We have eight MLB games on the schedule for Sunday afternoon, which is set to start at 1:05 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite stacking opportunities on this DraftKings slate.
As always, you can reach me on the ol’ Twitter machine @SBuchanan24.
Set your DraftKings lineups here: MLB $20K Extra Innings [$5K to 1st]
1. Houston Astros
It’s been an extremely tough season for Madison Bumgarner ($6,900), who has negative fantasy points in three of the seven starts he’s made. In his first start against the Astros, he was absolutely lit up for eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits with only two strikeouts in 4 1⁄3 innings. It’s not as if he’s been unlucky either, as Bumgarner sports an 8.93 FIP, which is right in line with his 8.53 ERA. Meaning, his extremely bad outings are completely justified. With the Astros entering this game with a .318 wOBA and a .188 ISO against lefties, it’s hard not to want to stack them on this slate.
Players to Consider
Alex Bregman ($4,800)
Yuli Gurriel ($3,500)
George Springer ($4,700)
Kyle Tucker ($4,300)
Jose Altuve ($4,200)
2. New York Yankees
The Red Sox are throwing out yet another minor league pitcher for what fees like the 3,983th time this season. Tanner Houck ($6,700) has five innings under his belt after making a start against the Marlins in which he went five innings, allowing no runs on two hits with seven strikeouts and three walks. Today boasts a much tougher matchup, of course. Throughout his time in the minors, Houck has always struggled with his command. In his last stop at Triple-A last season, he had a 5.04 BB/9 through 25 innings. The Yankees are one of the most patient teams in all of the majors with an 11.7% BB% against righties, which is the second-best in the league. With the potential to put a lot of these hitters on, you can only play with fire for so long against this team with a .361 wOBA and a .229 ISO.
Players to Consider
Luke Voit ($5,400)
Giancarlo Stanton ($4,400)
Aaron Judge ($5,500)
D.J. LeMahieu ($5,500)
Clint Frazier ($4,800)
3. Atlanta Braves
The Braves are one of the best offenses in the league against righties, as they sport a .374 wOBA (1st), a .237 ISO (3rd) and a 133 wRC+ (2nd). With that in mind, this is an extremely enticing matchup against Rick Porcello ($7,800), who they’ve already beaten up on this season. In two starts, Porcello has pitched six innings, allowing 11 runs (nine earned) on 12 hits with six walks and six strikeouts against the Braves. Porcello has not been pitching well to begin with and has allowed nine runs in his last two starts against the Orioles and Phillies. The numbers against the Braves are extremely bad with a .450 wOBA and a 4.15 FIP, so stacking the Braves, while expensive, is a team I’ll have in mind.
Players to Consider
Freddie Freeman ($5,600)
Ronald Acuna Jr ($5,900)
Adam Duvall ($4,600)
Ozzie Albies ($4,700)
Marcell Ozuna ($5,300)
4. Cincinnati Reds
Dylan Cease ($8,700) continues to get by in his starts, which is truly amazing how he’s been able to do this all season long. This is someone who has a 3.20 ERA but a 5.81 FIP and a 4.44 BB/9. Talk about someone who continues to get lucky. The Reds have a lot to play for as they continue to be in the playoff hunt so this game matters much more to them than the White Sox. The team is healthy and they currently boast a .329 wOBA, a .204 ISO and a 101 wRC+ against righties. At some point, the luck is going to run out to Cease and the number of hitters he puts on base is going to come back and bite him. The fact that he’s walked at least five hitters in three starts and has allowed a combined two runs in those starts is simply amazing. Hopefully, the Reds can be that team that stops the ridiculous lucky streak.
Players to Consider
Jesse Winker ($3,900)
Mike Moustakas ($5,000)
Eugenio Suarez ($4,000)
Joey Votto ($4,600)
Tucker Barnhart ($2,600)
Set your DraftKings lineups here: MLB $20K Extra Innings [$5K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Steveazors) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
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