This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Here are my recommendations on FantasyAces for Monday's late slate, which includes eight games.
Starting Pitchers
R.A. Dickey ($6,000) – The veteran knuckleballer faces a young Tampa lineup in the Jays' home opener. Current Rays batters have combined for a paltry .207 batting average and .303 on-base percentage in 103 plate appearances against Dickey. On the flip side, the Jays' offense looks to be clicking early on, with a number of big innings in the bank already. Dickey should be able to give them some innings today (0.5 points per out on FantasyAces) and hang around long enough for the Jays' offense to put up some more crooked numbers, giving him a win.
Brandon McCarthy ($6,250) – McCarthy is at home at Chavez Ravine against a group of Seattle batters with a .244 BA and .253 OBP against him in 83 at-bats. He was a bit shaky in his first start of the season, allowing four runs on five hits in five innings, but he struck out nine and had only one walk, a vital ratio for FantasyAces.
Catcher
Brayan Pena ($3,800) – When you look at the matchup against an ace like Jon Lester, the favorable sample that Pena boasts should earn the journeyman catcher his second start of the season. Pena is 7-of-17 against Lester in his career and looks toebe one of the better options among backstops Monday.
Middle Infielders
Jose Altuve ($5,450) – The defending AL batting champ is off to a bit of a slow start, but he gets a favorable matchup at home against veteran lefty Scott Kazmir on Monday. Altuve has nine hits in 19 at-bats against Kazmir and could be ready for his breakout this season.
Jose Reyes ($5,250) – The table setter for an offense that is averaging over six runs per game in the early going of the season, Reyes has come through spring training without any injury concerns for the first time since he joined the Blue Jays. He appears intent on making a statement to remind everyone that he can still be one of the most exciting players in the league, and he has 10 hits and two walks in 26 plate appearances so far this season.
Corner Infielders
Anthony Rizzo ($5,300) – Rizzo has started off slowly this season, but he has a fairly good record against starter Mike Leake, against whom he has seven hits (three for extra bases) in 20 at-bats. Rizzo has improved his homer totals in his each of his three seasons in the majors and it's only a matter of time until he rediscovers that stroke. It could start today.
Chris Johnson ($4,350) – Johnson has jumped out of the gate, with five hits in his first 10 AB this season. Odds are favorable that this good start continues Monday, as he has nine hits (five for extra bases) in 21 at-bats against Marlins starter Mat Latos. The Braves' offense averaged almost five runs per game last week and Johnson has been in the middle of it in each of his three starts.
Outfielders
Josh Reddick ($4,250) – Reddick was activated from the disabled list Sunday after recovering from an oblique strain and went 2-for-5 in his debut. He gets a nice matchup Monday against Scott Feldman, against whom he is 6-for-20 with five extra base hits, including three home runs.
Jacoby Ellsbury ($5,000) – While it's a small sample size, Ellsbury has had success against Monday's opposing starter Wei-Yin Chen, against whom he has six hits in 13 at-bats. He's also started the season off well, posting a .370 OBP and two stolen bases.
Adam Jones ($5,000) – After starting the season 1-for-11, Jones has been hot of late, collecting seven hits, including two home runs, in his last three games. His $5,000 price tag is a tad high, but sometimes you have to pay up for power in a decent matchup.
Utility
Travis Snider ($4,250) – Despite having only two extra-base hits through six games, Snider hit a three-run home run Sunday against the Blue Jays and has reached base in all but one-game. That's especially important on FantasyAces, as you get the same number of points for hits (one) as walks. Hitting behind Jones, Snider could have a decent opportunity for more RBI on Monday.
