This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We have a 10-game slate featured on DraftKings for Sunday. First pitch is at 1:00 p.m. EDT with the Yankees hosting the Mets in what should be a matchup with plenty of scoring to go around. Kenta Maeda leads the pitching pool in a prime spot against the Tigers, but two midrange arms could be a better approach when considering the selection of bats in positive situations that are available today.
Pitching
Kenta Maeda, MIN vs. DET ($9,600): As I mentioned, Maeda is in a plus matchup facing the Tigers on Sunday. They still remain in the bottom half of the league in strikeouts per game at 9.74 and deploy six to seven righties a night, a side of the plate Maeda has held to a .104 batting average this season. Pitch count is always the issue when rostering Maeda as he's only thrown over 90 once so far the year, but his efficiency usually makes up for that and should also have the win equity in his favor with the powerful Twins' bats backing him up.
Brandon Woodruff, MIL vs. PIT ($8,200): If you can't find the salary for Maeda, paying down for Woodruff makes a lot of sense facing one of the worst teams in baseball in the Pirates. They rank in bottom-half in just about every statistical category, most notably their 28th-ranked .219 team batting average and 3.93 runs per game. Woodruff also faced them earlier this season in a 10-strikeout, 92-pitch gem that saw him rack up 37.1 fantasy points including the win.
Framber Valdez, HOU vs. OAK ($8,000): Valdez was the other midrange option I was referring two if you want to take a more balanced approach to the slate. Outside of his first start of the season against the Dodgers, Valdez has been phenomenal eclipsing the 100-pitch mark three times while averaging almost seven strikeouts per outing. He faces an Oakland team he rung up for nine strikeouts earlier this season and they currently sit last in that category with 10 per game. The Astros are also favored here potentially adding a win if they can get a few runs on the board early.
Top Targets
Mookie Betts, LAD vs. TEX ($6,000): Betts faces Kyle Gibson here, a pitcher he's seen plenty in his career. Sporting a .389 batting average in 18 at-bats, he's piled up three home runs and six RBI. Gibson has endured a rough go this season as his 5.73 ERA and 1.48 WHIP would indicate and won't have it easier facing the Dodgers who are in the top-10 with a .332 on-base percentage, which should provide Betts with plenty of opportunities to knock in some runs.
Trea Turner, WAS vs. BOS ($5,400): In another attractive BvP matchup, Turner gets Zack Godley, a pitcher he's faced 15 times over his career. Flashing a .400 batting average which include two home runs, Turner continues to lead off for the Nationals and will look to get on base early and can add a steal with three on the season so far.
Value Plays
Aaron Hicks, NYY vs. NYM ($3,500): Coming in at his lowest price point of the season, Hicks takes on Mets' pitcher Rick Porcello - a pitcher he is plenty familiar with 39 at-bats lifetime. He should receive a favorable batting order spot with the Yankees dealing with a host of injuries and doesn't face a pinch hit risk as a switch hitter. Hicks has struggled at the plate for the most part with just a .198 batting average, but teases the ability to display power at times as he's taken Porcello deep twice in their many showdowns.
Howie Kendrick, WAS vs. BOS ($3,800): Another solid option in the potent Nationals' lineup, Kendrick has also faired well against Zack Godley going 7-for-14 with a home run and three RBI to his credit. He doesn't enjoy a platoon advantage, but it shouldn't matter much with Godley allowing a .354 batting average to right-handed batters this season.
Stacks to Consider
Nationals vs. Zack Godley: Trea Turner ($5,400), Juan Soto ($5,700), Howie Kendrick ($3,800)
I already highlighted the appeal of Turner and Kendrick against Zack Godley. So rounding out the stack with Juan Soto seems like an easy choice as he's absolutely crushing it at the plate this season. He's arguably the best hitter in baseball now with a .358 batting average and a 1.212 OPS and should continue his dominance against Godley, who's given up 10 home runs to lefties since 2019.
White Sox vs. Kris Bubic: Tim Anderson ($5,500), Jose Abreu ($5,400), Eloy Jimenez ($4,900)
The White Sox seem to always be a popular stack as they display a lot of power throughout their lineup starting with shortstop Tim Anderson. Anderson has destroyed left handed pitching this season with a .571 batting average and a mind-blowing 1.970 OPS. Abreu and Jimenez have been outstanding in their own right with 23 combined home runs and should excel today with Bubic unable to blow the ball by anyone averaging around only three strikeouts per game.
