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Todd ZolaImagination
What a difference a year makes! This time last year, the season was barely underway. Fast-forward 365 days, and some of us are still recovering from what many have seen as the best MLB trading deadline ever. Monday’s slate reflects some of the fallout, a couple of the recommended streamers will make their first starts for their new teams. In fact, for a shortened schedule, Monday’s available spot starters are actually pretty solid. Not only that, but the battles are so many that it was not necessary to double on the same team - despite the fact that there were fewer matches than usual.
Good luck getting your week off on a strong note. Here are Monday’s recommendations, all available in about 50% of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Tylor Megill (R), listed in 44% of ESPN leagues, New York Mets on Miami Marlins: Megill does not just show up Jacob deGrom-like conditions, but he also works with similar operational support. Megill is not as dominant as deGrom - who can that be? - but 27.1% strikeout is well above the league average. On Monday, Megill is a great place to win her second game of the season, as Marlin’s already mediocre offenses are now without a trade-off. Starling March.
Andrew Heaney (L), 53%, New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles: OK, maybe not each recommendation is listed in less than 50% of all ESPN leagues, but Heaney barely exceeds the cutoff and he has a great spot. Furthermore, this gives us a great opportunity to remind you that Yankee Stadium has a false reputation for being a hitter’s park. Yes, it is homer-friendly, but overall races are actually suppressed 3%. The warning here is that Heaney is exposed to HR, but at least he is left-handed, so it will take a right turn with the opposite field force to take advantage of the south paw.
Eric Lauer (L), 14%, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: After six straight starts by throwing at least five frames, Lauer was used to a three-inning relief appearance against the pirates in his last time on the mound. The Brewers have stated that they will tamper with their rotation to try to keep everyone healthy on what they hope is an extended playoff game. On Monday, Lauer returns to the start against the lowest score in the league.
Danes gloomy (R), 12%, Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels: According to most ERA estimates, Dunning has run half a race better than his 4.20 ERA indicates. The main culprit is an inflated. 347 BABIP. Batting -ball luck is independent of the opponent, but regression is not guaranteed - and it does not strike a bell. Therefore, it is best to judge Dunning from start to finish. On Monday, he draws an Angels club that is still missing Mike the trout and Anthony Rendon, along with All-Star Jared walsh.
Josiah gray (R), 13%, Washington citizens vs. Philadelphia phillies: At the time of writing, Gray has not been formally announced as Monday’s starter, and to be honest, it’s not the ideal match to face the Phillies. That said, he is being referred to to point out that his path to start is much clearer to nationals. However, he also moves to a much more hitter-friendly home location with far poorer operating support. Nevertheless, the opportunity is important, and Gray was considered one of the best opportunities for pitching among minors.
Jesus luzardo (L), 42%, Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets: Almost everything you have just read about Gray is also true for Luzardo, with one big exception being that Luzardo’s new home park is actually more favorable for the musty. As such, this is more about Luzardo being an attractive goalkeeper in NL formats than it is about rolling him out on Monday.
Bullpen: The closer carousel is still spinning from the fall of the trading habit. There are three layers of readily available newly minted shutters on Monday’s ledger. Kyle Finnegan (Nationals) is only listed in 13% of ESPN leagues while Josh sborz (Rangers) is available at over 99%. The Pirates’ rescue scenario is still unclear as expected David Bednar blew the lead in the eighth round of Saturday’s competition, and gave Chris Stratton the chance to grab a victory. There is a coin toss between the two, and both are easily accessible.
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please contact our Detailed diagram.
Meeting
Catcher - Alejandro kirk (R), 2%, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Cleveland (RHP Eli Morgan): Sometimes it is best not to force the plateau edge and look to check some other boxes. Kirk is part of one of the most dangerous lineups and will face a smaller arm in Morgan. To be fair, however, the right-hander has turned out better than his 7.47 ERA suggests, but nowhere near good enough to give a chance to get a piece of the action.
First base - Matt Thaiss (L), under 1%, Los Angeles Angels Texas Rangers (RHP Dane Dunning): Call it a bit, but the angels called Thaiss when Jared Walsh was put on IL, so it makes sense that they give him a look, especially with the split edge. Thaiss has struggled with the Angels in limited time over the past two seasons, but he hit .287 / .395 / .537 for Triple-A Salt Lake before being called up.
Second base - Kolten Wong (L), 48%, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Max Kranick): Foam, rinse, repeat. Wong continues to lose the 50% break, so he will continue to receive Daily Notes roses. Wong’s .826 OPS is without a doubt a personal height, and he runs too. Add to that the fact that Wong hits on (or near) the top of a strong lineup, and his roster should be higher.
Third base - Jd davis (R), 27%, New York Mets at Miami Marlins (LHP Jesus Luzardo): Davis had been immersed in a downturn since returning from IL on July 16, hitting just .214 / .298 / .405. However, history shows that he is a prolific hitter, so it’s only a matter of time before Davis returns to form. Third base is the hardest place to fill out on Monday, so it’s worth taking a chance on Davis rediscovering his track soon.
Shortstop - JP Crawford (L), 25%, Seattle Mariners on Tampa Bay Rays (RHP Michael wacha): After a scary June and early July, Crawford had been locked in a rut. However, he enters August on a upswing after hitting .333 / .379 / .370 during the last week of July.
Corner Infield - Ji-Man Choi (L), 6%, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Seattle Mariners (RHP Chris flexen): Some may look at this as hunting statistics as Choi has homerated four times over the past week. I look at it as taking advantage of a solid matchup as Flexen is vulnerable to left-handed pop.
Middle Infield - Rougned smell (L), 6%, New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles (RHP Jorge lopez): It’s always a good idea to choose the lowest ranked starting edge of the book - and today it means Lopez. The Yankees series does not provide many available candidates, but Odor makes the cut. He has beaten fifth or sixth in the Yankees’ renewed order, but it is still high enough for fantasy purposes. It also does not stink that Odor enters August on the heels of a .292 / .361 / .523 July.
Utmark - LaMonte Wade Jr.. (L), 17%, San Francisco Giants on Arizona Diamondbacks (RHP Taylor Widener): It’s amazing how the Giants lead the Senior Circuit in long balls Brandon Crawford topped the team with 18 homers. The main reason is that Gabe Kapler has done a good job of putting the players in the best position to succeed, which includes hitting Wade into the lead with a right hand on the ground. All of Wade’s 13 home runs benefit from the platoon.
Utmark - Anthony Santander (S), 38%, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees (LHP Andrew Heaney): Injuries have reduced what many hoped would be a breakthrough campaign for the 26-year-old switch-hitter. That said, Santander’s statistics show he’s hitting the ball with more authority this season. He just does not get the necessary results. It should be noted that he strikes out more than normal, but still, Santander and teammate Austin Hays are both solid candidates for strong two months down the stretch.
Utmark - Michael Chavis (R), 1%, Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers (LHP Eric Lauer): It’s unclear how much (or where, for that matter) Chavis will play with the Pirates, but he should be in the lineup when a south paw is on the hill. Chavis has always shown plus-power, he just fans too much to take advantage of the skill. Lauer’s 23.4% strikeout cut is around the league average, giving Chavis a chance to grow up in one of the league’s friendliest powerhouses.