FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.

Unlike Saturday, when we had only five games to choose from, Sunday's main slate features a robust 10-game schedule, all with first pitches between 1:00 and 2:15 PM ET. Similar to Saturday, however, is that we have only one pitcher with a price north of $9,000 and a clear lack of true aces on the bump. As such, we're looking at another opportunity to target offense freely while being selective with our starting arm.

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Pitcher

Mike Clevinger, CLE vs. KAN ($8,200): Kansas City has only scored 15 runs in its first six games entering Saturday despite leading the majors with a mere 13.5 percent strikeout rate. While that may cap Clevinger's upside, he did post a 23.5 percent K rate at home last year. His 3.11 ERA from a year ago suggests an awfully safe floor, and a matchup with Jason Hammel, who allowed five runs in five innings in his season debut, seem to bolster his win chances.

GPP Fade: Jameson Taillon, PIT vs. CIN ($8,600): Taillon fanned nine in his first start and didn't allow a run until his stamina was questioned in the sixth inning. He'll face a Reds lineup that entered Saturday having scored the third fewest runs to open the season while striking out at a 23.5 percent clip. Everything here suggests Taillon is the right pitcher to pay for Sunday, which has me fading him in a "too good to be true" type manner.

Cheap GPP Consideration: Reynaldo Lopez, CWS vs. DET ($6,500): It wasn't many years ago that Lopez was considered a top prospect, and he's starting to make due on that promise. He posted a decent 4.10 ERA last September after a 6.97 mark in August and struck out six in six frames to start the season. The .306 wOBA he allowed in 2017's final month is in line with what Detroit is posting to open 2018 (.308), and he should see ample run support with Detroit starting Mike Fiers (5.22 ERA in 2017) as his opposition.

Catcher/First Base

Paul Goldschmidt, ARI at STL ($3,700): We seem to be at a point in April where early slumps are leading toward flat-out discounts. Goldschmidt is off of to a cold start, but this price is some $1,000 or more less than he was sitting at for most of 2017, when he posted a .398 wOBA and 141 wRC+ against righties. Cardinals starter Luke Weaver allowed a 4.72 ERA at home last year while surrendering a .355 wOBA and four homers over 18.1 innings against righties.

Second Base

Dixon Machado, DET at CWS ($2,500): In the words of Bob Barker, the price is right! There's nothing to suggest that Machado's current form is sustainable. He's got nine hits to start the year, six of which are doubles, paving the way for four double-digit fantasy point nights. He hit .286 with a .304 wOBA against righties last year.

Third Base

Jose Ramirez, CLE vs. KAN ($3,500): With only two hits in 30 at-bats to open the year, Ramirez seems assured of low ownership, increasing his GPP appeal to astute managers. He posted a .397 wOBA, 149 wRC+ and .272 ISO against righties last season, while Royals' starter Jason Hammel surrendered a .356 wOBA to righties and a 5.67 ERA on the road last year.

Shortstop

Scott Kingery, PHI vs. MIA ($2,600): Kingery enjoyed hitting in the three-hole Saturday, going 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored after collecting only two hits in his first 18 at-bats. He posted a .424 wOBA and 166 wRC+ at Double-A a year ago, which usually means nothing, but against Marlins Starter Trevor Richards, who allowed five runs and eight hits over 4.1 innings in his major league debut after having not pitched above Double-A previously, Kingery's minor league success becomes moderately relevant.

Outfield

Rhys Hoskins, PHI vs. MIA ($4,300): The Marlins allowed 20 runs Saturday, using their bullpen for 5.1 innings. As such, they'll likely leave Trevor Richards out for longer than he may deserve, giving Hoskins ample chances to tee off. He posted a .421 wOBA, 161 wRC+ and .333 ISO against righties last year and is off to a better start through 20 plate appearances in 2018.

Dee Gordon, SEA at MIN ($3,600): The price may be high for a player with no power potential, but Gordon has reached base safely in every game this season. Twins starter Lance Lynn walked six in his first start after walking over 10 percent of batters in 2017. It likely gives Gordon a great chance to swipe a base or two Sunday and reach double-digit fantasy points.

Brett Gardner, NYY vs. BAL ($3,200): Baltimore starter Mike Wright allowed a .392 wOBA to lefties last year and has surrendered an ERA north of five throughout his career. Gardner enjoyed a .359 wOBA and 124 wRC+ against righties in 2017.

Utility

Xander Bogaerts, BOS vs. TAM ($3,700): The sample size is obviously small, but it's hard not to recognize Bogaerts new-found approach, and success, at the plate. A .437 wOBA, .308 ISO and 187 wRC+ against righties speak for themselves. Yes, they're out of line with Bogaerts' career standards, but the 25-year old looks to be growing into his power entering a matchup with spot-starter Andrew Kittredge.

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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