Monday kicks off a busy week with 13 games, all played under the lights, so you have plenty of time to set lineups. Overall, the pitching isn't very strong, including a lesser array of streaming arms. Bats are plentiful as usual.
Here are Monday's highlighted players, with everyone available in at least 50% of all ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Brad Keller (R), rostered in 9% of ESPN leagues, Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers: In his latest outing, Keller gave up more than three runs for the first time since April 20, a string of nine starts. He's in good shape to get back on track against a tame Tigers lineup, which is coming off another rough game against Carlos Rodon.
Tony Gonsolin (R), 42%, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Gonsolin was uncharacteristically wild in his 2021 debut, as he walked five in just 1 2/3 innings against the Pirates. He also fanned four as part of his 66-pitch outing. Assuming he finds his control, Gonsolin should be able to add another 15 pitches, which should be ample to clear five innings. The Phillies' offense is a bit below average with an above-average strikeout rate.
Matthew Boyd (L), 43%, Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals: The narrative is Boyd always starts out strong, then fades. I'm not a fan of narratives. since often they appear true until they aren't. It's an oversimplification, but if 32 people flip a coin five times, the odds say one will flip all heads and another all tails. I still prefer to look at matchups with an eye on what the pitcher has done for the season, as well as recently. Boyd did just endure a rough stretch, but he rebounded with six scoreless frames last time out. The Royals can be pesky, but they aren't to be feared.
JT Brubaker (R), 26%, Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals: Brubaker was initially slated to face the Brewers on Sunday. Yesterday's note carries over, with the change of opponent. On paper, the Nationals are a below-average offense with a league-average strikeout rate. Still, it's uncomfortable streaming a hurler in hitter-friendly Nationals Park. However, Brubaker is amidst a breakout campaign with a 3.90 ERA and tidy 1.18 WHIP with 62 strikeouts in 60 stanzas. He's had a few rough efforts, but also has four quality starts on his ledger.
Bullpen: Starters are drawing most of the attention with respect to MLB cracking down on foreign substances to increase spin rate. The following isn't an indictment but rather a warning there are many relievers operating with extremely high spin rates. Some examples are Mark Melancon and Craig Kimbrel (curveball), Daniel Bard, J.P. Feyereisen, Adam Ottavino and Kyle Crick (slider) and Kenley Jansen, Emmanuel Clase and Emilio Pagan (cutter).
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please consult our Closer Chart.
Hitting
Catcher -- Max Stassi (R), 11%, Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics (LHP Sean Manaea): June has agreed with Stassi, as he slashed .448/.484/.897 this month through Saturday's action. He'll obviously cool down, but the heater has him batting in the three-hole, the most productive spot for fantasy production. Factor in the platoon edge and it's worth the shot to see if Stassi can keep the momentum going.
First Base -- Christian Walker (R), 32%, Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants (LHP Alex Wood): Last week, it was pointed out Walker has been hitting the ball harder lately but had yet to reap the benefits. Since then, he's clubbed a double and homer and on Monday, he'll benefit from the platoon edge.
Second Base -- Brendan Rodgers (R), 10%, Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres (RHP Dinelson Lamet): The Rockies' history with young players isn't encouraging, but hopefully they'll give Rodgers a fair shot. He may not have the platoon advantage, but this is the first of seven straight home games for Colorado, rendering Rodgers (as well as C.J. Cron and Joshua Fuentes), readily available Rockies with a chance for a productive week.
Third Base -- Kelvin Gutierrez (R), 1%, Kansas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers (LHP Matthew Boyd): Gutierrez was filling in for Hunter Dozier, but since Dozier has returned to the lineup, the Royals have shuffled things around so they're both playing regularly. In fact, with a lefty on the hill, both Gutierrez and Dozier are in the streaming mix.
Shortstop -- Amed Rosario (R), 39%, Cleveland vs. Baltimore Orioles (RHP Dean Kremer): On Sunday, Rosario extended his hitting streak to 13 games, and he's 20-for-51 during that span. More importantly, he's entrenched at the top of the Cleveland order and has also swiped two bags over this stretch. On Monday, Rosario and his teammates should put up a lot of fantasy points with Kremer on the hill.
Corner Infield -- Jonathan India (R), 34%, Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers (LHP Eric Lauer): Add India to the list of batters whose recent success has elevated them to leadoff. India has maintained the spot even with Joey Votto back.
Middle Infield -- Sergio Alcantara (S), 1%, Chicago Cubs at New York Mets (LHP David Peterson): Since he was summoned to fortify a depleted infield, Alcantara has slashed .310/.344/.793, including a pair of homers last week. Peterson was pitching well, but has allowed nine runs over his past two starts, covering just three stanzas.
Outfield -- AJ Pollock (R), 50%, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies (RHP Spencer Howard): It shouldn't be long before Pollock's rosterdom is north of the 50% cutoff used to filter available players in this column. He carried a six-game hitting streak into Sunday, slashing .333/.391/.524 in that span.
Outfield -- Jackie Bradley Jr. (L), 9%, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds (RHP Vladimir Gutierrez): Call this a hunch, as Bradley has been scalding the ball the past week without much to show for it. Gutierrez's 2.65 ERA looks good, but he's walked eight with only 13 punchouts in 17 frames.
Outfield -- Billy McKinney (L), 4%, New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs (RHP Jake Arrieta): McKinney has a bruised knee, so he missed Sunday's contest. He's expected back on Monday, where he'll look to build upon a .317/.378/.780 stretch over his past 12 games.