Fantasy baseball pitcher rankings, lineup advice for Sunday’s MLB games

Look for our fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings, hitter upgrades and downgrades daily to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions and for MLB betting tips. MLB game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is geared towards ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.

Note: This file has been 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.

What you need to know for Sunday’s MLB Games

By Todd Zola

• With the Chicago White Sox missing three key components early — with starting pitchers Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito and third baseman Yoan Moncada on the IL — the rest of the division has a chance to make some noise early and possible challenge the Pale Hose for the division. The Minnesota Twins made several offseason moves, so they hoped to compete regardless. The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals are in the mix as they wrap up a weekend series. Detroit’s lineup is improving, but it still offers a chance to stream Kris Bubic (6.7{c2959109750a408b57b93849e4f6c0b25384840fb4bae13e611646209767c39f} rosters in ESPN leagues). Bubic introduced a slider in the spring, helping him allow just one run in five Cactus League games.

• Steven Matz could be in a better position to steam, but he’s rostered in about half of ESPN leagues. The veteran lefty should benefit from the league’s best defense, playing in one of the league’s most favorable pitching venues. He’s in a prime spot Sunday, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates who project to be the one of the weakest lineups in the majors.

• Julio Urias (99.8{c2959109750a408b57b93849e4f6c0b25384840fb4bae13e611646209767c39f}) wasn’t drafted to sit on reserve, but as tempting as it may be, the safe play is not starting him against the Rockies in Coors Field. Granted, Colorado’s lineup is weaker without Trevor Story, but last season the Rockies posted the second-highest home wOBA versus lefties. Further, while small samples are usually not predictive, in this instance it’s fair to note Urias has a career 5.53 ERA in 40 2/3 innings in Coors field.

• Once the weather warms, Nationals Park will be one of the better hitting venues in the league. It will be only in the 50s on Sunday, but plenty of runs should score with the New York Mets’ Carlos Carrasco facing Erick Fedde and the Washington Nationals. Fedde doesn’t miss many bats and the Mets lefthanded hitters don’t fan much, plus the Nationals bullpen is suspect. Carrasco is still rounding into form after recovering from offseason surgery to remove bone spurs. He whiffed eight in 8 1/3 Grapefruit League frames but surrendered 10 hits and five runs.

• In the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball affair, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox wrap up a weekend series in the Bronx. Both offenses are clearly potent, but the temperatures should be in the mid-to-high 40s, favoring starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Tanner Houck. It’s risky, but backing either starter, or playing the under, could be a profitable endeavor.

Starting pitcher rankings for Sunday