It’s been a strange week with the trade deadline happening on Tuesday, but it feels like we’re creeping back to normalcy. The routine is getting more critical every day for these teams because there are only two months remaining. It feels like all but a handful of teams are still alive, and we can’t wait to see how these teams are looking for their final 50 games.
With that in mind, let’s dive into that Sunday slate!
It’s been a strange week with the trade deadline happening on Tuesday, but it feels like we’re creeping back to normalcy. The routine is getting more critical every day for these teams because there are only two months remaining. It feels like all but a handful of teams are still alive, and we can’t wait to see how these teams are looking for their final 50 games.
With that in mind, let’s dive into that Sunday slate!
Sunday’s MLB DFS & Player Props Picks
Sunday’s Starting Pitcher Rankings
| PLAYER |
DK SALARY |
FD SALARY |
VALUE |
RISK |
| Zack Wheeler (PHI) at SEA |
$9,500 |
$10,600 |
Low |
Low |
| Paul Skenes (PIT) vs. ARI |
$10,300 |
$11,300 |
Medium |
Medium |
| Michael Wacha (KC) at DET |
$8,400 |
$9,000 |
Medium |
Medium |
| Simeon Woods-Richardson (MIN) vs. CWS |
$7,100 |
$8,900 |
Medium |
High |
Zack Wheeler (PHI) at SEA
This might be hyperbole, but this might be one of the best starts of the season. Seattle was already struggling before Julio Rodriguez got injured. They rank 26th in OBP, 28th in runs scored, 27th in wOBA, and dead-last in K rate. That horrid strikeout total is lapping the field, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wheeler reach 10 Ks here. The righty has a 2.94 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 9.7 K/9 rate in a Cy Young-caliber season.
Paul Skenes (PIT) vs. ARI
Skenes came into the league as one of the highest-touted pitching prospects ever and has exceeded all expectations. The rookie leads the league with 26 DraftKings points per game, posting a 1.90 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 11.5 K/9 rate. It’s not like Arizona scares us because they’ve been a below-average offense against right-handers!
Michael Wacha (KC) at DET
Wacha is quietly having a bounceback season with KC, compiling a 3.58 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He also comes into this matchup allowing three runs or fewer in 12 straight starts, sporting a 2.56 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in that span. That should be easy to duplicate against Detroit in Comerica, with the Tigers ranked 27th in wOBA, 28th in OBP, and 21st in K rate. In their last matchup, Wacha threw seven two-run innings!
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) vs. CWS
This isn’t the most exciting pick, but we would use anyone against Chicago. The White Sox rank last in runs scored, OBP, OPS, wOBA and xwOBA. That’s scary against a consistent pitcher like SWR, registering a 3.74 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. He’s also got a 3.09 ERA and 1.01 WHIP at home, allowing just three total runs in his two meetings with Chicago this season! That’s why he’s a -300 favorite!
MLB DFS Picks: Suggested Lineup Stacks
The Rays revamped their lineup at the deadline, and they always maintain one of the most underrated offenses in the league. That should bode well against a pitcher like Arrighetti, who has a 5.58 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.
Minnesota has been one of the highest-scoring offenses in baseball over the last two months, and they should have success at home against Flexen. The White Sox pitcher has a 5.13 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.
MLB DFS Picks: Core Studs
- Ohtani is well on his way to becoming an NL MVP, and it’s scary to think how many he’ll win when he starts pitching again. The DH has been dominant with his bat, picking up 33 homers and 31 steals, thanks to his .400 OBP and 1.028 OPS. He’s also got a 1.140 OPS against righties and should have his way against a 24th-ranked Oakland pitching staff.
- Lewis has developed into an injury-prone player, but he’s one of the best players when he’s on the field. The third baseman has 12 homers through 31 games, providing a .359 OBP, .578 SLG, and .937 OPS throughout his career. That makes him an easy choice if we stack Minnesota, especially against a guy like Flexen.
- Cruz got off to a terrible start, but this Statcast stud is starting to find it. The shortstop has a .323 AVG, .373 OBP, .634 SLG, and .996 OPS across his last 24 outings. He’s also rocked righties throughout his career, compiling a .837 OPS against them. We’re not worried about him facing Ryne Nelson, totaling a 4.98 ERA and 1.40 WHIP since the start of last season.
- Morel was a sneaky addition by Tampa, and he might revive his season there. The utility player is batting third for Tampa, tallying a .576 SLG and .892 OPS across his last 10 games. He also homered in his first two games with the Rays and needs to be used against a gan can like Arrighetti.
MLB DFS Picks: Value Plays/Punts
- It’s been a rough year for Lowe, but he’s still batting cleanup for the Rays. That’s the optimal spot if we want to stack Tampa, especially since he was their best player last season. He’s still got 27 homers and 42 steals since the start of last year, posting a .818 OPS against righties! In addition, he hit two bombs on Saturday and could build off of that here!
- Minnesota can be a tough team to stack, but Miranda is a must-use player if that’s the route you want to take. The third baseman has been crushing for weeks, collecting a .471 OBP, .627 SLG, and 1.097 OPS across his last 22 outings. He’s also got a .976 OPS against righties and shouldn’t be faded against Flexen.
- Hoskins hasn’t been great this season, but he’s always an enticing choice when Milwaukee matches up with a lefty. The first baseman has a .391 OBP, .516 SLG, and .907 OPS, with the platoon advantage in his favor. He’s also homered in four of his last eight outings and could keep that streak going against Mitchell Parker. The Nats lefty has a 6.89 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across his last seven starts.
- Don’t look now, but Olson is starting to get hot. It’s been a nightmarish season for the superstar, but we’re talking about a guy who had 54 homers and 139 RBI last season. That’s why he’s one of the best power bats in the sport, and he comes into this matchup with five homers over his last seven fixtures! He’s also been much better against righties throughout his career and gets to face one with a 6.65 ERA and 1.55 WHIP!
Sunday’s Top 3 Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks Player Props
We want to stack against Arrighetti, and if that plays out how we expect, it’ll be tough for him to reach seven strikeouts against this underrated offense.
Zack Wheeler: 7.5 Strikeouts – Higher
Seattle has the worst strikeout rate in baseball, and we genuinely believe Wheeler will reach 10 strikeouts with the way he’s pitching.
Matt Olson: 0.5 Total Bases – Higher
We already talked about Olson earlier on, clearing this total in eight of his last 10 outings!
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
