The Monday night main slate is small, including only six games. Additionally, it starts a bit earlier than standard main slates, beginning at 6:40 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. Below, the top picks are narrowed down to three pitchers, two stacks, three core studs, and three values/punts.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
One starter is the top dog across game types. However, a pair of hurlers have GPP appeal and SP2 value on DK.
The Monday night main slate is small, including only six games. Additionally, it starts a bit earlier than standard main slates, beginning at 6:40 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. Below, the top picks are narrowed down to three pitchers, two stacks, three core studs, and three values/punts.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
One starter is the top dog across game types. However, a pair of hurlers have GPP appeal and SP2 value on DK.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Cristian Javier (HOU) vs. SEA
Javier has pitched exceptionally well as a starter and reliever for the Astros. However, he has had one disastrous start, coughing up seven runs in only 3.2 innings to the Nationals. Therefore, Javier's numbers are off the charts when excluding his clunker.
According to FanGraphs, in his other five starts spanning 26.0 innings, Javier has had a 1.38 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 9.8 BB% and 29.4 K%. Javier's excellence as a starter is a significant factor in the Astros being -162 favorites, per Betting Pros. So, Javier is the top pitcher across game types on tonight's slate.
Jon Gray (TEX) at CLE
Gray is an excellent GPP pick on FD, and he's the top SP2 in cash games on DK. The 30-year-old righty is coming off his best start of the year, holding the Rays to one run on three hits, two walks and 12 strikeouts across seven frames.
Further, his numbers have been stellar in his last five starts. In those turns, he's had a 3.72 ERA, 3.44 xFIP, 3.51 SIERA, 1.21 WHIP, 28.0 K% and 29.1 CSW% in 29.0 innings. As a result, Gray is a pitcher worth going back to the well with against the stumbling Guardians. Over the last two weeks, Cleveland has been 20th in wRC+ (100).
GPP Recommendations:
Blake Snell (SD) vs. NYM
Snell has made only three starts this year, and his stats are a mixed bag. Sadly, his 13.3 BB% is underwhelming and creates a risk of a messy start. However, Snell's 30.0 K% and 3.99 SIERA are rock-solid.
Frankly, Snell's strikeout ability is the reason to gamble on him in GPPs. Moreover, the betting info is favorable. The game's total is only 7.5 runs, and the Padres are -110 on the moneyline. Finally, PETCO Park has the fifth-lowest park factor for runs (0.885).
Top Lineup Stacks
Robbie Ray hasn't been the same dominant starter in 2022 that he was en route to capturing the AL Cy Young Award in 2021. Nevertheless, his underlying stats have been better than his ERA. So, there's a risk to stacking the Astros. Regardless, Houston's offense is jam-packed with lefty-killers.
- Road (Kauffman Stadium)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 9.5 Runs/TOR -175
The Blue Jays are a shoo-in to be chalky tonight. However, that's for a good reason. Their implied total tells the whole story. They should hang runs in bunches against Daniel Lynch and Kansas City's bullpen. After a promising start to the year, Lynch has reverted to poor form. In his last nine starts, he's had a 4.81 ERA and 4.96 xFIP. In addition, Kansas City's bullpen has been the third worst in 2022.
- Jose Altuve has been dynamic from the leadoff spot for the Astros. This year, in 170 plate appearances, he's hit 10 homers with a .347 OBP, .243 ISO, 153 wRC+ and three stolen bases.
- Teoscar Hernandez is back to his normal self after a dreadful start to the year. Sadly, his nine-game hit streak came to an end on Sunday. Still, in 39 plate appearances during his hit streak, he smacked four doubles, one triple and one homer with a .257 ISO, .462 OBP, 221 wRC+ and a 24.1 Barrel%.
- Bo Bichette's stats this year have been decent, but his expected stats have been even better. His batted ball data has produced a .293 xBA, .495 xSLG and .353 xwOBA.
- Yuli Gurriel isn't having a great season. Still, he has a track record of punishing lefties. Since 2019, Gurriel has had a .343 OBP, .225 ISO and 127 wRC+ against them.
- Kole Calhoun didn't hit his first homer this season until May 8. Since then, he's been on fire. In 106 plate appearances since May 8, Calhoun has clubbed eight homers with a .396 OBP, .312 ISO and 197 wRC+.
- Matt Chapman has been a well above-average hitter with the platoon advantage in his career, sporting a .228 ISO and 120 wRC+.
Monday's Hitter Strategy
The Blue Jays are the top offense across game types tonight. However, the Astros are also an elite offense to pluck offensive options from.
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Whether you're new to fantasy baseball or a seasoned pro, our Fantasy Baseball 101: Strategy Tips & Advice page is for you. You can get started with our Sabermetrics Glossary or head to a more advanced strategy - like Maximizing Your Potential in Multi-Lineup Contests - to learn more.
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
