This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Normally, Monday is a lighter day for Major League Baseball, but this isn't your normal Monday. It's Labor Day, and to celebrate there are 15 games on the docket. More than that, the first game starts at 1:00 PM ET on the dot. Here are some recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup. Hey, it'll make you have to work less.
PITCHER
Alex Wood, LAD vs. NYM ($8,700): Wood has a 3.42 ERA, which is good, but he's been working on improving that ERA for quite some time. In fact, over his last 12 starts he has a 2.43 ERA, and he's 7-1 in that time to boot. The Mets, meanwhile, are 24th in runs scored, and they have a .235 batting average as a team.
GPP Fade: CC Sabathia, NYY at OAK ($8,200): Sabathia has a 4.19 FIP, and this is his fifth season in a row with a FIP over 4.00. Additionally, he has a 4.27 ERA on the road. Oakland has a surprisingly good offense, one that ranks fifth in the league in runs scored. That doesn't bode well for the big veteran pitcher.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Vince Velasquez, PHI at MIA ($6,600): Velasquez has a 4.05 ERA, but on the road he has a much more palatable 2.97 ERA. He's also struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings, in line with his career number. The Marlins are last in runs scored and team OPS, so there is essentially no easier matchup for a pitcher out there.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Wilson Ramos, PHI at MIA ($3,400): Ramos has torn it up since joining the Phillies, as he's posted an 1.107 OPS in 11 games with the team. That is a small sample size, sure, but overall he has a .867 OPS in 89 games this year. Jose Urena has a 4.56 ERA, which is not good, even if it is better than his career ERA of 4.67.
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, SEA vs. BAL ($3,700): Cano notably missed a big chunk of the season due to a suspension, but with a hit in five straight games he now has a .281 batting average. He's also gotten on base at a .360 clip. Yefry Ramirez is slated to start for the Orioles, and he has a 11.66 ERA on the road. Given that this game is in Seattle, that doesn't bode well for him.
THIRD BASE
Matt Chapman, OAK vs. NYY ($3,500): Chapman has been scorching hot for a month, as he has a .999 OPS over his last 30 games. He's also hit a whopping nine homers in that time. As previously noted, Sabathia has a 4.27 road ERA, so don't be surprised if Chapman stays hot.
SHORTSTOP
Andrelton Simmons, LAA at TEX ($3,000): Simmons is still growing as a hitter, as he currently has career highs in batting average (.295) and OBP (.342). He's also been a better hitter on the road, and this game is in the friendly confines of Texas' home ballpark. The Rangers are planning to use an "opener" Monday, but Ariel Jurado is going to handle the bulk of the innings. Considering that he has a 6.69 ERA, his innings could lead to a lot of offense for the Angels, Simmons included.
OUTFIELD
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX vs. LAA ($3,900): Choo has slashed .275/.384/.465 with 21 home runs. This is his third time he's hit at least 20 homers in four seasons for the Rangers, and the other year he was limited to 48 games. Matt Shoemaker may be making his first start since March 31, but last year he had a 5.17 FIP and allowed 1.74 homers per nine innings.
George Springer, HOU vs. MIN ($3,700): A lingering thumb issue seems like it might have hampered Springer's power, but he did hit his 20th homer of the season Sunday. He's also been doing well since missing five games due to injury, as he has a hit in six of the eight games he's played. Kohl Stewart has made the first four starts of his MLB career this season, and in those outings he has a 6.61 ERA.
Kyle Schwarber, CHC at MIL ($3,600): Schwarber only really plays against righties, but when he gets a right-hander on the mound he makes the most of it. He has a .510 slugging percentage in those matchups and all 24 of his homers have come in those at-bats. Schwarber is getting another chance to take on a righty Monday in Zach Davies. Davies, who is just back from a stint in the minors, has a 5.34 FIP this year.
