Welcome to Sunday baseball! We have a full 15 game slate on our hands with a few aces and a few below average pitchers in bad spots. Make sure to check out our other articles that will touch on some more pitching options, tournament stacks and any weather concerns that may arise! Let's get right into the top plays at each position.
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Opponent - NYM (Harvey) Park - @MIA
FD - 44.9 DK - 25.88
In the top tier of pitchers it's tough to choose between Arrieta and Jose, but I'm leaning Fernandez. Arrieta is the higher moneyline guy, but I see Jose as having more K upside. On the season Fernandez is striking out more than 12 batters per nine though the walks are what do him in for longer outings. He's fiddling around the strike zone more. Still a strong moneyline at -160 on the day and Mets are striking out more than league average against righties at 23%. Could be in for a big outing.
Opponent - SD (Perdomo) Park - @SD
FD - 36.88 DK - 20.31
There are definitely some great high end pitching options on this slate in decent match ups. However, I am going to look to pay down as I expect some lower priced pitching options to perform very well. My favorite option of the day is going to be Jon Gray. Gray is coming into a terrific match up with the San Diego Padres. The Padres have been absolutely atrocious this year with a league's worst wOBA and wRC+. Thus far into 2016, the Padres have sported a .274 wOBA and a combined 24.5% hard contact rate against right handers. Jon Gray on the other hand, has been absolutely fantastic this year since entering the majors. Thus far, Gray has exhibited a 3.36 xFIP, 9.86 K% and a very nice 23.2$ hard contact rate. Gray is a great option in both cash games and tournaments in a match up with one of the worst teams in the league.
Opponent - MIL (Peralta) Park - @PHI
FD - 39.18 DK - 21.48
The second cheap-ish option we are going to look at is Aaron Nola. Nola has been a very efficient option so far into 2016 with a .241 combined wOBA and a 2.82 xFIP. He has also sported a 24% hard contact rate and an 12% HR/FB rate, which tells me his statistics are on point with his peripherals. When looking at this match up, we see a Brewers squad who strike out a ton against right handed pitching this season. With guys like Chris Carter, Aaron Hill and Ryan Braun, Nola could be in for a nice day in the K column. Nola is another guy that I will have some exposure to in both cash games and tournaments.
Consider - Gerrit Cole
Opponent - BOS (Rodriguez) Park - @BOS
FD - 8.57 DK - 6.6
Catcher is by far the weakest position on the slate,and while there are a few good options, they are not as great as we would like. First of all, we have Russell Martin. Martin and the Blue Jays are facing off with Eduardo Rodriguez, a left hander that has struggled somewhat against both lefties and righties. Dating back to 2015, Rodriguez has exhibited a 4.17 xFIP and a 32.5% hard contact rate against righties. While he has held a very good .293 wOBA, the peripherals suggest a much different story. This Blue Jays offense is in a good spot and the catcher position is not a bad spot to get some exposure.
Opponent - BAL (Gausman) Park - @BAL
FD - 9.12 DK - 6.86
Moving onto my favorite tournament option at catcher, we have Brian McCann against the right hander Kevin Gausman. McCann has been a great hitter against righties for his entire career and this year has been no different. With a .327 wOBA and 33.3% hard contact rate, he is still a very good hitter at age 32. He will be facing off with Kevin Gausman, a right handed pitcher that has been below average against lefties over his career. While he is another guy with a decent wOBA, his peripherals do not suggest that wOBA is accurate. With a 4.26 SIERA, 3.91 xFIP and a 32.3% hard contact rate, you can expect some regression against left handers. McCann is a great option in Camden Yards as it is one of the best ballparks for home runs.
Consider - Chris Iannetta, Yadier Molina
Opponent - SF (Peavy) Park - @STL
FD - 11.38 DK - 8.86
Opponent - SF (Peavy) Park - @STL
FD - 9.71 DK - 7.34
While both of these guys are terrific options in all formats, I prefer the guy that is higher in the order once the lineups come out. The Cardinals are taking on Jake Peavy, a right handed soft tosser that has been horrible for a couple years now. Since 2015, Peavy has been horrible against lefties especially with a .372 wOBA and a 38.2% hard contact rate. Matt Adams and Brandon Moss on the other hand, have hit righties well over the course of his career with a +.342 wOBA. While this ballpark is not optimal for hitters, both Adams and Moss have the power to hit it out. I am comfortable with both of these guys in all formats, however, Moss does have more tournament upside.
Opponent - WSH (Roark) Park - @CIN
FD - 10.69 DK - 8.13
Tanner Roark is an above average pitcher, however, he has had his fair share of problems against left handed bats. Since his major league debut, he has given up a .322 wOBA with a 4.65 xFIP and a 33.6% hard contact rate. Votto on the other hand, has been one of the best hitters against righties over the past 5 seasons with a .392 wOBA and an insanely great 17% BB rate and 19% K rate. This match up will take place in the Great American Ballpark, a top 5 hitters park for both home runs and doubles. Votto is a terrific option in both cash games and tournaments and should be very low owned.
Consider - David Ortiz, Edwin Encarnacion
Opponent - ARI (Corbin) Park - @CHC
FD - 11.87 DK - 9.2
Zobrist and the Cubs have started hitting the ball better and they are always an offense I love to target. They will take on the southpaw in Patrick Corbin. While Corbin came up as a huge Diamondbacks prospect, he has not lived up to the hype and has struggled mightily against righties. Dating back to his debut in 2012, Corbin has exhibited a bad 4.82 SIERA aginst righties which is backed up by a 34.2% hard contact rate and 8.9% HR/FB rate. Zobrist has hit lefties better than righties with a career .342 wOBA and 32.7% hard contact rate. Contingent on the weather in Wrigley Field, Zobrist is a great play.
Opponent - KC (Young) Park - @CLE
FD - 10.51 DK - 8.51
After Zobrist, I am not too excited about any other second baseman. The second guy I will be looking at is Jason Kipnis. Kipnis is a guy who has hit righties exceptionally over the course of the last 3 seasons with a .372 wOBA and 14.6% HR/FB rate. He will be standing 60 feet 6 inches away from Chris Young, who is a below average right hander. Young has struggled against lefties over the last few years with a 5.62 xFIP and a 37.2% hard contact rate. While I prefer Zobrist in cash games, Kipnis brings in more speed and power upside.
Consider - Jurickson Profar, Rougned Odor
Opponent - NYY (Sabathia) Park - @BAL
FD - 10.99 DK - 8.66
Machado and the Orioles are in a great spot here against C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia has really turned it around this year and while I do expect him to maintain this production, he is still going to struggle against righties. Since 2015, Machado has given up a .343 wOBA and a 34.9% hard contact rate. Machado on the other hand, has been amazing against southpaws in 2016 with a .405 wOBA and a 26.8% hard contact rate. This game is going to be held in Camden Yards, one of the best hitters parks in the league.
Opponent - SF (Peavy) Park - @STL
FD - 9.92 DK - 7.95
Aledmys Diaz is just a gift that keeps on at the shortstop position. Since entering the league, he has hit 7 home runs, 23 home runs and 26 RBI's. This may not be a fluke. His stats have been backed up by a 144 wRC+ and a 34.7% hard contact rate. As mentioned, Jake Peavy is a guy who is on the way down and there is just no way he ends up having a dominant start against these Cardinals. At a position with a lack of upside, Diaz brings a ton of it, which is why I love him in both tournaments and cash games.
Consider - Brad Miller, Javier Baez
Opponent - BOS (Rodriguez) Park - @BOS
FD - 12.1 DK - 9.21
Third base is a very deep position and there are 2 guys that are really sticking out, Josh Donaldson and Kris Bryant. First off, we have Josh Donaldson taking on Eduardo Rodriguez in the hitter friendly Fenway Park. Donaldson has been arguably the best hitter against lefties over the past couple years with a .416 wOBA, 38% hard contact rate and a rediculous 32.4% hard contact rate. As I previously mentioned, Eduardo Rodriguez ha struggled against righties and will likely have some struggles in this match up with he righty heavy Blue Jays.
Opponent - ARI (Corbin) Park - @CHC
FD - 12.74 DK - 9.85
Kris Bryant is my other favorite third baseman and I don't think I really have a read on who I like more. It will likely end up depending on how the weather is in Wrigley Field. If the wind is blowing out, Bryant will likely be my cash game 3rd baseman. He is facing of with a left hander in Patrick Corbin and Bryant has destroyed Lefties. In 2015, Bryant hit lefties to the tune of a .348 wOBA and 37% hard contact rate. The projection system is really loving these Cubs bats and I 100% agree. I find it very hard to believe Patrick Corbin is going to shut down or even limit this Cubs offense. Bryant is a very good way to get exposure to this offense.
Consider - Anthony Rendon, Matt Carpenter
Opponent - CIN (Moscot) Park - @CIN
FD - 15.71 DK - 12.12
Harper comes in at my favorite overall play of the day, especially on FanDuel at only $4000. Harper enters into a match up with Jon Moscot, the same guy who started the game last week when the Rockies put together 17 runs in Coors Field. While Great American Ballpark is no Coors Field, it is not too far behind in home runs. While I think Harper's talent goes unsaid, let's take a look at Jon Moscot. Moscot has struggled mightily against left handers over the course of his career with a .427 wOBA and a 7.05 xFIP. While he may not be THAT BAD, he certainly isn't very good. Harper is my favorite play in both cash games and tournaments.
Opponent - SF (Peavy) Park - @STL
FD - 10.02 DK - 7.89
Opponent - SF (Peavy) Park - @STL
FD - 7.8 DK - 6.62
You can add Mat Holliday and Stephen Piscotty, depending on who ends up in the starting lineup. As I am sure you can tell, the system absolutely loves this Cardinals team against the weak pitcher that is Jake Peavy. What more is there to say? Both of these outfielders have hit righties very well this season with a +.347 wOBA and a 34% hard contact rate. I do prefer Hazelbaker in tournaments, but they are all great options in all formats.
Consider - Corey Dickerson, Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones
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View Comments
I love days like today. There are so many routes to go. With aces(Fernandez, Arrieta,etc), bargains (Harvey, Cole, etc) and plenty of those gas cans to pick on (they know who they are). You can pretty much get who you want today and not feel bad about anything.
Is Aaron Nola pitching against his own teammates? That is one heck of a gimmick idea, Philly!
And the Cardinals being the night game, I would steer clear of their OF and 1B on Fanduel--too much unpredictability in matheny's lineup making, esp. on a getaway day.
And James shields probably isn't pitching for San Diego today. Call it a hunch.
Ryan Howard probably could strike out against his own pitcher
Thoughts on Matt Harvey today? Miami is not necessarily a hitters haven and I know it's Jose Fernandez as his opposite but there is high K upside if he is hitting 96-97MPH today. At his price tag it's a gamble but it affords some big bats in a low scoring, potential high K pitching matchup
Harvey has huge upside at that price. It's just that Miami isn't the same team against righties that they were last year - they've lots of legit threats and don't strike out much vs. RHP.
I love Harvey at that price tag.
Is there going to be a weather column today? An early look at the map looks god awful. Looks as though 5 or 6 games have some serious concerns.
Anthony I use dailybaseballdata.com to figure out weather for mlb it's rather on point concerning game time weather. Hope this helps
Fernandez is 13400 in draftings Arrietta is 12900