FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

While Saturday night's slate looked like a chalky schedule of top arms and lesser pitchers worth targeting – with none playing out as expected – Sunday seems to offer far fewer obvious plays. Struggling high-priced arms seems to be the theme, which will force cash game players to hope there's a break from the funk, while GPP players may be able to sneak in those more expensive arms at lower than usual ownership.

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PITCHER

Corey Kluber, CLE at DET ($10,600): Maybe Kluber's recent struggles (nine runs in his last 11.1 innings, 18 runs in his last 26.0 frames) will scare others off. He's faced the Tigers twice this season, allowing just seven hits and two runs over 16.0 innings, striking out 21. Detroit also presents a .288 wOBA, 78 wRC+ and .135 ISO against righties. There's little reason to expect further regression from Kluber here.

GPP Fade: Jose Berrios, MIN at BOS ($10,700): This seems too obvious, as Berrios has had his share of rollercoaster outings, while the Red Sox are the league's best offense against righties, carrying a .347 wOBA, 117 wRC+ and .200 ISO heading into Sunday's contest. Maybe the obvious nature of this fade makes Berrios a GPP target as his ownership will be lower than usual, but there just doesn't seem to be a reason to gamble on the slate's top-priced pitcher in this matchup.

Cheap GPP Consideration: J.A. Happ, NYY vs. KAN ($8,300): Chicago's Carlos Rodon ($8,100) merits consideration, but his current form may make him more popular. Happ's in a decent groove after an inconsistent June, having allowed only one run over his last two starts – and striking out 15 over his last 8.2 innings. That may make him likely for an early exit due to a lack of efficiency, but it also gives him plenty of upside. Happ figures to have a little extra juice in his Yankees' debut, and the Royals .296 wOBA, 84 wRC+, measly .125 ISO and 23.4 percent strikeout rate set him up for great success as a huge favorite Sunday.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

Jake Bauers, TAM at BAL ($3,400): Bauers has swung a hot bat since mid-July, sporting a .378 wOBA, 144 wRC+ and .304 ISO against righties over his last 48 plate appearances. That figures to play well against Dylan Bundy's latest struggles, as he's allowed five runs in each of his last three starts, throwing just 12.1 innings during that stretch.

SECOND BASE

Scooter Gennett, CIN vs. PHI ($3,500): Recent form has pushed Gennett's price down low enough where you want to play him rather than fade him. He's hit safely in four straight, tallying six knocks in that span, and has fared well against opposite-handed arms all year as he comes in with a .384 wOBA and 140 wRC+.

THIRD BASE

Alex Bregman, HOU vs. TEX ($4,200): Bregman has cooled since the All-Star break, but this looks like a terrific spot for him. He leads all Astros against lefties with a robust .433 wOBA, 183 wRC+ and .316 ISO, all splits well worth paying up for. That Rangers' starter Mike Minor has a 7.04 road ERA, where he allows a .401 wOBA to righties, seems like icing on the cake.

SHORTSTOP

Didi Gregorius, NYY vs. KAN ($3,800): You could pick any of the Yankees' starters and feel comfortable against Burch Smith, whose been equally hittable to lefties and righties. With Aaron Judge unavailable, Gregorius is the next best regular against righties, sporting a .353 wOBA, 124 wRC+ and .255 ISO.

OUTFIELD

Avisail Garcia, CWS vs. TOR ($3,000): When healthy and in the lineup, Garcia hits. He's had multiple knocks in three straight, and his .379 wOBA, 143 wRC+ and .231 ISO against lefties speak for themselves – although they're below the .434/177/.152 line he posted last year when fully healthy. Garcia's increased power potential is encouraging, and he'll have an inviting matchup against Ryan Borucki, who is allowing a .427 wOBA to righties on the road.

Nick Williams, PHI at CIN ($3,000): Ignoring price, Rhys Hoskins ($4,300) is absolutely the Phillies bat you want to own Sunday. But if you're looking to save, targeting Williams against Luis Castillo makes sense. Castillo has been pelted by lefties, which Hoskins isn't, allowing a .385 wOBA against .294 to righties. Williams .345 wOBA and .220 ISO seem to fit well here at this price.

Shin-Soo Choo, TEX at HOU ($3,000): Astros' starter Lance McCullers has allowed 11 runs in his last 8.1 frames, so buying in at least a piece seems prudent. It's all about the curve with McCullers, as he throws it 46.2 percent of the time. That leaves us with just Choo or Jurickson Profar as to whom we're willing to roll the dice on, as both have positive wCB numbers. Choo's sits at a modest 1.5, but mix in a .413 wOBA, 161 wRC+ and .248 ISO, and you've got some potential.

UTILITY

Trea Turner, WAS at MIA ($3,600): This play is nearly all about a hot streak. Turner had two hits and two steals Saturday, giving him a robust seven hits in 16 at bats through three games in Miami while adding three extra base hits and four runs. Marlins starter Jose Urena is allowing a .328 wOBA to righties at home, which is not a huge total but seemingly matches Turner's .326 against same-handed arms. Whil the splits make Turner an average play, the current form gives him a bit of a boost against a pitcher who has allowed 12 runs over his last 13.2 innings.

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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