Sunday’s main slate features 11 games on FanDuel, while DraftKings presents the same 11 games as well, with the first of a seven-inning doubleheader starting at 1:05 pm ET.
Pitchers
Top Priced Options
Brandon Woodruff from the Milwaukee Brewers will be facing the Chicago Cubs for the third time in less than three weeks. In the two prior games against the Cubs, Woodruff threw a total of 13 innings, allowing only four hits, while striking out 14 batters. Although he has only factored into one decision this year, he has pitched very well and will be looking to continue his form today.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu will look to keep the Tampa Bay Rays batters guessing as they have the third-most strikeouts in all of baseball (213). Ryu struggled last time on the mound against the Boston Red Sox throwing a season-low two strikeouts in five innings pitched. The jump in pricing suggests he will rebound nicely this afternoon.
The top rated pitcher for both DraftKings and FanDuel on Bales Model is Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals. Flaherty is 3-0 to start the 2021 season, while striking out 17 batters in his last 17 innings pitched. Today he will be pitching to the Cincinnati Reds who lead MLB with 32 home runs through their first 20 games of the year.
Another pitcher that rates highly on Bales Model for both DFS sites is Eduardo Rodriguez from the Boston Red Sox. Similar to Jack Flaherty, Rodriguez is 3-0 to begin the new year while striking out 18 batters in 16 innings pitched. Weather is a major concern for this afternoon’s game against the Seattle Mariners as projected precipitation is currently 84%.
Value
Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox is an intriguing DFS option today pitching against the Texas Rangers. Kopech has struck out 17 batters in his 10.2 innings pitched to start the season, facing the team that leads MLB with 224 strikeouts through their first 21 games. My concern is how long will he last on the mound today. The most pitches he has thrown in a game through his first five outings was 41. Definitely a risky play!
Matt Shoemaker from the Minnesota Twins is another value play to consider. Shoemaker has allowed 10 earned runs through his 14.1 innings pitched, and will be looking to turn his fortune around against the Pittsburgh Pirates today. The Pirates rank bottom 10 in both team batting average (.224) and runs scored (80) through their first 21 games of the year. Shoemaker is highly rated on Bales Model as the Pirates have a projected implied runs total of only 3.5.
Before moving on, I would like to briefly mention that weather is also a concern in the game between the Washington Nationals and New York Mets. Currently projected at 34% precipitation, 76% humidity, and a wind blowing in from center, I am personally fading this game.
Hitters
Notable Stack
Today’s top stack comes to you from the -136 Houston Astros:
- Myles Straw (R)
- Michael Brantley (L)
- Alex Bregman (R)
- Yordan Alvarez (L)
The Astros will be facing Los Angeles Angels right handed pitcher Dylan Bundy. Bundy has 28 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched, however, he has allowed 13 runs during his first four starts of the year. The Astros batters have been hot lately as they have scored 29 runs in the first three games of this series and have a projected runs total of 4.6 this afternoon. On FanDuel, this stack will cost you $12.5K in salary and is projected for a combined 46.8 fantasy points per Bales Model.
Other Hitters
The highest floor play on the slate is J.D. Martinez from the Boston Red Sox. As previously mentioned, weather is a major concern for today’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Martinez is averaging a home run every 11.1 at bats to start the 2021 season. If the game is played this afternoon he is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Since coming off the injured list with an oblique injury, Kolten Wong has looked great for the Milwaukee Brewers. Going 5-8 with two extra base hits and a steal in his two games back, Wong deserves strong consideration as the second baseman on your lineups. Bales Model rates Wong as one of the best infielders on today’s slate coming at a discounted price ($3,200 DK, $2,800 FD).
At the bare minimum price of $2,000 on both DFS sites, Alex Kirilloff is an unknown name that should be discussed from the Minnesota Twins. Although he only batted .129 in spring training, expectations in the organization are extremely high for this young lefty. Kirilloff is expected to take Miguel Sano’s place in the lineup batting fifth for the Twins who are projected for 4.8 runs today.
The hottest team in baseball is the Oakland Athletics. They have won 13 straight games, and today will be facing the Baltimore Orioles. Orioles pitcher John Means will be on the mound this afternoon, and he has done very well to start the 2021 season. Means has only allowed 1 run in his 18.2 innings pitched and will have a tough task at hand today. The Athletics have performed extremely well as a team as it seems a different player is coming up with the big hit every day.
