This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Here are my recommendations for games on Monday, August 24:
P – Ubaldo Jimenez ($6500) – I am going to lean on the fact that Jimenez has amassed a favorable set of stats in head-to-head matchups against a number of Royals batters in advance of Monday's start in KC. In 191 at-bats, he has limited Royals batters to a paltry .215 BA. He has improved his K/BB ratio to a career-best this season, allowing only 46 free passes in 136 innings while striking out 128 batters.
P – Scott Feldman ($5500) – This veteran righty has been on a nice roll in his last five (quality) starts, limiting all comers to eight earned runs in 32 innings. He has displayed excellent control in allowing six walks in that stretch. This latter fact has been a key part of a nice campaign that has seen him walk only 22 batters in 97.2 innings and will stand him in good stead against a normally-patient Yankee lineup that may be pressing after losing three of four at home against the Indians.
C – Miguel Montero ($4850) – This is one of a few Cubs batters that I like today. He comes into today's game against the Indians as one of the hottest-hitting catchers, with eight hits in his last 22 at-bats including three two-hit games, two homers and seven RBI. He is also among the best at his position with a .347 OBP on the year.
2B/SS – Jung-Ho Kang ($4850) – This shortstop is enjoying an excellent debut campaign and has been producing a power surge that has seen him collect three homers in the past week as part of an 8-for-25 run. His offensive numbers (.290 BA and .364 OBP) have been a surprise contribution to an already-potent Pirates lineup.
2B/SS – Ian Kinsler ($5250) – The veteran second baseman is hitting at a clip this season that is 40 points higher in OBP and BA than his career norms. Most recently, he has fashioned a six-game hitting streak with three multi-hit efforts and on Monday gets a favorable matchup against Keyvius Sampson, who has given up 14 hits and eight walks in his last two starts, covering only 8.1 innings.
1B/3B – Kris Bryant ($5100) – If you follow this weekly report, you will know that I lean heavily in favor of power hitters who are currently riding a spike in their BA. Bryant has been on a tear over the last two weeks, collecting 18 hits in 52 at-bats (a .346 clip) that includes 10 extra-base hits. He faces Corey Kluber, who has already given up a career-high 17 homers this season.
1B/3B – Joey Votto ($5600) – If you are going to spend big bucks on offense this Monday, Votto looks like an excellent investment. He is on pace to threaten his best power totals, while continuing to produce a .300 BA and a .440 OBP. He's been on a nice roll (16-for-49 with five extra-base knocks) and looks to feast on spot starter Buck Farmer of the Tigers, who has given up 36 hits and 10 walks in only 24.1 innings.
OF – Mookie Betts ($4900) – He has quickly made his case for becoming a central cog in a new-looking Boston offense, while collecting 17 hits in his last 54 at-bats and adds a rare element of speed with 16 steals and seven triples on the year. He could be in for a big night against Jeff Samardzija, who has been rocked in four of his last five starts and is the kind of hard thrower that could get knocked around by the prolific Boston offense.
OF – Stephen Piscotty ($4000) – Have the Cardinals unveiled another gem in their unending prospect development line? Piscotty has made a sensational debut, posting a .324 BA in his first 105 at-bats during his first 30 games in the majors. He unveiled his power stroke last week when he tacked on his first four homers in the big leagues. He faces D-backs starter Robbie Ray who enters Monday's matchup on a four-game losing streak and only 3-9 on the year. This looks like a nice value play.
OF – Yoenis Cespedes ($5200) – When a hot-hitting power guy gets the chance to hit in a bandbox like the Phillies home park, I will give him a shot. That's the situation on Monday night as Cespedes enters play fresh off a three-homer week that saw him collect 10 hits in 32 at-bats overall. He faces Adam Morgan, who has given up nine homers in only 57.1 innings, while striking out only 29 batters.
Util – Dexter Fowler ($4950) – This veteran outfielder has set a career-best with his 14 homers and is on pace to establish a new personal best for extra-base hits as well. Over the last two weeks he has collected 20 hits in 51 at-bats to rank among the hottest hitters in all of baseball. He has four multi-hit games in his last seven starts.
Other favorable batting/pitching options, based on career splits against their Monday opponents include: OF Rusney Castillo ($3750); C Stephen Vogt ($4950); 1B/3B Jerry Sands ($3900); 2B/SS Neil Walker ($5000)
