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We’ve got nine games for us on Monday’s slate which starts at 7pm eastern. There are no early games today, so we’re not missing any action on this slate.
Must Play SP: Walker Buehler, LAD ($17,700) vs COL
Buehler has lived up to his hype through the first five starts of his career, has he’s got a monster 30.4% K-rate with just an 8.0% walk-rate, and he’s running an elite 2.21 FIP. He can easily hang with any other starter on this slate, and his matchup is what makes him a must-start. The Rockies have an abysmal .291 wOBA versus righties this year, which is 27th in the league. They’re an awful lineup away from Coors Field, so Buehler should have no issues with them in the spacious Dodger Stadium.
Honorable Mention: Miles Mikolas, STL ($18,800) vs KC
Value SP: Jason Vargas, NYM ($9,300) vs MIA
This play isn’t for the faint of heart, but Vargas could give you tons of value at such a cheap price tonight. He’s been awful through his first three starts of the year, but after getting almost two full weeks to rest after his last start, Vargas could get himself back on track against the Marlins. Miami has just a .301 wOBA versus lefties this season, so they’re weaker than any of the teams he’s had to face this season. He’s also facing off against Marlins starter Elieser Hernandez, so you would have to think the Mets can get him a win. Vargas is a cheap pitcher to consider in GPP contests.
Honorable Mention: Jose Berrios, MIN ($16,200) vs DET
IF Anthony Rendon, WAS ($7,400) vs SD (LHP Robbie Erlin)
Rendon’s numbers aren’t amazing this year, but he’s had limited playing time because of a toe injury. Now that he’s fully healthy, he can return to being the lefty masher that he was in 2017, when he put up an absurd 186 wRC+ versus left-handed pitching, including a 16.8% walk-rate with just a 10.4% K-rate. Padres starter Robbie Erlin has been good out of the bullpen this season, but got bombed in his only spot start of the year, giving up four earned runs in three innings. Rendon will be in a perfect spot batting third against him, where he can drive in RBIs and score some runs.
Honorable Mention: IF Jose Abreu, CWS ($8,600) vs BAL (Cashner)
OF Brett Gardner, NYY ($8,100) at TEX (RHP Bartolo Colon)
Sorry Bartolo, but I’m still not buying it. Despite Colon’s impressive 2.82 ERA, he’s got just a 16.6% K-rate with a 5.29 Deserved Run Average and a 4.47 FIP. Plenty of signs point to Colon’s regression, and the Yankees lineup should have no issues providing that regression. Gardner isn’t having a great season, but his value comes from being the Yankees leadoff man. With Judge, Stanton, and Sanchez behind him, all he has to do is get on base to score a run. Texas is a great offensive environment as well, so Gardner should have a productive day.
Honorable Mention: OF Ronald Acuna, Jr., ATL ($8,100) vs PHI (Pivetta)
Value: IF Trey Mancini, BAL ($7,300) at CWS (LHP Hector Santiago)
Mancini combines the strengths of both Rendon and Gardner – he’s a leadoff hitter who kills lefties. He’s got a 144 wRC+ against southpaws this season and is facing an easy opponent in Santiago, who has 5.29 ERA with a 5.59 FIP. Mancini will get plenty of plate appearances as the O’s leadoff hitter, which provides him with plenty of opportunities to score some fantasy points at a cheap price.
Honorable Mention: OF Steven Souza, Jr., ARI ($6,700) at MIL (Anderson)
Top Stack: Yankees at Rangers (RHP Bartolo Colon)
As I mentioned in the Gardner blurb, Colon has regression on the way and is in a hitter-friendly ballpark. If you can pair Gardner with one of Giancarlo Stanton ($9,700) or Aaron Judge ($10,700) then you’re already in great shape. Cheaper options include Didi Gregorius ($7,800) and Neil Walker ($6,400).
Honorable Mention: Diamondbacks at Brewers (Anderson)