I do my best to not be a Homer, which is easy to do when I am on Monday DFS duty. The St. Louis. Cardinals have not played a baseball game on Monday in six weeks. Finally, it is time. I will, unfortunately, have some STL love here, but for no other reason than it is warranted. For example, with Miles Mikolas ($8,400). He’s an innings eater and a true grinder, few are as consistent as Miles in length of average outing. Cardinals Skipper, Oli Marmol is the youngest manager in Major League Baseball, but a throwback to the older school. Oli will regularly let his two veteran horses, Wainwright and Mikolas go long if needed, pending they are not getting busted up. Miles should log at least six innings against the Reds. At fifth in salary on DK, it is a safe play.
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Frankie Montas, SP: DK: $7,200 – Arturo Moreno announced the Angels are for sale, which is interesting because Frankie Montas already owns them. The start to Montas’ career in pinstripes was not great, getting beat all over the park, allowing 14 runs in his first three starts as a Yankee. On August 23rd against the New York Mets, Montas settled in – going 5.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, and only earned runs, while walking only one batter. Tonight, Montas pitches in Los Angeles in a ballpark he is very familiar with and incredibly good at. Dating back to 2017, he has allowed only 3 earned runs over 29.1 innings.
Alejandro Kirk, C: DK: $5,100 – Don’t call my name! Alejandro! I, in fact, am your babe. The young catcher is having a tremendous season. His production is down the last couple of weeks, but with not much to choose from on a Monday, he is a terrific addition. With J.T. Realmuto, Will Contreras, and Will Smith in play, Kirk may be the forgotten man. If for no other reason, a rare play with big upside.
Josh Bell, 1B: DK: $4,800 – You thought Josh Bell would come to San Diego and just suck forever? Per Daniel Kaluuya, NOPE. The Cool Papa is on a four-game hitting streak, hitting .320 over his last seven games. Bell is now acclimated to the Padres team and feeling comfortable in the lineup. This is huge for San Diego considering the Tatis Jr. news. Josh will only get more comfortable.
Jake Cronenworth, 2B: DK: $4,300 – Cronenworth is .20 points above his season batting average the last 20 games. Giving the San Diego Padres the boost they desperately need. Jake has reached base safely in 12 of his last 15 games. He is beyond due to have some success against San Francisco Giants starter, Carlos Rodon. His right-handed bat in the lineup could be big in tonight’s game, as the Padres look to rebound from a brutal loss on Sunday, and not lose any additional ground in the National League Wild Card race. Cronenworth comes in at 12th in salary for second basemen. A deal if he can produce.
Max Muncy, 3B: DK: $4,600 / FD: $ The victim of the worst luck in baseball has seen his luck start to turn in the second half of the season. When you see .192 average you may think terrible hitter. However, Muncy is a good contact hitter that finds the defensive shift more than anyone in history. He is hitting .264 his last 30 games. Max is third in all of baseball with 71 walks. This is not a case of a bad hitting, reckless free swinger. The luck has started to turn, and in this lineup, Muncy can eat at any time.
Nico Hoerner, SS: DK: $4,300 – Hoerner has never faced Blues Jays starting pitcher, Jose Berrios. After a brief slump, Hoerner enters the game slashing .320/.370/.440, a considerable jump from where he began August. A good hitter who will get his opportunities.
Brendan Donovan, OF: DK: $3,200 – A lesser-known talent, many are not aware of just how good Brendan Donovan is. In his first year in the Majors, Brendan is hitting .299, striking out 19% of his at bats and has walked 42 times. He is the perfect sculpture of a contact hitter, And a throwback to the old days. Many would call this guy “scrappy.” He should get the start Monday. In the event he does not, you can replace him with teammate, Corey Dickerson, who is on quite the heater, and will carry a similar salary expense.
Ian Happ, OF: DK: $4,400 – Despite not having much protection in the lineup, Ian Happ is a having a solid season. For this reason, the Cubs did not move him at the deadline, which many anticipated they would. Happ has not had any success against Toronto Blue Jays, starter Jose Berrios, but it is only over 3 at bats. Berrios has been very hittable with an ERA north of 5.00. He is allowed a combined 107 hits/walks over his last 85 innings.
Lars Nootbaar, OF: DK: $3,000 – Over his last 30 games, Nootbaar is hitting .296, with five home runs and driving in 15 runs. His 20 walks in August are a team record. Since the All-Star Break, he has 25 walks to only 18 strikeouts. The man is seeing the ball well. Noot hits .39 points higher away from Busch Stadium. If Oli Marmol sticks with the recent theme, Lars would bat leadoff tonight in Cincinnati.
The ‘I’m Only Happy When It Rains’ section:
The baseball Gods have eased up some, after an evening of downpours in many areas of the country, it appears to be more mild today, and we expect most, if not all games to be played.
The ‘Doing Lines In Vegas’ section:
If I were a betting man, which I am, I like: STL Cardinals -1.5, CHC/Tor over 9.
