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). Weather problems seem to be in the cards again Sunday, so make sure to check back for status updates leading up to the afternoon.For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS Slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well.) To join those channels, e-mail support@rotowire.com.
STARTING PITCHER
Chris Sale, BOS vs. BAL ($12,400): Sale is the most expensive pitcher on the slate for good reason. He was dominant in 2017, finishing with a 2.90 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a career-high 12.9 K/9. His command was excellent in general, resulting in a career-best 7.16 K/BB. The Orioles strike out a ton and have one of the worst team batting averages in baseball in the early going, setting up Sale for another monster outing.
GPP Fade: Stephen Strasburg, WAS vs. COL ($11,300): Several top-tier starters are scheduled to take the mound Sunday including Sale, Strasburg, Corey Kluber, Noah Syndergaard and Luis Severino. Strasburg can certainly put up numbers with the best of them, but he is facing one of the tougher lineups among the group with a matchup against the Rockies. He's the third-most-expensive pitcher on the slate, so if you want to pay up for the position, it might be best just to spend the extra money on Sale considering his easier opponent. Either that or save a few bucks going with Syndergaard ($10,500) or Severino ($10,700).
Cheap GPP Consideration: Dylan Bundy, BAL at BOS ($7,400): The Orioles have long been searching for a front-of-the-rotation pitcher to come out of their farm system and have high hopes that Bundy is just that. He showed signs of improvement in 2017, including cutting down his BB/9 to a career-low 2.7. He had significant strikeout upside with a career 9.8 K/9 in the minors but only had a K/9 of 8.5 or lower in the last two seasons. He has an 11.3 K/9 through three starts this season, and while that likely won't be sustainable, strikeout upside is what you want to look for in a cheap starting pitcher target. Mookie Betts (foot) left Saturday's game and would certainly make things a little easier for Bundy on Sunday if he is unable to play. There is risk against a tough Red Sox lineup, but Bundy might be worth taking a chance on at this price.
CATCHER
Gary Sanchez, NYY at DET ($4,300): These teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Sunday after Saturday's game was postponed. In the day game, the Tigers with start left-hander Francisco Liriano, who allowed a .374 wOBA to righties in 2017. Weather could be an issue Sunday as well, but Sanchez could be in for a significant performance if this game goes ahead as scheduled.
FIRST BASE
Josh Bell, PIT at MIA ($4,200): The switch-hitting Bell was better against right-handed pitching last year, posting a .343 wOBA against them compared to .322 against lefties. He'll face Marlins righty Jose Urena, who doesn't have overpowering stuff, recording a K/9 of 6.2 or lower in each of the previous three seasons.
SECOND BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL at CIN ($3,500): Carpenter is not off to a great start this year, but some of that could have to do with his abnormally low .207 BABIP. Facing righty Homer Bailey might be just what he needs on Sunday, considering Carpenter posted a 134 wRC+ against right-handers in 2017.
THIRD BASE
Ryan Flaherty, ATL at CHC ($3,000): If you play season-long fantasy, Flaherty is one of those kind of players who gets off to a hot start but screams regression candidate, considering his unsustainable .484 BABIP. Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood does have problems against left-handed hitters, though, allowing a .360 wOBA to them last year. Flaherty is priced low enough that he might be worth the risk for your entry.
SHORTSTOP
Scott Kingery, PHI at TB ($3,900): The one good thing about rolling with Kingery on Sunday is that you don't have to worry about the weather for Tropicana Field. The Rays rotation is a mess, and it will likely either start Blake Snell or have a bullpen day Sunday. Even is Snell does start, his .320 wOBA against righties last year was significantly worse than his .228 mark against lefties.
OUTFIELD
Michael Conforto, NYM vs. MIL ($4,600): Conforto has been batting leadoff since returning from the disabled list, which gives him an added boost in DFS due to the extra at-bats, especially considering the type of power he has. He'll face right-hander Jhoulys Chacin on Sunday, which makes him an even more favorable play considering his 164 wRC+ against righties last year.
Jay Bruce, NYM vs. MIL ($3,800): Bruce is another Mets lefty who mashes right-handed pitching, recording a .369 wOBA against them in 2017. Chacin held righties to just at .266 wOBA last year, but lefties fared much better at .338. Stacking Conforto and Bruce could have a favorable outcome for your entry.
Dexter Fowler, STL at CIN ($3,700): Fowler got off to a horrid start this season, but he's shown signs of coming out of his slump, recording at least two hits in three of his last four starts. He's a much better hitter against righties, finishing with a .368 wOBA against them in 2017. The Reds are starting right-hander Homer Bailey, who doesn't miss a ton of bats with a career 7.4 K/9.
