We have a full slate of games scheduled for Sunday across MLB, there will be a handful of inexperienced starting pitchers taking the mound, and some big-time smash spots for some of the best lineups in baseball. I’ll dive into the foundational building blocks you need to construct your lineups around.
Weather Report
There are clear skies expected for every game.
Injury Report
- Ronald Acuna Jr – Calf: Acuna left Friday’s game early due to calf tightness and missed Saturday’s game. It’s uncertain if he will be back in the lineup.
- Ryan Mountcastle – Shoulder: Mountcastle has missed the last three games and there is no update on whether we will play.
- Triston Casas – Shoulder: Casas was placed on the 10-day IL.
- Shohei Ohtani – Oblique: The superstar was placed on the 10-day IL and has been shut down for the remainder of the season.
- David Peralta – Back: Peralta sat out Friday’s game and it’s unknown if his back tightness will keep him out.
- Bryan De La Cruz – Ankle: He exited Friday’s game early, sat on Saturday, and it’s unknown if he will be in Sunday’s lineup.
- Manny Machado – Elbow: Manny did not play Saturday and is questionable for Sunday.
Top Priced Starting Pitchers (DraftKings)
- Brandon Woodruff vs. WAS: $10,800
- Framber Valdez @ KC: $9,900
- Charlie Morton @ MIA: $9,500
- Sonny Gray @ CWS: $9,300
- Jesus Luzardo vs. ATL: $8,900
- Dylan Cease vs. MIN: $8,600
Woodruff appears worth paying the premium for. Since returning from the IL in August, he's allowed two earned runs or less in six of seven outings and hasn't allowed a run in his past two games. In four starts at home, he has a 1.07 ERA over 25.1 innings pitched! The Contrarian Edge Optimizer suggests paying up for Woodruff.
The Braves' Morton looks like a good option on paper but avoid him. In two starts versus Miami he has allowed one ER on seven hits over 12.2 innings, but he has struggled in day games with a 4.35 ERA compared to 3.09 ERA at night. He has also struggled in his two starts in September, and Miami has the fourth-highest batting average in MLB at .270 at home.
Sneaky Option
Dylan Cease vs. MIN: $8,600
There are not many “sneaky” options. There’s a handful of openers so it’s difficult to rely on some of the cheaper choices. Instead, we’re going to turn to Cease and hope he brings his strikeout stuff and better command.
The one holdup I have is that the Twins own the fifth-highest walk rate in MLB. The good part is they have the highest strikeout rate per game. Cease has been better at home this season and he should give us some length. This one is scary to trust but we’re riding with the mustache man.
Stack Attack
Brewers vs. Nationals (Patrick Corbin)
What a shock! We’re looking to stack against Corbin. The Contrarian Edge Optimizer suggests getting Brewers bats in your lineups. Expect a poor outing against a Milwaukee lineup that is in the top 10 in runs scored and has the sixth highest batting average in September.
The Brewers lineup projects nicely despite occasional struggles against lefties. The Nats' bullpen owns the fourth-worst ERA, so if they chase Corbin early, they could continue producing.
- 1B Carlos Santana $3,800
- 2B Andruw Monasterio $3,000
- C William Contreras $5,100
- SS Willy Adames $4,400
- OF Mark Canha $3,000
- OF Joey Weimer $2,600
Astros vs. Royals (Jordan Lyles)
This is what dreams are made of. Lyles and Corbin pitching on the same day! Unfortunately for Lyles, he faces a deep Astros lineup, and has an 8.78 ERA over 11 starts in day games. Jose Altuve has two homers in 14 at-bats off Lyle. Of course, it’s always worth getting Yordan Alvarez in your lineup if you can. He’s 3 for 8 in this series with 2 doubles and has a strong history of success at Kauffman Stadium.
- 1B Jose Abreu $4,000
- 2B Jose Altuve $6,400
- SS Jeremy Pena $4,600
- 3B Alex Bregman $5,600
- OF Yordan Alvarez $6,200
- OF Kyle Tucker $5,900
- OF Michael Brantley $4,300