DraftKings MLB: Sunday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Sunday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). Sunday brings the final day of the regular season, and it will certainly be a busy one with all 15 games making up the main slate on DraftKings.

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STARTING PITCHER

Noah Syndergaard, NYM vs. MIA ($10,400): Syndergaard hasn't been as dominant as he was last year, but he certainly hasn't been disappointing with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. His 9.2 K/9 would be great for a lot of pitchers, but it will be the first time that Syndergaard has finished a season with less than 10 K/9. Hitters have still had problems taking him deep, though, with Syndergaard allowing 0.6 HR/9. With how poorly the Marlins have hit this season, Syndergaard has a favorable chance to finish his season with a strong performance.

GPP Fade: Charlie Morton, HOU at BAL ($9,700): Morton is a key part of an Astros rotation that is among the deepest in all of baseball. Entering Sunday's outings, Morton is on pace to set new career bests in ERA (3.18), WHIP (1.17) and K/9 (10.8). This would appear to be a great matchup against the putrid Orioles lineup, but Morton left his last start early due to shoulder discomfort. He is expected to pitch in this game, but he's not likely to log many innings. There is just too much risk here, so stay away from Morton at this price.

Cheap GPP Consideration: Kevin Gausman, ATL at PHI ($8,400): The Braves made a great move acquiring Gausman from the Orioles as he has a 2.80 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across nine starts with his new team. He still hasn't recorded many strikeouts with a 6.3 K/9, but he's only allowed 0.7 HR/9 compared to 1.5 HR/9 with the Orioles. This will be his second consecutive start against the Phillies after he allowed three runs and recorded seven strikeouts over 6.1 innings against them last week. The Phillies have been a disaster down the stretch, especially offensively as they entered Saturday averaging 2.5 runs over their last 10 games.

CATCHER

Willians Astudillo, MIN vs. CWS ($3,500): The catching position might be thin on quality options with every team playing an afternoon game and the potential for teams with nothing left to play for to rest their top backstops. One player who should be on the field is Astudillo, who entered Saturday with a .379 wOBA since being recalled from the minors. He'll face Dylan Covey, who has had his moments this year but has largely struggled with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

FIRST BASE

Matt Olson, OAK at LAA ($4,200): Olson was left out of the starting lineup Saturday with the Athletics' Wild Card matchup against the Yankees already decided, so it's reasonable to think they won't sit him two days in a row and will put him back out there Sunday. While his power numbers haven't been as prolific as last year, his 29 home runs and 33 doubles are nothing to scoff at. Left-handed pitchers have given him problems, but he's someone to consider against Matt Shoemaker since he has a .355 wOBA against righties.

SECOND BASE

Joey Wendle, TB vs. TOR ($4,200): Wendle is putting the finishing touches on an excellent season by posting a 183 wRC+ across his last 11 games. Given his first chance at regular playing time, Wendle enters the final day of the season hitting an even .300. His seven home runs aren't great, but he's helped offset that some by recording 33 doubles. This could be a matchup to exploit against Sam Gaviglio and his 1.43 WHIP. Gaviglio is not an overwhelming pitcher, either, recording just 7.8 K/9.

THIRD BASE

Johan Camargo, ATL at PHI ($4,100): Speaking of players who have taken advantage of their first extended look in the majors, Camargo entered Saturday with 19 home runs and 26 doubles across 516 plate appearances. With his .352 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, he's someone to target against Ranger Suarez, who has not looked good in his three appearances with the Phillies this year and doesn't have overpowering stuff based on his career 7.6 K/9 in the minors.

SHORTSTOP

Jorge Polanco, MIN vs. CWS ($4,200): Polanco didn't appear in his first game of the season until July due to a suspension, but he's played well down the stretch, posting a .354 wOBA in September entering Saturday. He's also had success against righties all year with a .371 wOBA, making him another Twin to consider against Covey.

OUTFIELD

Corey Dickerson, PIT at CIN ($4,900): After hitting at least 24 home runs in both of the last two seasons, Dickerson entered Saturday with only 13 homers. He's chipped in 35 doubles and is batting .299, so he's still had a valuable campaign in his first year with the Pirates. Sal Romano will start for the Reds and he's had troubles getting lefties out all year, allowing a .383 wOBA against them.

Michael Conforto, NYM vs. MIA ($4,800): Conforto has slugged a career-high 28 home runs entering Saturday, but his .243 batting average has disappointed. It isn't as if he's been unlucky, either, with his .288 BABIP in line with his career numbers. He's made up some ground with a 175 wRC+ in September, leaving him with upside against the inexperienced Sandy Alcantara, who has a 1.56 WHIP across five starts with the Marlins.

Brandon Lowe, TB vs. TOR ($4,000): Lowe has shown promise since being recalled in early August, posting a .345 wOBA across 143 plate appearances. Left-handed pitchers have held him to an 89 wRC+, but he's someone to consider in tournament play against Gaviglio based on his 129 wRC+ against righties.

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. Mike Barner plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mbarner, DraftKings: mbarner51.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Barner
Mike started covering fantasy sports in 2007, joining RotoWire in 2010. In 2018, he was a finalist for the FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Mike also won the 2022-23 FSGA NBA Experts Champions league. In addition to RotoWire, Mike has written for Sportsline, Sports Illustrated, DK Live, RealTime Fantasy Sports, Lineup Lab and KFFL.com.
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