This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We're faced with a pretty limited schedule in baseball Monday with just six games making up the main evening slate on DraftKings. While that doesn't leave us with a ton of viable option to consider, here are some pitchers and hitters who could thrive based on their respective matchups.
Pitchers
Frankie Montas ($9,400) was a major disappointment in 2020, posting a 5.60 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. He not only had control issues that left him with a 9.7 percent walk rate, but he also allowed 1.7 HR/9. He was coming off of back-to-back seasons in which he allowed 0.8 HR/9 or fewer. The good news is that he's allowed a more manageable 1.3 HR/9 this season and he's cut his walk rate to 5.7 percent, leaving him with a 4.21 ERA and an even better 3.71 FIP. That makes him a viable option for his matchup against the Rangers, who have the second-worst OPS in baseball.
The Cubs are expected to receive some reinforcements for their starting rotation Monday with Adbert Alzolay ($8,900) expected to be activated from the IL. He's been out for two weeks with a blister on his right middle finger, so he should jump right back into his normal workload. While his numbers don't jump off the page, he's been a reliable option for the Cubs, posting a 4.06 ERA and a 4.27 FIP. His WHIP is a miniscule 1.04 thanks to his 6.9 percent walk rate. Look for him to take advantage of his matchup versus the Indians, who have the 10th-worst OPS in baseball.
Kyle Gibson ($6,300) has been a bright spot within the Rangers' starting rotation, recording a 2.09 ERA and a 3.37 FIP over his first 13 starts. He's allowed just 0.6 HR/9, which has been a big reason for his success. Gibson has particularly thrived at home this season, posting a 2.79 FIP and a 0.88 WHIP. That's where he'll take the mound against the A's, so he's someone to at least consider if you're looking for a player with a cheap salary.
Top Targets
Nick Castellanos ($4,500) has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball this season, leaving him with a 166 wRC+. His 19.9 percent strikeout rate is on pace to be the lowest mark of his career and he's still hitting for plenty of power, posting a .247 ISO. Add in his career .375 wOBA against left-handed pitchers and he could thrive against J.A. Happ ($5,300), who has struggled to the tune of a 5.13 FIP and 1.44 WHIP.
With how poorly Happ has pitched, Castellanos isn't the only player on the Reds to target. This could also be an opportune time to roll with rookie Jonathan India ($5,000), who has held his own with a .343 wOBA. That mark is even better at .358 against left-handed pitchers.
Bargain Bats
The final player on the Reds that we'll highlight is Tyler Stephenson ($3,700), who has shown an excellent eye at the plate with a 13.0 percent walk rate and a 17.8 percent strikeout rate. He's also torched lefties to the tune of a .402 wOBA.
The Brewers addition of Jackie Bradley Jr. ($2,700) has been nothing short of a disaster. He's batting just .151 and his strikeout rate has ballooned to 32.3 percent. He has been a bit unlucky given his .203 BABIP, which is nearly 90 points lower than his career mark. However, his career-low 5.3 percent barrel rate isn't helping matters, either. Still, at such a cheap salary and with so few options available on the slate, he might be worth considering against Merrill Kelly ($7,400). Kelly is not an overpowering force by any means, posting a career 20.9 percent strikeout rate.
Stacks to Consider
Astros vs. Keegan Akin ($5,100), Orioles: Jose Altuve ($5,500), Carlos Correa ($4,800), Yuli Gurriel ($4,700)
Akin is coming off of a rough start against the Indians in which he allowed eight runs over 5.2 innings. He's allowed four home runs over his last five starts, which is not a recipe for success when you also factor in his 1.45 WHIP. The Astros are missing Alex Bregman (quadriceps), but they still have plenty of dangerous hitters in their lineup, including Altuve. He's bounced back from a disappointing 2020 to record a .224 ISO and a .374 wOBA this season.
Orioles vs. Jake Odorizzi ($5,900), Astros: Trey Mancini ($5,200), Cedric Mullins ($4,600), Maikel Franco ($3,500)
This has the potential to be a high-scoring game on both sides. Odorizzi hasn't made a good first impression with the Astros, recording a 5.68 ERA and a 4.63 FIP. His problem has been an inability to keep hitters inside the ball park, allowing 1.8 HR/9. That could be problematic against this trio. Mullins is in the midst of a breakout campaign that has seen him record a .233 ISO and a .401 wOBA.
