This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Here are my recommendations for games on Monday, July 27:
P – John Danks ($5550) – The veteran lefty should head into Monday's action feeling good about his last two starts, both scoreless efforts, with only nine hits in a total of 12.2 IP. He also faces a Boston team that is reeling without one of their leaders, as Dustin Pedroia landed back the DL. The Red Sox have only scored more than three runs in one of their last ten games. His mound opponent, Joe Kelly, is also 0-2 with a 7.07 ERA in his last three starts
P – Chris Heston ($5850) – Heston is enjoying a fine rookie campaign for the Giants and enters Monday's game with a 4-1 record in his last seven starts, covering 45 innings. He has allowed only 35 hits, while striking out 29 batters in that stretch. His mound opponent, Kyle Lohse, has been the polar opposite in his last seven starts, pitching to a horrific 6.34 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.
C – Geovany Soto ($3850) – It's a thin market for catchers today, so I will go with Soto, who has collected homers in two of his last three starts. He is hitting in Fenway Park and facing pitcher Joe Kelly, who has been struggling of late for the Red Sox.
2B/SS – Rougned Odor ($4850) – Odor is bent on smashing all of his rookie season marks with a torrid sophomore campaign that has him pushing toward the top echelon of hitters at the keystone position. He has 24 hits in 66 at-bats over his last 16 games, punctuated by six homers and 18 RBI in that span.
2B/SS – Robinson Cano ($5000) – This first half disappointment is finally starting to resemble his former perennial all-star self. He is hitting 12-for-34 over his last eight games, including two homers and seven RBI during this streak.
1B/3B – Alex Rodriguez ($5150) – You have to give credit where credit is due. ARod has rediscovered his power stroke, with eight homers and 13 RBI in his last 15 games. He also gets a favorable righty vs. lefty matchup against starter Matt Harrison, against whom he has five hits and no strikeouts in 14 career PA.
1B/3B – Joey Votto ($5750) – The hard hitting first baseman is enjoying a 15-for-29 streak during his last eight games, including two homers and five RBI. He and a couple of his teammates have solid numbers against Monday's starter for the Cards, Lance Lynn. Votto is 8-for-16 along with five walks in 21 PA in this head to head matchup.
OF – Jay Bruce ($5000) – Bruce heads into Monday's matchup with a torrid streak of 18 hits (including nine extra-base hits) in his last 53 at-bats. Like Votto, he has also enjoyed great success against the Cardinals' Lance Lynn in a 28 at-bat sample that includes 14 hits, with 6 XBH and 3 HR.
OF – Dexter Fowler ($4750) – The veteran outfielder struggled throughout much of the first half, posting a career-low BA, but his stolen bases and power numbers are better than they have been in years. His overall productivity has spiked in the past week, as he's gone 7-for-23 including three multi-hit games.
OF – Hunter Pence ($5450) – The Giants outfielder faces fellow veteran Kyle Lohse, against whom he owns a favorable 16-for-54 sample during their respective careers. Pence comes into Monday hitless in his last three outings, a season high, but he had been extremely productive in his previous 13 games with 21 hits and 15 RBI. He will get back in the good books Monday.
Util – Chris Davis ($4850) – Davis has either been very hot or very cold at various times this season. He is riding a hot streak with 10 hits, including three homers, in his last 31 at-bats and eight games and it's that power stroke that makes him worth a look on Monday against Alex Wood, a flyball pitcher.
Other favorable batting/pitching options, based on career splits against their Monday opponents include – 2B/SS Alexei Ramirez ($4550), 1B/3B Todd Frazier ($5400), 2B/SS Jose Iglesias ($4650), and OF Nelson Cruz ($5500)
