftKings, but offense might reign supreme based on some of the matchups. Let's discuss some of the better options to consider and how ownership percentages might play out.
Pitching Overview
The most expensive pitching option is Max Scherzer ($11,600), and rightfully so. While wins have been hard for him to come by, he's still pitching exceptionally well with a 2.98 xFIP, 1.19 WHIP and 31.8 percent strikeout rate. He'll be facing a Reds team that sits in the bottom-third of the league in OPS, so expect him to be one of the more popular pitching options.
Right behind Scherzer on the price scale is Lucas Giolito ($11,100), who looks to be in the midst of a breakout campaign. One of the main contributing factors has been his strikeout rate, which has jumped up all the way to 29.4 percent from 16.1 percent last year. He's also previously had difficulties preventing home runs, which hasn't been an issue for him this year by allowing four homers across 60 innings. Opposing Giolito will be an Indians lineup that ranks in the bottom third in runs scored and OPS, so look for the hurler to post another impressive outing.
Working our way down to the cheaper options brings us to Cole Hamels ($7,700), who is listed at his lowest price of the season. A lot of that has to do with the fact he allowed six runs across four innings to the Astros in his last start. Even with that blowout, he still registers at a 4.16 xFIP for the season. Facing the Cardinals isn't the easiest task in the world, but Hamels might be worth the risk in tournament play at this price. His ownership percentage probably won't be very high either.
Key Values/Chalk
The Rockies are in Coors Field again, so expect them to be the chalk stack of the afternoon. They'll step into the batter's box against Aaron Sanchez, who has done a good job of limiting home runs throughout his career. However, he's followed up his 1.56 WHIP last year with a 1.52 WHIP this season, so the Rockies might not have much trouble scoring runs.
Another excellent hitter's park is Globe Life Park in Arlington, so the Rangers should also be a popular team to pursue. They suffered a big loss when Joey Gallo (oblique) went down Saturday, but they still possess plenty of hitters that can do damage. They will be facing an underwhelming pitcher in Brad Keller, who enters with a 5.35 xFIP to go along with a 1.46 WHIP.
The Blue Jays have struggled to score runs this season, but playing at Coors Field brings them into the discussion for this slate. While they haven't been as potent as the Rockies, their hitters are also considerably cheaper. The Rockies will be deploying one of their worst starting pitchers in Antonio Senzatela, who has allowed 1.7 HR/9 through his first nine starts.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Sanchez (Blue Jays)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $5,800), David Dahl (OF - $5,100), Daniel Murphy (1B - $4,900)
With another hit Saturday, Arenado is now on a 12-game hitting streak. He's been extremely productive during that stretch, recording four home runs, four doubles, 16 RBI and 13 runs scored. Murphy is also 15-for-42 with a home run, four doubles and 13 RBI during that same 12-game stretch. Dahl is normally one of the top options to consider when the Rockies are at home based on his career .420 wOBA at Coors Field.
Rangers vs. Keller (Royals)
Shin-Soo Choo (OF - $5,400), Nomar Mazara (OF - $4,600), Ronald Guzman (1B - $3,800)
Choo has produced a .418 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and a .416 wOBA at home this season, so he should be the anchor of a Rangers stack. With Gallo out, the Rangers could use some added production from Mazara. He certainly comes into this game swinging a hot bat since he is .347 over his last 18 games. The only negative is that he's smacked just two home runs during that stretch. Guzman is a viable cheaper option to consider based on his .283 ISO.
Blue Jays vs. Senzatela (Rockies)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3B - $4,400), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (2B/OF - $4,700), Justin Smoak (1B - $5,200)
You don't usually find a player with Guerrero's immense upside this cheap when they play at Coors Field, so he might be too good to pass up. Smoak can destroy a pitching staff when he's on a hot streak, which is he right now after hitting six home runs across his last eight games. Gurriel has at least one hit in all eight games since being recalled from the minors, posting a .375 average with four home runs and four doubles over that span.
Giants vs. Gabriel Ynoa (Orioles)
Brandon Belt (1B - $4,100), Kevin Pillar (OF - $3,500), Mike Yastrzemski (OF - $3,900)
If you load up at pitcher and need some cheap bats, rolling with a Giants stack could be a wise move in tournament play. Ynoa has pitched mostly out of the bullpen this year and has allowed way too many baserunners with his 1.57 WHIP. Belt is one of the most dangerous hitters on the Giants and has a career .358 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, making him one of the top options. Pillar recorded a couple of doubles Saturday and now has four multi-hit performances over his last 10 games. In need of a boost for their lineup, the Giants dipped into their minor league system by recalling Yastrzemski, who has rewarded them by hitting 7-for-25 with a home run and a .367 OBP through seven games.
