Monday presents a small six-game featured slate in the world of MLB, but don’t fret. Just because there isn’t that many teams taking the field, it doesn’t mean we won’t have numerous places to spend on bats.
Which teams are the best to stack this evening? Let’s dive in and break it all down.
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1. Cleveland Guardians
Jose Ramirez ($6,200)
Steven Kwan ($4,400)
Josh Naylor ($4,300)
Andres Gimenez ($4,100)
Kyle Manzardo ($2,700)
It’s worth mentioning that Nick Nastrini ($6,000) has had a good start at the MLB level. That came back on August 29 when he allowed just a single earned run over six innings against the Rangers. Other than that? It’s been a really rough go for the rookie RHP. Nastrini owns a 7.79 ERA and a 7.57 FIP across 32.1 innings with the White Sox. He’s surrendering 1.95 opponent home runs per nine. LHBs have specifically haunted the 24-year-old, as the 74 he’s faced in 2024 have combined for a .500 OBP and a .447 wOBA. Woof.
The Guardians have a ton of left-handed bats that they can throw at Nastrini this evening. In fact, with the switch-hitting Ramirez and Brayan Rocchio ($2,600) available, there’s a scenario where Nastrini doesn’t see a single RHB on Monday night. Ramirez, Kwan and Naylor are the obvious trio to stack at the top of Cleveland’s order, but I’d also keep an eye on Manzardo. The top prospect is in his second go-around with the Guardians in 2024 and he’s looked much better since his re-call in August 1. In that span, Manzardo is slashing .316/.381/.737 in 21 plate appearances.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani ($7,000)
Mookie Betts ($6,300)
Freddie Freeman ($5,300)
Max Muncy ($4,800)
Gavin Lux ($3,800)
The only thing keeping the Dodgers from the top of this list is price. You’d better save elsewhere if you’re hoping to stack the top bats in Los Angeles’ order this evening, though it does help that there isn’t a single pitcher priced above $9K on this slate. The reason? Kyle Hendricks ($6,200) is taking the hill for the Cubs. Sadly, there might not be a pitcher currently getting consistent starts with less left to offer than the RHP. Despite his 6.60 ERA, Hendricks has started 20 games for Chicago in 2024. He sits in the eighth percentile of expected ERA (5.17), the third percentile of expected batting average (.291) and, of course, the bottom percentile in average fastball velocity (87.8). He’s cooked — and LHBs have been teeing off on him all season long. To wit, lefties are hitting .319 against Hendricks with 2.29 home runs per nine.
You’re aware of the exploits of Ohtani, Betts and Freeman, so allow me to point your attention to Lux. Not only is the infielder affordable at just $3.8K, but he’s been locked in going back to the All-Star break. In his last 157 plate appearances, Lux is slashing .319/.389/.572 with a .254 ISO and a 166 wRC+. In that same span against specifically right-handed pitching? Lux owns a 1.046 OPS and a 187 wRC+.
3. New York Mets
Francisco Lindor ($5,600)
Pete Alonso ($4,900)
Brandon Nimmo ($4,500)
J.D. Martinez ($4,500)
Jesse Winker ($3,500)
Editor’s Note: Blue Jays RP Ryan Burr will start tonight’s game vs. the Mets.
It’s a little odd to see Chris Bassitt ($8,400) sitting as the third-most expensive pitcher on tonight’s slate. While the veteran RHP does still carry name value, Bassitt has struggled significantly over the past couple of months. In fact, dating back to the beginning of July, Bassitt’s pitched to an ugly 6.03 ERA across 11 starts. As was the case in 2023, left-handed opponents have been the 35-year-old’s largest issue, as those within the split have combined to slash .322/.407/.568 with a .415 wOBA during this stretch.
The Mets don’t have a lot of left-handed bats, yet the ones they do have are capable of doing some serious damage. Lindor has posted a 159 wRC+ since the All-Star break. Nimmo sports a career .829 OPS against right-handed pitching. Winker hit .343 with a 142 wRC+ in August after being traded to New York. All three are quite viable in this evening’s plus-matchup.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $100K Relay Throw [$25K to 1st]
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
