This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Monday's main slate features seven pitchers at $9,000 or more which should compel players to choose at least one top-tier option. We can then turn to high-upside matchups against struggling hurlers in order to roll out a lineup capable of scoring big points.
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Pitcher
Corey Kluber, CLE at CWS ($10,900): There may not be much need for advanced stats when analyzing this matchup, as Kluber is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three starts (21 innings) against the White Sox this season. He has struck out a whopping 28 batters over that span. The Pale Hose will enter the contest sporting a bottom 10 wOBA and a 25.4 percent strikeout rate against right-handed pitching.
Cheap GPP Consideration, Felix Pena, LAA vs. TEX ($6,100): Pena is in an excellent spot to take advantage of the Rangers, who hold a .295 wOBA on the road, which ranks as the seventh-worst mark in the league. Pena has notched a K/BB ratio of 79:27 while allowing just 10 homers in 85.2 innings this season, which should give him some decent upside against a weak offensive club.
GPP Fade, Jameson Taillon, PIT at CHC ($10,500): Taillon put up a big score in his last outing on the strength of 11 strikeouts but players should be wary of relying on the former top prospect to consistently pump in the punchouts, as he holds a strikeout rate under 23 percent this season. It is also worth noting that the Cubs are a top-10 team in the league against right-handed pitching according to wOBA. Their 21.5 percent strikeout rate against orthodox hurlers is the eleventh lowest mark in the league.
Catcher
Elias Diaz, PIT at CHC ($3,800): It's good to see that Diaz is back to full health in time for the matchup against Cole Hamels, as he has notched a .218 ISO and a .398 wOBA against lefty pitchers in 78 at-bats this season. Meanwhile, Hamels has struggled with right-handed hitters all year, as evidenced by the .451 slugging percentage and 44.8 percent hard contact rate he has allowed in 146.2 innings.
First Base
Carlos Santana, PHI at COL ($4,500): Opposing starter Tyler Anderson seems to have rebounded from a miserable month of August but has still allowed a .450 slugging percentage in 20 innings in September. Santana has performed better against lefty pitchers in 2018, as we can see from the .212 ISO and .351 wOBA he has tallied in 151 at-bats.
Second Base
Joey Wendle, TB vs. NYY ($3,900): Wendle seems to be hitting his stride in the final month of the season, as he has posted a .194 ISO to go along with a .392 wOBA in 72 at-bats this month. Luis Severino is widely regarded as a force to be reckoned with in the Yankees' rotation but hasn't posted an ERA below 4.11 since June. While he is still capable of having fantastic games, it may be worth taking a few cheap Rays on Monday in case a blowup occurs.
Third Base
Miguel Andujar, NYY at TB ($4,200): Andujar has swung a hot bat against both sides of the platoon this season, which has resulted in a .225 ISO and a .361 wOBA in 543 at-bats. Ryan Yarbrough, who is set to take the ball following Tampa Bay opener Diego Castillo, has seen more than a 10 percent drop in his strikeout rate when facing right-handed hitters. This has contributed to a 4.59 xFIP in 101.2 innings.
Shortstop
Marwin Gonzalez, HOU at TOR ($3,700): Opposing starter Marco Estrada has seen most of his struggles against same-handed opposition this season but he is due for some sharp regression against lefties, as we can see from the 5.52 xFIP he owns in 63 innings. Gonzalez has come back to earth a bit after a month of August that saw him post a .303 ISO but the 29-year-old still boasts a .370 wOBA in 51 September at-bats.
Outfield
Jason Kipnis, CLE at CWS ($4,100): Kipnis is enjoying his best power month of the season in September, when he has tallied a .250 ISO in 60 at-bats. Opposing starter Dylan Covey has performed better at home this season but an elevated walk rate has contributed to a 4.69 xFIP against left-handed hitters in 60.1 innings.
Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. OAK ($4,300): Cruz has had a bit more success against lefties in 2018 but still sports a .248 ISO and a .362 wOBA against righty pitchers in 359 at-bats. Daniel Mengden has kept something of a reverse split this season, allowing a .448 slugging percentage to right-handed hitters in 60 frames.
Matt Kemp, LAD at ARI ($3,900): Kemp has struggled through various stretches of the 2018 season but still holds a robust .244 ISO against left-handed pitchers in 176 at-bats. Robbie Ray has kept his strikeout prowess in every environment but has struggled with the home run ball at home, having allowed 14 big flies in 59.2 innings.
