This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Here are my recommendations for games on Monday, July 20:
P – Matt Wisler ($5250) – Wisler has had an impressive debut in his first five MLB starts. He has maintained a nice K/BB ratio with 21 whiffs and only nine walks in 29.1 IP. This is a low price that gives us roster flexibility today. He faces Brandon Beachy who had a rough debut in his first start of 2015, on the long road back from Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2014 season.
P – Gio Gonzalez ($6500) – Gonzalez comes into tonight's action on the heels of three straight exceptional starts during which he has been nicked for a total of only two earned runs in 20 innings pitched. No fewer than five of the Mets projected batters in today's lineup own unimpressive sample sizes against him in head-to-head matchups.
C – Buster Posey ($5650) – Posey is putting together another fine offensive campaign and is currently enjoying a big spike in his numbers with a .520 BA in the past week, which has been highlighted by three three-hit games in his last six outings. His .880 OPS in 2015 is significantly higher than his last two season totals.
2B/SS – Rougned Odor ($4550) – This dynamic 21-year-old infielder is quickly developing into one of the most exciting players in the majors. In the past week he has shown those qualities by stroking three triples as part of a 10-for-27 streak and he has really cut down on his strikeout rate with only two whiffs in that sample.
2B/SS – Alcides Escobar ($4800) – After a 10-for-29 week, Escobar has pushed his batting average and OBP to career highs of .294 and .337 respectively. He is also on pace for a career high in RBI and is firmly established as a key contributor to the Royals' prolific offense.
1B/3B – Joey Votto ($5300) – When a power hitter is enjoying a bump over his season long batting average, I look to insert him into my daily lineup. Votto looks like he has rebounded from a 2014 swoon. His power numbers are back near career highs and he is currently on a 9-for-23 streak with four extra-base hits.
1B/3B – Kyle Seager ($5000) – Seager is a cornerstone of the M's attack and he is currently on a nine-game hitting streak that has pushed his BA to a career-best .271 mark. He has 13 hits in his last 25 AB with four extra-base hits and is showing further improvement by cutting down his strikeout rate, well below career norms with only 50 in 91 games played.
OF – Lorenzo Cain ($5300) – Previously known for his defensive prowess, Cain is putting together a career-best offensive campaign, with personal bests in extra-base hits, HR, RBI, BA and OPS. He is currently 11-for his last-25 with two HR, five extra-base hits and zero strikeouts in this recent sample... he's clearly seeing the ball well.
OF – Charlie Blackmon ($5400) – This speedy outfielder is coming off a week where he had five multi-hit games. He is hitting for power and matching that with daring efforts on the bases, with a career-best SB rate to boot. This development is another asset for a Rockies offense that continues to thrive at home, where they face a struggling Texas starter, Nick Martinez (three losses and five HR allowed in his last four starts).
OF – Matt Kemp ($4750) – This veteran outfielder has been on a tear with six extra-base hits and three homers in the past week, which were part of a season best 10-for-24 surge. He is being counted on to produce runs and his six RBI pushed his total to 50 for the year. I say ride another hot power bat with this pick.
Util – Kole Calhoun ($4800) – In a lineup which features a few higher profile players, a guy like Calhoun is easily overlooked. With three homers and five extra-base hits as part of a 9-for-24 week, he earns a spot in our Monday lineup. He is facing Steven Wright, who has served up seven HR and struck out only 24 batters in 43.1 IP this season.
Other favorable batting/pitching options, based on career splits against their Monday opponents include – Hunter Pence, OF ($5350), David Peralta, OF ($4850), Ryan Howard, 1B/3B ($4250), Ruben Tejada, 2B/SS ($3500), Eugenio Suarez, 2B/SS ($4500) and Kelly Johnson, 1B/3B ($4850)
