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On a quiet Monday, we’ve got just one slate on FantasyDraft tonight, starting at 7pm eastern and covering all seven games. There are still plenty of contests to choose from and lots of lineups to be made!
Must Play SP: Masahiro Tanaka, NYY ($18,800) vs CWS
Tanaka’s got a ton of upside against the White Sox, who have the second-highest K-rate in baseball versus righties at 25.5%. Tanaka has a strong 25.1% K-rate of his own to go along with a nice 3.58 SIERA. He’s got a 3.25 ERA over the last month, and his success should continue against the White Sox and their poor .309 wOBA against right-handers. At this price, you definitely want to invest in Tanaka.
Honorable Mention: Gerrit Cole, HOU ($23,300) vs OAK
Value SP: Jon Gray, COL ($16,800) at LAA
Gray is always an enticing option when he doesn’t have to deal with Coors Field, and he gets to enjoy a pitcher’s park tonight against the Angels. Gray has thrown a quality start in six of his last seven starts since being recalled from the minors, and virtually all signs point to him being a near-ace caliber pitcher. He’s got a 3.27 FIP, 3.35 SIERA, 3.29 DRA, and a stellar 27.1% K-rate. While the Angels are a formidable opponent, Gray is still at a big discount at his price.
Honorable Mention: Stephen Strasburg, WAS ($18,000) at PHI
IF Jonathan Villar, BAL ($8,300) vs TOR (RHP Sam Gaviglio)
Whether he’s batting first or second, Villar will get lots of plate appearances atop the Orioles order, which means more chances for fantasy production. He’s got three homers and four steals in the last 15 days – a beautiful sight for fantasy owners. Villar is at home in one of the best offensive environments in baseball, where will be in line for some runs against Gaviglio, who has a 4.94 ERA.
Honorable Mention: IF Anthony Rendon, WAS ($8,500) at PHI (Eflin)
OF Aaron Hicks, NYY ($8,300) vs CWS (LHP Carlos Rodon)
Hicks will likely be leading off for the Yankees against a lefty, where he can score multiple runs in a high-powered offense. Yankee Stadium is an extreme hitter’s park, and Hicks has a dominant 130 wRC+ this season. White Sox starter Carlos Rodon has a suspect 4.27 FIP, so he’s likely got some regression on the way – something Hicks and the Yankees will have no issue providing.
Honorable Mention: IF/OF Kyle Schwarber, CHC ($7,700) vs NYM (Syndergaard)
Value: IF Wilmer Flores, NYM ($7,200) at CHC (LHP Jon Lester)
I understand that he plays for the Mets, but finding a guy batting third or fourth in the lineup at this price is nearly impossible. Jon Lester has had a rough season, posting a 4.74 FIP with just an 18.9% K-rate, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Mets put up some runs, and Flores should get in on the action. Flores has hit lefties much better than righties throughout his career and will probably come at a low ownership tonight, making for a sneaky value.
Honorable Mention: IF Luke Voit, NYY ($6,400) vs CWS (Rodon)
Top Stack: Blue Jays at Orioles (RHP David Hess)
One of the best strategies for tonight looks to be loading up on Jays hitters as they take on Hess, who has a 5.55 ERA, in Camden Yards. Justin Smoak ($8,200) and Randall Grichuk (8,300) are top plays, while Devon Travis ($6,900) and Billy McKinney ($7,400) are values. Anybody in the Blue Jays lineup should be considered.
Honorable Mention: Yankees vs White Sox (Rodon)