This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Weather is a major factor across the northeast, with Washington, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati all potentially at risk. Those games being absent from the slate would make things very difficult on owners. Using players in them will force you to pay attention and maybe make late adjustments, but could also reward you for your prudence with great matchups in low-ownership spots.
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PITCHER
Jacob deGrom, NYM vs. PHI ($11,800): It's obviously a steep price, but this also feels like a no-brainer type decision. deGrom has put up a quality start in every outing since May 13, so there's an incredibly safe floor with an inferred upside. He has yet to allow a run to the Phillies this season across 18 innings, surrendering only 12 hits while striking out 18. You know exactly what you're paying for here.
GPP Fade: Andrew Heaney, LAA at CWS ($8,200): Heaney simply isn't in good form right now, having allowed four or more runs in three of his last four starts – 15 runs in 23.1 total frames – while not lasting more than six innings in any. The White Sox are an easy offense to pick against, especially with their late-season injuries, but they're at least mediocre against lefties, ranking 18th with a .308 wOBA, ranking higher than perceived solid offenses in the Dodgers and Phillies.
Cheap GPP Consideration: John Gant, STL at DET ($7,100): Gant has been feast-or-famine in his last four starts, twice averaging 40.5 points while twice averaging 9.5 points, making him the definition of a tournament gamble. He appears to have a solid chance at a win in this spot, and the Tigers offense is second-to-last against righties, posting a .293 wOBA, 82 wRC+ and .141 ISO, suggesting minimal risk.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Francisco Cervelli, PIT vs. MIA ($3,100): Cervelli sat out Saturday, so he should be behind the dish Sunday in a favorable spot against Jeff Brigham, who allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in his first three career innings. Cervelli leads the Pirates with a .369 wOBA against righties, adding a 133 wRC+ and .186 ISO.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, CHC at WAS ($3,900): I don't love the price on Murphy, which suggests he's white hot when he's actually been up and down. But overall, since coming over from Washington, he's posted a .440 wOBA, 179 wRC+ and .313 ISO. I'm buying in to a loose revenge factor after the Nationals gave him away prior to September, and I absolutely know I want as many Cub bats as I can afford against Erick Fedde, who has allowed 22 runs over 33.0 innings.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN vs. SDP ($3,800):Joey Votto and Scooter Gennett offer better matchups, but at higher prices and at spots I'd already filled in this column. Enter Suarez, whose .362 wOBA, 126 wRC+ and .237 ISO aren't shabby against Jacob Nix. The Padres' starter has allowed eight runs in his last four appearances, spanning 20.0 innings.
SHORTSTOP
Javier Baez, CHC at WAS ($3,800): I'm not sure how you don't play Baez here, just given the financial options. Francisco Lindor checks in $1,000 more, and Jose Peraza – a clearly inferior choice – comes in at just $300 cheaper. Shortstop is just a punt-or-pay option, and Baez is discounted given a recent cold streak. We touched on Nationals' starter Erick Fedde's struggles, so unless you want to pay down for Willy Adames ($2,900), I'll again ask how you don't roll with Baez.
OUTFIELD
Jose Martinez, STL at DET ($3,600): A trend is developing in this column, where most hitters featured aren't the best option in their own lineup, but a value nonetheless with potential. If position and cost were no concern, Matt Carpenter would be the preferred Cardinal. But for some savings, Martinez's .361 wOBA against righties works here against Michael Fulmer, who's returning from the DL.
Tommy Pham, TAM vs. BAL ($3,400): If Pham played elsewhere, his current heater would be more of a story. He's gone for double-digit fantasy points in six straight and in 11 of his past 12, and owns a .465 wOBA, 203 wRC+ and .400 ISO against lefties since joining the Rays. That plays terrifically against Josh Rogers, who has surrendered a .388 wOBA to righties in his brief major-league stint.
Avisail Garcia, CWS vs. LAA ($2,700): We touched on Angels' starter Andrew Heaney's recent struggles, and Garcia looks poised to pounce on those issues. He's posted a solid .340 wOBA and .236 ISO against lefties, and comes in having homered twice in five games while driving in six over that span.
UTILITY
Eric Hosmer, SDP at CIN ($3,300): Padre bats make for an incredibly sneaky stack against Reds' starter Tyler Mahle, who has allowed 20 runs over his last 10.2 innings. He's been pulverized by left-handed bats, allowing a .414 wOBA and 2.61 HR/9. Other San Diego hitters fare better against righties, but Hosmer's .330 wOBA plays well in this spot for the price.
