The new week opens with a hearty 10-game daily baseball slate. The pitching selections include a mix of aces, volatile boom-or-bust hurlers, and bums. So, there should be a few explosive offensive outputs, despite a lack of games in high-scoring ballparks.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Tonight's pitching selections are top-heavy. A couple of aces are the top cash and GPP option, respectfully. Meanwhile, the final two options are appealing SP2s at DraftKings.
The new week opens with a hearty 10-game daily baseball slate. The pitching selections include a mix of aces, volatile boom-or-bust hurlers, and bums. So, there should be a few explosive offensive outputs, despite a lack of games in high-scoring ballparks.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Tonight's pitching selections are top-heavy. A couple of aces are the top cash and GPP option, respectfully. Meanwhile, the final two options are appealing SP2s at DraftKings.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Gerrit Cole (NYY) vs. BAL
Cole has been a man on fire. According to FanGraphs, in his last five starts, he's had a 1.67 ERA, 2.46 SIERA, 0.96 WHIP, 3.9 BB%, 30.2 K%, and 33.8 CSW%. In addition, all five starts have been quality starts.
Cole faced the Orioles in his last turn, holding them to two runs on six hits and five strikeouts in seven innings. He should succeed against them again tonight. Finally, the Yankees are slate-high -315 favorites with a pitcher-friendly total of 7.5 runs, per Betting Pros. Thus, Cole is the top recommendation in cash games.
Luis Garcia (HOU) vs. CLE
The Astros are also big favorites tonight at -200, supporting using Garcia as the SP2 in cash games at DraftKings. But, of course, Garcia has earned consideration through his stellar pitching.
The 25-year-old righty has allowed three runs or fewer in six of seven starts this year. Garcia has also struck out five or more in five turns. Overall, he's had a rock-solid 3.35 ERA, 3.28 xERA, 1.06 WHIP, 26.6 K%, and 28.5 CSW%.
GPP Recommendations:
Zack Wheeler (PHI) at ATL
Wheeler has a ceiling that's on par with Cole's. However, he and the Phillies aren't as significantly favored as Cole and the Yankees. Therefore, he's a better pick in GPPs than cash games.
In Wheeler's last four starts, he's had a 1.04 ERA, 2.71 SIERA, 0.88 WHIP, 6.3 BB%, 31.3 K%, and 31.3 CSW%. Further, only one of those turns wasn't a quality start. Finally, the matchup enhances Wheeler's ceiling. Among the 12 hitters on Atlanta's active roster, Ozzie Albies' 18.9 K% against righties since 2019 has been the lowest. As a result, Wheeler is an excellent GPP selection.
Alex Cobb (SF) vs. NYM
Cobb has flashed brilliance this year. However, he has a 5.61 ERA to show for his effort. Cobb allowed seven runs the last time he took the hill. Still, that game was at Coors Field. So, it's a forgivable rough showing.
The veteran righty has had three strong starts this year, though. In those starts, Cobb allowed two runs, two runs, and one run, striking out 10, eight, and six. Across six starts, Cobb's had a 1.75 xERA, 28.1 K%, and 30.6 CSW%. Sadly, the Mets are a challenging matchup. Nonetheless, the game's total is 7.5 runs, and the Giants are -139 favorites. There are enough positives to support chasing the upper end of Cobb's range of outcomes tonight.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Dodgers have a large implied total in an excellent matchup tonight. Their star-studded lineup should pummel Joan Adon and Washington's bad bullpen with ease. Adon has had a 6.38 ERA, walked batters at a high rate, and struck hitters out at a below-average clip.
- Home (Yankee Stadium)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 7.5 Runs/NYY -315
Last week, Jordan Lyles held the Yankees to three runs (two earned) on five hits, zero walks, and eight strikeouts in seven innings. Still, Lyles' 4.31 xERA, 20.1 K%, and 9.7 SwStr% have been underwhelming. As a result, the Bronx Bombers should get the better of him this go-round.
- Home (Target Field)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/MIN -185
MLB.com lists Beau Brieske as Detroit's probable starter for Monday. However, beat reporter Evan Petzold tweeted that Elvin Rodriguez would start Monday, followed by Brieske on Tuesday.
Frankly, the matchup against either righty is good for Minnesota's hitters. Still, the reason for a medium risk assessment is Detroit's bullpen. Their relievers have had the third-lowest ERA (3.06) in 2022.
- Anthony Rizzo has rebounded from back-to-back mediocre seasons at the dish. He's smashed 10 homers with a .276 ISO and 146 wRC+ in 171 plate appearances in 2022.
- Trea Turner is a great piece of exposure to the Dodgers' offense from the third spot in their order. He has tallied a .354 OBP, 122 wRC+, and stolen eight bases in 175 plate appearances.
- Giancarlo Stanton has elite power that's worth chasing against Lyles. This year he's drilled 11 dongs with a .248 ISO in 162 plate appearances.
- The only knock on Alek Thomas has been his lineup spot, hitting seventh or eighth. Regardless, he's mashed three taters with a .260 ISO and 147 plate appearances in 52 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks.
- MJ Melendez has been another impressive rookie. He's hit the ball hard, producing a .253 xBA and .509 xSLG.
- Darin Ruf is a lefty-killer who might stay in the game against right-handed relievers. So, he's a little less risky than other hitters who the Giants platoon.
Monday's Hitter Strategy
Gamers can completely stack the Yankees, Dodgers, or Twins. However, grabbing players from all three teams and mixing in the highlighted values and punts is a good move across all game types.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
