Check out all of our starting pitcher rankings and other lineup selection tools here to help you make smart fantasy baseball lineup decisions. MLB betting tips for each day's slate of games will also be added in the morning. MLB game odds are provided by ESPN BET, and all fantasy advice is geared toward ESPN 10-team leagues with standard scoring.
Note: All information is accurate as of the time of publication. For updates, including what you might have missed from last night, as well as any breaking news that might impact today's MLB slate, be sure to check out the latest fantasy baseball news.
Jump to: Pitching notes | Hitting notes | Betting tips
Reliever depth chart | Start a new league
Pitchers to stream on Friday
Only two of Monday's 16 scheduled starters are rostered on over half of ESPN Fantasy leagues so while there may not be any to avoid, there are several solid streamers, with Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Dustin May leading the pack. He was hit hard last time out, but a home game facing the Miami Marlins is a good rebound opportunity. Through the first month, the Marlins offense is in the middle of the pack in terms of production, but they strike out at a slightly above average pace.
Houston Astros RHP Ronel Blanco isn't carrying over last season's success but he's showing signs of getting on track. Last time out, he yielded one run over 6 2/3 innings, albeit with just three strikeouts. On Monday, Blanco will face the Detroit Tigers, who are struggling on the road, fueled by a 26.1% strikeout rate outside of Comerica Park.
Cleveland Guardians RHP Gavin Williams is coming off his best game of the season, fanning eight New York Yankees in 6 1/3 innings. He's missed bats all season with 26 punchouts in 26 frames, but he's also walked 12 while surrendering four long balls. On Monday, Williams is slated for a home date with a Minnesota Twins lineup missing some key pieces. Williams should be able to build on his last effort.
New York Mets starting pitching stifled the Washington Nationals offense over the weekend with RHP Griffin Canning scheduled for the wraparound Monday affair. With 13 strikeouts over his past 11 innings, Canning is set up for another solid outing.
Hitters to stream on Friday
It's the Atlanta Braves turn to take advantage of the weak Colorado Rockies pitching rotation in Coors Field. RHP Ryan Feltner gets the call for the home team, landing C Sean Murphy, OF Alex Verdugo and OF Jarred Kelenic in prime hitting spots.
One of the better venues to look outside of Coors Field for Monday lineup fortification is Arlington with the Texas Rangers hosting the Athletics. Both clubs will start southpaws with Patrick Corbin on the hill for the home team and JP Sears toeing the rubber for the visitors. Righty swinging Jake Burger and Josh Jung along with switch hitters Jonah Heim and Josh Smith stand out for the Rangers. Jacob Wilson and Miguel Andujar are the Athletics' best options.
Betting tips
Best/worst pitcher/hitter matchups and betting projections are generated by THE BAT X, a system created by Derek Carty using advanced methods like those used in MLB front offices, accounting for a variety of factors including player talent, ballparks, bullpens, weather, umpires, defense, catcher pitch-framing, and lots more. Betting projections for every player, team, and game can be found at EV Analytics.
Note: Expected Value is a measure of how good a bet is, factoring the probability that it will win versus the odds the book is providing. If you were to wager $1.00 100 times on a bet with an Expected Value of $25, you would win some and you would lose some, but in the end you would expect to come away with $25 in profit on your $100 investment.
Because odds typically do not get set until the previous day's games are completed, betting tips will be added in the morning.