This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Personally, what I'm most interested in baseball on Sunday are the Futures Game and the MLB Draft. But as we head into the All-Star break, we're also getting 15 MLB games today with all in the afternoon. You know what's just as exciting as the MLB Draft? Winning cash by crushing it in a DFS contest. Here are some recommendations to try and make that happen.
PITCHING
Kevin Gausman, SF vs. WAS ($10,600): Washington has moved out of the bottom-10 in runs scored after making up some missed games and getting some players on track. However, that won't deter me from going with Gausman at home. The Giants' hurler has posted a 1.74 ERA and that doesn't feel like a fluke after 17 starts. Gausman is enjoying a career year, and I'm a believer.
Framber Valdez, HOU vs. NYY ($10,000): Valdez's last start did not go well, but prior to that he managed a 2.18 ERA. Even with his tough outing against the Athletics, he still has a 2.86 ERA. Oakland has been decidedly better offensively than New York this year, with the A's in the top half of runs scored while the Yankees surprisingly rank in the bottom-10.
Ian Anderson, ATL at MIA ($8,300): In his first bit of MLB action in 2020, Anderson posted a 1.95 ERA over six starts. This year, he's at 3.27, but with a 2.57 mark on the road. Meanwhile, the Marlins sit 28th in runs scored.
Jose Suarez, LAA at SEA ($5,900): If you want to save salary, Suarez might be worth a shout. He's primarily pitched out of the bullpen, but has produced a 2.37 ERA. The Mariners, meanwhile, rank 30th in team batting average and Suarez has also only allowed righties to his .149 against him in 2021.
TOP TARGETS
Jose Ramirez, CLE vs. KC ($4,100): For the last five seasons, Ramirez has notched double-digit home runs and stolen bases. He's going to do it again in 2021 thanks to 19 homers and eight swiped bags. And since 2019, the switch hitter has a .900 OPS versus lefties. Kris Bubic is a lefty, and he also comes in with a 5.40 ERA.
Nolan Arenado, STL at CHC ($3,800): Leaving Colorado hasn't hurt Arenado's power having slugged .500 and hit 17 home runs. The 30-year-old has also managed a .524 slugging percentage on the road. Trevor Williams has a 5.51 ERA for the Cubs, which is consistent with the 5.58 he's produced over the last three seasons.
VALUE BATS
Carlos Santana, KC at CLE ($3,200): Santana has maintained his ability to get on base, as the .368 OPS will show. And he's still got some power with 15 home runs. The veteran slugger will get to face his former team - and more importantly, Cleveland pitcher Eli Morgan and his 8.44 ERA and 3.38 home runs per nine innings through five career starts.
Brandon Nimmo, NYM vs. PIT ($2,800): Nimmo missed a big chunk of the season with an injury, but has notched a .929 save percentage since returning to action. Over the last two years, he's also managed an .887 OPS. Chase De Jong is only in his fifth MLB season, but already on his fourth team. Maybe that's due to a career 6.34 ERA?
STACKS TO CONSIDER
Dodgers vs. Merrill Kelly: Mookie Betts ($3,500), Max Muncy ($3,700), Justin Turner ($3,100)
Kelly has posted a 4.60 ERA and has given up 1.36 homers per nine innings during his career. For someone who pitches at home in Arizona, he's actually been worse on the road since joining the Diamondbacks with a 5.21 ERA. Betts has not been his usual self this campaign, but he's still carrying a career .296/.372/.516 slash line with 12 homers and seven stolen bases in 2021. Muncy has not had any issues this year, with a personal-best .411 OBP and 18 home runs. Since he joined the Dodgers in 2014, Turner has produced a career .302 batting average and is currently at .308.
Astros vs. Jameson Taillon: Jose Altuve ($4,200), Yordan Alvarez ($4,100), Michael Brantley ($3,600)
Joining the Yankees has not panned out for Taillon with a 5.05 ERA. Then again, he might have been worse off elsewhere since his road ERA is 8.25. Altuve is dealing with a bit of a leg issue and is skipping the All-Star Game and may even miss action today. If he plays, he's worth selecting due to a .364 OBP and .494 slugging percentage. Since 2019, Alvarez has impressed with a 1.019 OPS versus righties, and Taillon is a righty. Brantley is always underrated, as he's posted a .852 OPS over the last four seasons with a .952 mark versus right-handed pitchers since 2019.
