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PITCHER
Shane Bieber, CLE vs. DET ($9,200): Aces reign supreme Sunday, so I certainly won't talk you out of anyone priced above Bieber if it fits your strategy and/or budget. But the top arms face decent offenses, while Bieber doesn't. The Tigers sport a .291 wOBA, 81 wRC+, .140 ISO and 22.4 percent strikeout rate. Bieber has won four of his last five starts, is averaging 50.5 points over his last two outings and fanned nine across seven innings against Detroit.
GPP Fade: Chris Sale, BOS vs. NYM ($11,500): All of the makings are in place for a classic pitcher's duel with Sale and Jacob deGrom ($11,900), except for the fact Sale has thrown one inning in the last month and six since July 26. If you could count on a full workload, Sale would vault to the top of the buy list, but since you can't, he's an easy fade in this spot. It's also fair to question deGrom's potential in his toughest matchup of the season.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Sean Newcomb, ATL vs. WAS ($7,500): The play here is strictly strikeout potential. Newcomb has been anything but consistent since nearly no-hitting the Dodgers in late July, but appears in decent form of late. He's allowed four runs total in his last two starts, while twice allowing one or no runs and striking out seven or more in three of four. He's fanned 14 over 17.1 innings against Washington allowing only a .222 BAA, while the Nats .312 wOBA, 91 wRC+ and .150 ISO shouldn't be a problem.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
J.T. Realmuto, MIA at PHI ($3,400): Miami bats rarely offer upside, but Realmuto's .382 wOBA, 145 wRC+ and .229 ISO against righties buck that trend. It's not worth buying into, but he's 4-of-11 with three doubles in his career against Nick Pivetta, who has allowed 16 runs in his last five starts over a span of 23.2 innings.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar, BAL vs. CWS ($3,100): Villar has been a welcome addition to the O's lineup even if it comes with all-or-nothing tendencies. His .349 wOBA against righties since coming over from Milwaukee fits well at his tag for a non-premium position, while the White Sox Lucas Giolito is allowing a .352 wOBA to lefties.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN at CHC ($3,500): This seems like a no brainer. Suarez rakes against lefties to the tune of a .461 wOBA, 191 wRC+ and .311 ISO. He's a stable 4-of-15 with a homer against Jose Quintana, who allows a .340 wOBA to righties at home.
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor CLE vs. DET ($4,400): Clearly a steep price, but it seems a necessity in a plus spot. Lindor boasts a team-high .429 wOBA against lefties, mixing in a 173 wRC+ and .216 ISO. Detroit will place Francisco Liriano on the bump, who is surrendering a .370 wOBA to righties.
OUTFIELD
Giancarlo Stanton, NYY vs. TOR ($4,300): Stanton is a lock-and-load play against lefties, owning a .432 wOBA, 177 wRC+ and whopping .336 ISO. That sure looks like Jays' starter Thomas Pannone has no chance, right? Based on a very limited sample size that includes a 7.88 road ERA, all signs point to yes.
Andrew McCutchen, NYY vs. TOR ($3,400): Maybe you can't afford Stanton, or maybe you want to stack Yankee bats while Aaron Judge remains out of the lineup. Either way, McCutchen plays well just for the facts noted above about Pannone. That he's swung well since joining the Yanks to the tune of a .432 wOBA, 177 wRC+ and .250 ISO looks like gravy.
Daniel Palka, CWS at BAL ($3,000): Palka is your textbook GPP target, as you're paying for power potential only. He boasts a .258 ISO against righties, adding a moderate .335 wOBA and 113 wRC+ entering a matchup against David Hess, who allows a 51.5 percent fly ball rate at home – thus playing into Palka's 25.0 percent homer-to-fly ball ratio against righties.
UTILITY
Charlie Culberson, ATL vs. WAS ($2,500): Most Brave bats are in play against Tanner Roark, who has allowed 15 runs and 26 hits over his last three starts spanning 15.2 innings. Culberson makes for a great bargain – here or in place of Lindor above – and brings a .369 wOBA, 130 wRC+ and .222 ISO into another likely start with Johan Camargo nursing a groin injury.
