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DRAFT MLB Lineup Advice: Monday (8/20)

DRAFT MLB Lineup Advice: Monday (8/20)

There are 10 games taking place on Monday and DRAFT has provided two slates for contests: 7:05 pm EST start (10 games) and 10:05 pm EST start (three games). While we are still waiting on odds for two games (KC/TB and TEX/OAK), we know that we’ll have at least three games with an over/under of nine total runs. The CWS/MIN matchup currently leads the docket with 9.5 projected total runs.

As for favorites, only one team is considered a heavy favorite (-200 odds, or greater), according to Las Vegas. Milwaukee has -200 odds against Cincinnati. However, they are one of the games with an over/under of nine total runs, so the Brewers pitchers still won’t be high on our list of starters.

This article is posted well before lineups are released by the managers. If you have a question, feel free to reach me on Twitter @CharlieSideHstl.

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Pitchers

1. Gerrit Cole, HOU (@ SEA)

2. Corey Kluber, CLE (@ BOS)

3. Chris Archer, PIT (vs. ATL)

4. Alex Wood, LAD (vs. STL)

5. Zack Wheeler, NYM (vs. SF)

6. Mike Fiers, OAK (vs. TEX)

7. Marco Estrada, TOR (vs. BAL)

8. Rick Porcello, BOS (vs. CLE)

9. Chase Anderson, MIL (vs. CIN)

10. Austin Gomber, STL (@ LAD)

It was a tough call to determine the top pitching option on the board for Monday, but I gave the nod towards the arm with the easier opponent. According to Vegas, the Astros are around -175 favorites against the Mariners. Seattle is also 21st in team wOBA (.316) against right-handed pitchers. As for Kluber’s opponent, the Red Sox, they are first in team wOBA against righties (.359) and Boston leads the league with 677 runs in 125 games.

One of the lowest over/unders of the slate belongs to the matchup between the Braves and Pirates. I’ve seen it as low as 7.5 projected runs, with Pittsburgh as the favorite (-120). Archer has allowed three earned runs, or less, in nine of the last 10 outings and punched out at least six batters in four of the last six appearances.

Infielders

1. Jose Ramirez, CLE (@ BOS)

2. Jesus Aguilar, MIL (vs. CIN)

3. Francisco Lindor, CLE (@ BOS)

4. Khris Davis, OAK (vs. TEX)

5. Justin Smoak, TOR (vs. BAL)

6. Alex Bregman, HOU (@ SEA)

7. Freddie Freeman, ATL (@ PIT)

8. Carlos Correa, HOU (@ SEA)

9. Justin Turner, LAD (vs. STL)

10. Mike Moustakas, MIL (vs. CIN)

11. Travis Shaw, MIL (vs. CIN)

12. Miguel Sano, MIN (vs. CWS)

13. J.D. Martinez, BOS (vs. CLE)

14. Max Muncy, LAD (vs. STL)

15. Whit Merrifield, KC (@ TB)

16. Jedd Gyorko, STL (@ LAD)

17. Matt Carpenter, STL (@ LAD)

18. Paul DeJong, STL (@ LAD)

19. Shin-Soo Choo, TEX (@ OAK)

20. Ozzie Albies, ATL (@ PIT)

Seeing Ramirez at the top of the list is no surprise. However, one name who does stand out towards the top of our rankings is Aguilar. His Brewers are tied with the slate-high 5.4 projected runs on Monday. Aguilar has the second-highest ISO against right-handed pitchers since 2017 (.281 ISO). He’s also 11-for-36 (.306) with one double and three home runs in the past 15 days.

Speaking of big hitters, Davis is also high on our list for Monday night. He ‘Khrushed’ two home runs on Sunday and has compiled four extra-base hits over the last two contests. We’re still waiting on the Vegas odds for TEX/OAK, but I’d imagine nine total runs would be the minimum. Bartolo Colon is on the hill for the Rangers. Davis is  4-for-13 (.308) with one double and one home run against Colon in his career.

Outfielders

1. Eric Thames, MIL (vs. CIN)

2. Ryan Braun, MIL (vs. CIN)

3. Christian Yelich, MIL (vs. CIN)

4. Ronald Acuna Jr., ATL (@ PIT)

5. Mookie Betts, BOS (vs. CLE)

6. Andrew Benintendi, BOS (vs. CLE)

7. Eddie Rosario, MIN (vs. CWS)

8. Starling Marte, PIT (vs. ATL)

9. Randal Grichuk, TOR (vs. BAL)

10. George Springer, HOU (@ SEA)

11. Mallex Smith, TB (vs. KC)

12. Lorenzo Cain, MIL (vs. CIN)

13. Teoscar Hernandez, TOR (vs. BAL)

14. Michael Brantley, CLE (@ BOS)

15. Harrison Bader, STL (@ LAD)

16. Joey Gallo, TEX (@ OAK)

17. Max Kepler, MIN (vs. CWS)

18. Nick Markakis, ATL (@ PIT)

19. Phillip Ervin, CIN (@ MIL)

20. Gregory Polanco, PIT (vs. CIN)

Three Brewers top our outfield rankings on Monday, but the top two could be out of the lineup. Thames left Friday’s game with a sore right kneed after he collided with his teammate, Cain. Thames missed both games over the weekend, too. However, he still leads the team with a .289 ISO against right-handed pitchers since 2017.

As for Braun, he left Wednesday’s game with tightness in his ribcage. He didn’t start on Thursday, Friday (only pinch-hit appearance), or Saturday. However, Braun returned to the starting lineup on Sunday (0-for-3 with a walk). Braun has a .194 ISO against righties (since 2017). Also, in his career, Braun is 17-for-50 (.340) with nine extra-base hits (four home runs) against Homer Bailey.

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Adam Meyer is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Adam, check out his archive and follow him @CharlieSideHstl.

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