FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

Pitcher

Ariel Miranda, SEA vs. MIL ($6,200): Miranda is an undoubtedly risky yet potentially rewarding tournament play against a Brewers squad that regularly whiffs like there's no tomorrow. The caveat here, besides Miranda's rookie status, is that they've been hard on lefties this season, but they still have struck out against that handedness at a bloated 24.3 percent clip. Miranda has already shown a ceiling of 27 fantasy points to date but could be in line for an even better return at a bargain price if he gets rolling Sunday.

Catcher

Kurt Suzuki, MIN at KAN ($2,600): Sandy Leon ($3,300) makes for an interesting play on the higher end of the value scale as well, but Suzuki has quietly continued to produce despite a bargain price on most days. He's currently riding an eight-game hitting streak and brings a .338 wOBA against southpaws into Sunday's matchup against Danny Duffy, who's been solid this season but has yielded 14 of his 15 homers this season to right-handed hitters.

First Base

Ryan Howard, PHI vs. STL ($2,900): Howard has at times looked completely washed up this season but his bat has come alive for what may be one last hurrah in recent weeks. The prolific slugger has tallied double-digit fantasy points in four of his last six games, with homers in three of those contests. Howard also has a solid .315 wOBA and mammoth .286 ISO at home against righties and an impressive 46.8 percent hard contact rate against that handedness overall. Cardinals starter Mike Leake has surrendered a .322 wOBA and 11 of his 18 homers on the season to lefty bats, making him an appealing target.

Second Base

Jean Segura, ARI at SD ($3,600): Padres starter Luis Perdomo gives up a .390 wOBA to right-handed hitters that rises to a jaw-dropping .527 when facing them at Petco Park, putting Segura squarely in the DFS crosshairs Sunday. Segura also catches Perdomo at a particularly good time, as the rookie has allowed a .402 wOBA, 5.71 ERA and 34.5 percent hard contact rate over his last three starts. Meanwhile, Segura has a .366 wOBA against right-handed pitching, as well as a .360 average, .414 wOBA and .227 ISO over his last 17 games.

Third Base

Alex Bregman, HOU at BAL ($3,100): Bregman has really begun hitting his stride at the plate after a rough start to his major league career and has tallied 18.7, 31.6 and 34.7 fantasy points over his last three games. He now has a .352 wOBA, .203 ISO and three homers over his last 18 games along with a 37.3 percent hard contact rate. Orioles starter Yovani Gallardo has surrendered a .352 wOBA to right-handed hitters that climbs to .365 when he faces them at Camden Yards.

Shortstop

Marcus Semien, OAK at CWS ($2,900): Semien doesn't necessarily draw the easiest of matchups against White Sox starter Jose Quintana but makes for a solid tournament play due to his upside and very fair price. He's also enjoyed considerable success against southpaws, against whom he's tallied a .391 wOBA and .303 ISO. Semien has been even better against them away from his spacious home park, as he's impressively posted a .439 wOBA and .444 ISO when facing that handedness on the road. Meanwhile, although Quintana has mostly been solid all season, he's been vulnerable to the long ball against righty hitters, who have touched him up for 13 of his 15 homers allowed.

Outfield

Aaron Altherr, PHI vs. STL ($2,900): Altherr always offers the possibility of multi-category production, as evidenced most recently by double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three contests. Leake is vulnerable to the long ball and Altherr provides some decent power in addition to his stolen base potential. He's also notably hit three of his four homers on the season against right-handed pitching, and eight of his nine career round-trippers overall.

Christian Yelich, MIA at PIT ($3,500): Yelich represents a high-upside lefty Marlins bat to deploy against Pirates starter Ryan Vogelsong, who's struggled against left-handed hitters throughout his long career. This season, he's been touched up by lefty bats to the tune of a .388 wOBA, 5.26 xFIP and a 33.9 percent hard contact rate, while Yelich has dominated righties by generating a .402 wOBA and .221 ISO, along with a 48.1 percent hard contact rate when facing them outside of Marlins Park. He's been swinging a hot bat in recent weeks as well, with a .353 wOBA, .221 ISO and 40.4 percent hard contact rate over his last 18 games.

Alex Dickerson, SDP vs. ARI ($2,800): Dickerson can do a bit of everything and hits out of a premium spot in the lineup (third), bringing a .345 wOBA and .237 ISO against right-handed pitching into Sunday's matchup against D-backs starter Braden Shipley, who's been touched up by lefty bats for a .364 wOBA and four homers in his rookie campaign. He's also posted an unsightly 6.55 ERA and .431 wOBA at Chase Field, and given up a mammoth .489 wOBA at home to lefty bats.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Juan Carlos Blanco plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: jcblanco22, FanDuel: jc_blanco22, DraftPot: jc_blanco22, FantasyDraft: jc_blanco22, OwnThePlay: jcblanco22.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juan Carlos Blanco
Winner of the FSWA 2016 Newcomer of the Year Award, Juan Carlos Blanco has been playing fantasy sports for over 20 years and covers NBA, MLB, NFL, CFL and Arena Football for Rotowire.com, including serving as the beat writer for teams in multiple sports. He has previously written for KFFL.com and remains an avid season-long and daily fantasy player in multiple sports as well.
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