Without many great options at pitcher, Monday's daily fantasy baseball contests could be a chance to really load up on the top hitters around the league. The key will be to find the right players at each spot to give you a chance to win money.
Not only are there only nine games to choose from, none of the pitchers are valued more than $9,000 on DraftKings. This could create some interesting lineups throughout the different contests available.
Pitchers
Nathan Karns, Tampa Bay Rays ($7,100)
C.J. Wilson has been wildly inconsistent lately, while Clay Buchholz and Lance McCullers have difficult matchups this week. As a result, there are few expensive options worth taking a chance on at this point.
However, Nathan Karns represents a relatively safe option thanks to his recent play. Over the last three starts, the Rays starter has allowed just two earned runs in 17.1 innings. With the Cleveland Indians struggling to score (just three total runs while being swept by the Baltimore Orioles this weekend), Karns could have another strong showing.
Jimmy Nelson, Milwaukee Brewers ($6,600)
The consistency isn't there, but Jimmy Nelson has provided some gems so far this year. Three different times the right-hander has allowed just one run in eight innings, including his most recent start against the New York Mets.
Going up against one of the worst offenses in baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies provides another chance for a big effort from Nelson.
There is certainly risk involved in drafting a pitcher who has allowed at least six earned runs in two different starts this month, but Nelson represents a high-upside choice in tournament play.
Joe Blanton, Kansas City Royals ($4,800)
It was hard to expect much from Joe Blanton this season, who last had a 6.04 ERA in 2013. However, he has been lights-out for the Royals this year with a 1.73 ERA in nine appearances (two starts). Since moving into the rotation, he has allowed just two runs in 11 innings while totaling 11 strikeouts and no walks.
While you can expect him to come back to Earth at some point, Blanton can still have more success against a Houston Astros lineup that lead the majors in strikeouts. At the very least, there could be some good value here.
Hitters
Todd Frazier, 3B, Cincinnati Reds ($5,600)
While the cost is high, so is the potential output for the red-hot third baseman. In his last 21 games, Todd Frazier has an impressive nine home runs and 21 RBI. During this stretch, he has four three-hit games and only two games where we went without a hit.
Even better, Frazier gets to return home this series, where he is hitting .354 on the year with 15 of his 25 home runs. This is a good investment regardless of the price.
Prince Fielder, 1B, Texas Rangers ($4,800)
This matchup could be good for a bunch of Texas Rangers hitters, as they face Bud Norris, a pitcher who has struggled to a 6.70 ERA this season. It would have been worse if the five runs allowed in his last start weren't all unearned.
Playing in a home run haven like Camden Yards should lead to a high-scoring battle.
Of course, Prince Fielder is still the one you really want after five straight multi-hit games going into Monday.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers ($3,600)
Although his first year with the Dodgers hasn't been great, Jimmy Rollins is finally coming alive lately. In his last eight games, he is 10-for-31 (.323 batting average) with two extra-base hits.
With Allen Webster still struggling to get outs at this level, managing just a 6.28 career ERA in 22 appearances, Rollins could provide some value for cheap.
Team to Stack
Baltimore Orioles
Wandy Rodriguez is coming off his worst start of the season, where he allowed eight earned runs and 11 hits in four innings. Even if he isn't quite as bad Monday, the Orioles should still do damage. Not only do players like Adam Jones and Manny Machado excel against lefties, but the entire team is much better at home (25-13 compared to 16-21 on the road).
We could see a lot of home runs from the Orioles in this one.
Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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