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
SP Kris Bubic (KC), $9,800: There hasn’t been a breakout pitching story like Kris Bubic’s this season. Bubic recorded a 4.66 ERA across 355 innings in his first five seasons in Kansas City, adding up to 2.5 total bWAR. This year, he’s holding opponents to a 1.47 ERA across ten starts and has accumulated an AL-leading 2.8 bWAR. The leap from back-end starter to a top Cy Young candidate is nothing short of astounding. While the Minnesota Twins have been hot, their offense remains below average, and Bubic’s ability to go deep in games while keeping runs off the board justifies his lofty price.
SP Chris Bassitt (TOR), $8,600: Regarding late-career surges, Chris Bassitt has been excellent in his age-36 season. He’s been a solid starter, including three top-10 Cy Young finishes and an All-Star appearance. This season, he’s taken things to a new level, recording the best ERA and FIP of his entire career while striking out more than a batter per inning for the second time. The Tampa Bay Rays are one of seven teams averaging under four total runs per game. Even at Tampa’s Little League-esque ballpark, I’m counting on Bassitt to deliver top value.
Pitcher Value Plays
SP Patrick Corbin (TEX), $6,800: Whatever deal Patrick Corbin made with the devil appears to have ended. The former Diamondbacks starter signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Nationals in 2019 and was a key part of the team winning the World Series that season. Over the last five years of the contract, he pitched to a 5.62 ERA over 137 starts, leading the league in losses, earned runs, and hits allowed three times apiece. So, naturally, he comes to Texas on a one-year, $1.1 million deal and finds his form again. While his underlying numbers aren’t great, pitching against a bottom-three White Sox offense cures all ills. He may pitch well enough to be an SP1 in lineups at SP2 pricing.
SP Mike Soroka (WSH), $5,500: The lowest priced pitcher on the board yet again, I rode with Soroka this past Sunday, counting on his underlying numbers to whittle down a 6.43 ERA. He did well against the Orioles by striking out eight over 5.2 innings, walking none, and allowing three runs. This Giants lineup has been quite good, but they are fresh off a shutout Saturday, getting closed down by fellow Nats starter Jake Irvin. If you’re looking to get studs elsewhere and need a pitching discount, Soroka could return passable SP2 value for a bottom-barrel price.
Infield Studs
1B Wilmer Flores (SF), $4,600: If starting Soroka is too risky for you, I’d recommend getting Flores in the lineup. The 33-year-old has been prolific at knocking in runs this year, driving in 43 across 51 games. When the Giants need a clutch hit, Flores finds himself at the plate and drives a ball. He’s a bit of a one-category contributor, but with his ability to drive extra-base hits, he can deliver some value whether or not he knocks in a run.
3B Rafael Devers (BOS), $4,900: Rafael Devers has cemented himself as the hottest hitter in baseball. After a will-he-or-won’t-he fielding controversy in spring training, plus a tough start at the plate, Devers is obliterating baseballs in May. During the month, he’s leading the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, RBI, and OPS. Though his price is high, I’m riding the designated hitter of all designated hitters against a Baltimore staff allergic to clean innings.
Infield Value Plays
2B Kristian Campbell (BOS), $3,900: Campbell comes at a fair price if you want to get in on the Sox party but don’t want to splurge on Devers. The top prospect has scuffled somewhat recently, but the nature of this lineup has still led to runs. Baltimore starter Dean Kremer has pitched to a 5.50 ERA this season, and the Red Sox have scored 25 runs in the first three games of this series. Campbell is the best value for this Sox lineup on a day where they should eat well at the plate.
1B Jake Burger (TEX), $3,400: Jake Burger isn’t the most impressive hitter by any advanced metric, but we’re here for box score production. Burger has just four hits over his last five contests, but three have gone for extra bases, two of which left the park. White Sox starter Davis Martin has taken a step this year, but the underlying numbers point to average or below-average production around the corner, and the Southsiders’ bullpen is rough. At Burger’s low price, all he needs is one great swing to bring value.
Outfield Studs
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC), $5,700: What else can you say about PCA at this point? The 23-year-old center fielder has slugged 14 home runs, driven in 46, swiped 14 bags, and scored 40 times. He’s a leading MVP candidate in the National League and the centerpiece of the best offense in the National League. Playing in Cincinnati for a Sunday matinee, I’m backing PCA as a stud lineup anchor.
OF Cedric Mullins (BAL), $4,600: It hasn’t been a good series in Boston for Cedric Mullins. The former All-Star is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts across the first two games. It’s a stark difference from his previous four games, where Mullins went 6-for-15 with four extra-base hits, six RBIs, and a stolen base. Walker Buehler has a big name but has been pedestrian since missing the 2023 season. I think a rebound performance is in order for Mullins, who can contribute at the plate and on the basepaths.
Outfield Value Plays
OF Mike Yastrzemski (SF), $3,900: If you’re looking for other value in the Giants lineup, or stacking on top of Wilmer Flores, Yaz is your man. More known for his glove than his bat, the 34-year-old has been resurgent at the plate this season. He’s already recorded five home runs and five stolen bases, and can work a walk as well as he can slap a base hit. A stack against this Nationals staff (and especially their bullpen) is worth the risk.
OF Will Benson (CIN), $3,700: Few players are as all-or-nothing as Will Benson. The young outfielder swings hard and often, resulting in a lot of strikeouts and a lot of hard contact. He’s driven in six runs over his past six games on just five hits, three of which left the park. Daytime games in Cincinnati tend to see balls flying everywhere and Benson could put up some value with just a swing or two.
