This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
While Sunday's overall schedule is jam packed in the majors, only eight games will make up the main slate on DraftKings. That doesn't leave us with the normal vast assortment of choices, but there are still plenty of viable players to target based on their matchups. Let's highlight some of the ones that stand out.
Pitching Overview
If the Indians are going to catch the Twins in the AL Central, this contest feels like a must-win. Luckily for them, they will have Shane Bieber ($11,800) on the mound. He's wrapping up what has been his breakout campaign, posting a 3.17 ERA and a 3.22 FIP. Bieber's strikeout rate has also jumped up to 31.1 percent, which is nearly seven percentage points higher compared to last season. While the Twins are a tough opponent, he's held them to eight runs while recording 29 strikeouts across 22.1 innings.
Jose Quintana ($9,600) has hit a rough patch, allowing at least four runs in three of his last four starts. That hasn't come at an opportune time for the Cubs, but this matchup against the Pirates sets him up for a valuable bounce-back performance. They have the lowest wRC+ against left-handed pitchers in baseball at 75, so it shouldn't come as a surprise Quintana has limited them to six runs over 27 innings this season.
If you want to take a chance on a pitcher who likely won't be included in a lot of entries, Wade Miley ($7,400) is someone to consider. He's been torched in his last two starts, allowing 12 runs while only recording one out. That should shy people away from him, but this is at least a favorable matchup for him against the Royals, who have looked almost as bad as the Pirates with their 78 wRC+ versus southpaws.
Key Values/Chalk
The Yankees continue to be decimated by injuries, but that hasn't stopped them from scoring in bunches. They hung 13 runs on the Blue Jays on Saturday and will look to keep things rolling against T.J. Zeuch, who has issued as many walks as he has strikeouts over his first 8.1 innings in the majors. He recorded a 5.16 FIP at Triple-A, which doesn't bode well for him at the big league level. An interesting option to consider is Brett Gardner ($4,200), who has launched seven home runs over his last 11 games.
With how putrid the Tigers' lineup has been, their hitters aren't usually viable targets in DFS. However, deploying some of them against Asher Wojciechowski could prove to be profitable. He's allowed 13 runs across 13 innings in his last three starts and has posted a 5.72 FIP for the year. Left-handed hitters have recorded a .388 wOBA against him, so don't sleep on Christin Stewart ($3,600), Victor Reyes ($3,800) or Harold Castro ($3,400).
If there is one team Trevor Williams probably doesn't want to see, it's the Cubs. In two previous matchups against them this season, he's allowed 13 runs over 11 innings. Unfortunately for him, he'll have to try and navigate their lineup once again Sunday. With lefties posting a .391 wOBA against him, Anthony Rizzo ($4,200) and Kyle Schwarber ($4,200) both carry significant upside.
Stacks
Astros vs. Jakob Junis (Royals)
Jose Altuve (2B - $5,100), Yordan Alvarez (OF - $5,700), Michael Brantley (OF - $4,300)
This game has the potential to get out of hand for Junis against one of the most potent lineups in baseball. He has slumped to a 1.40 WHIP while allowing 1.6 HR/9 and only compiling a 21.5 percent strikeout rate. Altuve stands out as one of the top options for an Astros' stack considering he is .326 with five home runs, six doubles and two triples over his last 21 games.
Orioles vs. Edwin Jackson (Tigers)
Trey Mancini (1B/OF - $4,600), Jonathan Villar (2B/SS - $4,100), Anthony Santander (OF - $3,800)
Even though the Orioles own a bad lineup, facing Jackson can leave anyone with a productive afternoon. It's amazing he still finds a way to stay in the majors given his 7.60 FIP and 2.03 WHIP. Villar is quietly enjoying a solid season and is finishing on a high note having hit 35-for-117 with six home runs, five doubles and eight steals over his last 30 games. Jackson has also given up 3.1 HR/9, which is right in Mancini's wheelhouse.
Blue Jays vs. Jordan Montgomery (Yankees)
Bo Bichette (SS - $5,200), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (3B - $3,700), Randal Grichuk (OF - $3,800)
Montgomery will be making his first appearance after missing the majority of the season due to Tommy John surgery. He logged three innings in each of his last two rehab starts, so don't expect him to last long in this contest. This could be an opportunity to extract some production out of the Blue Jays with Bichette their most appealing player to pursue. He's had a stellar beginning to his career, posting a 143 wRC+ through his first 42 games.
