Fantasy baseball pitcher rankings, lineup advice for Sunday’s MLB games
Note: This file will be updated with any overnight pitching changes or weather-related game postponements, along with the addition of the latest MLB game odds as of the indicated time of publication.
By Todd Zola
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Sunday’s early game is in the Bronx with Jordan Montgomery and the New York Yankees hosting Rony Garcia and the Detroit Tigers. There isn’t much to highlight for fantasy pickups, other than the usual reminder to set your lineups in leagues where lineups lock at the first game of the day. The ESPN Sunday night showcase features another iconic park with the Chicago Cubs entertaining the St. Louis Cardinals in Wrigley Field. The visitors have a solid contingent of right-handed batters readily available to face Cubs southpaw Justin Steele. Harrison Bader 49% rostered in ESPN leagues) heads the list, especially if you need a steal or two to win your head-to-head category league. Other candidates include Juan Yepez (20% rostered), Brendan Donovan (4%) and Albert Pujols (3%).
Speaking of needing steals to help secure a head-to-head victory, the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies are the three teams to target. The Atlanta Braves wrap up a series in Coors Field and since the Rangers and Angels are both starting southpaws, Braves batters are the best candidates, but they’re near universally rostered. However, catcher-eligible William Contreras (28%) is a good option and has seen playing time in the outfield and designated hitter. Even though they’re left-handed, the Rangers’ Martin Perez and the Angels’ Patrick Sandoval have yielded a couple of steals this season, so Seattle Mariners in Arlington and Philadelphia Phillies at home against the Halos could grab a bag or two. Dylan Moore (less than 1%) is in play for the Mariners while Bryson Stott (2%) will see regular playing time for the Phillies with Jean Segura shelved for up to 12 weeks.
Shifting the focus to the mound, there are a handful of streaming candidates, led by Rich Hill (5%) taking the ball for the Boston Red Sox in Oakland against an Athletics offense in the bottom third of the league facing southpaw pitching. Ryan Yarbrough (5%) is another soft-throwing lefty in a good spot with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Chicago White Sox and their injury-riddled lineup. George Kirby (24%) has fanned 17 over his last two outings, spanning 11 frames. On Sunday, he draws a Rangers club with one of the weakest offenses facing right-handers. Two other streaming options are Zach Plesac (48%) and Jakob Junis (12%).
Let’s wrap up with a few batters in a good spot to close the fantasy week. The right-handed contingent of the Cincinnati Reds face southpaw Patrick Corbin (6.96 ERA, 1.79 WHIP). Everyone merits an availability check with only Tyler Stephenson (88%) rostered in more than two-thirds of ESPN leagues, with most well below 50%.
Pitchers are ranked in order of their Forecaster/Daily Notes projected fantasy points, using ESPN’s standard scoring system (5 points per win, minus-5 per loss, 3 per inning, 1 per K, minus-1 apiece per hit or walk allowed, minus-2 per earned run allowed).
T: The pitcher’s handedness. OPP: Opposing team. ML: Caesars Money Line. O/U: Caesars Over/Under for runs scored. W%: Starting pitcher’s win probability. For the projected stat line, IP is innings pitched, ER is earned runs allowed, BR is baserunners allowed and K is strikeouts.
If a team is planning on using an “opener” to start their game, but will rely on a “bulk pitcher” to follow him on the mound after 1-2 innings, we will list the bulk pitcher and indicate with an asterisk.
Tommy Pham (CIN, LF — 36%) vs. Patrick Corbin
Nick Senzel (CIN, CF — 1%) vs. Corbin
Christian Walker (ARI, 1B — 30%) at Zach Thompson
Brendan Rodgers (COL, 2B — 45%) vs. Charlie Morton
Mike Moustakas (CIN, 3B — 10%) vs. Corbin
Alejandro Kirk (TOR, C — 23%) vs. Devin Smeltzer
Michael Harris II (ATL, CF — 8%) at Ryan Feltner
Amed Rosario (CLE, SS — 39%) at Dean Kremer
David Peralta (ARI, LF — 18%) at Thompson
Chas McCormick (HOU, LF — 1%) at Jon Heasley
Best and worst hitters from the day are generated by THE BAT X, a projection system created by Derek Carty using advanced methods like those used in MLB front offices, accounting for a variety of factors including player talent, ballparks, bullpens, weather, umpires, defense, catcher pitch-framing, and lots more.
Frank Schwindel (CHC, 1B — 54%) vs. Adam Wainwright
Ian Happ (CHC, LF — 79%) vs. Wainwright
Willson Contreras (CHC, C — 96%) vs. Wainwright
Spencer Torkelson (DET, 1B — 54%) at Jordan Montgomery
Yoan Moncada (CHW, 3B — 58%) at Ryan Yarbrough
Yasmani Grandal (CHW, C — 77%) at Yarbrough
Javier Baez (DET, SS — 74%) at Montgomery
Adolis Garcia (TEX, CF — 57%) vs. George Kirby
Trevor Story (BOS, SS — 98%) at Frankie Montas
Randy Arozarena (TB, LF — 89%) vs. Lucas Giolito