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Today’s Sunday slate on FantasyDraft includes 11 games and starts at 1:05pm eastern. Games starting at 4pm or later are not included in the slate, and will not be covered in this article.
Must Play SP: Noah Syndergaard, NYM ($19,400) vs ARI
Syndergaard’s price feels too low for the caliber of pitcher he is. Thor has an absurd 2.20 Deserved Run Average this season with an outstanding 28.0% K-rate. He actually gets an incredibly easy matchup against the Diamondbacks today, as they’ve got just a .281 wOBA versus right-handed pitching, ranking them second-to-last in all of baseball. They’ve also got the third highest K-rate against righties at 26.3%. Everything lines up for Syndergaard to have a huge day on Sunday, which is why he’s my favorite pitcher to roll with today.
Honorable Mention: Stephen Strasburg, WAS ($25,800) vs LAD
Value SP: Yu Darvish, CHC ($16,900) at CIN
I know we keep saying this, but maybe this is the start that Darvish gets things back on track. Actually, he wasn’t doing bad in his last start before he was pulled with a cramp, as he had only one earned run in four innings with five strikeouts against a tough Braves lineup. That gives me confidence as he takes on the Reds, whose .303 wOBA ranks them 24th in the league. Darvish should still probably be avoided in cash games for his risk, but the upside he brings makes him an attractive play in GPP contests.
Honorable Mention: Eduardo Rodriguez, BOS ($17,800) vs BAL
IF Jose Abreu, CWS ($8,200) vs TEX (LHP Mike Minor)
Abreu is one of the most consistent hitters in all of baseball, and he’s having another great season, putting up a .306/.374/.531 line with eight homers. Abreu is striking out at a career low 15.1% and he’s been scorching hot in the last 15 days, batting .391 with a 1.060 OPS. It’s not clear why his price is so low, but this is the opportunity to take advantage. Rangers starter Mike Minor has an awful 5.61 ERA this season, so Abreu should have no issues putting up some points today.
Honorable Mention: IF Eric Hosmer, SD ($8,000) at PIT (Williams)
OF Lorenzo Cain, CHC ($8,000) at MIN (RHP Jake Odorizzi)
Cain has been an awesome fantasy asset this season with 10 steals and five homers while putting up a 126 wRC+. He’s also got a career-high 15.1% walk-rate, so he’s constantly getting on base as the Brewers leadoff hitter. He has the opportunity to score some runs against Odorizzi, who has lots of regression on the way. Odorizzi has a 5.99 Deserved Run Average and a 5.07 FIP, so he’s clearly outperforming his true talent level right now. Expect his regression to come in the way of points for Brewers hitters.
Honorable Mention: OF Kyle Schwarber, CHC ($8,400) at CIN (Mahle)
Value: IF Justin Bour, MIA ($6,600) at ATL (RHP Julio Teheran)
I get that he plays for the Marlins, but Justin Bour just doesn’t get the kind of respect that he deserves. Bour has nine home runs this year with a .367 wOBA and a career-high 18.5% walk-rate. He’s got a 1.027 OPS in the last 15 days. Opposing pitcher Julio Teheran has a 4.29 ERA at home this year, as Atlanta’s ballpark is one of the best hitter’s parks in baseball.
Honorable Mention: OF Dustin Fowler, OAK ($7,200) at TOR (Biagini)
Top Stack: Red Sox vs Orioles (RHP David Hess)
The Red Sox are arguably the most potent lineup you can find when they’re at home in Fenway Park. They’re projected for a huge day against David Hess, who is making just his second career Major League start. Hanley Ramirez ($8,000) and Andrew Benintendi ($9,400) are two of my favorite Red Sox bats, and I would try pairing them with a cheaper option like Rafael Devers ($6,500). Anybody in the Sox lineup today is worth playing.
Honorable Mention: Braves vs Marlins (Chen)