After an action-packed weekend, Monday offers up an abbreviated seven-game slate. All of those games are contested under the lights, so there's plenty of time to plug the inevitable holes in your fantasy lineup. As a heads up, there are more off days than normal for the rest of the week, so it's important to stay ahead of the game and make sure you have as many active players as possible.
Furthermore, with the looming trade deadline, some initially scheduled players could miss a game or two if they're part of a deal. Don't worry, the Daily Notes team will have your back all week, beginning with Monday's array of suggested pickups, all available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Merrill Kelly (R), rostered in 23% of ESPN leagues, Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins: Non-dominant pitchers allowing a lot of balls in play are often subject to the whims of fate. For example, so far this month, Kelly has quality starts against the Dodgers and Brewers, but was shellacked by the Orioles in his last time out. On paper, a start in South Beach is favorable as the Marlins are the weakest team in the league with a right-hander on the hill.
Brad Keller (R), 15%, Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Keller has won four of his last five outings and is in a good spot to keep this solid streak going. The Blue Jays tote the league's fourth-lowest wOBA into Kaufmann Stadium. In his five-game stint, Keller has posted a 2.81 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP, though he only fanned 22 in those 32 frames. That said, the Blue Jays punch out at a 25% clip when facing righties.
Jaime Barria (R), 1%, Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers: Like Kelly above, Barria's season has been a mixed bag with some solid outings intertwined with a couple of stinkers. However, continuing a theme, Barria squares off with the second-poorest offense versus RHP, with the added benefit of working at home in pitcher-friendly Angels Stadium.
Pitcher to Avoid
Kenta Maeda (R), 87%, Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies: Sure, this is low-hanging fruit but I'm not starting anyone in Coors Field. There have been many occasions opposing hurlers emerge relatively unscathed, but this landscape is already risky enough for pitching. It's early in the week, so there will be chances to fortify your pitching later on.
Bullpen
The first of the bullpen dominoes has fallen with the Marlins shipping off Sergio Romo to the Minnesota Twins. Nick Anderson is the most logical replacement for Miami. The 28-year old rookie has fanned 66 batters in 42 1/3 innings while recording seven holds.
Hitting
Catcher -- Carson Kelly (R), 3%, Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins (LHP Caleb Smith): There's been a bit of a renaissance at the catcher position of late, with most of the breakouts in the American League. Kelly adds a senior-circuit contributor with a solid campaign. He has been especially productive facing lefties, as evidenced by a .396/.484/.830 slash with a southpaw on the hill.
First Base -- Ryan McMahon (L), 7%, Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (RHP Kenta Maeda): McMahon has muscled up for four homers over the past three weeks. Maeda's four-year home run trend is telling. In 2016 and 2018, his HR/9 was below-average. In both 2017 and this season, it has ballooned to over 1.40 HR/9. Not so coincidentally, those odd-numbered years feature a juiced ball.
Second Base -- Brian Dozier (R), 49%, Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves (LHP Dallas Keuchel): Overall, Dozier's season has been a disappointment, however he continues to mash left-handed pitching with a .325/.404/.602 slash. Since signing with the Braves, Keuchel has been dominant facing left-handed swingers, but vulnerable to right-handers as evidenced by a .332 wOBA in those at-bats.
Third Base -- Jeimer Candelario (S), 5%, Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels (RHP Jaime Barria): Candelario has been a bit snakebit lately, hitting the ball hard without solid results, though he carried a modest three-game hitting streak into Sunday's action. It's a short slate without a bevy of choices, putting Candelario in play, in the hopes his luck turns around.
Shortstop -- Johan Camargo (S), 2%, Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals (LHP Patrick Corbin): While this isn't the best draw for Camargo, the switch-hitter is more productive versus left-handed pitching. Plus, this serves as a reminder that he'll be seeing regular playing time while Dansby Swanson is out. Last season, Camargo led the Braves in RBI after June.
Corner Infield -- Justin Smoak (S), 43%, Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals (RHP Brad Keller): After a couple of seasons where Smoak hit for a higher-than-normal average, he's back to being a drain in the category. However, his power is on par with last season, and he's gone deep three times in the past two weeks.
Middle Infield -- Luis Urias (R), 8%, San Diego Padres vs. Baltimore Orioles (Undecided): Urias only has one hit since his recall, however he's walked seven times while fanning only twice in 24 plate appearances. What better team to get on track against than the league's worst staff? Baltimore's team ERA is a bloated 5.53, while remaining on a pace to set a new record for HR allowed.
Outfield -- Alex Verdugo (L), 46%, Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies (RHP Jon Gray): Verdugo has hit southpaws for a better average but he's powered 10 of his 12 homers with a right-hander on the hill. Gray left his last outing after taking a batted ball off the shin, but he's slated to return without missing a start.
Outfield -- Kole Calhoun (L), 39%, Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers (RHP Jordan Zimmermann): After three straight years of hitting homers in the high teens, Calhoun is only three away from 2015's personal best of 26. Calhoun does most of his damage with the platoon edge, while Zimmermann has allowed nine homers in just 60 2/3 frames.
Outfield -- Bubba Starling (R), 1%, Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays (LHP Thomas Pannone): Former top prospect Starling is officially in the post-hype phase of his career. So far, it's agreeing with him. Starling is batting .319/.360/.426 in his initial 50 plate appearances. On Monday, he's in a good spot to build upon his early success, enjoying the platoon bump against a mediocre left-hander.