This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We're deep enough into the season that most starters are able to throw a full workload or something quite close to it, removing one of the many new variables fantasy players have had to contend with during this strange season. Players' prices have also moved based on their early performances, though we aren't remotely deep enough to meaningfully reassess many their talent levels based on numbers alone. That could create plenty of opportunities for those willing to bet on bounceback games from players who have been slumping early. Sunday's FanDuel main slate will cover eight games, containing all those starting from 12:35 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. EDT with the exception of the first half of the Braves-Phillies doubleheader.
Pitchers
Jacob deGrom, NYM vs. MIA ($11,100): While the Marlins have gotten off to an unexpectedly hot start, they're still the Marlins and a few good games shouldn't scare you away from a pitcher who's as solid as deGrom. The two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner experienced an injury scare during summer camp, but was ultimately able to make his Opening Day start. While deGrom was limited to 72 pitches during his season debut and 88 in his second outing, he reached 104 pitches his last time out against the Braves and shouldn't come with any concerns about his workload. No worries about performance level either, as he owns a 2.12 ERA, a 35.5 percent strikeout rate and a 4.8 percent walk rate through his first three starts.
Lance Lynn, TEX vs. LAA ($9,400): Few pitchers have gotten off to a hotter start than Lynn, who owns a 0.49 ERA through his first three starts. There are of course some unsustainable elements of that line, including his .143 BABIP and 100 percent strand rate and he won't maintain an 0.5 HR/9 with just a 25 percent groundball rate. Still, Lynn's 34.8 percent strikeout rate - the ninth-best mark in the league - is quite impressive and gives him plenty of upside against a decent but hardly-dominant Angels' lineup.
Spencer Turnbull, DET at PIT ($8,100): Turnbull has cruised through his first two starts of the year by allowing just three runs on six hits over 11 innings, giving him a 2.45 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He's struck out 31.8 percent of opposing batters, which has been more than enough to offset a high 11.4 percent walk rate. That's quite an improvement from last season, where both Turnbull's 22.3 percent strikeout rate and 9.0 percent walk rate were slightly worse than the league average, leading to a mediocre 4.61 ERA. It's far too early to buy into him as a completely new and improved pitcher, but even if Turnbull is no better than last year that should still be enough against a Pirates' team which ranked second-last with a 72 wRC+ through Friday's games.
Top Targets
Juan Soto, WAS vs. BAL ($3,800): Soto likely won't be this affordable for long. He's only played three games after a positive coronavirus test forced him to quarantine during the early part of the season, but he's looked as good as ever since returning to the lineup by going 4-for-12 with a homer and a double. He'll get the platoon advantage against Orioles' righty Asher Wojciechowski, whose 5.40 ERA through two starts this season is right in line with his 5.74 career mark. And with a career 28.5 percent groundball rate, he should give Soto a solid shot at his second homer of the season Sunday.
Pete Alonso, NYM vs. MIA ($3,600): Alonso hasn't been at his best this season, though that could create a buying opportunity as his price would likely be significantly higher had he been hitting as well as during his incredibly rookie campaign. He did finally hit his second homer of the season Saturday, dragging his wRC+ up to 110, the product of a .211/.357/.333 slash line. A jump in Alonso's strikeout rate represents a large part of his slump, as he's whiffed in 31.4 percent of his plate appearances after striking out at a 26.4 percent clip last year. That's unlikely to be a major problem Sunday against Pablo Lopez, who owns a 20.2 percent career strikeout rate and a 4.63 career ERA.
Bargain Bats
Jonathan Schoop, DET at PIT ($3,000): Joe Musgrove was scheduled to start this game for the Pirates but was scratched due to ankle soreness, leaving Steven Brault set to start in his absence just two days after giving up four runs without recording a single out in a Friday relief appearance. Brault will likely be an easy matchup himself, as will whatever long relievers the Pirates bring in after. Schoop looks like the best Tiger to grab, as he'll earn the platoon advantage against Brault and has already hit three homers to go along with a .265 batting average, quite solid numbers for a second baseman.
Alex Verdugo, BOS vs. TOR ($2,600): Verdugo moved up to the leadoff spot Saturday, thanks in part to homering twice over his previous three games and in part due to Andrew Benintendi's early struggles. If he remains in that spot Sunday, he'll offer great value against Matt Shoemaker, who has struggled to a 5.91 ERA and a 6:5 K:BB in his first two starts. Verdugo hasn't fully realized his considerable talent, but his .294/.342/.475 slash line in 377 plate appearances for the Dodgers looked solid. Even if his recent power surge doesn't continue, he won't need to be any better than he was last season to justify his low price here.
Stacks
Twins vs. Brady Singer: Max Kepler ($3,700), Eddie Rosario ($3,000), Jorge Polanco ($3,000)
The Twins' offense has been generally mediocre this season, though they're still displaying plenty of power and rank fourth with 22 homers through the end of Friday's games. While Singer has held his own through three starts, he's by no means intimidating enough to scare you away from what was supposed to be one of the league's strongest lineups. The 24-year-old righty has produced a strong 29.5 percent strikeout rate this season, but his 2.4 HR/9 has inflated his ERA to 4.80. Even that number is perhaps a pleasant surprise, as Singer - while talented enough to be a first-round pick in 2018 - struck out a modest 22.5 percent of opposing batters during his lone season in the minors last year and never pitched above Double-A. The stack listed here should all bat in the Twins' top four spots and will receive the platoon advantage against Singer.
Rays vs. James Paxton: Jose Martinez ($2,800), Hunter Renfroe ($2,700), Yandy Diaz ($2,500)
Paxton was supposed to be helped by the delayed season, as it bought him time to return from back surgery without missing a start. While that did indeed happen, he hasn't pitched anywhere near his expected level thus far, lasting a total of just four innings through his first two starts while allowing a combined eight runs (six earned) on 12 hits. A laughable .611 BABIP is obviously part of the issue, but this isn't the same Paxton we're used to seeing. His velocity has dropped dramatically, with his fastball averaging just 91.9 mph after coming in at 95.5 mph last season. The stack listed here features the Rays' top three righties in the order the last time they faced a southpaw (Martin Perez on Thursday).
