It’s an attractive Monday of baseball action as we mix our choices up with a pair of proven dominant hitters and a coveted starting pitcher to go with some value selections.
SP – Jon Lester – Chicago Cubs
The Cubs host the Cincinnati Reds with a starting time of 7:05 p.m. ET. Lester arrived with great fanfare in the offseason and is a key reason why there is so much optimism regarding the Cubs and what is perceived to be a bright future. Lester was rocked in the season opening loss to the St. Louis Cardinals where he allowed eight hits, two walks and three earned runs in 4.1 innings of work. We expect a stronger rebound performance. Lester will be well rested after missing a start due to a rain out last week.
1B – Paul Goldschmidt – Arizona
The Diamondbacks are at the San Diego Padres with a starting time of 9:10 p.m. ET. Goldschmidt was a key reason as to why the D-Backs won three out of their first five games and were playing better than expected baseball. Goldschmidt had a 1.347 OPS and .824 slugging percentage with six runs, one double, two home runs, six runs batted in and a .412 average. There is a lot of hype surrounding the Padres but we are yet to be sold and Goldschmidt may bring some added value as a result.
3B – Evan Longoria – Tampa Bay
The Rays are at the Toronto Blue Jays with a starting time of 6:07 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay is a team that is likely in for a long and dreadful season but Longoria remains their one bright spot. Longoria remains a valuable fantasy commodity as the third base as the Rays franchise player. Longoria was off to something of a sluggish start with a .235 batting average but with an on base percentage of .381 due to four walks in 21 plate appearances. Longoria scored four runs with two home runs, a double, and two RBI in his first five games.
SS – Erick Aybar – Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are at the Texas Rangers with a starting time of 7:05 p.m. ET. The Angels were sluggish out of the gate with three losses in their first five games. A series at the woeful Texas Rangers will likely prove to be just what the doctor ordered as far as getting the Angels back on track. Texas has one of the worst pitching staffs in the league and that opens the door for Aybar. Aybar got off to a sluggish start with no runs and just one RBI in his first five games with an average of .235 and on base percentage of .316. He enters Texas with plenty of upside.
DH – Billy Butler – Oakland
The A’s are at the Houston Astros with a starting time of 7:10 p.m. ET. Butler got off to a solid start for his new team with a .348 batting average, a .400 on base percentage, to go with three runs and two RBI. Houston has been touted as a team on the rise but the fact remains that they have much to prove and a long way to go before establishing bona fide credibility. As for Oakland, they are not getting a lot of love at the present time but history shows that it is dangerous to completely write them off.
RP – Brett Cecil – Toronto
The Blue Jays will host the Tampa Bay Rays with a starting time of 6:07 p.m. ET. Toronto got off to a promising start with three wins in their first five games, all on the road. Pitching remains a worry for the long-term viability of the Blue Jays and Cecil will be an important asset towards its improvement from the bullpen. Cecil has had a sore shoulder but has been effective in his first two appearances with three strikeouts in just 1.1 innings of work. His past two seasons add to the perception that he is one of the most coveted relievers in fantasy. With an improved Blue Jays team, Cecil’s value is only enhanced.
Sleeper – Dalton Pompey – Toronto
The Blue Jays outfielder is among the reasons why optimism is so high in Toronto. Although Pompey was off to a dreadful start with a .111 batting average and .200 on base percentage he is still a promising fantasy prospect that could bring enhanced value due to the slow start.
