This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
It's the last Monday of August, and a week from today we'll be celebrating Labor Day. You don't have to wait a week to have a good time, however. The Monday evening DFS slate features nine games' worth of players from whom to select. If you win some cash, that's as fun as any Labor Day can be, right? Here are some recommendations.
PITCHING
Robbie Ray, TOR vs. BAL ($10,900): What a turnaround for Ray this season. He had a 6.62 ERA last year splitting time between Arizona and Toronto, but spending this entire season with Toronto he's posted a 2.72 ERA. Ray has been even better recently, as he has a 1.90 ERA over his last 12 starts. Baltimore is 26th in runs scored, and, in case you didn't hear, it recently lost 19 games in a row.
Zack Wheeler, PHI at WAS ($10,600): Wheeler has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, as he has a 2.90 ERA, 2.58 FIP, and has struck out 10.39 batters per nine innings. Granted, in spite of how good he's been pitching, he only has a 10-9 record because of offensive support. Washington is in the bottom half of the league in runs scored, and no longer has Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber in the lineup.
German Marquez, COL at TEX ($9,100): Marquez has consistently posted FIPs better than his ERAs, which is perhaps not surprising given that he pitches his home games in Coors Field. Indeed, this year he has a 4.02 ERA but a 3.51 FIP. Marquez is on the road here, but he also has a great matchup. The Rockies hurler is facing a Rangers team that ranks 28th in runs scored and 30th in team OPS.
Luis Garcia, HOU at SEA ($8,600): Garcia has been one of the best rookie pitchers in baseball. Through 24 games and 22 starts he has a 3.38 FIP while striking out 10.51 batters per nine innings. Seattle is a good matchup for him. The Mariners are last in both team batting average and strikeouts. Expect Garcia to add some Ks to his season total.
TOP TARGETS
Trea Turner, LAD vs. ATL ($4,500): Congratulations to Turner for his first 20/20 season, and he's also in the running to win a batting title. He posted a .890 OPS with the Nationals before he was traded and he's stayed on his pace since joining the Dodgers. It's also notable that Turner has a 1.010 OPS versus lefties since 2019, and Drew Smyly is a lefty. A lefty with a 5.03 FIP, so be more specific.
Aaron Judge, NYY at LAA ($4,200): Judge is finally going to hit 30 home runs in a season again, the first time since he hit 52 as a rookie. Also, over the last 21 days he has a 1.186 OPS. We're projecting Jose Quintana to start for the Angels on Monday, though he's been in and out of the starting rotation this year. All in all, the southpaw has a 6.75 ERA, and one or two swings of the bat against Quintana could be enough for Judge to have a big day for DFS purposes.
VALUE BATS
Jose Rojas, ARI vs. SD ($3,000): Rojas had no punch in his bat his first couple seasons in the majors, but this year he's been much better. The second baseman has slashed .273/.353/.444 with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases. Chris Paddack will be making his return for the Padres, and he brings with him a 5.13 ERA.
Brendan Rodgers, COL at TEX ($2,700): Rodgers is the rare Rocky who is better on the road than at home this season. He has an .813 OPS in away games this year. Rodgers and company will be facing A.J. Alexy, who will be making his MLB debut Monday. Maybe he will be good, but we don't know yet. Personally, I feel like if he was truly up to the level of being an MLB pitcher, a team like the Rangers would have called him up already.
STACK TO CONSIDER
Red Sox vs. Luis Patino: Rafael Devers ($4,200), Xander Bogaerts ($4,000), Kyle Schwarber ($3,400)
Patino was dealt to the Rays from the Padres as a top pitching prospect. He may live up to that someday, but right now, he's a pitcher with a 4.71 FIP who has allowed 1.57 home runs per nine innings. I'm not worried about this reliable Red Sox lineup facing the young, unproven pitcher. Devers is a lefty facing a righty, and he has a .960 OPS versus right-handed pitchers in 2021. Also, he has 32 homers. Even though he's slowed down a bit, Bogaerts still has a .297/.366/.502 slash line with 20 home runs. Schwarber is also a southpaw, one known for feasting on righties. He's posted a 1.040 OPS versus right handers this year. That includes a staggering .673 slugging percentage in those matchups.
