This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There aren't too many strong matchups on Monday's 10-game slate among the elite pitchers, leaving players the option to grab one five-figure option while spending down in order to concentrate on stacking against debuting and struggling hurlers.
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Pitcher
Mike Clevinger, CLE at STL ($11,100): There may be a bit of skepticism surrounding Clevinger's recent dominance since both outings came against the scuffling White Sox offense but the 27-year-old has made real strides since 2017, lowering his walk rate by nearly four percent and increasing his groundball rate by more than five and a half percent. While his strikeout percentage remains at its lowest point since 2016, he should still get his share of whiffs, as he will face a St. Louis offense that holds a 23.4 percent punchout rate against right-handed pitching.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Vince Velasquez, PHI vs. NYY ($6,600) Something doesn't seem right about Velazquez's price, as prospective owners would have needed to pay over $9,000 to roster him for two of his starts earlier this month. He will have his hands full in the matchup against the Yankees but Velazquez will come into the contest sporting a 28.5 percent strikeout rate against a team who has struck out 23.3 percent of the time versus right-handed pitching this season. It is also worth noting that the Bombers will have their designated hitter replaced with a pitcher's spot in Philadelphia and Velazquez has put up at least 17.5 DraftKings points in eight of his last 10 starts.
GPP Fade: Kenta Maeda, LAD vs. CHC ($8,500) I recommended that players fade Maeda for his start against the Cubs in Chicago last week and the price hasn't come down enough for me to feel comfortable rostering him yet. The 30-year-old has now put up less than four points in two consecutive starts after returning from a hip injury and while he will be in a more favorable environment he still needs to contend with a team that has notched a top-5 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season (.326).
Catcher
Robinson Chirinos, TEX vs. SD ($3,300): The boom-or-bust nature of Chirinos as a DFS option is reflected in his price but we may get more of the former in a matchup against Joey Lucchesi, who has allowed a .507 slugging percentage and 10 homers in 39 innings against right-handed hitters this season. Chirinos has flexed his muscle against southpaws in 2018, notching a .231 ISO and a 50 percent hard contact rate in 39 at-bats.
First Base
Justin Bour, MIA vs. ARI ($3,500): Bour has had a disappointing season overall but is sporting nearly identical numbers against right-handed hurlers as he posted in 2017, logging a .256 ISO and .382 wOBA in 160 at-bats. It's difficult to stack against a pitcher at Marlins Park but that may be a viable strategy when speaking of opposing starter Shelby Miller, who hasn't pitched for a Major League club in over a year due to an elbow injury and walked six batters in 7.2 innings (two starts) with Double-A Jackson during his rehab stint.
Second Base
Ozzie Albies, ATL vs. CIN ($4,900): Albies has performed better against lefties this season but has held his own against right-handed pitching, notching a .217 ISO in 230 at-bats. Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle has been hit hard by left-handed batters in 2018, allowing a .568 slugging percentage to go along with a 14.4 percent walk rate in 37.1 innings.
Third Base
Max Muncy, LAD vs. CHC ($4,700): Muncy has seemingly come out of nowhere to take the Major Leagues by storm, posting a .338 ISO and a .415 wOBA in 157 at-bats. He will be facing a debutant by the name of Duane Underwood Jr who has posted below-average strikeout rates at every level of the Minors since his stint at Double-A Tennessee in 2016 and has not tallied an ERA below 4.27 over that span (268.1 innings).
Shortstop
Enrique Hernandez, LAD vs. CHC ($3,300): We will stay in Los Angeles to look at a cheap shortstop option in Hernandez, who has posted a .220 ISO against right-handed pitching in 91 at-bats this season. Hernandez's spot in the lineup could potentially be in jeopardy if Chris Taylor returns from his hamstring injury but there will be enough salary left over from these recommendations to pivot if necessary.
Outfield
Mitch Haniger, SEA at BAL ($4,900): Haniger has kept a reverse split in 2018, as we can see from the .250 ISO and .361 wOBA he has registered in 196 at-bats. Opposing starter Andrew Cashner owns a heater that has yielded a -9.1 RAA. He has also surrendered a .542 slugging percentage to right-handed hitters in 38 innings.
Hunter Renfroe, SD at TEX ($3,600): Renfroe missed time earlier this season due to an elbow injury but hasn't missed a beat against lefty pitching, tallying a .233 ISO and a .357 wOBA in 43 at-bats. The hitter-friendly confines of Globe Life Park seem to be causing problems for Cole Hamels, as he has allowed 12 homers in 44 innings at home.
Jason Heyward, CHC at LAD ($3,600): Maeda has had trouble with left-handed hitters this season, allowing a .475 slugging percentage over 29.2 innings. Heyward has been excellent against the fastball, registering a 10.2 RAA while Maeda's heater has yielded a -1.4 RAA in 61 innings.
