This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
We have nine games across the majors Monday, but there are very few top-tier pitching options available. However, there are still a few great candidates based on favorable matchups. We also have some excellent stacks to take advantage of when building your Yahoo entry.
Pitching Overview
The biggest name set to take the mound is Justin Verlander ($57) for his matchup against the Twins. While the Twins might be a powerful lineup, Verlander held them in check during his last start, allowing one run and recording eight strikeouts across eight innings. He's having yet another excellent season with a 3.51 xFIP, 0.90 WHIP and a 30.5 percent strikeout rate, making him the top option for the evening.
As good as Verlander has been this season, it's going to be hard to pass up on Zack Wheeler ($43) for his start against the Reds. Although Wheeler's 4.85 ERA isn't impressive, his 3.86 xFIP indicates he hasn't pitched that poorly. He's also had brutal matchups with his five starts coming against the Nationals (twice), Phillies (twice) and Braves. The Reds have scored the fifth-fewest runs (101) in the league, so don't be surprised if Wheeler provides plenty of value.
The Padres have been almost as bad offensively as the Reds since they are tied for the sixth-fewest runs (102). They've also struck out the sixth-most times (268), so this is a lineup to attack. Mike Soroka ($40) will be opposing them Monday. One of the prizes of the Braves' organization, he recorded seven strikeouts while allowing just one run across 5.2 innings against the Reds in his last start. Look for him to be productive once again Monday.
Key Values/Chalk
With the White Sox searching for options in their starting rotation, Manny Banuelos received a start last week against the Orioles, who he will be facing again Monday. He made it through unscathed, recording four strikeouts over four scoreless innings. However, it's hard to get excited about a 28-year-old who hasn't even put up good numbers at Triple-A in recent years. He is still someone to stack against.
Tanner Roark isn't an awful starting pitcher, but he's basically an innings eater. He's logged at least 180.1 innings in four of the last five seasons, finishing with an xFIP of at least 4.15 three times. Things haven't been much different for him this season with a 4.60 xFIP through his first five outings. He doesn't have an overpowering arsenal based on his career 19 percent strikeout rate, so look for the Mets' hitters to be popular targets.
The Braves are off to a stellar offensive start, posting the second-highest OPS (.824) in the league. Monday brings a matchup against Nick Margevicius, who has shined with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. However, he has a 4.27 xFIP and has been aided by a .258 BABIP allowed. He hasn't exactly missed a ton of bats with his nine percent swinging strike rate and 22.8 percent strikeout rate. The Braves have some hitters that do damage against lefties, leaving them with significant upside in this matchup.
Stacks
Orioles vs. Banuelos (White Sox)
Renato Nunez (1B- $16), Jonathan Villar (2B- $18), Trey Mancini (OF- $21)
The Orioles opened the season with very little talent on their roster, which left Nunez with an everyday role. He's made the most of his opportunity, including posting a .357 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers. Villar is one of the best players on the team and is heating up with at least two hits in three of the last seven games. Mancini is one of their biggest power threats and is another great option for an Orioles stack, although you'll need to monitor his status since he sat out Sunday with a hand injury.
Mets vs. Roark (Reds)
Michael Conforto (OF- $21), Jeff McNeil (OF - $16), Brandon Nimmo (OF- $14)
Targeting left-handed hitters against Roark could be a wise strategy. He's limited righties to a .275 wOBA against him for his career, but lefties have been significantly more successful with a .326 wOBA. Conforto has the highest upside on the team, making him the Met to build around. It helps that the other two viable left-handed hitters in McNeil and Nimmo are not that expensive. Robinson Cano ($15) would also be someone to target, but his status for this game is in doubt due to a hand injury.
Braves vs. Margevicius (Padres)
Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF- $21), Ozzie Albies (2B- $18), Johan Camargo (OF- $10)
If you're stacking Braves, Acuna and Albies should be the cornerstones your entry. They recorded wOBA's of .415 and .384, respectively, against left-handed pitchers last season. Camargo isn't always locked into the starting lineup, but he could be for this game after recording a .347 wOBA against lefties last year. At his cheap price, he's hard to resist as long as he plays.
White Sox vs. John Means (Orioles)
Tim Anderson (SS - $23), Jose Abreu (1B- $18), Welington Castillo (C - $7)
Don't let Means and his 1.74 ERA scare you away from stacking against him. He has a 4.18 xFIP and the White Sox have some hitters that mash against lefties. Anderson has an insane .448 BABIP, so his .385 batting average is never going to hold up. However, he is striking out less and this is a prime spot to deploy him with a lefty on the mound. The same can be said for Abreu, who is 15-for-30 with two home runs and four doubles during his current seven-game hitting streak. Castillo has been no slouch himself lately, hitting 8-for-25 with two home runs and two doubles across his last seven contests. He also has a career .356 wOBA against lefties.
