This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
There aren't many high-end pitchers Monday, but that doesn't mean there aren't quality options. That gives you the ability to spend a little up on pitching but also put together a roster full of solid bats against numerous questionable arms.
PITCHER
Charlie Morton, HOU vs. BAL ($44): Morton is the highest-priced pitcher Monday, which is all that needs to be said for the quality of pitching. While his overall spring numbers aren't great, he coasted in his final appearance going 5.1 innings while allowing just one hit to go with eight strikeouts. Combine that with Baltimore's early struggles (five runs in three games) and Morton should live up to the bill as the biggest favorite of the day.
Brian Johnson, BOS at MIA ($34): I had Jordan Montgomery lined up before the snow started to fall in New York. Instead, I'll turn to a game in Miami in a dome. This is a pick based on Johnson's successful spring and Miami's roster. Johnson only gave up three runs to go with 13 Ks in 15.2 innings in the spring and that's a good enough sign. The Marlins haven't had a terrible start to the season, but their bats still lack power and they only have one homer in four games.
CATCHER
Brian McCann, HOU vs. BAL ($14): There's a good chance McCann is back in the lineup for this matchup after sitting Sunday. He doesn't have a huge bat, but those numbers are favorable enough considering he's used mostly against righties with a .323 wOBA last year. Chris Tillman was destroyed by lefties last season with a 7.12 xFIP and minimal 10.8 K%.
FIRST BASE
Justin Smoak, TOR vs. CWS ($15): Smoak has had a great start to the season with two homers on Sunday and still comes at a great price. This is another good matchup for him after Reynaldo Lopez was torched by left-handed bats last season with a 6.59 xFIP and 2.35 HR/9. Smoak has better overall numbers against lefties, but his .266 ISO against righties is perfect in this spot.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar, MIL vs. STL ($10): Villar has better overall numbers against righties so he should make the starting lineup here. None of those numbers jump off the page (last season's .297 wOBA), but this is more of a play against Miles Mikolas, who hasn't pitched in the majors since 2014. His spring didn't exactly go well as he gave up 12 runs and 25 hits in 22.2 innings and playing the last three years in Japan also brings questions.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL vs. STL ($17): Going off those above stats, Shaw is in a great position to have another multi-hit performance. He already has three doubles and last season's .249 ISO and .373 wOBA against righty hurlers lines up nicely for him against Mikolas.
SHORTSTOP
Freddy Galvis, SD vs. COL ($14): Galvis couldn't have asked for a better start to the season already with five hits and a homer. Last year's numbers aren't great, but he did have more power and a better .307 wOBA against righties. This is also more of a play against Chad Bettis, who struggled in the spring allowing nine runs and 18 hits in 18 innings pitched.
OUTFIELD
Stephen Piscotty, OAK vs. TEX ($10): Whenever you need a cheap play, it's always a good idea to
go against Bartolo Colon. The righty hurler is back for another season after mediocre pitching in 2017, including a .381 wOBA against both sides of the plate. Piscotty may not have a ton of power, but he doesn't cost much and is getting on base. He's also equally good against all pitchers even if a .310 wOBA against righties isn't overwhelming.
Marwin Gonzalez, HOU vs. BAL ($13): I figured it was a must to get at least two left-handed bats against Tillman and Gonzalez fits the bill. In addition to Tillman's terrible 7.12 xFIP against lefties, he allowed a .429 wOBA. Gonzalez roasted righties in 2017 with his .397 wOBA and .230 ISO standing out.
Michael Taylor, WAS at ATL ($14): Taylor hasn't had a great start to the season, but with a southpaw on the mound that could change after he sported a .356 wOBA against them last season. Sean Newcomb had similar struggles against righties last year, giving up most of his homers to them, which is seen in his 4.81 xFIP.
