This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Fantasy Aces recommendations for Monday.
SP - Ubaldo Jimenez $5,750 - Jimenez has split a pair of starts against the Blue Jays already this season, but he struck out 14 in 12 innings, allowing only seven hits. The free-swinging core of the Toronto lineup has not enjoyed much success against him. At this price, he is an attractive option, giving flexibility elsewhere.
SP - Jon Lester $6,850 - He has a limited history against the active Mets batters, and that usually gives a veteran pitcher the advantage. Throw in the fact that he has put together a pair of outstanding efforts (one ER in 14 IP, allowing only 13 baserunners) leading into this game and this looks like a favorable matchup.
C - Salvador Perez $4,750 - He is having a nice start to the 2015 season, hitting .296 (fourth among catchers) as one of the better contact-hitting catchers in baseball (89 percent contact rate). He's also in a hitter's park where he has fared well and is coming off a day of rest.
2B/SS - Dee Gordon $5,650 - One of the hottest hitters in baseball is an easy pick when you look at what he has done lately. He has a 13-game hitting streak, which includes 10 multi-hit games. He has also recorded four stolen bases in seven May starts. Ride the hot stick.
2B/SS - Dustin Pedroia $4,900 - Pedroia has a favorable history in a 47 plate appeances vs. Scott Kazmir with 19 hits in 38 at-bats, including eight extra-base hits. The veteran only has three K in this sample, underscoring just how well he sees Kazmir's delivery.
1B/3B - Freddie Freeman $5,250 - Freeman has been hitting with power and for average that has him on pace for a career high .941 OPS through 30 games in 2015. He is also wielding a hot bat, with a six-game hitting streak, during which he has four multi-hit games.
1B/3B - Evan Longoria $4,850 - In 71 PA vs. CC Sabathia, Longoria has 14 XB, six HR, 13 walks and only five strikeouts. Factor in the fact that the Sabathia of the last couple of seasons is a shadow of his former self, and the pick looks even better.
OF - Ichiro Suzuki $4,000 - Suzuki is familiar with Monday's opposing pitcher Zack Greinke, dating to their days in the AL. Suzuki has put the ball in play with a nice history of good results, only striking out once in 30 plate appearances. Even though he had an eight-game hitting streak interrupted, he found a way to contribute with a stolen base in his last start. He should help in some way Monday, too.
OF - Ben Revere $4,600 - This speedy outfielder has picked up the pace, as he enters with 12 hits in his last 35 at-bats. He has been putting the ball in play at a higher than normal rate and with his speed that has caused some good outcomes on the basepaths. He is well ahead of his usual XBH pace with five doubles and three triples (vs. a career-high 22 XBH last year).
OF - Chris Colabello $3,500 - This career minor leaguer has wielded a red-hot bat during his first tour of duty with the Blue Jays, where he has replaced the injured Michael Saunders in left field. He is playing with great confidence, producing seven hits in 14 at-bats, including three extra-base hits. He adds another power bat to one of the most potent lineups in the majors.
Util - Jacoby Ellsbury $5,250 - One of the best table-setters in baseball is enjoying a great start to the 2015 season and is a key to the Yankees surprising record. He is riding the crest of two-week stretch with a 1.000 OPS and .524 BABIP.
