This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
While we only have eight games on the schedule Monday, we have the potential for plenty of excellent pitching performances with several front line starters set to take the mound. However, you might not need to spend a ton at the position due to their being some appealing mid-tier options. Let's break things down and discuss which players are worth considering.
Pitching Overview
Whenever Madison Bumgarner ($44) is pitching at home, he's a viable option. He has a 3.06 FIP and a 0.92 WHIP there compared to a 4.69 FIP and a 1.36 WHIP on the road. He also has a great matchup here against the Pirates, who have the lowest wRC+ against left-handed pitchers (73) in baseball. Expect Bumgarner to be one of the more popular pitching options, and rightfully so.
After getting torched by the Mets two starts ago, Kyle Hendricks ($43) rebounded in his last outing to allow one run and record seven strikeouts over six innings against the Mariners. He's allowed one or no runs in three of his last four starts with those three outings coming against favorable opponents in the Pirates, Giants and Mariners. Now he gets to face a Padres team that has averaged only 3.1 runs over their last 15 games. Expect them to continue to struggle with Fernando Tatis Jr. (back) out for the season.
Working our way even further down the price scale, Jordan Lyles ($38) stands out for his matchup against the Marlins. He's been a different pitcher since joining the Brewers, allowing two earned runs or fewer in six of his seven starts. Not only do the Marlins have one of the worst lineups in baseball, but this game will be played at pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. He has the potential to be one of the best value plays at any position.
Key Values/Chalk
Offense might be hard to come by for this slate. One team that could provide some scoring is the Brewers for their matchup with Robert Dugger. While Dugger has had a couple of strong performances since being recalled, it should be noted that he didn't exactly face offensive juggernauts in the Reds and the Pirates. He had a 6.01 FIP at Triple-A, so expect to see Christian Yelich ($24) included in a lot of entries.
Mike Foltynewicz has a 3.31 ERA across six starts since being recalled from the minors, but his 1.41 WHIP during that stretch is worrisome. With so few viable options, attacking him with a Phillies stack could prove to be profitable. If you do go that route, J.T. Realmuto ($23) stands out as someone to build around after he hit 18-for-48 (.375) with four home runs, three doubles and two triples across his last 11 games.
Stacks
Mets vs. Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks)
Pete Alonso (1B - $24), Jeff McNeil (OF - $21), Robinson Cano (2B - $18)
Yes, Kelly shut out the Padres across seven innings in his last start. However, with the Padres' scoring woes already detailed, that outing is a little less impressive than it looks on the surface. Before that, he had allowed 34 runs (33 earned) across 33.1 innings over seven starts. Alonso brings the power upside to this stack while McNeil has also been stellar with his .387 wOBA and 144 wRC+. Cano has performed well since coming off the IL, hitting two home runs and recording five hits over four games.
Indians vs. Patrick Sandoval (Angels)
Francisco Lindor (SS - $23), Carlos Santana (1B - $23), Oscar Mercado (OF - $12)
With the Angels out of contention, they plan to limit Sandoval's pitch counts moving forward. He only threw 3.1 innings in his last outing against the A's, so the Indians could find themselves facing the Angels' bullpen for the majority of this contest. Lindor has been a rock for the Indians all season and is 18-for-58 (.310) with six home runs and five doubles over his last 13 games, making him one of the top options to build an Indians stack around.
Yankees vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (Red Sox)
Aaron Judge (OF - $19), Gleyber Torres (2B - $21), Gary Sanchez (C - $21)
Rodriguez has had his share of difficulties with the Yankees this season, giving up nine runs over 17.2 innings. The Yankees are tied for the third-highest wRC+ against lefties (117) in baseball, making them one of the more appealing options. This trio brings tremendous power with a combined 90 home runs. Sanchez is starting to heat up with the playoffs on the horizon, hitting five home runs and two doubles over his last 10 games.
