This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
We're at a point in the MLB season where some teams have clinched playoff spots, while others are close. Many teams are looking ahead to the offseason, dreaming of a brighter future. All 30 of them will be in action Sunday, with the first games starting at 1:05 PM ET. Here are some daily fantasy lineup recommendations.
STARTING PITCHER
Dereck Rodriguez, SF vs. COL ($42): Rodriguez has operated under the radar for the Giants with a 2.35 ERA. He's even better at home, posting a 2.22 ERA in San Francisco. Meanwhile, the Rockies aren't quite as good offensively away from Coors Field, as they rank 18th in runs scored on the road.
Nick Pivetta, PHI vs. MIA ($31): This is about the matchup and the price more than Pivetta. The Marlins have collapsed offensively, currently ranking last in runs scored by a wide margin. They also own an abysmal .664 OPS as a team. However, to Pivetta's credit, his 3.82 FIP isn't terrible.
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CATCHER
Willians Astudillo, MIN at KC ($9): Astudillo has only played in 20 games, but in that time he's posted an impressive .327/.351/.527 slash line. Kansas City's Jakob Junis comes in with a 4.69 OPS and has allowed 1.61 home runs per nine innings, while Astudillo already has hit three dingers.
FIRST BASE
Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. WAS ($15): Freeman is one of the best hitters in baseball, and has been in this category since he first hit the majors. He sports a career slash line of .292/.378/.497, and hits well in every situation. Tanner Roark has been better on the road than at home, but he also has underperformed with a 4.72 ERA over his last 13 games. At this price, Freeman is definitely worth a shot.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, CHC vs. CIN ($14): Murphy has struggled a bit recently, but most of his issues this season have been against lefties. Versus righties, he has managed a .502 slugging percentage and has hit nine of his 10 homers. Meanwhile, Luis Castillo has allowed a .299 batting average against lefty hitters – like like Murphy – and also enters with a 5.94 road ERA.
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez, CLE vs. DET ($17): Yes, Ramirez had been struggling before performing well against the Tigers on Saturday, but who cares? The man has averaged 9.4 fantasy points per game! He's one of the best hitters in baseball and owns a 1.028 OPS at home. Francisco Liriano enters this matchup with a 5.51 FIP. Do you think he's going to stand in the way of Ramirez returning to form?
SHORTSTOP
Jean Segura, SEA at LAA ($13): Segura has excelled at getting on base, and when he does he often does damage on the basepaths. The 28-year-old has swiped 20 stolen bases in 132 games, and he's also hit nine homers for good measure. While his numbers have been mediocre at home, he's managed a .388 road OBP. Jaime Barria has also struggled at home, with a 4.53 ERA in his own ballpark.
OUTFIELD
Nomar Mazara, TEX at SD ($19): Mazara has launched 20 homers for the third season in a row, but this time he's done it in 116 games and can still add to that total. He's also been hot recently, with a .925 OPS over the last three weeks. Jacob Nix has made six starts in the majors, with a woeful 6.00 ERA during that time.
Hunter Renfroe, SD vs. TEX ($19): Renfroe has proven himself with his power, as the .501 slugging percentage will prove. Interestingly, the Padres outfielder actually posts better numbers at Petco Park, including a .574 slugging percentage this year. Mike Minor comes in with a 5.37 road ERA and has also allowed 1.42 homers per nine innings.
Daniel Palka, CWS at BAL ($15): Palka's fantasy value comes from his power. He's hit 22 homers in 111 games, and also has a .505 slugging percentage against righties. David Hess is getting another chance to start for the Orioles, but it's not likely to turn out well. The righty owns a 5.50 FIP and has allowed 1.66 homers per nine innings.
