DraftKings MLB: Monday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Monday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Matt Shoemaker, LAA vs. CIN ($7,200): The Reds can be an imposing force at Great American Ballpark, but they lose some of the venom in their bite on the road, as evidenced by their .300 wOBA. Shoemaker should be able to lean heavily on his splitter, as the Reds are a bottom-10 team against the pitch, according to runs above average.

Michael Pineda, NYY at KC ($7,100): The Royals are a fantastic matchup for Pineda on paper, as they hit the sixth-fewest fly balls in the league by percentage and have the sixth-lowest runs above average score against the slider, a pitch he throws nearly 41 percent of the time.

CATCHER

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, CWS at DET ($3,600): Saltalamacchia isn't likely to be confused with an offensive monster, but his .220 ISO against righties is good enough to warrant a selection against James Shields, who has allowed at least two homers in four straight starts. Salty is the clear backup to James McCann, but McCann just completed a stretch of four games in a row, making it very likely he will receive the day off.

FIRST BASE

Mike Napoli, CLE vs. MIN ($4,200):Hector Santiago has struggled mightily since being acquired by the Twins, allowing 23 earned runs (including seven home runs) over four starts. Napoli is known primarily for his power, but he has been a solid all-around hitter against lefties, slashing .292/.377/.531 in 130 at-bats.

SECOND BASE

Daniel Murphy, WAS at PHI ($5,400):Jake Thompson has had a rough time in his transition to the major leagues, as he has walked 13 batters in 19.1 innings while pitching to a 9.78 ERA over four starts. Meanwhile, Murphy has absolutely destroyed right-handed pitching this year, logging a .634 slugging percentage over 320 at-bats.

THIRD BASE

Josh Donaldson, TOR at BAL ($5,200):Wade Miley has had trouble keeping the ball in the park against righties this season, as he has a 1.7 HR/9 rate when facing his opposite hand. Donaldson has been great against everyone who takes the mound, but his 1.010 OPS against lefties is more than 60 points better than his mark against same-handed pitchers.

SHORTSTOP

Didi Gregorius, NYY at KC ($3,900): Opposing starter Dillon Gee has given up homers to hitters from both sides of the plate this season while sporting a 4.55 xFIP. The most intriguing thing about this matchup from a fantasy perspective is that Gregorius rates more than nine runs better than average this season against the slider, a pitch Gee throws 21 percent of the time.

OUTFIELD

Melky Cabrera, CWS at DET ($3,700): Cabrera becomes an above-average hitter when facing lefties, as he carries a .333/.351/.511 slugging percentage against them over 90 at-bats. Matt Boyd has been prone to the long ball when facing righties, allowing 11 of them in just 59.2 innings.

Brandon Moss, STL at MIL ($4,800): Finding Moss in a hitters' haven like Miller Park is a godsend, as he has tallied a .309 ISO over 99 games. Moss should have an even greater advantage over a pitcher like Zach Davies, whose ground ball tendencies will be matched by his 51 percent fly ball rate.

George Springer, OAK at HOU ($4,900): Rookie hurler Sean Manaea has been roughed up away from O.co Coliseum, registering an ERA approaching 7.00 over 40 innings. Springer has put on a show when given the platoon advantage this year, slashing .290/.416/.588 with a .298 ISO.

Other options: Melvin Upton Jr., TOR at BAL ($4,600); Mark Trumbo. BAL vs. TOR ($4,900); Ben Zobrist, CHC vs. PIT ($4,600)

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. Christopher Olson plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: Sommerset, FanDuel: Christop, Yahoo: Martins.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Olson
Christopher Olson writes DFS articles and blogs for a variety of sports including MLB, NFL and MMA. Follow him on Twitter @RealChrisOlson
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