Sunday’s main slate features 12 games starting at 1:05 pm ET. We will be using Bales Model to highlight some of the top options to consider.
Pitchers
The four pitchers projected to score the most fantasy points today are:
Gerrit Cole (R)
Lucas Giolito (R)
Clayton Kershaw (L)
Sandy Alcantara (R)
In a slate full of big-name pitchers, Gerrit Cole is projected for the most fantasy points this afternoon. It is no surprise that Cole is the highest-priced pitcher on FanDuel today as he is also the highest-paid pitcher in MLB. Cole has been his usual dominant self throughout his 2021 campaign. In 163.2 innings, Cole has a 15-7 record, 2.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts. Although Cole’s ERA is higher than normal, his 224 strikeouts rank fourth-best in all of baseball. This afternoon, he will be pitching against the Cleveland Indians, who have been no-hit a few times this season. The Indians are projected for the second-lowest implied runs total on the slate as Cole is expected to have yet another strong performance. Another reason to use Cole in your lineups today is due to his high rating on Bales Model.
A pitcher who has struggled with his pitch count recently is Lucas Giolito from the Chicago White Sox. In his last two starts, Giolito has only pitched a total of 8.1 innings and 173 total pitches. He allowed a higher than a normal number of walks in both outings while striking out his fair share. Although his recent pitching has been a bit concerning, Giolito is a very strong play today as he will be pitching against the Texas Rangers. Giolito’s weakness is also a weakness of the Rangers. Through 148 games played, the Rangers have walked the second-fewest in MLB (399). Another reason to back Giolito is that the Rangers have scored a total of five runs in their last four games. They are in a severe slump and do not seem to be breaking out anytime soon.
Clayton Kershaw is the highest-priced pitcher on DraftKings today. Similar to Giolito, Kershaw has only pitched a total of 8.1 innings in his last two starts; however, he is projected to last much longer today. Outings in which Kershaw has lasted six or more innings; he has been dominant. Prior to his last couple of starts, Kershaw had a streak of four consecutive quality starts in which he struck out 38. This afternoon, Kershaw will be on the mound against the Cincinnati Reds, who are the second largest home underdog on the slate (+181).
Sandy Alcantara has been absolutely electric this season on the hill. In 188.2 innings, Alcantara has a 3.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 185 strikeouts, and 9-13 record. Since the beginning of August, Alcantara has thrown for seven quality starts, including pitching eight innings or more three times and reaching double-digit strikeouts four times. Although the Marlins are 62-86 on the season, Alcantara has been the lone bright spot. This afternoon, he will be pitching against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are projected for the lowest implied runs total on the slate (2.9 runs). It is possible that you may be able to choose Alcantara at lower than normal ownership due to the other big names today. Alcantara rates very highly on Bales Model as we recommend considering the Marlins righty.
Value
With so many strong pitchers on the slate, many will look for value from lower prices. Zac Gallen and Logan Gilbert are two names that rate highly on Bales Model for being projected for a high Pts/Sal.
Zac Gallen from the Arizona Diamondbacks has a tough task today as he will be pitching against the Houston Astros. Gallen is a much better option on FanDuel as he is considered a 94% bargain due to his moderately low price. Gallen has been very consistent this year and will look to improve his 2-10 record.
Logan Gilbert, on the other hand, is a viable option on both DraftKings and FanDuel. On DK, he is considered an 87% bargain as he takes on the Kansas City Royals. Although Gilbert had a tough outing earlier this year against the Royals, he has done well recently and offers strong upside today.
Hitters
Notable Stack
Today’s top projected points stack comes to you from the -314 Boston Red Sox:
- Hunter Renfroe (R)
- Xander Bogaerts (R)
- Rafael Devers (L)
- D. Martinez (R)
The Red Sox are projected for the highest implied runs total on the slate today (6.3 runs). On FanDuel, this stack will cost you $16.9K in salary and are projected for a combined 52.7 fantasy points. The Red Sox are currently on a four-game winning streak in which they have scored 33 runs. Through 150 games played, the Red Sox have scored the fourth-most runs in MLB (768) and are in a tight battle for a wild card spot. They will be taking on the Baltimore Orioles today in a must-win game against an inferior opponent.
Other Hitters
Today, Tommy Pham from the San Diego Padres is one of the highest-rated batters on Bales Model for both DraftKings and FanDuel. Pham is currently on a three-game hitting streak as he is the projected leadoff batter against the Cardinals. The Padres have only scored two runs in each of the first two series games as they will look to break out of their recent slump. Projections suggest that the Padres end the Cardinals’ seven-game winning streak this afternoon.
Value
Finally, here are a handful of batters to consider while completing your lineups today that are projected for a high fantasy Pts/Sal.
- Albert Pujols
- Victor Reyes
- Omar Narvaez
- Carson Kelly
- Eddy Alvarez
