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 200K Bat Flip (50K to 1st Place)
Top MLB DFS Targets
Pitcher Studs
SP Andrew Abbott (CIN), $9,700: Despite his huge price tag, Abbott is well worth paying up for. He’s pitching to a 1.84 ERA this season, an incredible feat since he has a hitter-friendly home park. The Cy Young hopeful has given up zero earned runs in his last two starts over 14.2 innings. On the road in St. Louis, Abbott should deliver on his lofty value.
SP Bryce Elder (ATL), $8,100: This guy has been cooking. Two starts ago against the San Francisco Giants, Elder had the best start of his career. He struck out 12 over eight innings, allowing just one run and allowing three total baserunners. This Miami team has been more potent than expected offensively, but I’m counting on Elder to mow ’em down in this one.
Pitcher Value Plays
SP Sandy Alcantara (MIA), $6,900: It has not been a fun season for Sandy Alcantara. The former Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the 2024 season. 2025 was supposed to mark a triumphant return; instead, he has a 6.88 ERA and has been one of the worst starters in baseball. But the month of June has been kind to Alcantara. In three starts, he’s holding down a 2.12 ERA. Maybe it’s a blip on the radar, but maybe he’s figured something out. With that kind of promising turn, I think he will return value Sunday.
SP Bailey Falter (PIT), $6,800: Bailey Falter is no star. But man, is this Texas Rangers lineup rough. A bottom-five unit on the year, the Rangers have already fired a hitting coach this season. Despite the presence of stars like Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia, they aren’t shaking up scoreboards as often as they should. For a bottom-barrel price, Falter could eat some innings against a struggling offense.
Infield Studs
C Cal Raleigh (SEA), $5,900: It’s a shame that Aaron Judge exists for Cal Raleigh. If he didn’t, Raleigh would be on the way to being the first catcher to win MVP since Buster Posey in 2012. The Big Dumper rocked another home run on Saturday, reaching 30 big flies in only 75 games. He’s the first player since 2001 to reach that mark in 75 or fewer games. That last guy’s name was Barry Bonds.
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR), $5,400: Everyone loves hitting against the Chicago White Sox—especially a white-hot Vladito. Toronto’s $400 million man has driven in eight runs over his past five games, including two home runs and three doubles. When he gets hot with the bat, few can keep him contained. I don’t trust the AL-worst White Sox to put a lid on the slugger.
Infield Value Plays
2B Willi Castro (MIN), $3,300: Castro hits in the middle of the Twins order after a torrential few weeks of hitting. On May 27th, Castro had a .648 OPS. That’s up to .835 now. Quinn Priester, the Milwaukee starter, has been a pleasant surprise this year. But Castro has sustained excellent form with the bat over the last month. Any hitter in the middle of a batting order is worth playing at this price.
3B Matt Shaw (CHC), $3,300: Matt Shaw won’t blow you away with his batting average. But the guy can slug one out of the park or steal a base at any time. If Saturday’s 10-7 contest is any indication, this Chicago-Seattle series could be full of fireworks. Getting a piece of the Cubs’ outstanding lineup at a below-average price can produce serious value.
Outfield Studs
OF Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC), $6,100: I cannot quit this guy. PCA homered again on Saturday against the Mariners, giving him 21 home runs and 23 stolen bases. He might take a real run at a 50-50 season, just one year after Shohei Ohtani recorded the first in MLB history. Regularly batting cleanup for Chicago, PCA’s impressive power-average-speed combo can anchor any lineup on any day.
OF Christian Yelich (MIL), $4,800: Yelich’s five-game hitting streak has been something to admire. He’s recorded 10 hits and driven in 11 runs, fueled by an eight-RBI performance on Friday. His batting average has gone from .231 to .256 over the last week. Yelich is on pace for another 20-20 season, as is his norm. I can’t guarantee you an eight RBI performance, but a hot bat always plays.
Outfield Value Plays
OF Adolis Garcia (TEX), $3,600: If you’re not starting Bailey Falter already, Garcia is a good shout. It hasn’t been his best season, but he’s punched five extra-base hits in his past seven games. The bat has picked up in June for the former All-Star, batting well over .300 with an OPS over .900. Hopefully he can keep the good times rolling.
OF Andrew Benintenti (CHW), $3,100: It hasn’t been a banner season for the White Sox, but Andrew Benintendi has quietly been solid. Saturday’s game broke up a three-game streak of multi-hit performances, including two home runs and a double. Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios is a tougher task than most, however. The same cannot be said for Sunday’s starter Chris Bassitt right now. Over his last five turns on the mound, Bassitt is pitching to a 5.59 ERA, surrendering more than one hit per inning and four total home runs. Hot bat against a pitcher in a rough patch is always a good value equation.
