This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Sunday's main MLB slate features nine games and begins at 1:05 PM Eastern time. Below, you'll find which individual pitchers and hitters are primed to provide the best value, as well as the top lineup stacking options in this slate.
Pitching Overview
While this slate features a few high-level starters, the best value on the mound could come from more affordable options in favorable matchups.
If you're in search of a potential bargain bin steal, look no further than Drew Smyly ($7,300) against the White Sox. Smyly struggled earlier this season with the Rangers, but he's held the opposition to just one earned run over 13 innings in two starts for the Phillies. The southpaw gets a nice opportunity to keep rolling against the 28th-ranked White Sox' offense.
Another appealing low-cost option is Toronto's Sean Reid-Foley ($6,500). Reid-Foley boasts a 25.2 percent strikeout rate in 51 career major-league innings and a 2.55 ERA in 17.2 innings this season. Those numbers could improve further by the time he's through with the lowly Orioles.
If neither of those low-cost options appeal to you, paying up for Justin Verlander ($12,000) at home against the Mariners is also a fine strategy. Verlander has been even more dominant than usual in his last three starts, allowing just two earned runs over 19 innings while posting a 36:3 K:BB.
For those who can't afford Verlander, Yonny Chirinos ($7,900) of the Rays should lower his already respectable 3.70 ERA and 4.04 xFIP in this all-Florida clash against the 29th-ranked Marlins' offense.
Value Plays/Chalk
In addition to the stackable Indians, Mets and Twins lineups, certain individuals also stand out as options to target.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($3,900) showed off his tantalizing upside in the Home Run Derby, and the rookie Blue Jays' third baseman is starting to realize that upside with 15 hits and 18 RBI in his last six games. His torrid recent hitting should continue against Baltimore's combination of opener Jimmy Yacabonis and Tom Eshelman. The latter is still in search of his first major-league win, and is surrendering a .380 wOBA to right-handed batters in addition to a 6.35 ERA and 6.79 FIP.
Angels' outfielder Mike Trout ($4,600) has launched 14 home runs in his last 23 games, and it's hard to bet against him finding further success, even in a difficult matchup against Cleveland's Shane Bieber.
Switch-hitting Braves' second baseman Ozzie Albies ($3,200) is another player who has been on fire recently, slashing .320/.382/.540 over his last 12 games. Albies has recorded a .394 wOBA at home this season and will look to improve on that mark against Cincinnati's Sonny Gray.
Stacks
Indians vs. Jaime Barria (Angels)
Franmil Reyes (OF - $2,800), Oscar Mercado (OF - $3,700), Jose Ramirez (3B - $3,600)
Barria has been awful in righty-on-righty matchups and on the road in general - he's allowed a .392 wOBA in the former split this season while posting a 10.62 ERA over 20.1 innings in the latter. Reyes has settled in nicely as a DH since being acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline, with 24 of the right-handed slugger's 27 home runs coming against righties. His wOBA in that split is over .350, while Reyes' mark against lefties is barely above .300. Mercado is another guy capable of capitalizing on Barria's struggles against righties. Cleveland's two-hole hitter has fared about equally well against pitchers from both sides while posting a .363 wOBA at Progressive Field. The switch-hitting Ramirez's season stat line remains incredibly underwhelming, but he's found his game with a .318/.333/.664 line since the beginning of July.
Mets vs. Joe Musgrove (Pirates)
Jeff McNeil (OF - $3,300), Michael Conforto (OF - $3,600), Pete Alonso (1B - $3,700)
Left-handed batters have gotten to Musgrove at PNC Park, posting a .371 wOBA against him in what has been the league's second-most hitter-friendly venue with a 1.14 park factor. McNeil and Conforto occupy the first two spots in the Mets' order, and both represent dangerous left-handed hitters with wOBAs over .380 against righties. Alonso's a right-handed batter, but he's the driving force in New York's lineup and has registered a .387 road wOBA against righties.
Twins vs. Brad Keller (Royals)
Luis Arraez (3B - $2,700), Max Kepler (OF - $4,400), Jorge Polanco (SS - $3,500)
All three of these batters will have the platoon advantage against Keller, as Arraez and Kepler are both left-handed sluggers while Polanco is a switch-hitter. Each member of this trio also sports a wOBA over .380 against right-handed pitching. Keller's an average righty at best, as his 4.01 ERA and 4.88 xFIP confirm.
