This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Sunday's main slate brings 11 games to the table. And while there are a handful of aces atop the pitching sheet, there's a plethora of arms worth targeting bats against towards the bottom tier. I penned the players below before this intro, and as it evolved, it became clear there were plenty of potentially high-scoring games even without Coors Field on the table – or Vegas giving us a game with a total north of 9.5. This looks like a slate where I'd feel comfortable in cash formats, while GPP players are going to have to go against the grain, and likely put up 200+ points if they think they're going to score big.
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PITCHER
Jose Berrios, MIN vs. TEX ($9,700): As of submission, FanDuel lists Justin Verlander ($11,600) as the starter for Houston, while most sites suggest Gerrit Cole will get the nod, so don't fall victim to that oversight. Chris Sale ($11,300) is in a nice three-game groove, but Berrios brings similar upside while offering up to $2,000 in savings. He's provided at least 33 points in each of his last seven starts, going for 55 or more three times. Texas counters with Bartolo Colon, putting Berrios in a great spot to earn a win, and the Rangers sport a 25.1 percent whiff rate while only posting a .157 ISO and .307 wOBA against righties.
GPP Fade: Blake Snell, TAM vs. NYY ($8,800): This seems too obvious, but there's no reason to expect a quality start from Snell Sunday. The Yankees lead the league against lefties with a .350 wOBA, adding a .222 ISO and 122 wRC+. Snell has faced the Yankees twice already this season, and has allowed nine earned runs in 8.1 frames.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Carlos Rodon, CWS vs. OAK ($6,800): You can somewhat forgive Rodon's 4.41 ERA in his first three starts, as he's faced Cleveland twice and the Red Sox – quite the welcome back to the show following injury. He's fanned 16 in 16.1 innings, and gets a bit of a reprieve Sunday against the A's, who rank 23rd with a .299 wOBA against lefties, bringing a 90 wRC+, .168 ISO and 24.4 percent strikeout rate along with it. Rodon will need to be efficient to earn innings upside, but should see at least some run support with Paul Blackburn as his adversary and should give him no worse than a puncher's chance at earning a win.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Gary Sanchez, NYY at TAM ($3,300): We've touched on Snell's troubles against the Yankees, and the Bronx Bombers' prowess against lefties. Only Giancarlo Stanton ($4,100) and Gleyber Torres ($4,000) have fared better than Sanchez's .404 wOBA against southpaws, a notable number for a struggling hitter who's only batting .194. Sanchez also has a 47.6 percent fly ball rate, 160 wRC+ and .309 ISO. While the head-to-head sample is small, he's gone 4-for-11 with three homers in his career against Snell.
SECOND BASE
Scooter Gennett, CIN vs. CHC ($3,900): Gennett's recent game log doesn't seem to merit his price falling below $4,000, so I'd be happy to pencil him into my lineup against a struggling Tyler Chatwood, who is allowing a .380 wOBA to lefties. He's walking batters at an alarming 8.3 per nine inning clip, either giving Gennett a stable floor by reaching once or twice, or giving him upside to knock in a few runs. Gennett's .376 wOBA against righties sure doesn't hurt.
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner, LAD at NYM ($3,000): With a handful of top priced pitchers, a Dodgers stack against Jason Vargas is just what the doctor ordered to bring GPP lineups high potential while balancing your salary cap. Turner raked lefties last season, and has picked up where he left off by going for a .426 wOBA and 175 wRC+. Vargas hasn't discriminated by batter handedness, but is allowing a .427 wOBA to righties. Minnesota's Eduardo Escobar ($3,300, .419 wOBA, .333 ISO) is a nice pivot option if you think the Dodgers may be trendy.
SHORTSTOP
Jose Peraza, CIN vs. CHC (3,100): Shortstop has evolved into the ultimate punt or pay position, with great top tier options and no middle ground before the bottom falls out. Peraza's recent hot streak has landed him in that middle area, as he's reached base safely in every game since May 25 – a stretch of 22 games. That gives him a very stable floor and his speed has a chance to exploit Chatwood on the base paths, as he's throwing fastballs at a career-low 59.6 percent rate. Peraza has already swiped four bags in two games this series while enjoying a day of rest Saturday.
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich, MIL vs. STL ($3,800): Cardinals starter Luke Weaver has allowed four runs in each of his last three starts, having not made it out of the sixth inning since May 22. He's been vulnerable to lefties, allowing a .361 wOBA and 4.86 xFIP, while Yelich brings a stable .373 wOBA against righties. His .187 ISO may limit the upside and make him a better cash game play, but Yelich has a stable floor for both formats.
Eddie Rosario, MIN vs. TEX ($3,300): Picking on Bartolo Colon is relatively easy, but Rosario fits the bill regardless of the righty he's facing Sunday. He's mashing opposite arms to the tune of a .411 wOBA, 163 wRC+ and .280 ISO. A Rosario/Escobar mini-stack is super affordable, and offers huge upside.
Matt Kemp, LAD at NYM ($3,100): Vargas' combustibility has loosely been discussed already, and successful Dodger bats against lefties being available in this price range appear to be a gift. Kemp tops Turner, leading LA regulars with a .433 wOBA against lefties, adding a 180 wRC+ and robust .321 ISO. Vargas looks like just what Kemp needs to snap out of the 1-for-16 skid entering Saturday.
UTILITY
Matt Davidson, CWS vs. OAK ($2,800):Jose Abreu ($3,100) is a much more stable option in this favorable matchup against the slate's lowest priced arm in Paul Blackburn, but Davidson appears to bring the higher upside. He boasts a .341 wOBA against righties – highest among White Sox regulars – adding a .212 ISO and 118 wRC+. Blackburn has been victimized by same-handed bats more than opposite handed swingers, allowing a career .342 wOBA to righties as opposed to a .272 wOBA to lefties.
