This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Sunday brings the usual heavy dose of day games, 10 of which will make up the main slate on DraftKings. There really aren't any top-tier pitchers set to take the mound, so offense could reign supreme. Let's break down some players with favorable matchups to consider exploiting for your entry.
Pitching Overview
The most expensive pitcher available is Jake Odorizzi ($10,900), which might have sounded crazy for a slate of this size at the start of the season. However, he's been a new pitcher, recording a 1.96 ERA that is supported by a 2.80 FIP. His strikeout rate has jumped all the way up to 28 percent and he's allowed just four home runs over 64.1 innings. That's a major improvement considering he allowed 30 home runs over 143.1 innings in 2017. With a matchup against the Tigers and their weak lineup on tap, he might actually be worth this price tag.
A pitcher who's been a disappointment so far this season is Aaron Nola ($8,600), who has seen his ERA increase from 2.37 last year to 4.63 through his first 13 starts. It should be noted he's been a bit unlucky based on his .349 BABIP allowed, which is almost 100 points higher than his mark last season. His 1.53 WHIP is certainly a problem and it's been compounded by the fact he's allowed 1.4 HR/9. However, this is the cheapest he's been all season and this is not a bad matchup against the Reds, who rank in the bottom third of the league in runs scored and OPS. Nola could be a risk worth taking.
Working our way to an even cheaper option brings us to Chase Anderson ($6,900) for his start against the Pirates. He's experienced problems pitching deep into games and has allowed 1.7 HR/9, so he's far from a sure thing. But the last time he faced the Pirates, he allowed two runs and recorded five strikeouts across five innings. The Brewers are in a great spot to score in bunches against Steven Brault, so Anderson has a favorable chance to pick up a win if he can make it through five innings. If you want to load up on bats, Anderson is someone to consider in tournament play.
Key Values/Chalk
The Royals don't have many hitters to get excited about, although they have a stellar matchup against Reynaldo Lopez. The White Sox continue to give Lopez a chance to make his mark, but he's been terrible with a 6.09 FIP and a 1.67 WHIP. Expect Whit Merrifield ($4,900) and Adalberto Mondesi ($5,500) to be popular options.
Dylan Bundy will start for the Orioles, which could make targeting the Astros' power hitters a sound strategy considering he's allowed 1.7 HR/9 for his career. Alex Bregman ($5,000) carries the highest upside and it might be worth rolling with Yordan Alvarez ($3,600) in tournament play. He's expected to be recalled for this game after torching Triple-A with a .399 ISO.
With Clayton Richard on the mound for the Blue Jays, Ketel Marte ($4,800) immediately comes to mind as someone to target. He's in the midst of a breakout campaign and boasts a 153 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers since the start of last season.
Stacks
Twins vs. Ryan Carpenter (Tigers)
Nelson Cruz (OF - $4,400), C.J. Cron (1B - $4,700), Byron Buxton (OF - $4,700)
The Twins should be the chalk stack of the day against Carpenter, who enters with a 6.18 FIP and has allowed seven home runs across just 26 innings. Cruz has homered in three straight games and Cron is well on his way to a second straight season with at least 30 home runs, making them two of the top options to target. While Buxton doesn't carry the same power upside, he has produced a 180 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this year.
Brewers vs. Steven Brault (Pirates)
Christian Yelich (OF - $5,900), Ryan Braun (OF - $4,400), Orlando Arcia (SS - $3,800)
Even though Yelich won't have the platoon advantage here, he remains a great option since Brault hasn't pitched well with a 5.42 FIP and a 1.64 WHIP. Braun has registered a career .416 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers, making him another viable target. If you're looking to save a little money at shortstop, Arcia could provide value. He's been productive of late, hitting 12-for-42 with three home runs and four doubles over his last 11 games.
White Sox vs. Glenn Sparkman (Royals)
Yoan Moncada (3B - $5,000), Jose Abreu (1B - $4,900), Eloy Jimenez (OF - $3,300)
Sparkman doesn't fool many batters, producing a 14.6 percent strikeout rate for his career. The White Sox hit him hard the last time he started against them, resulting in Sparkman lasting only one inning and allowing four home runs. Moncada took him deep in that contest and could thrive once again based on his 145 wRC+ against righties this year. Abreu's .251 batting average has proved a disappointment, but he's remained productive with 16 home runs and 16 doubles. Jimenez's cheap price provides significant salary relief, and he's started to heat up by hitting .313 with a home run and two doubles over his last nine games.
