This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The next time we see a Monday, October will be here. The MLB regular season is truly nearing a close. There are 12 games on the schedule this Monday. Kick the fall off right with daily fantasy baseball success, perhaps using some of these recommendations.
PITCHER
Cole Hamels, CHC vs. PIT ($8,500): Hamels has been a different pitcher since joining the Cubs, as he has a 2.42 ERA in 10 starts since being traded. The Pirates rank in the bottom 10 in runs scored, so they shouldn't provide too much of a challenge. Hamels should bounce back from his last start, which was bad but was also on the road against the Diamondbacks. This is a very different situation.
GPP Fade: James Paxton, SEA vs. OAK ($9,200): Paxton will be making his first start in a couple weeks after dealing with a lengthy illness. Will he be up to the task? His recent performance would indicate no, as he has a 4.90 ERA over his last 13 outings. Oakland, meanwhile, ranks fourth in runs scored, and they are actually first in runs scored on the road.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Derek Holland, SF vs. SD ($8,200): Holland isn't much cheaper than Hamels, but he's the cheapest pitcher I can justify recommending. Holland has a 3.51 ERA at home, and he's also struck out a career-high 9.07 batters per nine innings. Meanwhile, the Padres have a .297 OBP as a team, lowest in the majors.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Wilson Ramos, PHI at COL ($3,500): Ramos has hit quite well since joining the Phillies, as he's slashed .370/.418/.531 with his new team. He may only have one home run in that time, but that could certainly change at Coors Field. On top of that, Rockies starter Tyler Anderson has allowed 1.60 homers per nine innings, and he's a lefty, which Ramos has hit better in his career.
SECOND BASE
Kolten Wong, STL vs. MIL ($2,700): Wong is dealing with a minor hamstring issue, so it's possible he may not play, but if he does he looks like a smart value at this price. Since the beginning of August, he's slashed .337/.405/.469, and he's been a better hitter at home the last couple of seasons as well. The Brewers were going to be starting Chase Anderson, but they are now planning to go with a bullpen game. That changes the situation, but not enough to go against Wong at this price (again, if he plays).
THIRD BASE
Jurickson Profar, TEX at LAA ($3,600): Profar has stayed healthy, by and large, and is finally enjoying a breakout season. The 25-year-old has hit 18 homers and stolen 10 bases, both of which are personal bests. Though Profar has been better at home in a hitter-friendly ballpark, having Felix Pena on the mound for the Angels should balance things out. Pena has a 5.27 ERA at home, and he's allowed a .282 batting average against lefties. The switch-hitting Profar can take advantage of that.
SHORTSTOP
Trea Turner, WAS vs. MIA ($3,800): A recent run of hot play has raised Turner's slash line to .272/.346/.414, and Sunday he stole his 42nd base of the season. This is his second year in a row swiping over 40 bags. Sandy Alcantara may have a 2.35 ERA, but that's over a mere four starts. He has a 4.63 FIP, and before his callup he had a 3.92 FIP in Triple-A.
OUTFIELD
Michael Brantley, CLE at CWS ($3,800): Brantley has an impressive .309 batting average, and he's hit 17 homers and stolen 11 bases. The lefty has also hit righties quite well, as he has a .883 OPS against right-handers this season. Dylan Covey is a righty, but even if he was a southpaw you might consider this matchup. The White Sox starter has a career ERA of 6.26.
Justin Upton, LAA vs. TEX ($3,500): Upton has hit 30 homers this season. Twenty-five of them have come against righties, and 22 of them have been at home. As such, a game at home with a righty on the mound bodes well for him. Adrian Sampson may have very limited experience in MLB, but in that time he has allowed a whopping 2.87 home runs per nine innings.
Marwin Gonzalez, HOU at TOR ($3,100): Gonzalez has weirdly struggled at home this season, but on the road he has a .825 OPS. This is actually the second year in a row that he's performed better in away games. On the flip side, Marco Estrada has a 5.36 FIP this season, and he has also given up 1.75 homers per nine innings.
