This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Monday brings the beginning of some important series in baseball. The Braves and Mets will play a doubleheader, the Red Sox will host the Blue Jays and the Mariners are taking on the Astros. There aren't many top-tier pitchers set to take the mound, so scoring could be easy to come by in a few of the games. Seven games will make up the main slate on DraftKings, so let's highlight some players to consider for your lineups.
Pitchers
Luis Garcia ($10,400) has been as consistent as it gets, allowing three or fewer earned runs in all but one of his starts. The result has been a 2.86 ERA and a 3.34 FIP to go along with a 1.06 WHIP. His strikeout rate has even jumped up to 28.5 percent, which is not a big surprise given the strikeout numbers that he put up in the minor leagues. He has a favorable opportunity to stay hot against the Mariners, who have the second-worst OPS in baseball.
Wade Miley ($8,600) doesn't bring to the table nearly the strikeout upside that Garcia does. He only has a 19.8 percent strikeout rate for the season and an 18.6 percent mark for his career. However, he's in the midst of an excellent season that has seen him record a 2.72 ERA and a 3.26 FIP. That makes him someone to consider for his start against the Cubs, who he has held to four runs over 11.2 innings in two previous matchups.
If you want to take a chance on a pitcher with a cheap salary in tournament play, then Matt Manning ($5,800) should at least be on your radar. He's allowed exactly two runs in five of his six starts, which included limiting the Twins to two runs across five innings, which is the same team that he will face Monday. With the Twins being even further compromised after trading away Nelson Cruz, Manning could once again finish with a valuable stat line.
Top Targets
Mike Minor ($8,300) hasn't exactly been as bad as his 5.45 ERA would lead you to believe given his 4.22 FIP. He's faced with a tough matchup to try and get back on track, though, in the White Sox. In particular, Jose Abreu ($5,200) and Tim Anderson ($5,600) are two of the top players to consider for this slate. For their careers, they have a 149 and a 128 wRC+, respectively, against left-handed pitchers.
Bargain Bats
Staying with the White Sox taking on Minor, Andrew Vaughn ($2,600) is someone to consider at a cheaper salary. He's turned things around after a slow start, hitting 27-for-77 (.351) with five home runs and seven doubles over his last 22 games. Also, he has a 179 wRC+ versus lefties for the season.
One of the bright spots for the Tigers this season has been Akil Baddoo ($3,200), who has a .210 ISO and a .354 wOBA. He's been even better against right-handed pitchers, recording a .273 ISO and a .399 wOBA. That makes him someone to consider against Michael Pineda ($6,900), who isn't exactly an overpowering forced with his 21.0 percent strikeout rate.
Stacks to Consider
Astros vs. Darren McCaughan ($4,800), Mariners: Jose Altuve ($5,000), Yordan Alvarez ($5,400), Kyle Tucker ($3,400)
McCaughan came on in relief against the Rockies last week and held them to one run over five innings at Coors Field. It was an odd stat line, though, given that he didn't allow a single hit, nor record a single strikeout. He only had an 18.9 percent strikeout rate to go along with a 5.54 FIP at Triple-A, so the Astros could be a great team to stack. Tucker, who has a .240 ISO and a .356 wOBA, could prove to be a bargain, in particular.
Red Sox vs. Thomas Hatch ($5,200), Blue Jays: Rafael Devers ($5,700), Xander Bogaerts ($5,400), Jarren Duran ($3,000)
Hatch mostly pitched out of the bullpen last season, recording a 2.73 ERA across 26.1 innings. However, his 4.14 FIP and 21.1 percent strikeout rate left a lot to be desired. He's expected to make his first start of the season for the Blue Jays after recording a 2.15 ERA across eight starts at Triple-A. However, his 4.46 FIP brings more red flags. This is a tough spot for him against the Red Sox, who have the fourth-highest OPS in baseball. Devers checks in with a hefty salary, but his .295 ISO and .386 wOBA makes him someone to build a Red Sox stack around.
Nationals vs. Spencer Howard ($6,400), Phillies: Juan Soto ($6,300), Trea Turner ($6,100), Josh Bell ($4,200)
It's difficult to envision Howard going deep into this game. He hasn't logged more than four innings in any of his outings with the Phillies this season and he only logged 21.2 innings across six starts at Triple-A. He hasn't pitched well in the majors, either, with a 1.46 WHIP. He could be in trouble against Turner, who is 30-for-85 (.353) with seven home runs, four doubles and two triples over his last 20 games.
