This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Every MLB team has played 20 some odd games at this point. By baseball standards, that isn't a huge sample size, but it's something. We can finally make some conclusions by what has happened in 2019. It's another busy Sunday for Major League Baseball, at least if the weather holds out. Be ready to get your lineup in early, like always, and consider these recommendations.
PITCHING
This isn't a day for big-money pitchers. The most-notable name on the docket is Chris Sale, who has a 7.43 ERA. It's best to wait and see, and make sure he's alright. I'm intrigued by Rich Hill ($49), who will be making his first start of the season. Over the last three years he's averaged a 3.27 FIP and 10.55 strikeouts per nine innings. He's getting an easy introduction to the 2019 season. In addition to being at home, Hill is facing a Pirates team that ranks in the bottom three in runs scored.
Who had the worst offense in the league last season? The Marlins. Who has the worst offense in the league this season? You only get one guess. Zach Eflin ($39) is the man getting the opportunity to start against Miami on Sunday. He's also at home, and last year the Phillies righty had a 3.33 ERA in his own ballpark. Lastly, Kevin Gausman ($42) was a different pitcher after being dealt to the Braves last season. He had a 3.72 FIP with Atlanta, and has a 3.90 FIP this year. The Rockies have a bottom 10 offense in runs scored, and bear in mind they play home games at Coors Field. Their offense is different on the road.
KEY VALUES/CHALK
Bryce Harper ($20) has always had power, but as a lefty, he hits righties decidedly better. Since 2017 he has a.973 OPS against right-handed pitchers. Speaking of his power, he already has six home runs in his first season with the Phillies. Miami's Pablo Lopez is a righty, and he's only pitched in 15 games at the MLB level. In that time, he has a 4.24 ERA.
A lot of Cubs are struggling to start the year, but not Javier Baez ($24). He hit 34 homers with 21 stolen bases in 2018, and he has nine homers in 24 games this season. Luke Weaver is off to a good start with the Diamondbacks after being traded there this offseason, but he had a 4.75 career ERA prior to this season. Plus, he has a 3.97 ERA at home this year, and pitching in Arizona can be tough.
Jorge Polanco ($25) got sidetracked by a PED suspension last season, but he's made up for lost time to start this season. The Twin is slashing .341/.396/.637 through 23 games. More importantly, he's going up against Dylan Bundy on Sunday. He's a guy with a career 4.78 FIP who has allowed 1.74 homers per nine innings.
Stephen Piscotty ($17) did well in his first season in Oakland, posting a .267/.331/.491 slash line with 27 homers in 151 games. We don't know a ton about Blue Jays starter Trent Thornton, as he is a rookie with only five starts to his name. What we do know, however, is that in those starts he has a 5.79 ERA and has allowed 1.93 homers per nine innings.
STACKS
Angels vs. Homer Bailey (Royals)
Mike Trout (OF - $27), Andrelton Simmons (SS - $18), Luis Rengifo (2B - $11)
You probably don't need a lot of excuse to start Trout. However, given his price, you want to be sure you get your money's worth, even when we're talking about the best player in baseball. Bailey is a great matchup for that. He hasn't had an ERA under 5.50 since way back in 2014 when he dealt with injuries. Simmons is known for his glove, but he's also posted a .289 batting average over the last three seasons. The 29-year-old also has double-digit homers and stolen bases in his last two campaigns. Rengifo is a 22-year-old fast-rising prospect who has only recently made his debut. He cleaned up across three levels of the minors last year, though, and this is a matchup worth rolling him out.
Mariners vs. Lance Lynn (Rangers)
Mitch Haniger (OF - $21), Jay Bruce (OF - $18), Dee Gordon (2B - $14)
Leaving St. Louis has not worked out well for Lynn. The 31-year-old had a 4.77 ERA last season, and in his first campaign with the Rangers he has a 6.51 ERA. He also has a .269 BAA versus lefties since 2017, so I'm intrigued by the southpaws in the Mariners lineup. That includes Gordon, who is also a great base stealer, a rare trait these days. How many other players have swiped at least 30 bags over the last five seasons?
As for Bruce, yes, his batting average is down. You get him for his power, though. The big Texan already has nine home runs in only 24 games. Haniger is a righty, but he's a good enough hitter that it doesn't really matter to me. He has a career .841 OPS and hit 26 homers last year.
