This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We start off the week with 11 games on the schedule Monday, nine of which will make up the main evening slate on DraftKings. We have a nice mix of frontline pitchers and hitters with favorable matchups, so let's highlight some players to consider as you build your entries.
Pitchers
Corbin Burnes ($10,400) has been as good as it gets. Through his first four starts, he's allowed one run across 24.1 innings. As impressive as that is, he's recorded 40 strikeouts without issuing a single walk. He was excellent last season, as well, with a 2.04 FIP and a 36.7 percent strikeout rate, so he's emerging as one of the better young pitchers in baseball. He'll look to keep things rolling against the Marlins, who are currently without their best hitter in Starling Marte (rib).
We could actually have a pitchers' duel in that matchup between the Brewers and Marlins with Trevor Rogers ($8,400) also set to take the mound. The former first-round pick has a 1.64 ERA that is supported by a 2.37 FIP, to go along with his 35.6 percent strikeout rate. While he struggled during his major league debut last season, he still missed plenty of bats with his 30.0 percent strikeout rate. His strikeout prowess is noteworthy for this matchup given that the Brewers have recorded the second-most strikeouts in baseball.
The Yankees are playing a tough stretch without an off day, and they have a couple of starters who have barely pitched the last couple of seasons, so they are adding a sixth starter to their rotation by recalling Deivi Garcia ($7,100) to start Monday. Garcia made his debut last season, posting a 4.98 ERA and a 4.15 FIP across six starts. His 22.1 percent strikeout rate left a lot to be desired, but his impeccable 4.1 percent walk rate propelled him to a 1.19 WHIP. He could provide value considering the Orioles have the third-worst OPS in baseball.
Top Targets
Mike Trout ($6,300) didn't play over the weekend while tending to an elbow injury, but is expected to make his return Monday. The timing could be excellent for him with Jordan Lyles ($6,200) set to start for the Rangers. Lyles has allowed five home runs across 21.1 innings this season, which is not a surprise given that he's allowed at least 1.6 HR/9 in three of the last four seasons.
Bryce Harper ($5,700) has been locked in at the plate, entering Sunday with a .445 wOBA and a 182 wRC+. He also has as many walks (16) as strikeouts. Expect him to be a tough out for Adam Wainwright ($7,200), who has a 1.53 WHIP through four starts. That's a concern given that prior to his excellent 2020 campaign, he had recorded a WHIP of at least 1.40 in four straight seasons.
Bargain Bats
Going back to the Angels' matchup against Lyles, there are a couple of other hitters to consider if you can't fit Trout's hefty salary into your lineup. Jared Walsh ($4,300) could also take advantage of Lyles' propensity for allowing home runs. The power-hitting lefty has recorded a .250 ISO during his brief career in the majors, and he had a .361 ISO during his last stint at Triple-A in 2019.
His teammate David Fletcher ($3,200) is a very different type of hitter given that he has little-to-no power. With that being said, he's still a tough out, never posting a strikeout rate above 11.1 percent in either of his first three seasons. He's right on track in that department this season with an 11.5 percent strikeout.
Stacks to Consider
Yankees vs. Matt Harvey ($5,300), Orioles: DJ LeMahieu ($5,000), Giancarlo Stanton ($4,900), Rougned Odor ($3,100)
The Yankees' lineup has been a big disappointment, but they did show some signs of life in their last series against Cleveland. They'll look to break out in a big way against Harvey, who doesn't miss many bats and has recorded a WHIP of at least 1.47 in four of the last five seasons. Odor may not hit for average, but the move to the Yankees seems to suit him given that he's launched a home run in three of his last seven games.
Astros vs. Justus Sheffield ($5,500), Mariners: Yordan Alvarez ($5,100), Alex Bregman ($5,000), Carlos Correa ($5,400)
Sheffield's first three starts have left him with a 4.86 ERA and a 5.13 FIP. He had more success last season, in part, because he only allowed two home runs across 55.1 innings. He's already topped that total this season by allowing three homers over 16.2 innings. That could make this a tough trio for him to retire. Bregman is usually a top target whenever a left-handed pitcher is on the mound given that he has a career .419 wOBA against them.
Braves vs. Zach Davies ($7,500), Cubs: Ronald Acuna Jr. ($6,200), Freddie Freeman ($6,000), Travis d'Arnaud ($4,600)
On the one hand, Davies only allowed two runs in his last start against the Mets. On the other hand, he pitched just four innings, allowing seven base runners and recording just two strikeouts. He's been a disaster out of the gate, posting a 2.09 WHIP and issuing more walks (11) than he has strikeouts (10). The Braves already beat him up once, scoring four runs across four innings a little over a week ago. If Davies can't improve his control, this could get out of hand in a hurry.
