DraftKings MLB: Monday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Monday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Jose Fernandez, MIA vs. MIL ($11,300): Problems with efficiency have prevented Fernandez from being a top pitcher this year, but I just can't resist playing him against the strikeout-heavy Brewers, who are a bottom-10 team on the road this season. Fernandez could also see success with his slider, as the Brewers are tied with the Giants for the seventh-worst mark against the pitch, according to runs above average.

Aaron Sanchez, TOR at SF ($6,900): Sanchez has been solid all year save for a blowup against the A's late last month, as he has not allowed more than three runs in any other start. His extreme ground ball tendencies could go a long way to stifling the San Francisco lineup, as they are in the bottom-10 when it comes to fly ball rate this season.

CATCHER

Wilson Ramos, WAS vs. DET ($3,200):Anibal Sanchez is off to another rough start to the season, allowing four home runs to righties in just 16.2 innings. Ramos may be the best offensive value on the board, as he has a wOBA of .400 with a .550 slugging percentage against same-handed pitchers this season.

FIRST BASE

Edwin Encarnacion, TOR at SF ($4,300): Opposing starter Jake Peavy needs to be considered a stack target every fifth day until he improves or is removed from the rotation. Peavy heads into Monday's game having allowed a wOBA of over .400 to both sides of the platoon, while surrendering a whopping six home runs to right-handed batters over 16.2 innings.

SECOND BASE

Derek Dietrich, MIA vs. MIL ($3,400): Dietrich has always had tremendous power, and he is getting a chance to show what he can do while Dee Gordon serves his suspension. Wily Peralta is another heavy stack target, as he currently has an xFIP close to 6.00 against left-handed hitters.

THIRD BASE

Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. CHW ($4,100):Miguel Gonzalez has routinely allowed home runs throughout his career, and that has been the case at Triple-A Charlotte, where he has allowed three long balls in just 17 innings (four starts), and he was touched up for five runs in his lone start with the big club last month. Beltre has been a vastly superior hitter against lefties this year, but he also has solid .193 ISO against right-handers.

SHORTSTOP

Zack Cozart, CIN vs. PIT ($4,100): We have seen evidence to suggest that Cozart's surge may be somewhat sustainable, as his HR/FB rate is quite manageable (10 percent) and he is hitting the ball harder now than at any other point in his career. Jon Niese sees a significant dip in strikeouts when facing right-handed batters and has allowed six home runs over just 27.2 innings against his opposite hand.

OUTFIELD

Gregory Polanco, PIT at CIN ($5,000): Polanco will carry a wOBA approaching .400 into the matchup against Dan Straily, whose low strikeout rate and high walk rate has left him with an xFIP over 6.00 against lefties in 15 innings this season.

Yoenis Cespedes, NYM at LAD ($4,100): Cespedes has launched himself into orbit against left-handed pitching this season, notching a .923 slugging percentage in 13 at-bats. While the sample is small, Cespedes has always shown good power against lefties, as evidenced by his .221 career ISO. Scott Kazmir has uncharacteristically had problems keeping the ball in the park this year, allowing six home runs to righties in 21.1 innings.

Michael Saunders, TOR at SF ($3,400): We will close by attacking Peavy from the other side of the dish, as his strikeout rate dips considerably against left-handers, contributing to a 5.20 xFIP. Saunders has performed better against lefties this season, but he still has a .358 wOBA against right-handed pitching.

Other Options: Carlos Gonzalez, COL vs. ARI ($5,000) Christian Yelich, MIA vs. MIL ($4,500) Oswaldo Arcia, MIN vs. BAL ($3,900)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Christopher Olson plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: Sommerset, FanDuel: Christop, Yahoo: Martins.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Olson
Christopher Olson writes DFS articles and blogs for a variety of sports including MLB, NFL and MMA. Follow him on Twitter @RealChrisOlson
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