Despite all 30 teams playing on Memorial Day, the path to FanDuel’s SP1 is pretty clear. All roads lead to a Mad Max type of Monday. The Nationals’ Max Scherzer is a dominant force regardless of his opponent. He has a 2.99 SIERA (second-lowest on the slate) as well other eye-popping stats such as a 2.88 xFIP and a 32.4% K rate. But then you consider that he is facing a lowly Miami Marlins’ offense and he is the easy choice as the top starting pitcher on the slate. The Marlins have a 26% K rate and a terribly low .101 ISO versus right-handed pitching in 2019. Look for Max Scherzer to carry your FanDuel lineups on Monday.
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Clayton Kershaw, SP: $10,000 – If you want to fade Scherzer for ownership purposes, no one is going to blame you for that. And if that’s the route you choose, Kershaw is a perfect pivot. The Mets have struck out in 27.3% of their at-bats against lefties this season. And the Dodgers’ southpaw has been very successful against this current Mets’ roster in the past. In 86 at-bats against this current New York roster, Kershaw has struck out 21 batters, while holding them to a .186/.203/.316 slash line.
Matt Olson, C/1B: $3,200 – The Angles’ Trevor Cahill is getting beaten up by left-handed bats this season. He is allowing a .417 wOBA and a 2.18 HR/9 to lefties in 2019. Olson should take advantage of Cahill and extend his six-game hit streak in this one.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B: $3,300 – Over the course of the last week, Jonathan Schoop has been seeing beach balls at the plate. During the seven-day stretch, the second baseman has a .368 ISO.
Jonathan Villar, 2B: $3,400 – Villar has a .222 ISO over his last seven games.
Eduardo Escobar, 3B: $4,200 – The Diamondbacks’ Escobar has a .265 ISO and a .345 wOBA against right-handed pitching in 2019. Those numbers should improve with the help of some thin Colorado air.
Nolan Arenado, 3B: $4,700 – The third baseman has a .229 ISO and a .366 wOBA versus right-handed pitching in 2019. Combine that with a 1.116 OPS at home this year and it’s clear that Arenado is a strong play for Monday.
Trevor Story, SS: $4,600 – Story has a 1.045 ISO in his career against Zack Grienke.
Trea Turner, SS: $4,000 – Miami’s Jose Urena is allowing a 42.3% hard contact rate this season. Look for Turner to get a hold of one or two on Monday.
Ketel Marte, OF: $4,400 – Marte and teammate Adam Jones are both great plays, but Marte gets the nod here. The Diamondbacks’ outfielder has homered in three straight games entering play on Monday. Marte has a good chance to make it four in a row as the Rockies’ Gray is going to allow some hard contact here. The Colorado starter is allowing a 44.3% hard contact rate to lefties.
Andrew Benintendi, OF: $3,600 – Benintendi falls into a great spot on Monday. The Indians’ Jefry Rodriguez has allowed a .366 wOBA and 2.44 HR/9 to lefties in his career. And if the Red Sox leadoff man gets on, look for him to use his speed. He has stolen a base in three of his last four.
Alex Gordon, OF: $3,400 – The Royals’ outfielder has crushed right-handed pitching this season. Gordon has a .391 wOBA and a .254 ISO against righties in 2019. With the White Sox’s Ivan Nova allowing a .388 wOBA to right-handed bats, this season, expect Gordon to shine in this one.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There are a couple of games that you will want to double check the weather prior to lock. The Kansas City Royals/White Sox game looks like it might get some rain on the back nine of the contest. While the only thing that may slow down the red hot Minnesota Twins is the weather. There is a storm brewing in Minnesota, so be sure it is all systems go before you lock in any Brewers or Twinkies in your FanDuel lineups.
Doing Lines In Vegas
On paper, it should be tough for the Indians to keep pace with the Red Sox on Monday. While the money line is too rich, consider the run line at -1.5 for -105.
