Because Monday is Labor Day, the MLB schedule is different than usual. That is to say, there is a lot of daytime baseball. In fact, the vast majority of the action is in the afternoon. Owing to this, we have a DFS slate made up of seven games with a first pitch of 1:05 p.m. ET. Here are my MLB DFS recommendations to try and help you have an enjoyable holiday.
Pitching
Sonny Gray, STL vs. ATH ($10,500): Gray's 4.19 ERA doesn't wow, but beyond that there is plenty to like. His 3.57 home ERA, for starters. Beyond that, Gray has a 3.23 FIP and 6.00 K/BB rate. The Athletics are a bit above average in runs scored, but their home park has helped them this year. I think Gray can manage at home Monday. Plus, it's a pretty lackluster day for pitchers.
Brayan Bello, BOS vs. CLE ($10,200): Bello has managed to get his ERA down under 3.00, which is quite impressive. Additionally, only once in his last six games has he allowed more than two runs. Facing the Guardians is a nice way for him to stay in form and to lower his ERA even further, as the Guardians are 28th in runs scored and threatening to finish last in team OPS.
Top Targets
Of course, a day with poor pitching options often means a day with plenty of intriguing hitting options. Though Pete Alonso ($3,900) has "only" slugged .480 on the road, that's not a reason to be wary. When you throw in the fact he has a .905 OPS against his fellow righties there is even less reason for trepidation. That it, given that Charlie Morton is taking the mound for the Tigers. While Morton has been better with the Tigers than the Orioles, he has a 4.61 ERA with his new team. Plus, in each of the last three seasons, righties have him better against him than lefties.
There is a view on the situation wherein Elly De La Cruz ($3,800) seems to be plateauing; he looks like a guy who will continue to deliver the stats DFS players want even if he frustrates with his play and approach. Nineteen homers and 32 stolen bases through 136 games is going to enthuse plenty of people. De La Cruz is also delivering as well as ever against righties, posting an .877 OPS. Chris Bassitt has a 6.10 ERA on the road, and lefties have hit .282 against him.
Bargain Bats
Though it's a little odd that Gleyber Torres ($3,100) was an all-star, a second baseman with a .364 OBP and 14 home runs is still of interest for DFS purposes. Plus, he has an .834 OPS at home, not to mention he has slugged .500 against lefties. Sean Manaea is a lefty, and in nine appearances this year he has a 5.01 ERA.
Though Cam Smith ($2,800) has been cold, Monday offers him an opportunity up his alley. He has a .752 OPS at home but also an .815 OPS versus lefties. Southpaw Yusei Kikuchi has been quite good at home, but on the road it has been a different story. He has a 5.25 ERA in away starts.
Stack to Consider
Twins vs. White Sox (Bryse Wilson): Byron Buxton ($3,900), Luke Keaschall ($3,100), Matt Wallner ($3,000)
Aaron Civale was primed to start Monday, but he's now no longer with the White Sox. Sunday, Wilson got called up, and he's now in line to start against the Twins. Mostly pitching out of the bullpen, the righty has a 4.84 ERA in his career. This season he has a 6.95 ERA with the White Sox. I only have one lefty in this stack, but it'll still work against Wilson.
With his 29th homer on the season, picked up Sunday, Buxton has a new personal best. Of course, he's also played in 103 games, which is the second most of his career. Buxton is a very good hitter when healthy, and he has a .932 OPS at home this season. The 23-year-old Keaschall has really impressed since joining the Twins. Through 30 games he's slashed .315/.413/.509 with four home runs and eight stolen bases. Notably, so far in his MLB career the second baseman has an OPS over 1.000 against righties. Wallner is my one southpaw. Since 2023 he's slugged .539 against righties and slugged .515 at home.
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