This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). With the weather finally starting to improve, we should be in for a full afternoon of baseball Sunday.
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PITCHER
Corey Kluber, CLE at BAL ($12,800): Kluber was dominant on his way to winning the American League Cy Young Award last year, finishing with a 2.25 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 11.7 K/9. Opposing batters had just a 28.9 percent hard-hit rate against him and he often was ahead in the count, throwing a first-pitch strike to 64.4 percent of batters faced. He's carried his success from last year into this season, posting a 1.52 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 10 K/9 through four starts. The Orioles had the second-lowest team batting average and the most strikeouts in baseball entering play Saturday, making Kluber an excellent option Sunday even at this expensive price.
GPP Fade: Zack Wheeler, NYM at ATL ($7,900): With the Mets moving Matt Harvey to the bullpen, Wheeler will stay in the starting rotation. He was limited to just 86.1 innings last year because of injury and didn't pitch well when he did take the mound, finishing with a 5.21 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. He's only made two starts this season and will get a tough task Sunday against a Braves lineup that is in the top five in baseball in batting average and OPS. It might not make sense to take a chance on him based on his limited upside.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Francisco Liriano, DET vs. KC ($6,900): Liriano was horrible for the Blue Jays and Astros last year, finishing with a 5.66 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. He really struggled with his control, allowing 4.9 BB/9. He made the rebuilding Tigers' starting rotation out of spring training, and while he has a 2.55 ERA, he has a 4.39 FIP and a concerning 4.1 BB/9. The good news Sunday is that the Royals have one of the worst lineups in baseball. Not only that, but some of their best hitters are left-handed. Despite Liriano's problems last year, he held lefties to a .286 wOBA. If there was ever a time to take a chance on him in tournament play, this is it.
CATCHER
Gary Sanchez, NYY vs. TOR ($4,700): Sanchez is not hitting well to start the season, but a lot of that has to do with his crazy low .184 BABIP. He faces left-hander Jaime Garcia after hitting lefties well last year, finishing with a .369 wOBA.
FIRST BASE
Victor Martinez, DET vs. KC ($3,200): Martinez struggled to hit .255 in 107 games last year, but he was somewhat unlucky with a .280 BABIP compared to his .308 career mark. He still hit the ball well with a 39.9 percent hard-hit rate. With a career .365 wOBA against lefties, the price might be right to take a chance on him against Eric Skoglund.
SECOND BASE
DJ LeMahieu, COL vs. CHC ($4,600): LeMahieu has been a consistent hitter for the Rockies, batting at least .301 in three consecutive seasons. He might not hit a lot of home runs, but he only had 90 strikeouts in 682 plate appearances last year. He faces left-hander Jose Quintana on Sunday after finishing with a .406 wOBA against lefties in 2017.
THIRD BASE
Miguel Andujar, NYY vs. TOR ($2,800): One of the top prospects in the Yankees system, Andujar finds himself as the everyday third baseman with Brandon Drury (impaired vision) on the DL. A career .274 hitter in the minors, Andujar has shaken off his poor start this year, getting exactly two hits in four of his last five games. Andujar has some upside facing the lefty Garcia and could also help free up your budget at this cheap price.
SHORTSTOP
Jean Segura, SEA at TEX ($3,500): Stacking right-handed hitters on the Mariners might be a sound strategy against lefty Martin Perez, who allowed a .362 wOBA to righties in 2017. Segura is also better against lefties, finishing with a 124 wRC+ against them last year compared to 107 against right-handers.
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge, NYY vs. TOR ($5,400): Judge is a different hitter at Yankee Stadium, batting .312 with 33 home runs there last year compared to .256 with 19 homers on the road. He also crushed left-handed pitching last year, resulting in a 149 wRC+.
Mitch Haniger, SEA at TEX ($3,700): Another Mariners righty to consider against Perez, Haniger was excellent in just 96 games last year, finishing with a .282 average and a .352 OBP. He's followed that up with a .290 average and .384 OBP entering play Saturday. His current .565 slugging percentage is likely unsustainable, but he did have a .492 slugging percentage during his career in the minors.
Mallex Smith, TB vs. MIN ($3,400): With Kevin Kiermaier (thumb) on the DL, Smith will find himself roaming center field for the Rays more often than not. He doesn't provide hardly any power, but he does have a lot of speed, stealing 16 bases in just 81 games last year. He faces Phil Hughes, who is making his season debut Sunday after being limited to 112.2 innings in the last two years combined.
