Be it the end of a short week or more likely wrapped into an extended week, the first Sunday after the All-Star break offers a wide array of arms, from aces to back-end rotation fillers. Sunday is the natural day to work for those who had to pitch in the All-Star Game, hence Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander leading the pack. Some teams like to give their rotation's best some extra rest, ergo some lesser arms on the docket. Even so, streamers are scant, so be prudent.
Pitching
Brett Anderson (L), rostered in 17% of ESPN leagues, Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox: Anderson's strikeouts are well below average, so he's a risk even against weaker lineups. That said, he entered the break spinning five quality starts in his previous six outings, limiting homers and free passes. Anderson opens the second half facing a White Sox lineup near the bottom in road production versus lefties, fanning at a 27% clip in that scenario, giving Anderson the chance to punch out a couple more than normal.
Jhoulys Chacin (R), 15%, Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Francisco Giants: Chacin continues to search for last season's form. He's missing a few more bats, but allowing harder contact, resulting in a big spike in homers he's given up. The right-hander's control is also an issue with a walk rate higher than in any season since 2014, Chacin's last year with the Rockies. On Sunday, Chacin draws one of the weakest offenses in the league, giving him a good chance to start the second half on a good note.
Sandy Alcantara (R), 8%, Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets: Despite being named an All-Star more due to protocol than merit, Alcantara comported himself admirably in the Midsummer Classic with a scoreless frame. To build on that over the second half, Alcantara needs to improve a pedestrian 16.1% strikeout rate. Though, to be fair, his 10.5% swinging-strike mark portends more strikeouts. The Mets are mid-pack in terms of contact but they're below average in production versus righties.
Jordan Zimmermann (R), 4%, Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals: If heads, Zimmermann would get the call. If it was tails, Homer Bailey would have been the choice. The flip landed heads, so ZNN it is. This is one of those games that could be a pitchers' duel (two weak offenses) or a slugfest (two of the poorer arms on the slate). The real reason Zimmermann gets the nod is he's doing a better job keeping the ball in the yard, so he's less vulnerable than Bailey. Truth be told, this is a "break glass in case of emergency" pick, primarily for those chasing wins.
Bullpen: Will Smith is one of the names bandied about for contenders looking to bolster their bullpen. The San Francisco Giants don't have an obvious next-in-line with Sam Dyson, Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson and even former closer Mark Melancon in the mix. Sunday is a good time to stash Dyson or Moronta since the Giants play a twin bill with Colorado Monday, increasing the chance for a save or win. We're at the point of the season it's worth thinking a day or two ahead to gain an edge.
While it's not official, Ryan Yarbrough is likely to return to the majors in time to face the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday in his familiar primary pitcher role. If this is the case, he's as good an option as anyone to stream.
Hitting
Catcher -- James McCann (R), 41%, Chicago White Sox at Oakland Athletics (LHP Brett Anderson): Granted, the break afforded McCann some rest, but Saturday was the first time he didn't start after 13 straight games in the lineup. He'll be back in there Sunday, looking to build on his .333/.413/.576 performance versus lefties over the first half.
First Base -- Albert Pujols (R), 10%, Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners (LHP Yusei Kikuchi): The All-Star week festivities illustrated baseball is in great hands with so many exciting young stars. This helps soften the realization Pujols and Miguel Cabrera are both churn-and-burn options, restricted to facing left-handed pitching for your purposes.
Second Base -- Ryan McMahon (L), 5%, Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds (RHP Tyler Mahle): McMahon's 29 percent fly ball rate isn't ideal for Coors Field, but the bottom line is you want as much exposure to the venue as possible. Mahle is especially vulnerable to left-handed batters, surrendering 12 of his 18 homers to that side of the batter's box.
Third Base -- Jake Lamb (L), 13%, Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals (RHP Miles Mikolas): After a long stint on the IL, Lamb is seeing his power stroke return, with long balls in two of the past three games, including Friday night.
Shortstop -- Willy Adames (R), 10%, Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles (TBD): A right-handed batter needs about 10 seasons of regular play to own his platoon splits. While Adames falls well short of that in terms of plate appearances, early on he's handling righty pitching better than lefties. With Andrew Cashner dealt to the Red Sox, the Orioles are likely going to deploy a parade of relievers from the worst bullpen in baseball.
Corner Infield -- Robel Garcia (S), 10%, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Trevor Williams): As with McMahon, this isn't as much about the specific matchup as it is wanting a piece of a lineup that's earmarked for a big day. Williams entered the break on a downturn and just got off paternity leave. Garcia's calling card is power, and Richards allowed six long balls over his past 21 innings.
Middle Infield -- Keston Hiura (R), 17%, Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Francisco Giants (RHP Tyler Beede): Hiura began his post-break campaign the same way he ended the first half, leaving the yard. The rookie is settling into a regular role at the keystone, offering pop with a smattering of speed along with a solid batting average floor.
Outfield -- Jesse Winker (L), 34%, Cincinnati Reds at Colorado Rockies (RHP Antonio Senzatela): It remains to be seen if Winker will remain atop the Reds' order when a righty is on the hill, but that's where he opened the second half. Winker sat Saturday against a southpaw, but he should be back in the lineup Sunday.
Outfield -- Brett Gardner (L), 33%, New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Marcus Stroman): Gardner carries a modest six-game hitting streak into Sunday's action, the last three featuring multiple knocks. With 15 homers and eight steals, the veteran still has the skills to help across the board.
Outfield -- Greg Allen (S), 1%, Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins (RHP Jose Berrios): Drawing Berrios isn't idea for Allen; however, this is another example of planning ahead as the Indians are slated to face the Tigers and Royals next week, two of the more hittable staffs. It appears Allen's play before the break has earned him regular time as the Indians continue to ride the hot hand in the outfield.