FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

A 10-game slate kicks off at 1:05 p.m. e.t. Sunday afternoon, and it looks like a set of games featuring haves and have-nots. Four pitchers come with five-figure pricing, another just $300 south, and four more north of $8,000. Past that, there's a lot of combustible options, many of whom are hittable lefties, putting numerous top bats in juicy situations. Weather looks to be a factor along the east coast, so I'll implore everyone to pay particular attention to rain chances in New York and Philadelphia at a minimum.

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PITCHER

Kyle Hendricks, CHC vs. CHW ($8,200): I have a hunch this will fall into a too obvious, or a chalky play, but that doesn't make it a bad one, especially for cash games. Hendricks has allowed over three runs just once to date, and his moderate strikeout rate (17.9 percent) is a three-year low, offering hope he'll miss more bats. While a lack of whiffs may limit his upside, its offset some by being the biggest favorite on the slate, where he should receive ample run support against Lucas Giolito.

GPP Fade: Jacob deGrom, NYM @PHI ($10,300): It's truthfully not a bad spot for deGrom against a Phillies lineup that has a 26.8 percent strikeout rate and just a .313 wOBA and 96 wRC+ against righties. And maybe his return from the DL will scare enough away to where he could be a bargain more than a fade candidate. But with the plethora of arms to choose from Sunday, I simply see no reason to take the risk on someone who may not be afforded the opportunity to throw deep into the game.

Cheap GPP Consideration: Jose Urena, MIA vs. ATL ($6,700): With this top-heavy pitching slate, I'm honestly unlikely looking below Hendricks for my starting option. But if we're forced to save at the bump, Urena merits a brief look. He's bounced back from a rough start to post three-straight solid outings, averaging 34 points in that stretch. He had a 3.24 ERA at home last year (against 4.54 on the road), and has enjoyed similar splits this year (3.86 against 6.10) while seeing a marginal increase in Ks, fanning 19.5 percent after a meager 15.6 a year ago.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

Gary Sanchez, NYY vs. OAK ($4,100): I know I want some right-handed bats from the Yankees Sunday against Brett Anderson, who's allowing a .494 wOBA, 1.176 OPS and 2.7 HR/9 to them. Sanchez comes with $700 in savings compared to Giancarlo Stanton, and $1,100 against Aaron Judge, and brings a .378 wOBA and .292 ISO against lefties to the table.

SECOND BASE

Eduardo Nunez, BOS at TOR ($2,800): The keystone is not a position of joy Sunday. It's a top-heavy position that doesn't offer ideal matchups, and there is great reason to pay up at other positions and punt here. Enter Nunez, who trails only J.D. Martinez among Red Sox regulars with a .359 wOBA and 122 wRC+ against righties (since coming to Boston). Toronto starter Joe Biagini has allowed 16 hits and nine runs over his last 10.0 innings, making him a worthwhile target.

THIRD BASE

Matt Duffy, TAM at BAL ($2,900): The Rays aren't a great offensive team, so they're a risky and cheap stacking option against the highly combustible Dylan Bundy. Forget his historically bad last outing against the Royals, Bundy has allowed 19 runs in his last three appearances, spanning 9.0 innings. He's been hit harder by lefties, but Duffy owns a solid .366 wOBA and 132 wRC+ against righties while collecting two hits in each of his last three games.

SHORTSTOP

Jean Segura, SEA at DET ($3,700): Shortstop is an absolute mess Sunday, and there aren't many options below Segura I'd feel confident in. He's hit lefties incredibly well, carrying a .368 wOBA and 135 wRC+. The Tigers find themselves in a tough spot with Blaine Hardy making his first career start. He's not stretched out and may not work deep, but after playing two Saturday and using their bullpen for 6.2 frames, they may leave Hardy in longer than they should.

OUTFIELD

Kyle Schwarber, CHC vs. CWS ($3,600): Schwarber hasn't gone deep since April 26, but appears to be in a great spot to snap that streak here. White Sox starter Lucas Giolito is allowing a .396 wOBA to lefties, and a huge 7.38 xFIP. Schwarber owns a .416 wOBA, 166 wRC+, and .317 ISO against righties. All left-handed Cub bats are in play here, but Schwarber looks to offer the right blend of potential and price.

Mark Trumbo, BAL vs. TAM ($3,200): Trumbo remains a bit off the radar in his first week-plus back into action. He's provided at least 9.0 fantasy points in eight of 12 games and posted a .326 wOBA, 101 wRC+ and .177 ISO against lefties last year (compared to .284/73/158 against righties). Yes, the Orioles as a whole stink and Blake Snell is turning into a bonafide star, but he's been far more hittable to opposite-handed bats, allowed a career .321 wOBA to them against .240 to lefties.

Jose Osuna, PIT vs. SFG ($2,100): The Pirates don't have a ton of must plays against southpaws, but grabbing some shares against Derek Holland and his 5.66 ERA and .355 wOBA to righties seems wise. Osuna is no lock to play, but his .238 ISO suggests he's got nice upside if he finds his way into a spot start.

UTILITY

Alex Bregman, HOU vs. TEX ($3,300): This column wouldn't be complete without picking on Rangers' starter Matt Moore and his 7.71 ERA. He is the rare southpaw who's hit harder by same-handed bats regularly, but Bregman brings a steady .380 wOBA, 143 wRC+ and .217 ISO against lefties since the start of 2017. Any and all Astro bats look like great options, and bargain hunters could look to Brian McCann ($2,500) if they need major savings.

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. Chris Bennett plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: k30kittles, DraftKings: k30kittles.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Bennett
Bennett covers baseball, college football and college basketball for RotoWire. Before turning to fantasy writing, he worked in scouting/player development for the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos. He's also a fan of the ACC.
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