Yahoo DFS Baseball: Monday Picks

Yahoo DFS Baseball: Monday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.

PITCHER

Charlie Morton, HOU vs. TB ($38): I'd be surprised if Morton wasn't on high percentage of fantasy squads Monday due to price and performance. He's coming off a gem, striking out nine and allowing only three hits to the Phillies. In his last five starts, Morton has reached at least 16.6 fantasy points in each so he's also a fairly safe play. The Rays have a poor .291 wOBA and a high 25.9 percent K rate in July against righties.

Gio Gonzalez, WAS at MIA ($46): If Sonny Gray ($33) doesn't get traded, I'd roll with him against the Giants, but that appears likely. The more expensive Gonzalez gets the call instead, and he's almost always on my roster when he's on the mound. Gonzalez has reached at least 15.9 fantasy points in 11 of his last 12 starts and mowed down eight Marlins in seven innings back in June. As a team, Miami has a mediocre .312 wOBA against lefties since June 1.

CATCHER

Omar Narvaez, CWS vs. TOR ($7): His upside is limited due to having almost zero power, but Narvaez sports a cool .441 wOBA in his last 31 at-bats against righties. Marco Estrada hasn't gone more than five innings in his last five starts and while he has a 26.1 percent K rate against lefties, Narvaez's 11.5 percent K rate against righties should help.

FIRST BASE

Adam Lind, WAS at MIA ($9): Lind only plays against righties and that's the case here. His .391 wOBA and .241 ISO stand out, especially at a cheap price. Jose Urena has been inconsistent most of the season and gave up five runs and four walks last time out. His 6.54 xFIP and 12.6 percent K rate against lefties also favors Lind.

SECOND BASE

Wilmer Difo, WAS at MIA ($10): Difo has better numbers against lefties for the season, but in July (51 at-bats) he has a much better .362 wOBA and smaller 13.7 percent K rate against righties. Similar to Lind, Difo is in a nice spot as a cheap play against Urena.

THIRD BASE

Mike Moustakas, KC at BAL ($22): Moustakas brings power to the squad with a .371 wOBA and .304 ISO against righties this season that jumps to .393 and .411 in his last 60 at-bats. Ubaldo Jimenez is always a toss-up, but his .412 wOBA allowed to lefties isn't good nor is the 15 homers allowed to them in 45.1 innings pitched. As a bonus, Jimenez has given up at least four runs in four of his last five starts.

SHORTSTOP

Alcides Escobar, KC at BAL ($13): There aren't many shortstops I like Monday, so I'll see if I can find a spark against Jimenez. Escobar has improved as the season has passed, coming into this game with an improved .312 wOBA in July against righties and three multi-hit games in his last four starts. Jimenez isn't much better against righties with a 4.81 xFIP and smaller 17.9 percent K rate.

OUTFIELD

Michael Brantley, CLE at BOS ($21): Brantley is producing at a consistent rate with a .368 wOBA and low 13.9 percent K rate against righties with most of his power (.177 ISO) coming against them, as well. Doug Fister is back in the rotation and there's no reason to trust him as he's allowed 16 runs in four starts this year. That number aligns with a .445 wOBA allowed and 7.07 xFIP against lefties.

Ezequiel Carrera, TOR at CWS ($9): Carrera may only hit righties, but he hits them well with a .361 wOBA on the season and even better .425 wOBA in July (32 at-bats). For the price, this is almost a steal with James Shields on the mound. Shields has given up 19 runs and 11 walks with only 12 strikeouts in his last four starts. He's worse against lefties with a .440 wOBA allowed and 7.91 xFIP.

Khris Davis, OAK vs. SF ($20): It's usually best to use Davis against a pitcher that isn't big on strikeouts and Matt Cain fits the bill with a 12.2 percent K rate against righties along with a 5.29 xFIP. Most of Davis's power comes against righties with his .371 wOBA and .301 ISO leading the way.

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. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Zdroik
Adam, a 2019, 2018 and 2017 Finalist for FSWA's Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's soccer editor. He also runs RotoWire's Bracketology, as well as writes on other various college basketball content. He has previously worked at ESPN and Sporting Kansas City, and he is a former Streak for the Cash winner and Michigan State graduate.
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