The Monday night MLB DFS slate is slight, including just six games. It begins at 7:05 pm ET at DraftKings and FanDuel. Tonight’s picks for the slate are narrowed to three pitchers, two stacks, core studs and values/punts.
Monday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
There's a distinct lack of safety among tonight's pitchers. Still, the top pitcher was comfortably ahead of the other suggested pitchers. The second and third pitchers could fit perfectly into the Spiderman-pointing-at-Spiderman meme. They have shaky control and high strikeout potential.
Cash Game Recommendations:
Luis Garcia (HOU) vs. SF
Garcia's not flawless. Still, he's in great form. In his previous two starts spanning 13.0 innings, he's held the Rays and Blue Jays scoreless on five hits, three walks and 16 strikeouts. Garcia's also struck out at least seven batters in three consecutive games.
According to FanGraphs, he has a 4.00 ERA, 3.94 xERA, 1.26 WHIP, 8.8 BB%, 27.2 K% and 28.7 CSW% this season. The Giants have a threatening offense, creating some risk. San Francisco is second in wRC+ (126) against right-handed pitchers this season. However, the Giants also have a 26.1 K%, and they might need a game to adjust after playing in the extreme elevation in Mexico over the weekend. Finally, per Betting Pros, the Astros are -182, enhancing the case for using Garcia in all game types.
Blake Snell (SD) vs. CIN
Snell is a maddening pitcher to use in DFS. The lefty's strikeout ability is apparent. However, he often undermines his bat-missing ability by walking too many batters. Snell has an unacceptable 16.5 BB% in five starts this year.
Nevertheless, Snell has pitched precisely 5.0 innings in his previous three starts, allowing four runs (three earned), two and two while striking out precisely five batters in each of those turns. So perhaps, pitching at home will help Snell immensely tonight. In 158.2 innings at home since 2021, he's had a 3.18 ERA, 2.96 xFIP, 1.10 WHIP, 8.8 BB% and 33.9 K%.
The matchup can also aid Snell's outlook tonight. The Reds are 23rd in wRC+ (84) against southpaws this season, striking out at a 23.3% clip. In addition, the Padres are -225. So, the betting info is ideal. Snell's a tournament option at FD. And he's the best SP2 in cash games at DK.
GPP Recommendation:
MacKenzie Gore (WSH) vs. CHC
Gore's statistical profile has a fly in the ointment. The young lefty has a 14.4 BB% this season. Yet, the rest of Gore's profile is tasty. In five starts spanning 27.0 innings, he's had a 3.00 ERA, 3.32 xERA, 3.49 xFIP, 1.30 WHIP, 31.5 K% and 31.3 CSW%.
Gore has worked around his below-average control by striking out tons of batters. He struck out exactly six batters in each of his first three starts before punching out seven and 10 in his two most recent starts. Moreover, Gore has had three quality starts in his last four, including back-to-back quality starts entering tonight.
Unfortunately, the Cubs are a challenging matchup. They're tied for the second-highest wRC+ (128) against lefties this year. Still, their 24.2 K% is high enough for Gore to exploit, making him a fun GPP selection.
Top Lineup Stacks
This game's total is the highest on the slate and the only one above 8.5 runs. Furthermore, the Blue Jays are favored. So, those are excellent starting points. The matchup and park factors are good, too. Corey Kluber has a gross 6.75 ERA, 5.13 xERA and 5.58 xFIP in five starts this year. Kluber has also coughed up a staggering 2.63 HR/9. The Blue Jays can get the best of him tonight. Toronto's lineup has a desirable blend of depth and high-end talent, making them stackable throughout the entire lineup.
- Home (Fenway Park)
- Value: Medium
- Risk: Medium
- Game Type: GPP
- Game Total/Moneyline: 10.0 Runs/BOS +125
The Red Sox can also get in on the run-scoring fun at Fenway Park. However, their matchup might be tricky. Jose Berrios is inconsistent. He's allowed two runs or fewer in his last three starts, spinning 5.0, 7.0 and 7.0 innings in those turns. Yet, Berrios has a 4.71 ERA in 2023.
Berrios has also struggled against lefties. The 446 left-handed batters who've faced Berrios since last year have had a .344 OBP, .505 SLG and .366 wOBA. Meanwhile, Boston's lineup should have seven left-handed batters. So, the Red Sox could explode tonight.
- Rafael Devers destroys righties. Since 2021, he's had a .360 OBP, .299 ISO and 150 wRC+ against them.
- Vladimir Guerrero excels in same-handed matchups. He's had a .369 OBP, .255 ISO and 152 wRC+ against righties since 2021.
- Jarren Duran is raking this season. He has a .415 OBP, .215 ISO, 185 wRC+, one homer and two stolen bases in 53 plate appearances for the Red Sox in 2023.
- Miguel Vargas isn't an exciting DFS option, slugging only one homer and swiping just one base in 96 plate appearances this year. Nonetheless, Vargas has a .358 OBP, making him a nifty punt.
- Jason Heyward is raking for the Dodgers. They've seemingly unlocked more power from the 33-year-old outfielder. Heyward's 93.0 mph average exit velocity this season is the highest mark of his career. In 62 plate appearances in 2023, he has three homers, a .350 OBP, .240 ISO and 126 wRC+.
- Alejandro Kirk is stellar in same-handed matchups. He's had a .362 OBP and 122 wRC+ against righties since 2021. Kirk has also excelled at the dish this year, producing a .418 OBP and 135 wRC+.
Monday's Hitter Strategy
The Blue Jays and the Red Sox are the most appealing sources of offense tonight. The Dodgers also have some intriguing players. Since Devers and Guerrero are among the highest-salaried players and core studs on the slate, tonight's hitter strategy has a stars-and-scrubs vibe.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
