This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We have a full 15-game slate Sunday and here are some value play ideas to help you make your way to the top.
Starting Pitcher
Steven Matz ($8,100)
It's almost a little unfair that every time you turn around the Mets are bringing up another stud young arm, but that is the case again here with Matz. He made two starts back around Independence day and went 13.2 innings and allowing seven hits, five walks, two earned runs and 14 strikeouts. He also picked up the win both times and averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game. He faces a left-handed dominant Marlins lineup and he has been very tough on same-handed batters in the minor leagues. He gets a great park to pitch in too, so the price is not outrageous for the return he is likely to provide.
Catcher
Miguel Montero ($2,500)
The Cubs' backstop sat Saturday so there is a good chance he will be in the lineup Sunday. With Kyle Schwarber injured, Montero is back to playing almost every day. He faces Rubby De La Rosa, who has struggled all season with left-handed batters by allowing them to hit .300 against him. Montero has some power and multiple hits in two of his last three games. He does not need to do much to pay off $2,500 and he has a good matchup to do it against a guy who struggles with left-handed bats.
First Base
Adrian Gonzalez ($3,100)
Gonzalez picked up an injury to his knee Thursday but has managed to play through it. Sunday he faces Andrew Cashner, who has been horrible against left-handed hitters this year. Cashner was expected to do big things, but those putrid numbers to lefties have prevented him from reaching his upside. Gonzalez has good numbers lifetime against Cashner and has always hit right-handed pitching well. For $3,100, he is much cheaper than other big bats on the day like Edwin Encarnacion, Anthony Rizzo and even an Adam Lind. If you need to go cheap here, Gonzalez is your man.
Second Base
Jedd Gyorko ($2,700)
Gyorko faces the lefty Brett Anderson and has some of the best numbers on the Padres against left-handed pitching. Anderson has worse numbers against right-handers as well, so it all fits together. Gyorko had his seven-game hit streak snapped Saturday but he is still hitting in the two hole, giving him a better lineup spot to drive in runs and be driven in himself. $2,700 is cheap for a guy who has been hot and does have a little bit of home-run pop.
Shortstop
Carlos Correa ($3,800)
The price has come down enough on Correa that he is a great value. Value does not have to mean a cheap option. If a guy is expensive, but head and shoulders above everyone else, then he is still the best guy to use. That is the case with Correa vs. everyone else on Sunday. As you search lower on the list for another option, the price break that you are given in order to use some of the fringe guys falls way short of the potential production. Sometimes, as is the case here, it's worth paying up.
Third Base
Matt Carpenter ($3,300)
Taking Carpenter against Gerrit Cole may seem like a bold call, but it's really not. Cole has been less than stellar lately and has given up quite a few hits to left-handed batters. Carpenter has also hit well off of Cole in his career with five hits in 16 at-bats including two home runs. Cole does not pitch well in St. Louis, as he is 0-3 lifetime there. Add up all those things and it becomes clear that not only is this a good spot for Carpenter, but the ownership should be low as well.
Outfield
Kole Calhoun ($3,300)
Calhoun is starting to heat up. He has gone 13 for his last 31 with a pair of home runs in his last seven games. He is also facing an old foe in right-hander Colby Lewis, who he has hit .435 against over his career in 23 plate appearances. Calhoun has the right splits to give Lewis trouble, as he hits better against right-handed pitching and Lewis struggles more with left-handed batters. Add in that Calhoun has been leading off or batting fourth in the order and one way or another he is in a position to either drive in runs or score them himself.
David Peralta ($3,300)
After a little slump that coincided with a minor injury, Peralta has started to heat back up. He has hits in six straight games and is 10-for-24 over that stretch. He has been a monster this year out of the cleanup spot against right-handed pitching. He faces Kyle Hendricks on Sunday who has been decent but does struggle more with left-handed batters and has given up a good amount of runs with his 4+ ERA.
Dexter Fowler ($3,100)
Fowler seems to have become the forgotten Cubs player. Despite a low price and averaging 3.4 fantasy points per game over his last seven starts, he always seems to be incredibly low owned. Fowler has a good match up against Rubby De La Rosa, who really struggles against guys who can bat up from the left side of the plate. Fowler's speed is an asset, whether that is stealing bases or taking an extra base and scoring a run. He does not have huge power upside, but he can and should get on base a few times.
