This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
There isn't a lot to speak of in the majors Monday with only seven games making up the main evening slate on Yahoo. While the Nationals and Cardinals should be a fun game, the rest of the matchups aren't very exciting. Let's try to add some more juice to the night by highlighting some players who could help lead you to a profitable entry.
Pitching Overview
After completing a successful bullpen session Saturday, Robbie Ray ($45) is in line to start against the Marlins despite a recent bout with a blister. That sets him up to be one of the best pitching options of the night since the Marlins have scored the second-fewest runs in the league. Add in his 30.9 percent strikeout rate and Ray will be tough to resist despite his price tag.
Jose Berrios ($40) was originally supposed to take the mound Sunday, but his start was pushed back a day to give him some extra rest. That means he was able to avoid the Indians and instead will face the White Sox. They have scored the fifth-fewest runs while striking out the sixth most times, so they aren't exactly an imposing force. Berrios has already faced them four times this season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in each outing.
As we continue to work our way down the price scale, Tanner Roark ($38) checks in as another option to at least consider. He's allowed at least four runs in two of his last three starts, but both of those outings came on the road. Since joining the A's, he's allowed two runs or fewer in each of his four home starts, which is where he will be against the Royals. Even though his 21.8 percent strikeout rate limits his upside, he can at least help free up more of your budget to spend on hitters.
Key Values/Chalk
The Mets continue their push towards a Wild Card spot against the Rockies at Coors Field, which should make them one of the most popular teams for this small slate. Antonio Senzatela has once again struggled, recording a 5.36 FIP and a 1.75 WHIP. Pete Alonso ($24) is the obvious player to build around with his immense power. Robinson Cano ($23) should also be considered since he is 12-for-30 (.400) with three home runs across 10 games since coming off the IL.
Making the playoffs became a much more difficult task for the Brewers when they lost Christian Yelich (knee) for the season. They will at least face an underwhelming opponent in the Padres at home, who will be sending Garrett Richards to the mound for his first start this season. He's been out with Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch well, or that deep into games, during his rehab assignment. This could be a great opportunity to add Mike Moustakas ($20) to your lineup, who is starting to heat up again with three home runs over his last five games.
Stacks
Rockies vs. Steven Matz (Mets)
Nolan Arenado (3B - $27), Trevor Story (SS - $22), Ian Desmond (OF - $15)
Matz comes into this outing having allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts. However, only two of them came on the road, where he has a 5.85 FIP and a 1.56 WHIP. Arenado and Story carry the most significant upside while Desmond is also a viable target based on his .383 wOBA against southpaws.
Athletics vs. Glenn Sparkman (Royals)
Marcus Semien (SS - $27), Matt Olson (1B - $27), Ramon Laureano (OF - $20)
This stands out as one of the top matchups to exploit, especially if you want to try and fade the Coors Field game. Sparkman has been a disaster, posting a 6.01 FIP and allowing a whopping 2.1 HR/9. That makes Semien and Olson two extremely dangerous hitters. Laureano hasn't show many signs of rust since being activated from the IL, hitting 6-for-15 with a home run and two doubles over his last five games.
Twins vs. Reynaldo Lopez (White Sox)
Max Kepler (OF - $17), Jorge Polanco (SS - $19), Luis Arraez (2B - $14)
The White Sox have received the breakout campaign that they have been looking for from Lucas Giolito, but the same can't be said for Lopez. He's still struggling to find success at the big league level, recording a 5.01 FIP and a 1.45 WHIP. While Giolito has become a strikeout machine, Lopez has just a 21.1 percent strikeout rate. Left-handed hitters have posted a .365 wOBA against him, leaving this trio with plenty of upside.
