This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Here are my recommendations for games on Monday, June 29:
P – Joe Blanton ($4650) – Blanton comes into Monday's start on the heels of two outstanding outings where he has limited the opposition to only two earned runs on a total of seven hits in 11 IP. His control has been sharp with seven strikeouts against no walks.
P – Nate Karns ($5500) – Karns is proving to be a surprise contributor to the Rays rotation this season, his first regular turn in an MLB rotation. He is on a hot streak in his last three starts, where he has allowed a total of two earned runs over 17.1 IP. He has 17 strikeouts against only five walks in that same interval.
C – Welington Castillo ($4350) – Castillo has made the most of his opportunities in his last seven starts, as he has stroked three homers and driven in nine runs. He has hit .292 in that stretch for his best streak on the season.
2B/SS – Rougned Odor ($4250) – Odor is another player whose bat has come alive after lying dormant through much of this season, with 10 hits in his last 24 at-bats including two of his three total homers and five of his ten extra-base on the year.
2B/SS – Carlos Correa ($4750) – The highly regarded rookie has exploded onto the MLB scene in recent weeks. He comes into Monday's game a sizzling 10-for his last-27, which include two homers and seven extra-base hits. He's also established himself as a stolen base threat, nabbing four SB without being caught yet.
1B/3B – Prince Fielder ($5700) – I cannot ignore the big man when he is hitting for power (30 extra-base hits) and a career-best .351 BA. He is worth the high price tag tonight, coming into action on an even more torrid streak of 12 hits in his last 25 at-bats. Every ball he is hitting is met with good contact and he's only struck out once during his recent hot streak.
1B/3B – Manny Machado ($5500) – Machado has led the O's charge toward the top of the AL East, while on his way to a career year. He has been a model of consistency on offense, with an 8-for-25 sample from last week representative of his typical output. He is currently enjoying a season-high 10-game hit streak.
OF – Brett Gardner ($5050) – The igniter of the Yankee offense is enjoying a career-best pace in multiple offensive categories thus far, which includes runs scored, extra-base hits and home runs. He is white hot in his last six games, collecting 13 hits in 26 at-bats and remaining a threat to steal every time he gets on base.
OF – Ryan Braun ($5700) – You will pay more for this potent bat, but Braun is hitting at a pace that we haven't seen for a couple of years, with his HR and RBI numbers up to early career levels. He has collected nine hits in his last 22 at-bats and also picked up four walks, adding up to a .500 OBP.
OF – Chris Young ($3900) – Young has had a career rebirth ever since rejoining the Yankees last year. He is hitting to a higher batting average and with more power than we have seen from him in the past three years. He is on a season-best 11-for-29 tear, which includes two homers and seven RBI in his last seven games.
Util – Torii Hunter ($4800) – This 39-year-old batter looks rejuvenated in his return to Minnesota this season. He comes into Monday's game fresh off of three homers and four RBI in the last two games, and is 8-for-25 with six extra-base hits in the past week.
Other favorable batting/pitching options, based on career splits against their Monday opponents include – C Matt Wieters ($5000), 2B/SS Brian Dozier ($5250), 2B/SS Steve Pearce ($4000), 1B/3B Joey Gallo ($4550), OF Yasiel Puig ($5150), OF Shin-Soo Choo ($4600)
