This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We actually have a busy MLB slate Monday. There are 13 games taking place, which means only four teams aren't in action. Fortunately for DFS players, there are no afternoon games. The first game of the day starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. If you are used to playing DFS MLB on Mondays, you will have more options than usual, so perhaps I can help you make your decisions with my recommendations.
PITCHING
Lance Lynn, CWS vs. TAM ($11,000): This is a bad day for pitchers. Now, there are a couple really good pitchers taking the field. For example, Lynn and Tyler Glasnow. The problem is they are facing each other, and also both of these teams are in the top five in runs scored. Given that, I can't be as excited about Lynn as I usually would be. That being said, he has a 1.23 ERA through 11 starts and gets to pitch at home. Also, his offense has been a bit better than Tampa's, so that might help as well.
Vladimir Gutierrez, CIN at MIL ($7,100): This is how bleak the pitching is Monday. The second pitcher I am mentioning is a 25-year-old rookie who has made three starts only because of injuries to the Cincinnati rotation. That being said, he does have a 2.65 ERA through those three starts and he has not allowed more than two runs in an outing. The Brewers have the second-worst team batting average in the majors, and this year that's really saying something.
Jon Lester, WAS vs. PIT ($6,200): When there are this many teams in action, I tend to like to recommend four starting pitchers. However, I felt I would have really been pushing myself to do that on this Monday. Glasnow is a really good pitcher but that matchup is so tough. Matthew Boyd was looking strong early this season but he has a 6.07 ERA over his last five starts. As such, I am only going to recommend three pitchers, and I'm going with Lester simply because of the matchup. The Pirates finished last in runs scored last year and likely will again this season. Only the Mets are below them right now and they've played seven fewer games. Pittsburgh is also battling the Mariners for the lowest team OPS.
TOP TARGETS
Kris Bryant, CHC at NYM ($3,800): The Mets are starting lefty David Peterson, which may neutralize some Chicago bats like Anthony Rizzo and Joc Pederson. It won't be a problem for Bryant, though. Granted, few things have been a problem for Bryant this season, as he's slashed .297/.377/.554. Also, Peterson isn't just left handed. He's a pitcher with a 6.32 ERA.
Nolan Arenado, STL vs. MIA ($3,400): Arenado never needed Coors Field to succeed. The .866 OPS on the road he put up in 2019 is an example of that. So is the fact he's slugged .514 with the Cardinals and hit 12 home runs. The Marlins are dealing with a lot of injuries among their pitchers, which likely means Braxton Garrett starting Monday. He's only pitched in four games in his MLB career, but he has a 5.99 FIP.
VALUE BATS
Josh Donaldson, MIN at SEA ($2,900): Donaldson is not a hitter who appreciates home cooking, apparently. Since joining the Twins he's been much better on the road, with a .990 OPS last season and a .997 OPS this season. He'll be on the road against the Mariners on Monday, and he will get to face Marco Gonzales. Gonzales is at least consistent, as he has both a 5.45 ERA and 5.45 FIP.
Jonathan India, CIN at MIL ($2,700): India is a rookie who has some promise, and while he hasn't shown much power yet, he does have a .360 OBP. Also, he does have five homers and three stolen bases, and on the road he's been much better with a .936 OPS. India will be facing lefty Eric Lauer who has a 5.46 FIP and has allowed a whopping 2.57 homers per nine innings.
STACKS TO CONSIDER
Padres vs. Austin Gomber: Fernando Tatis ($5,000), Manny Machado ($4,100), Wil Myers ($2,600)
The Padres are headed to Coors Field! That may be all I need to say, but I will say more. Gomber has actually been good at home so far this year, but I know enough about Coors Field to not expect that to continue, especially with a pitcher who has a 3.95 ERA in his first year as a full-time starter.
Tatis is an obvious choice, given that he has a career .966 OPS and could hit 30 homers while stealing 30 bases this season if he stays healthy. Machado has struggled a bit, but he has a .973 OPS versus lefties since 2019, and Gomber is a lefty. That's also why my third choice is the right-handed Myers. He has an .890 OPS versus southpaws since 2019 and he slugged .606 last season.
Royals vs. Matthew Boyd: Whit Merrifield ($3,700), Carlos Santana ($2,700), Michael Taylor ($2,000)
As I mentioned earlier, Boyd has a 6.07 ERA over his last five starts. He also has a 5.47 ERA on the road over the course of the entire 2021 campaign. If you want to spend less salary on a stack, this is a fine option. Merrifield has a career .291 batting average and leads the majors with 17 stolen bases. Santana has a .365 OBP, which isn't surprising given his career, and he has a .925 OPS versus lefties since 2019. Taylor has a .766 OPS at home, which isn't great but is better than he's been on the road. He also has five homers and four stolen bases.
Athletics vs. Dylan Bundy: Matt Olson ($3,800), Mark Canha ($3,800), Mitch Moreland ($2,300)
Since I only recommended three pitchers, I figured I'd recommend three stacks. It was easier to find stacks than pitchers, given who is taking the mound. Bundy has a 6.16 ERA and has allowed 2.05 homers per nine innings, so I'm taking a 3M approach to my Monday lineup. Olson is having a career year, as he's slashed .289/.374/.610 with 18 homers. Canha has a .375 OBP and has already stolen seven bases to go with 11 homers. Moreland is a lefty, so a matchup with right-handed Bundy helps. He has an .866 OPS versus righties since 2019.
