- Monday's action begins early with a 1:10 p.m. ET NL East affair as the Miami Marlinsand New York Mets wrap up their four-game set in Citi Field. It's early to be chasing wins, but there isn't much by way of pitching to pick up and Mets starter David Peterson (7% rostered in ESPN leagues) is in a great spot as the Marlins offense sports the lowest wOBA and highest strikeout rate in the league with a lefty on the hill. Peterson will be opposed by Trevor Rogers, one of the most disappointing starters in the first half. Rogers signature changeup has been ineffective, and until he gets the feel back, he'll continue to surrender a bevy of runs (8.02 ERA over his last five starts, spanning just 21 1/3 innings).
- The remainder of the nine-game slate is at night. As mentioned, the pool of streaming candidates is scant, with only Boston Red Sox fill-in Josh Winckowski checking ample boxes. Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock are both still sidelined, paving the way for Winckowski to draw a home start against the Detroit Tigers and the league's least productive lineup with a righthander on the hill. Further, the visitors fan at a 25% clip, the fifth highest mark in the league against righties.
- The abbreviated schedule likely leaves lineup holes, and without starters to stream, speculating on saves is the perfect pivot. Sticking in Boston, Tanner Houck (38%) has taken over as the Red Sox closer with Matt Strahm (1%) the backup. With Liam Hendriks out indefinitely, the Chicago White Sox will entrust Kendall Graveman(16%) with the ninth inning. Tampa Bay will use a committee to replace Andrew Kittredge with Colin Poche (4%), Jason Adam (7%) and Brooks Raley (2%) heading the list. Please note, after spending the weekend on the paternity list, Josh Hader will return to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday so those picking up Devin Williamsshould consider dropping him for one of the available closers.
- Jon Berti stole three bases as I was preparing yesterday's notes, giving him 14 in June. He's currently available in 86% of ESPN leagues. Granted, stolen bases are thought of as more as a category league asset, but Berti is a Top-100 player in points leagues so far this month.
- It's not often PNC Park is discussed as a place for hitting, but on Monday's abbreviated schedule, it could be one of the busier venues with JT Brubaker taking the hill for the Pittsburgh Pirates, to be opposed by the Chicago Cubs promising, but still raw Caleb Kilian. Pittsburgh's Diego Castillo, Michael Chavis, Daniel Vogelbach and Yu Chang are all available in over 95% of ESPN leagues. For the Cubs, Christopher Morel(32%) is the top target with Nico Hoerner(7%) and Jonathan Villar (4%) in the mix.
What you need to know for Monday's MLB Games
- Thread starter biggins
- Start date
