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 Tyler Mahle (TEX), $9,000: Mahle has quietly been one of the pitching stories of the year. The Rangers’ 30-year-old right-hander has pitched to a 2.02 ERA through 13 starts. He doesn’t wow you with stuff or big strikeout totals, but keeps runners off base and limits hard contact. The fastball/splitter combination has hitters shaking their heads. This Nationals’ offense has been a surprise in the early going, but I’m counting on Mahle to keep the magic going in this one.
SP Cristopher Sanchez (PHI), $8,800: This has been the best season of Cristopher Sanchez’s career thus far. He’s once again working on a strong ERA and keeping runners off base, while striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings for the first time in his career. Against a Pirates’ offense that has arguably been the worst in baseball, Sanchez should be able to easily carve his way through and justify the fifth-highest price on the board.
Pitcher Value Plays
SP Michael Lorenzen (KC), $6,900: It hasn’t been a banner season for Michael Lorenzen. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 5.12 ERA for the Kansas City Royals with poor underlying numbers. While he mixes in seven different pitches, some of his fastball variations are getting tagged this year, and his efficacy has taken a nosedive. Luckily for Lorenzen, he has a date with the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. If you believe a struggling pitcher can overcome a poor offense, Lorenzen is your man.
SP Ryan Bergert (SDP), $5,500: Bergert is the second-lowest priced pitcher on the board. The 25-year-old rookie right-hander is due for his second career start on Sunday in Milwaukee. He held his own over five innings against the San Francisco Giants in his first start, allowing two runs over five innings. He can deliver again, facing another mediocre offense in this one. If you’re looking to stack up salary elsewhere, Bergert can deliver some value for a bottom-barrel price.
Infield Studs
SS Jeremy Peña (HOU), $4,500: It’s hard to call Peña a breakout player after winning World Series MVP and a Gold Glove in his rookie season, but here we are. The 27-year-old shortstop is batting over .300 for the first time and is on pace for his first 20-20 season in the majors. Peña extended his hitting streak to 13 games on Saturday. The Guardians’ projected starter, Tanner Bibee, has some tough underlying numbers beneath his 3.89 ERA. I’m taking Peña to keep the hot hitting going.
3B Isaac Paredes (HOU), $4,300: Houston’s top two in the lineup are worth stacking on Sunday; I’d recommend getting at least one in the lineup. Over his last five contests, Paredes has three home runs, six RBI, four runs scored, and has drawn four walks. The slugging third baseman is a threat to pull one over the left-field bleachers at any time, and can deliver value with his patient approach at the plate.
Infield Value Plays
3B/SS Zach McKinstry (DET), $3,400: Many players make this remarkable Tigers team go. Zach McKinstry is one of the more unlikely heroes on a team of unlikely heroes. The 30-year-old utility player is working on the best hitting season of his career. He’s been driving in runs, can steal a bag, and hit for extra bases. Detroit likes to move him all around the lineup and the field but he’s a consistent presence in their productive batting order.
3B Matt Shaw (CHC), $3,300: Watch out, MLB: the Chicago Cubs have another top prospect heating up in the bigs. Matt Shaw has three hits, including a home run and a double in the series against Detroit so far. He’s stolen seven bags across 35 games in his rookie year. If the power is beginning to match the speed he’s shown, Shaw has massive potential on a game-to-game basis at a low price.
Outfield Studs
OF Fernando Tatis Jr. (SDP), $5,200: The Brewers’ projected starter for Sunday, Aaron Civale, is begging to be hit this season. Milwaukee’s right-hander has surrendered four home runs in 17.1 innings across four starts. He’s not missing bats and gives up a lot of fly balls. You can get away with that in Miller Park, but not against Fernando Tatis Jr. If you’re targeting someone to sock a dinger on Sunday, El Niño is your best bet.
OF George Springer (TOR), $4,300: George Springer has been resurgent for the Toronto Blue Jays this season. The 35-year-old has recorded an extra-base hit in three straight games, including two consecutive contests with a homer against Minnesota. Twins starter Joe Ryan presents a big challenge, but he is prone to surrendering the long ball. I’m taking the hot bat to produce some value against Minnesota’s ace.
Outfield Value Plays
OF Trevor Larnach (MIN), $3,900: Springer isn’t the only hot-hitting outfielder in the Twins-Blue Jays contest. Larnach has punched two home runs in his last five games and has six total hits. Toronto starter Bowden Francis is getting hammered this season, and being at the top of Minnesota’s lineup in this contest will have a lot of value. Larnach could produce at an elite level for a below-average price.
OF Jac Caglianone (KC), $3,500: Jac Caglianone is capital D due for a big hit. The Royals slugging prospect destroyed the minor leagues and received his call to the bigs less than a year after being drafted, but he’s just 2-for-21 to start his big-league career. Sooner or later, the results will match the process; over 50% of his balls have been hard hit, and his 77 MPH bat speed average is one of the best in the majors. White Sox starter Owen White has given up 13 earned runs and three homers in seven career innings. There’s no better time for the stud prospect to get going for Kansas City.
