Welcome to my weekly Sunday DraftKings MLB DFS plays. I’ll break down some of the prime picks on the board, including studs and value plays, and why these players can lead your lineup to victory.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB 300K Mega 8s (100K to 1st Place)
Top MLB DFS Targets
Pitcher Studs
Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL), $8,900: The Atlanta Braves might have another ace on their hands. Schwellenbach has had some up-and-down starts this year, but has put it together over his last two outings, allowing just two earned runs over 13 innings. He’s not going to dominate in the strikeout column, but he can keep runners off base well. This Boston offense provides a good test, but I think Schwellenbach is up to the task.
Matthew Liberatore (STL), $8,100: Liberatore’s year has been a lesson in perseverance and patience. In his first three seasons in St. Louis, Liberatore recorded a 4.99 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across 91 appearances and 24 starts. Those numbers are down to a sterling 3.11 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, backed by a strong 2.30 FIP. Kansas City has been a surprise in the early going, but its offense has underwhelmed. I’m backing the hot hand against a bottom-five offense in runs per game.
Pitcher Value Plays
Colin Rea (CHC), $7,200: Anyone pitching against the White Sox is worth a turn. While Rea’s underlying numbers may suggest his 2.48 ERA is a bit lucky, the White Sox’s bottom-five offense is anything but luck. The regression may be coming for Chicago’s starter, but I don’t expect that to start tomorrow.
Mike Soroka (WSH), $5,400: I’m not here to sugarcoat things: Mike Soroka has not been a good starter since returning from his injuries. Though his FIP is nearly three runs lower than his ERA, he no longer has elite stuff. He’s not quite as bad as his 6.43 ERA, but the Baltimore Orioles are indeed bad. Soroka’s mix of strikeouts should play well against a team scuffling so badly they fired their manager.
Infield Studs
CJ Abrams (WSH), $5,000: After a brutal slump to end last year’s All-Star campaign, it looks like CJ Abrams is back in form. The 24-year-old boasts an impressive slash line and may post his second straight 20-30 campaign at this pace. I’m counting on Abrams to deliver stud value against a Baltimore pitching staff that is hemorrhaging runs left and right.
C Ivan Herrera (STL), $4,500: Ride the hot hand. Herrera continues demolishing baseballs this season, and there’s no end in sight. Michael Wacha has been an excellent starter for the Kansas City Royals, but Herrera is hotter than the sun. Don’t hesitate to make him a centerpiece of your lineup.
Infield Value Plays
1B Nathaniel Lowe (WSH), $3,800: Though the Nationals’ first baseman only has four hits over the last seven contests, two have left the yard, and he’s driven in five runs. The Nationals have rolled over the Orioles offensively as Baltimore’s season spirals out of control. If you can’t quite afford to get Abrams in your lineup, Lowe is the next-best way to get in on the party at a reduced price.
3B Connor Norby (MIA), $3,500: This Miami Marlins lineup can be confounding. One moment, they score nine runs and then go a week without getting five. Either way, Connor Norby is at the heart of it. The young infielder has recorded five hits across the past four games, including a home run, a triple, a double, four runs batted in and two runs scored. This Miami offense may not be doing him favors all the time, but he can more than hold his own.
Outfield Studs
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC), $5,000: Arguably the season’s breakout star, Crow-Armstrong is taking the league by storm. Playing the Marlins and White Sox has aided his recent stretch, but it’s undeniable. Over his last four, Crow-Armstrong has nine hits, including two home runs, a triple and 10 RBI. He’s already gone deep 12 times this year in addition to 14 stolen bases. On pace to coast to a 30-30 campaign, he’s becoming a must-start, especially against bad teams.
OF Riley Greene (DET), $4,600: Though Riley Greene’s breakout has already happened, that doesn’t diminish his excellence. A rough Saturday broke a hit streak where Greene had recorded multiple extra-base hits in consecutive contests. Against a Toronto Blue Jays squad that has struggled to keep runs off the board all season, I’m counting on him to get back on track.
Outfield Value Plays
OF/SS Jose Caballero (TBR), $3,300: Jose Caballero will never be confused for a power hitter, but the man has wheels. Tampa Bay’s speedy utility player has swiped three bags in his last four contests, including a trio of doubles and six total hits. His ability to score runs and make an impact with his legs against a messy Marlins team should provide end-of-the-lineup value.
OF Alex Canario (PIT), $2,600: You won’t find better value on the board. Canario is riding a seven-game hitting streak into Sunday after sitting on Saturday. The last three contests have all been two-hit affairs, including a towering three-run shot in Friday’s game. The young outfielder has raised his batting average from .122 to .231 over the hot streak. Against a weaker-than-expected Phillies staff, Canario could transform your lineup with another big performance.
