It’s the last day of the regular season, and all 30 MLB clubs are in action. Most of Sunday afternoon’s contests are predominately meaningless and won’t affect the final standings. This has the potential to wreak havoc on DraftKings daily fantasy lineups.
However, some teams are still competing for spots in the postseason, and many players will also be looking to achieve personal statistical goals.
With that in mind, here are five bargain buys and sleeper picks for Oct. 4.
SP Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers ($9,800) vs. Los Angeles Angels
The Rangers lead the American League West by just a single game over the Houston Astros. As USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale noted, Texas will hope for a strong start from Cole Hamels to clinch the division:
Hamels is 6-0 in his last nine outings, with the Rangers winning on every occasion. He averaged 20.2 fantasy points per game in that time. Hamels has also thrown six innings or more in all 11 of his appearances since joining the ballclub.
Considering both Clayton Kershaw ($15,000) and Jacob deGrom ($11,400) will likely make short starts in order to stay fresh for the playoffs, Hamels could be the best big-name pitching option available—and he comes at a much cheaper price.
SP Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox ($7,300) at Cleveland Indians
The above video features highlights of Rick Porcello‘s previous trip to the mound, a victory over the New York Yankees in which he recorded eight strikeouts in eight innings. Porcello has struck out eight hitters in three of his past four starts. In the month of September, the righty amassed 45 strikeouts in 43.1 total innings.
Over his last seven games, Porcello has posted a 3.22 ERA and averaged more than seven innings pitched and 22.5 fantasy points per contest.
Porcello‘s season ERA currently stands at 5.02. But the 26-year-old would love to get that number below 5.00 with a quality performance in Boston’s final game of the year.
3B Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies ($4,400) at San Francisco Giants
Nolan Arenado owns a seven-game hitting streak and is 10-for-26 with three home runs and 13 RBI in that time.
With 42 homers this season, Arenado is tied with Bryce Harper for the National League lead. Might the Rockies slugger launch one more to take the title all to himself? As Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly pointed out, the majority of Arenado‘s long balls have come away from Coors Field, a rarity for a Colorado player:
Arenado is just 3-for-16 in his career against San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain, but one of those hits was a home run.
Six other third basemen cost more than Arenado does, making him a steal at $4,400.
OF Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers, ($4,200) vs. Los Angeles Angels
Shin-Soo Choo is red hot at the moment. The Rangers outfielder has 13 hits, four homers and 10 RBI in his past nine contests.
At the end of August, Choo was batting .245. However, he hit .404 in September to raise his average to .276.
Choo is hitting .319 at home this year, compared to only .237 on the road.
Needing a win to stay alive in the playoff race, the Angels will pitch Garrett Richards on just three days of rest—something that should bode well for Rangers hitters.
SS J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles ($2,500) vs. New York Yankees
There are more than 40 shortstops with higher salaries than J.J. Hardy’s, making him a very deep sleeper pick. Hardy has also been on the bench for two of Baltimore’s last three games, so be sure to confirm he’s in the Orioles starting lineup before adding him to your own roster.
Hardy is a great value play because of his spectacular track record when facing the Yankees’ Michael Pineda. In 13 career at-bats, Hardy has homered off Pineda three times:
During two previous head-to-head meetings in 2015, Hardy went a combined 2-for-5 with a walk and a home run against Pineda.
All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.
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