Labor Day brings a busy but not quite full slate with a dozen games, mostly matinee affairs so set those lineups early. The schedule features four of the National League's finest arms in action as Max Scherzer, Brandon Woodruff, Zack Wheeler and Kevin Gausman all look to embellish their Cy Young award resume.
The streaming inventory is lush for those looking to do a little holiday grinding before putting those white shorts in storage until next summer. Here are Monday's featured players, all available in at least half of all ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Tarik Skubal (L), rostered in 40% of ESPN leagues, Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates: Skubal's 18.5% K-BB% is a respectable 37th highest among pitchers compiling at least 100 innings. However, among the five arms directly above and five more directly below Skubal's K-BB%, the Tigers' lefty has posted the second worst ERA as he's been generous with the long ball. As a fly ball pitcher, that's to be expected, but Skubal's 19.5 HR/FB% is on the high side. On paper, Skubal should be able to lower his home run rate facing the least powerful lineup in the league with a lefty on the hill.
Bailey Ober (R), 14%, Minnesota Twins at Cleveland: Ober has recorded a 2.81 ERA and 1.08 WHIP since the break, fanning a respectable 40 in those 41 2/3 innings. A more recognizable name, or a hurler on a higher profile team would surely be rostered in more leagues. Why not take advantage and get an early boost on your pitching ledger? Cleveland checks in with the 10th lowest wOBA facing righthanders over the second half, fanning at an above average clip over this span.
A.J. Alexy (R), 4%, Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels: Alexy made his MLB debut last week in Arlington, limiting the Rockies to one hit over five scoreless frames. His follow-up effort is on the road in pitcher-friendly Angels Stadium, facing a lineup with the league's worst wOBA versus righties.
Patrick Corbin (L), 41%, Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets: Overall, it's been a disappointing campaign for the veteran lefty as Corbin has yielded four or more earned runs in 15 of his 26 starts. However, Monday lines up favorably as the Mets have been one of the least productive squads against southpaws over the second half.
Bullpen:
It's risky to rely on a Tampa Bay Rays reliever as manager Kevin Cash likes to mix it up with his bullpen. That said, what Andrew Kittredge has done lately is noteworthy as he's collected four saves in four appearances since August 24, fanning 10 in 5 2/3 innings over that span. Kittredge is available in 60% of ESPN leagues.
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please consult our Closer Chart.
Hitting
Catcher -- Tyler Stephenson (R), 29%, Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs (LHP Justin Steele): Stephenson is mired in a rut, hitting just .238 the past week, but he's only fanned once in his last 24 plate appearances, indicating he's incurred some batted ball misfortune. Monday is a good opportunity to get back on track, stepping in the box against a rookie who has allowed five of his six homer to righty swingers.
First Base -- Nate Lowe (L), 33%, Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels (RHP Jaime Barria): Yesterday, my colleague Derek Carty quipped that Lowe is a great play against Barria, who was initially scheduled to pitch on Sunday. Nothing has changed. Angels Stadium is stealthily one of the top venues for lefty power and Barria again is ranked as one of the lowest starters on the docket.
Second Base -- Jonathan Villar (S), 35%, New York Mets at Washington Nationals (LHP Patrick Corbin): Villar clubbed his third homer over the past week on Sunday, but it's his running game in the spotlight on Monday as the Mets score a "10" in the stolen base department on the Hitter Matchup Ratings.
Third Base -- Jeimer Candelario (S), 40%, Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Bryse Wilson): For most of the season, Candelario has been remarkably consistent, with few peaks and valleys. Currently, he's enjoying another heater, generating a 327/.375/.615 line since August 22.
Shortstop -- Andres Gimenez (L), 16%, Cleveland vs. Minnesota Twins (RHP Bailey Ober): Back in the spring, Gimenez was a sleeper pick for stolen bases. Granted, he's nine-for-nine in the department on the season, but a .595 OPS has limited his playing time as Gimenez spent much of the summer toiling with Triple-A Columbus. He's with the big club now and has swiped three bags over the last week.
Corner Infield -- Miguel Sano (R), 49%, Minnesota Twins at Cleveland (LHP Logan Allen): Despite displaying reverse splits for his career, Sano is in a good spot on Monday, facing a lefthander who has administered eight of his 10 homers allowed to righthanded batters.
Middle Infield -- Luis Garcia (L), 2%, Washington Nationals vs. New York Mets (RHP Trevor Williams): While it has yet to manifest in his numbers, Garcia is showing signs of getting comfortable at the plate. Since August 22, the 21-year-old infielder has cracked 13 batted balls over 95 mph with nine exceeding 100 mph. He's been credited with four hard outs in that span, reflecting four times his contact should have resulted in a hit. Williams has pitched well lately, but generally gives up hard contact.
Outfield -- Austin Hays (R), 38%, Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals (LHP Kris Bubic): Hays carries a 12-game hitting streak into Monday's contest. It didn't take him long to get a hit making it a dozen as he took Corey Kluber deep in the second inning on Sunday. It may not take long to reach 13, as Bubic has yielded a generous 100 knocks in 99 1/3 innings this season.
Outfield -- Rafael Ortega (L), 24%, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds (RHP Sonny Gray): Through Saturday's action, Ortega has quietly produced a .327/.380/.540 line from the leadoff spot over the second half. Given, the Cubs offense lost most of its thump at the trade deadline, but Ortega's runs and RBI both prorate to around 80 on the season, which is playable for a streaming option, especially in points leagues.
Outfield -- Darin Ruf (R), 3%, San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies (LHP Kyle Freeland): Monday is the first of six games the Giants have left with the Rockies in Coors Field, which is unusual for this time of the season. Get ready to plug and play Ruf whenever a southpaw is on the hill for the home team.