This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Sunday's MLB main slate begins at 1:05 PM Eastern time and features 10 games. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best value, as well as the top lineup stacking options in this slate.
Pitching Overview
There are a number of quality starters facing underwhelming opponents in this slate, so expect most owners to pay up for pitching.
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray ($10,200) has a terrific opportunity to strut his stuff for potential trade suitors against a Marlins' offense that's neck-and-neck with the Tigers for worst in the league. With a 31.0 percent strikeout rate, Ray has tremendous upside in this favorable matchup.
Cleveland's Trevor Bauer ($11,100) owns a minuscule 2.19 ERA over 78 road innings, and his strikeout rate this season registers at a robust 28.1 percent. He should continue his road success against Kansas City's 26th-ranked offense.
Among cheaper options, Rays' starter Yonny Chirinos ($7,400) represents a high-floor option against the 27th-ranked Blue Jays' offense. Chirinos has allowed more than three earned runs only three times all season and has displayed tremendous control with a 102:24 K:BB over 117.2 innings.
Value Plays/Chalk
The Rays, Diamondbacks and Pirates are all primed for success, but there are also some nice value plays to be found outside of those three stackable lineups.
Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado ($3,600) is rarely a poor choice against lefties and he should have no problem finding success against Reds southpaw Alex Wood, who will be making his season debut after being out with a back injury. Arenado is in the midst of a third consecutive season with a wOBA over .400 against lefties.
Cardinals outfielder Jose Martinez ($2,600) is another slugger who excels against lefties. He brings a .460 wOBA in that split into this home matchup against Astros left-hander Wade Miley.
Twins outfielder Nelson Cruz ($4,600) might be the hottest hitter in baseball, having launched seven long balls over his past eight games. He should stay scalding against White Sox righty Dylan Covey, who has struggled with a 6.04 ERA and 5.61 FIP.
Stacks
Rays vs. Aaron Sanchez (Blue Jays)
Austin Meadows (OF - $3,400), Nate Lowe (1B - $2,800), Ji-Man Choi (1B - $2,500)
Sanchez is coming off a strong performance against the Indians, but those have been few and far between for the righty thanks to a 3-14 record with a 6.06 ERA, 5.31 FIP and 5.31 xFIP. The Rays boast a few left-handed sluggers capable of pressing their platoon advantage here. Meadows' wOBA against righties this season is almost .400 and climbing to over .450 on the road, while Lowe's road wOBA against righties sits just under .400. Choi's .342 wOBA against right-handers is nothing to write home about, but he was recently moved to the leadoff spot against righties, maximizing his plate appearances against the vulnerable Sanchez.
Diamondbacks vs. Elieser Hernandez (Marlins)
Ketel Marte (2B - $3,900), David Peralta (OF - $3,400), Alex Avila (C - $2,700)
Left-handed hitters have hit Hernandez extremely hard this season, producing a .432 wOBA over a 51-batter sample. Arizona's lineup has no shortage of options from the left side, but these guys stand out from the pack. The switch-hitting Marte comes in with a .387 wOBA from the left side. Peralta has posted a solid .376 wOBA against righties, and Avila isn't far behind with a .369 mark in that split.
Pirates vs. Jason Vargas (Mets)
Kevin Newman (SS - $2,900), Bryan Reynolds (OF - $3,100), Jose Osuna (3B - $2,200)
Vargas has compiled a 3.96 ERA, but his 4.66 FIP and 5.10 xFIP suggest the veteran southpaw's due for regression. That downturn has begun with a 4.84 ERA in four July starts, and it's likely to continue here against the Pirates. Newman leads off against lefties, and has excelled on the road in general this season thanks to a .385 wOBA. The switch-hitting Reynolds has recorded a road wOBA over .400 when batting from the right side, and Osuna comes cheap since he only starts against lefties, but he's slugging over .550.
