This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We have an eight-game slate featured on DraftKings for Sunday. The Nationals and Marlins will play a seven inning contest as apart of a doubleheader. The reduced frames make the pitching options - mainly Max Scherzer - very appealing to roster since there is an easier path to a complete game. The other pitcher over $10,000 on this slate, Carlos Carrasco, gets a prime matchup against the Tigers. Deciding whether to pay all the way up for pitching or taking a cheaper SP2 option will determine the route you take when constructing your lineup.
Pitching
Max Scherzer, WAS vs. MIA ($10,700): If deciding between the two pitching options at the top, the easy choice to me is Max Scherzer despite Carlos Carrasco facing the Tigers. With the game set at seven innings, Scherzer offers an excellent opportunity to go the distance and collect the complete game and it wouldn't surprise me if he's also able to add the shutout. The Marlins have looked better overall this season, but still average nine strikeouts per game and rank bottom of the league in team isolated power at 0.147. Scherzer had a rough go in his first meetings against the Marlins, but I like his chances to redeem himself here and mow through this group with less innings on the board to navigate.
Brad Keller, KC vs. MIL ($7,500): I'll start off by saying that Yankees' pitcher Deivi Garcia ($7,600) represents another solid option at this salary point, but I like the matchup for Keller versus the Brewers a little more. Milwaukee has struggled mightily when facing right-handed pitchers this season as they deploy six to seven righties, which lines up well for Keller who has held them to a .182 batting average while giving up no home runs over seven starts. His pitch count has increased recently, throwing over 100 in three straight - including a gem against the Pirates in his most recent that saw him reach the ninth inning with a comfortable lead. The only bat you really worry about here is Christian Yelich, but he hasn't been his elite self sitting in the top-10 with 66 strikeouts on the season.
Top Targets
Ronald Acuna, ATL at NYM ($5,900): The Braves look to be in a good spot here facing Rick Porcello. Acuna stands out due to his ability to get on base, sitting at a .994 OPS and the stolen base upside with six so far. The platoon advantage isn't in his favor, but Porcello has been equally as poor to both sides by allowing over a .300 batting average. Acuna doesn't have to just hit home runs to rack up fantasy points. But when he does, he can flash that 40-point ceiling you're hoping to get when you pay up in a spot like this.
Dominic Smith, NYM vs. ATL ($4,700): Staying in the same game at a much cheaper salary is Smith. He faces Braves' pitcher Kyle Wright, who by all accounts isn't very imposing with a 7.20 ERA and 2.08 WHIP across six starts. And his .408 batting average allowed to lefties this season puts Smith squarely in play thanks to his ability to smash righties while boasting a 1.061 OPS and .350 batting average on the season.
Key Values
Jeff McNeil, NYM vs. ATL ($3,400): With Dominic Smith highlighted as an expensive Mets option, McNeil comes in at a steep discount while adding another lefty to the mix. I like McNeil for a lot of the same reasons as Smith, most notably his ability to get on base that has been achieved multiple times over his last six games. If McNeil can find some of that early power that saw him hit four straight home runs in as many games, he could crush value here against a pitcher that should have trouble recording outs.
Niko Goodrum, DET vs. CLE ($3,000): After missing a couple weeks with an injury, Goodrum has returned to the Tigers' lineup and will face Carlos Carrasco. In their first meeting, Goodrum compiled 28 fantasy points that included a homer and stolen base. He hasn't been great outside of that performance but makes for a nice value play due to his stolen base upside and occasional flash of power. Goodrum will most likely be off the radar, giving him tremendous large field tourney appeal.
Stacks to Consider
Braves vs. Rick Porcello: Freddie Freeman ($5,600), Ozzie Albies ($4,700), Nick Markakis ($3,800)
I featured Ronald Acuna as an elite play, but teammate Freddie Freeman isn't far behind. He earns the platoon advantage against Porcello and has experienced decent success by going 5-for-11 against. Albies is a switch hitter and is rarely in jeopardy of being pinch hit, while Markakis is another lefty to take advantage of Porcello as he's managed a home run and three RBI in previous matchups.
Mets vs. Kyle Wright: Michael Conforto ($5,000), Robinson Cano ($4,600), Brandon Nimmo ($4,000)
It's pretty obvious at this point I like this as a full game stack, as both teams face mediocre pitchers and plenty of runs should be scored. The trio listed all receive a platoon advantage and can showcase raw power with a combined 26 home runs on the season. You can round it out to a five-man stack with the two previously highlighted Mets players also filling multiple infield positions making them an easy stack to accommodate to any lineup construction.
