This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Sunday is always a robust day of baseball, and the first one of the new season is no different. Sunday also is synonymous with day baseball, which means having to get your lineup in early. We have but the smallest of sample sizes on the new year, so looking to last season's numbers - and beyond - still qualifies as the wise way to handle things. It's a full slate of games on the docket, weather permitting, and here are some tips to try and help you to daily fantasy glory.
Pitching Overview
Since the season started Thursday and a good chunk of teams played Friday, that means we've got a lot of third and fourth starters in action Sunday. However, a couple of big names stick out to me. One is Patrick Corbin ($48), who signed a big-money deal with the Nationals this offseason. In his final year in Arizona, Corbin emerged as a true ace with a 2.51 FIP and 11.07 K/9 rating. The Mets added some talent this offseason, but they are trying to build on a team that ranked 23rd in runs scored last season.
Speaking of Arizona, their offense is bound to pack less punch with Paul Goldschmidt now wearing Cardinals red. So let's see what promising young starter Walker Buehler ($47) and his 1.93 home ERA from last season can do against the new-look Diamondbacks.
I also have to admit I'm intrigued by Chris Paddack ($36). We don't know what we'll get from him, as he has made zero MLB starts. This is about as good of a situation for a touted prospect to debut into, as the Giants ranked 29th in runs scored last season and Petco Park is famed for suppressing offense.
Key Values/Chalk
Javier Baez ($24) finally put it all together for a full campaign last season, slashing .290/.326/.554. Sure, it'd be nice if he walked more, but you can't sneeze at 34 homers and 21 stolen bases. He's also looking sharp to start this year, already mashing two homers. Lance Lynn turned things around when he joined the Yankees last season, but prior to that he struggled with a 5.10 ERA in Minnesota. It may not be summer yet, but pitching in Texas is usually difficult.
Hey, who isn't exciting about Bryce Harper ($22) right now? His move to Philly has captured the attention of all baseball fans, even if he didn't turn into Babe Ruth just because he signed a huge deal (although he did homer Saturday). All I know is last season he starred with a .904 OPS against righties with 25 homers. The lefty slugger is getting to face Kyle Wright, who is making his first MLB start Sunday. Being on the road in Philadelphia won't help.
It's understandable if you don't want to pay much attention to Kansas City, but please keep Ryan O'Hearn ($14) in mind if you want to grab a first baseman with a lower price and a high ceiling. In limited action last season, he hit 12 homers in 44 games but crushed righties by posting a .705 slugging percentage. The White Sox's Lucas Giolito isn't just a righty, but also slumped to a 5.60 FIP last season and has allowed 1.58 homers per nine innings over her career.
Stacks
Obviously, all eyes go to the Bronx, where the Yankees are hosting the Orioles. New York set a record for home runs last season, and Aaron Judge ($25) and Giancarlo Stanton ($22) are still around. Plus, Gary Sanchez ($19) has a ton of power for a catcher. He hit 33 homers in 122 games in 2017, and last year hit 18 dingers in a mere 89 games. In a vacuum, the Yankees have some stacking options, but the Orioles are starting Dylan Bundy, who allowed 2.15 homers per nine innings in 2018.
In truth, the Yankees are the only stack option that really intrigues me Sunday, but I could be talked into the Cardinals. Milwaukee is giving Corbin Burnes his first Major League start. He pitched well out of the bullpen last season, but starting is a whole different thing. Plus, since Burnes is a righty, there is less threat of a platoon issue for St. Louis' hitters. In fact, Matt Carpenter ($19) should be quite happy to see a right-handed pitcher on the mound. Since 2017, he's dominated with a .904 OPS against righties, as opposed to a .753 OPS against lefties.
