This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Sunday's slate features a plethora of top arms and some continued middle tiered bats that have been off to hot starts. The question becomes whether you trust a player's experience or if you buy into a new wave of emerging talent.
PITCHER
Edinson Volquez, KAN vs. MIN ($8,100): This slate is loaded with top-tier pitching options. Among those, I like Seattle's Felix Hernandez ($10,900) and the Mets' Matt Harvey ($10,700) the most. But if you're looking to save a few bucks while still grabbing some upside, Volquez fits the bill. The Twins are averaging only 1.8 runs per game following Saturday's shutout, while having struck out 58 times in five games.
CATCHER
Wilson Ramos, WAS vs. MIA ($2,300): Ramos had yesterday's rainout to clear his head after an 0-for-4, two-strikeout outing Friday. Prior to that, he collected four hits in two games and seems to have the highest ceiling of the lower-priced options at the position. Saturday's postponement should ensure he'll be in the lineup for the 1:35 p.m. EDT first pitch against an uninspiring Tom Koehler. Hitting behind the Nats' potent top-six, Ramos is a threat to produce runs for cheap.
FIRST BASE
Tyler White, HOU at MIL ($3,200): White is doing Trevor Story-like things with considerably less fanfare. His homer Saturday was his third in three games and he's driven in nine runs. He was 10-of-14 on the season entering the weekend, leading to an .835 wOBP. While not sustainable and facing the Brewers' top pitcher in Jimmy Nelson isn't ideal, White's price hasn't increased at the rate of his play, and he offers value hitting in the middle of a clicking Astros offense.
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy, WAS vs. MIA ($3,300): With so many top pitchers throwing Sunday, one of the best ways to find value is to seek out the few games that don't feature aces on the bump. This contest certainly fits that bill, with the Marlins bringing Tom Koehler to the hill to face Joe Ross. Murphy is just 6-for-30 in his career against Koehler, but enters Sunday hitting .364 with a .559 wOBP, and hitting fifth in the order should provide some run-producing opportunities. Boston's Brock Holt ($2,900) figures to remain a popular play here.
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez, CIN vs. PIT ($3,300): Suarez is another player producing above his means, but until he cools off, why wouldn't you want to mix him in as a value play? He's gone long in three of his last four, driving in eight runs in that span. He hit .289 with a .354 wOBP against left-handed pitching last season and is hitting .667 with a .716 wOBP in the early going this year. Atlanta's Adonis Garcia ($2,300) merits consideration for bargain shoppers.
SHORTSTOP
Eduardo Escobar, MIN at KAN ($2,800): I'm not a proponent of using many, if any, players in a lineup opposite your starting pitcher, but Escobar's price makes him a low-risk option. He's averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game through four starts, having hit safely in four straight en route to a .466 wOBP.
OUTFIELD
Matt Kemp, SDP at COL ($4,300): Kemp has homered in each of the first two games of this series (three times in total) and entered the year hitting .341 with five long balls and 23 RBI in 88 at-bats in Denver over the previous three seasons. All signs point towards a big finale against Rockies' starter Chad Bettis, who allowed five runs and two homers in 5.1 innings during his first start of the season.
Leonys Martin, SEA vs. OAK ($2,800): Martin has scored four runs in the last four games, an impressive accomplishment considering he's hitting in the nine hole more times than not. His .455 wOBP should play well against Oakland starter Chris Bassitt, who allowed four runs in 5.1 innings in his first start.
Joey Rickard, BAL vs. TAM ($2,500): Rickard has been superb to start the year, going 7-of-15 at the dish. He moved into the leadoff spot for the last two games, and despite a challenging matchup against Tampa's Jake Odorizzi, Rickard's price makes him a very limited risk with a moderate ceiling.
Keep an eye on the status of Baltimore's Adam Jones. The weather and nagging injury suggest he isn't worth the chance, but at $3,100, his upside is immense.
