The Monday slate is modest, featuring only eight games. It begins at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. As usual, the following pitchers, stacks, studs and values/punts are selected to fit the size of the main slate.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
An ace pitching in the Subway Series tonight is the headline hurler. He's joined by a pair of rock-solid pitchers in good matchups, making them stellar selections on tonight's slate.
The Monday slate is modest, featuring only eight games. It begins at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. As usual, the following pitchers, stacks, studs and values/punts are selected to fit the size of the main slate.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
An ace pitching in the Subway Series tonight is the headline hurler. He's joined by a pair of rock-solid pitchers in good matchups, making them stellar selections on tonight's slate.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Max Scherzer (NYM) at NYY
Sadly, Scherzer had his season interrupted by a stint on the Injured List (IL). Still, that hasn't been more than a minor hiccup. Mad Max has been a monster since the Mets activated him from the IL. According to FanGraphs, in nine starts totaling 59.1 innings, he's had a 1.82 ERA, 2.81 SIERA, 0.91 WHIP, 3.8 BB%, 32.1 K% and 32.4 CSW%.
Obviously, the Yankees have some star hitters in their lineup, creating a medium risk for using him tonight. However, Scherzer is catching the Bronx Bombers at the ideal time. Since the MLB trade deadline on August 2, the Yankees are 26th in wRC+ (80) with a bloated 25.3 K%. Finally, the betting info is good. According to Betting Pros, the Mets are -165, and the game's total is only 7.0 runs.
Jeffrey Springs (TB) vs. LAA
Springs started the year in the bullpen before successfully transitioning to starting. Additionally, he's settled into a groove as a starter. In the lefty's last six starts spanning 29.1 innings, he's had a 3.07 ERA, 3.34 xFIP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.8 BB%, 24.2 K% and 28.4 CSW%. However, as his innings pitched indicates, Springs hasn't been an innings eater.
Still, he's been consistently sharp. Springs has allowed no more than three runs in his previous seven turns. Unfortunately, Springs has had only four quality starts, all in his last 12 turns. As a result, he's a better option on DK than FD. Finally, he has a mouthwatering matchup. The Angels are tied for 27th in wRC+ (83) against southpaws, striking out at a juicy 24.2% rate.
GPP Recommendations:
Sonny Gray (MIN) vs. TEX
Gray has been cooking with gasoline in home tilts in his first year with the Twins. In 49.2 innings, he's had a 3.08 ERA, 3.37 xFIP, 1.25 WHIP and 28.4 K%. Gray's elite strikeout rate at home instantly thrusts him into the GPP mix.
However, Gray's excellent matchup is also a plus. The Rangers are tied for 23rd in wRC+ (93) against righties in 2022. Moreover, they've had a 23.5 K% against righties and a 24.0 K% in road games this season. So, the Rangers' strikeout rate is a boon for Gray's GPP upside. Thus, he's a sweet GPP selection.
Top Lineup Stacks
The Twins have a cushy matchup against a rookie who hasn't shown signs of being big-league ready through three starts. Cole Ragans has a 5.02 ERA and 5.40 xERA for the Rangers. In addition, he's walked more batters (eight) than he's struck out (seven). As a result, he's an excellent pitcher to stack against until he shows signs of figuring it out in The Show.
- Road (PNC Park)
- Value: Low
- Risk: Low
- Game Type: Both
- Game Total/Moneyline: 8.5 Runs/ATL -206
Roansy Contreras hasn't been as overwhelmed in the bigs as Ragans, evidenced by his 4.02 ERA in 13 appearances (10 starts) for the Pirates this year. Still, he's been lucky. Contreras has had a 5.23 xERA. The Braves can help close the gap between Contreras's ERA and ERA estimators. Since MLB's trade deadline on August 2, the Braves have been third in wRC+ (122), sporting a tasty .192 ISO to boot.
- Byron Buxton is an elite power source. In 379 plate appearances this season, he's swatted 28 long-balls with a .305 ISO.
- Since last year, Matt Olson has had a .357 OBP, .247 ISO and 134 wRC+ in 792 plate appearances against righties.
- Carlos Correa is great access to Ragans from the second spot in Minnesota's lineup. This year, he's had a .348 OBP and 122 wRC+.
- Jake Fraley is a screaming value since he's white-hot and underpriced. After yesterday's electrifying showing at the plate, he's had a .348 OBP, .253 ISO, 132 wRC+, seven homers and two stolen bases in 115 plate appearances in 2022.
- Vaughn Grissom has hit the ground running, and it's as if DK hasn't noticed. The rookie infielder has had a .447 OBP, .279 ISO, 209 wRC+, three homers and two stolen bases in 47 plate appearances. Thus, he's comically underpriced at only $100 above the minimum salary on DK.
- Jose Miranda is reasonably priced on FD but a bargain at DK. The rookie infielder has devoured lefties this year, smashing them for a .292 ISO and 147 wRC+.
- Robbie Grossman quickly fixed his swing with the Braves, and the results against righties have been encouraging. In 27 plate appearances against righties with Atlanta, Grossman has mashed two taters with a .370 OBP, .333 ISO and 171 wRC+.
Monday's Hitter Strategy
The Twins and Braves have excellent matchups, making them two outstanding sources for hitters on tonight's slate. Also, Fraley deserves a special call-out since he's an awesome one-off at a bargain salary on both DFS providers.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
