Usually, on a full Sunday slate, you can find strong hitters at every position at nearly every price point. That is not the case Sunday. To start things off, you should probably plan on spending up at shortstop. You can pay for your shortstop by saving money at first base because there isn’t anyone there I am in a hurry to pay for. Second base has some very nice value plays but again, no studs, while there are a ton of options at catcher, third base and outfield. When I set my lineups, I am filling those positions last.
| CATCHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Matt Wieters | BAL | C | B | A | CLE | Mike Clevinger | R | 117 | 0.291 | 0.331 | 0.45 | 0.784 | 0.342 | 0.16 | 5.60% | 25.00% | 40.70% | 37.00% | 22.20% | 13.30% | 0.366 | $3,200 | $4,700 | $4,500 |
| A.J. Pierzynski | ATL | C | L | H | MIA | Tom Koehler | R | 102 | 0.216 | 0.25 | 0.27 | 0.515 | 0.23 | 0.05 | 2.80% | 13.90% | 51.20% | 24.40% | 24.40% | 0.00% | 0.25 | $2,200 | $3,000 | $4,050 |
| Jonathan Lucroy | MIL | C | R | H | CIN | Brandon Finnegan | L | 169 | 0.284 | 0.344 | 0.49 | 0.835 | 0.352 | 0.21 | 8.10% | 19.90% | 36.90% | 38.50% | 24.60% | 17.00% | 0.32 | $3,200 | $4,000 | $4,800 |
| Brian McCann | NYY | C | L | A | TB | Jake Odorizzi | R | 136 | 0.235 | 0.333 | 0.4 | 0.737 | 0.328 | 0.17 | 11.50% | 23.10% | 37.90% | 43.20% | 18.90% | 14.60% | 0.277 | $3,000 | $3,300 | $4,900 |
| Stephen Vogt | OAK | C | L | H | DET | Mike Pelfrey | R | 151 | 0.252 | 0.29 | 0.38 | 0.674 | 0.294 | 0.13 | 3.70% | 17.90% | 33.30% | 42.30% | 24.40% | 7.70% | 0.283 | $2,400 | $3,300 | $4,200 |
| Buster Posey | SF | C | R | A | COL | Chris Rusin | L | 164 | 0.27 | 0.328 | 0.47 | 0.798 | 0.323 | 0.2 | 8.70% | 11.50% | 50.00% | 27.90% | 22.10% | 17.90% | 0.266 | $4,100 | $5,200 | $5,350 |
A.J. Pierzynski is 8-for-17 with two home runs against Tom Koehler.
Matt Wieters has a seven-game hitting streak, and he is facing rookie Mike Clevinger who has allowed 10 earned runs in two big-league starts.
Jonathan Lucroy had two hits with a home run and three RBI in each of his last two games. If Lucroy starts, he could beat up on Reds’ lefty Brandon Finnegan.
Brian McCann is 12-for-20 against Jake Odorizzi, and McCann’s price is quite low on DraftKings.
Stephen Vogt will likely bat third against Mike Pelfrey. What more could you want?
Buster Posey in Coors is a no-brainer anyway, but he is 5-for-11 against Chris Rusin, he hit two home runs Saturday and if he plays first base, he is 5-for-16 as a first baseman.
| FIRST BASE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Adrian Gonzalez | LA | 1B | L | A | NYM | Bartolo Colon | R | 173 | 0.295 | 0.371 | 0.42 | 0.793 | 0.322 | 0.13 | 11.20% | 20.80% | 56.30% | 23.40% | 20.30% | 16.70% | 0.357 | $2,900 | $3,500 | $4,750 |
| Tommy Joseph | PHI | C | R | A | CHI | John Lackey | R | 31 | 0.290 | 0.294 | 0.52 | 0.810 | 0.335 | 0.23 | 2.90% | 29.40% | 17.40% | 43.50% | 39.10% | 20.00% | 0.333 | $2,000 | $3,100 | $3,800 |
| Adam Lind | SEA | 1B | L | H | MIN | Ricky Nolasco | R | 122 | 0.25 | 0.279 | 0.4 | 0.681 | 0.287 | 0.16 | 4.70% | 22.50% | 44.60% | 37.00% | 18.50% | 14.70% | 0.281 | $2,600 | $3,800 | $4,300 |
| Logan Morrison | TB | 1B | L | H | NYY | Nathan Eovaldi | R | 123 | 0.23 | 0.317 | 0.33 | 0.642 | 0.281 | 0.1 | 11.50% | 25.90% | 56.80% | 27.20% | 16.00% | 13.60% | 0.298 | $3,100 | $3,300 | $3,750 |
I’m doubling down on Adam Lind against another weak righty after he went 1-for-2 with a walk Saturday.
Adrian Gonzalez is 12-for-27 with two home runs against Bartolo Colon, and 6-for-9 over the last two games.
Tommy Joseph has a .810 OPS and a four-game hitting streak, and he still costs the minimum on FanDuel. Joseph is worth considering on the other sites, and very difficult to pass up on FanDuel.
Logan Morrison is 11-for-24 over the last week,
| SECOND BASE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Jonathan Schoop | BAL | 2B | R | A | CLE | Mike Clevinger | R | 170 | 0.271 | 0.294 | 0.47 | 0.765 | 0.33 | 0.2 | 2.80% | 22.60% | 47.60% | 32.50% | 19.80% | 19.50% | 0.309 | $3,300 | $4,700 | $4,300 |
| Chase Utley | LA | 2B | L | A | NYM | Bartolo Colon | R | 159 | 0.296 | 0.386 | 0.45 | 0.839 | 0.355 | 0.16 | 10.90% | 17.90% | 49.60% | 19.80% | 30.60% | 16.70% | 0.35 | $3,300 | $4,200 | $4,550 |
| Josh Harrison | PIT | 3B | R | A | TEX | Martin Perez | L | 162 | 0.32 | 0.356 | 0.43 | 0.782 | 0.341 | 0.11 | 4.60% | 12.60% | 44.80% | 29.40% | 25.90% | 4.80% | 0.357 | $3,100 | $3,900 | $4,550 |
| Kelby Tomlinson | SF | 3B | R | A | COL | Chris Rusin | L | 62 | 0.34 | 0.397 | 0.39 | 0.784 | 0.35 | 0.05 | 8.70% | 14.50% | 57.70% | 21.20% | 21.20% | 0.00% | 0.404 | $2,900 | $4,300 | $4,400 |
Mike Clevenger has allowed three home runs in two starts, and I like Jonathan Schoop’s chances of adding to that total. Schoop is 8-for-25 over the last week.
Chase Utley is 10-for-20 against Bartolo Colon and 10-for-24 over his last five games.
Josh Harrison missed Saturday’s game with an illness, but he will be a good play if he starts Sunday. Harrison has a .988 OPS against lefties this season, and he is 7-for-13 over his five-game hitting streak.
Kelby Tomlinson batted second the last time the Giants faced a lefty, and he is 5-for-10 in his career against Chris Rusin.
| THIRD BASE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Luis Valbuena | HOU | 3B | L | A | LAA | Nick Tropeano | R | 134 | 0.224 | 0.307 | 0.4 | 0.703 | 0.302 | 0.17 | 10.50% | 24.80% | 42.70% | 37.50% | 19.80% | 13.90% | 0.275 | $2,700 | $3,300 | $4,250 |
| Aaron Hill | MIL | 3B | R | H | CIN | Brandon Finnegan | L | 142 | 0.282 | 0.356 | 0.45 | 0.807 | 0.34 | 0.17 | 10.40% | 14.70% | 37.90% | 35.30% | 26.70% | 14.60% | 0.296 | $2,500 | $3,200 | $4,200 |
| Jung-Ho Kang | PIT | SS | R | A | TEX | Martin Perez | L | 52 | 0.31 | 0.367 | 0.73 | 1.098 | 0.45 | 0.42 | 3.30% | 18.30% | 34.90% | 51.20% | 14.00% | 27.30% | 0.27 | $3,700 | $4,100 | $5,000 |
| Yangervis Solarte | SD | 3B | B | A | ARI | Archie Bradley | R | 42 | 0.31 | 0.396 | 0.64 | 1.039 | 0.43 | 0.33 | 12.50% | 14.60% | 32.30% | 51.60% | 16.10% | 18.80% | 0.313 | $3,400 | $3,400 | $4,250 |
| Adrian Beltre | TEX | 3B | R | H | PIT | Francisco Liriano | L | 185 | 0.27 | 0.32 | 0.48 | 0.796 | 0.331 | 0.21 | 6.40% | 8.90% | 41.70% | 38.00% | 20.20% | 14.50% | 0.255 | $3,600 | $4,400 | $4,900 |
Luis Valbuena is 7-for-18 with three home runs over the last week, and left-handed batters have a .346 wOBA against Nick Tropeano this season.
Aaron Hill is 9-for-18 over his current five-game hitting streak, and he has always hit against lefties.
I think some DFS players will scoff at paying Jung-Ho Kang’s price, especially on FantasyAces, but Kang is 6-for-14 over the last week, and he has a 1.333 OPS against lefties this season.
Is there any more fun name in Major League Baseball than Yangervis Solarte? Solarte is 7-for-17 over his last four games, and Archie Bradley has struggled in his two starts this season.
Adrian Beltre is 5-for-12 with two home runs over his last three games, and he is 9-for-30 against Francisco Liriano.
| SHORTSTOP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Xander Bogaerts | BOS | SS | R | A | TOR | R.A. Dickey | R | 202 | 0.351 | 0.403 | 0.52 | 0.923 | 0.391 | 0.17 | 7.70% | 16.30% | 56.90% | 25.60% | 17.50% | 14.60% | 0.404 | $4,500 | $4,100 | $5,350 |
| Jonathan Villar | MIL | SS | B | H | CIN | Brandon Finnegan | L | 174 | 0.3 | 0.397 | 0.42 | 0.817 | 0.367 | 0.12 | 13.50% | 24.60% | 62.80% | 15.70% | 21.50% | 10.50% | 0.41 | $4,000 | $4,400 | $4,550 |
| Alcides Escobar | KC | SS | R | H | CWS | Chris Sale | L | 208 | 0.27 | 0.301 | 0.32 | 0.618 | 0.274 | 0.05 | 4.10% | 14.00% | 59.20% | 23.10% | 17.80% | 0.00% | 0.315 | $3,200 | $2,800 | $3,800 |
Xander Bogaerts is 12-for-33 against R.A. Dickey, and 11-for-25 over the last seven days. He is actually pretty cheap on DraftKings.
A cheaper alternative to Bogaerts, at least on FanDuel and FantasyAces, is Jonathan Villar. Villar is 8-for-24 with three stolen bases over the last week, and he should bat at the top of a Milwaukee lineup that could have a big day.
If you absolutely have to go cheap, you can hold your nose and click on Alcides Escobar’s name. He is 8-for-24 during his five-game hitting streak, and he is 20-for-52 in his career against Chris Sale.
| OUTFIELD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Team | POS | Bats | H/A | Opp | Probable Pitcher | Throws | AB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wOBA | ISO | BB% | K% | GB% | FB% | LD% | HR/FB | BABIP | FD | DK | Aces |
| Nick Markakis | ATL | RF | L | H | MIA | Tom Koehler | R | 175 | 0.240 | 0.349 | 0.33 | 0.675 | 0.307 | 0.09 | 13.90% | 15.80% | 47.10% | 30.70% | 22.10% | 2.30% | 0.285 | $3,000 | $3,600 | $4,300 |
| Ender Inciarte | ATL | RF | L | H | MIA | Tom Koehler | R | 85 | 0.235 | 0.316 | 0.27 | 0.587 | 0.266 | 0.04 | 10.40% | 13.50% | 54.90% | 29.60% | 15.50% | 0.00% | 0.278 | $3,100 | $3,600 | $4,100 |
| Jay Bruce | CIN | RF | L | A | MIL | Jimmy Nelson | R | 161 | 0.261 | 0.313 | 0.5 | 0.810 | 0.351 | 0.24 | 6.30% | 23.30% | 40.70% | 33.10% | 26.30% | 20.50% | 0.298 | $3,300 | $3,900 | $4,900 |
| Gerardo Parra | COL | LF | L | H | SF | Johnny Cueto | R | 187 | 0.273 | 0.284 | 0.42 | 0.706 | 0.302 | 0.15 | 1.60% | 15.20% | 63.20% | 18.10% | 18.70% | 10.70% | 0.31 | $3,300 | $3,600 | $4,750 |
| Melky Cabrera | CWS | LF | B | A | KC | Edinson Volquez | R | 188 | 0.287 | 0.353 | 0.42 | 0.773 | 0.345 | 0.13 | 9.10% | 9.10% | 49.40% | 27.50% | 23.10% | 9.10% | 0.303 | $3,500 | $3,300 | $4,500 |
| Coco Crisp | OAK | LF | B | H | DET | Mike Pelfrey | R | 149 | 0.255 | 0.307 | 0.43 | 0.737 | 0.312 | 0.18 | 7.30% | 12.80% | 42.90% | 32.50% | 24.60% | 9.80% | 0.27 | $3,100 | $3,800 | $4,250 |
| Khris Davis | OAK | LF | R | H | DET | Mike Pelfrey | R | 177 | 0.237 | 0.267 | 0.52 | 0.787 | 0.324 | 0.28 | 2.70% | 26.20% | 40.50% | 41.30% | 18.30% | 26.90% | 0.241 | $3,000 | $4,300 | $5,100 |
| Jon Jay | SD | CF | L | A | ARI | Archie Bradley | R | 184 | 0.28 | 0.335 | 0.39 | 0.721 | 0.319 | 0.11 | 7.00% | 21.50% | 58.10% | 17.60% | 24.30% | 8.30% | 0.353 | $3,400 | $3,600 | $3,900 |
| Seth Smith | SEA | LF | L | H | MIN | Ricky Nolasco | R | 120 | 0.26 | 0.379 | 0.38 | 0.754 | 0.34 | 0.12 | 14.50% | 19.30% | 61.10% | 21.10% | 17.80% | 21.10% | 0.303 | $3,000 | $3,400 | $4,300 |
| Hunter Pence | SF | RF | R | A | COL | Chris Rusin | L | 166 | 0.3 | 0.378 | 0.48 | 0.86 | 0.373 | 0.19 | 11.90% | 19.20% | 57.00% | 24.20% | 18.80% | 22.60% | 0.336 | $4,200 | $5,400 | $5,500 |
| Ian Desmond | TEX | LF | R | H | PIT | Francisco Liriano | L | 189 | 0.3 | 0.346 | 0.47 | 0.812 | 0.347 | 0.17 | 6.30% | 21.50% | 56.20% | 22.60% | 21.20% | 19.40% | 0.357 | $4,000 | $4,600 | $4,800 |
| Jose Bautista | TOR | RF | R | H | BOS | David Price | L | 177 | 0.24 | 0.379 | 0.49 | 0.871 | 0.377 | 0.25 | 17.80% | 16.00% | 39.10% | 34.80% | 26.10% | 20.80% | 0.246 | $4,500 | $4,000 | $5,500 |
Nick Markakis is 9-for-14 against Tom Koehler, and 3-for-7 with four RBI over his last two games. Ender Inciarte is 5-for-9 against Tom Koehler, and has a six-game hitting streak.
Jay Bruce is 7-for-17 with two home runs against Jimmy Nelson.
Gerardo Parra is 11-for-32 with two home runs and a stolen base against Johnny Cueto, and throwing Coors Field into the mix should only help.
Melky Cabrera has home runs in two of his last three games, and he is 9-for-28 against Edinson Volquez.
Just in case you needed another reason to play Marcell Ozuna besides his 10-game hitting streak, Ozuna is 10-for-27 against Julio Teheran.
Khris Davis is 6-for-15 over his last four games, and Coco Crisp has an 11-game hitting streak, but the only thing you really need to know is they are both facing Mike Pelfrey.
If any other team was facing Archie Bradley, I would have nearly the entire lineup in this article. As it is, Jon Jay is one of the only Padres I trust against a righty. Jay will likely lead off and he is 6-for-17 over his last four games.
Say it with me: Seth Smith against a weak Twins’ righty.
Hunter Pence returned from his hamstring injury to go 2-for-5 Saturday, and he could have an even better day Sunday against a lefty.
Ian Desmond extended his hitting streak to six games with a 2-for-4 effort Saturday, and now he gets the platoon advantage against Francisco Liriano.
Jose Bautista is 11-for-33 over his eight-game hitting streak, and he is 18-for-52 with five home runs against David Price.
Player News
Yordan Alvarez will not come off the injured list for Tuesday’s game against the Royals.
Alvarez started hitting Monday as he continues his recovery from a muscle strain in his right hand, and the Astros figure to activate him as soon as he’s comfortable. Thursday is probably the best bet at the moment.
Logan Henderson will be called up to start Wednesday’s game in Cleveland.
It’ll probably be just a spot start for Henderson, though the Brewers do have the option on keeping him around in Quinn Priester’s spot. First, they’ll see how Priester performs tonight. Henderson allowed one run over six innings and struck out nine in his first big-league start Apr. 20 against the A’s.
Nationals placed INF Luis García Jr. on the paternity list.
García figures to miss the next three days. Amed Rosario will probably get at least a couple of starts in his place against the Braves.
Nationals recalled INF/OF Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester.
Lipscomb was up briefly last month and went 2-for-4. The 25-year-old is being groomed as a utility player by the Nationals; he’s started at least four games at first, second, third and in left field while hitting .283/.362/.380 in Triple-A this season.
Paul Skenes has announced that he will pitch for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic
Skenes has pitched for Team USA in two other tournaments during his career and actually spent two years at the Air Force Academy. He is arguably the best pitcher in baseball right now and will partner with arguably the best hitter in baseball right now, Aaron Judge, to lead Team USA in what figures to be an extremely competitive WBC tournament in 2026.
White Sox LHP prospect Hagen Smith (fatigue) will have his workload managed at Double-A Birmingham.
Hagen Smith’s velocity fluctuated in his last outing, and the White Sox were cautious about him showing some signs of fatigue. They shortened his last outing and will skip his next start to help him manage his workload in his first full professional season. Everything is fine with Smith from a medical perspective, but this is a good reminder that Smith is an immense talent, but fantasy managers shouldn’t expect a major impact this season as he adjusts to professional baseball.