The average games played per team is 99, so there are about 63 left per team. Now think about some of the outlying performances in last year's 60-game campaign. The point is, there is still plenty of time for your team to make up ground if you catch lightning in a bottle like Luke Voit or Zach Davies last season.
Week 16 begins with a light schedule, embellished by a twi-night doubleheader in Queens, leading off a five-game set between the NL East leading New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves, last season's division winner. The other marquee series features the Toronto Blue Jays visiting Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox.
The available streaming pitchers are best of a weak lot than in a favorable spot. On another day, they may not have made the cut at all. As such, be prudent since there will be superior options as the week unfolds. Perhaps this is a good day to trawl for some saves with open pitching spots, or simply insert dominant relievers to help ratios while adding a whiff or two.
Here are Monday's picks to click, all available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Kyle Muller (L), rostered in 12% of ESPN leagues, Atlanta Braves at New York Mets: Sure, a .217 BABIP and 4.5% home run per fly ball rate have masked Muller's high 13.6% walk rate. That said, his 28.4% strikeout rate is excellent. On Monday, Muller benefits from a significant pitching park upgrade as well as a seven-inning game where bridge relievers should not be needed to get to the leverage arms in the Atlanta bullpen. The Mets are an average offense facing lefties but fan a smidge above average.
Mike Minor (L), 22%, Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox: Minor is typically a good streaming option, though this matchup is not ideal as the White Sox are one of the league's top offenses with a lefty on the hill. However, Kauffman Stadium is a better pitcher's park that Guaranteed Rate Field and Minor opened the second half by limiting the Brewers to one earned run in six frames, fanning five in American Family Field.
Joe Ross (R), 22%, Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies: This will be Ross' first start of the second half after spending time on the IL with an inflamed elbow. He was quietly pitching well, posting a 2.61 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 33 strikeouts over 31 innings in the five starts heading into the break.
Michael Pineda (R), 37%, Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers: On the surface, this may appear to be a favorable spot for Pineda. The problem is in July the Tigers have averaged the fourth most runs per game in the league. The veteran righty was enjoying a solid season before being felled by a right forearm inflammation, forcing him to the IL for almost four weeks. Pineda has faced the White Sox twice since returning. After being hit hard before the break, he rebounded last time out with five innings of one-run ball, scattering four hits while whiffing three.
Bullpen
Following up on the reliever note in the introduction, Monday's twin bill renders a few solid one-off pickups. The top target is Trevor May as the Mets have recently turned to him for a couple of saves as Edwin Diaz has struggled. Seth Lugo is also in play. Chris Martin is the most likely Braves reliever to snag a save in the nightcap if Will Smith is used in the first game.
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please consult our Closer Chart.
Hitting
Catcher -- James McCann (R), 39%, New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves (LHP Kyle Muller): With righthander Bryse Wilson likely taking the hill in the other game, McCann will probably draw the rookie southpaw. Using batters in seven-inning affairs is often detrimental, since they lose potential lose a plate appearance. However, McCann handles lefties well, and usually hits high up in the order, so the risk is mitigated.
First Base -- Jeimer Candelario (S), 27%, Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (RHP Michael Pineda): Research has shown streaks are non-predictive. But this was before the type of data Statcast provides. Intuitively, it makes sense thata true hot streak is when a batter is hitting the ball with more authority than usual. Sure, it must end at some point, but I'm more willing to jump on a streak backed by Statcast metrics than one which is embellished by a couple of bloopers. To that end, Candelario has been crushing the ball since the break as he's totaled 14 balls in play over 95 mph, with seven eclipsing 100 mph.
Second Base -- Luis Guillorme (L), 1%, New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves (RHP Bryse Wilson): Guillorme has been the primary shortstop with Francisco Lindor out. While he may play both ends of the pair, he is virtually assured of drawing Wilson and enjoying the platoon edge. Guillorme has taken advantage of the chance to play as he carries a six-game hitting streak into Monday's action, slashing .450/.476/.650 in that span.
Third Base -- Hunter Dozier (R), 23%, Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox (LHP Dallas Keuchel): It's time to let bygones be bygones. Yes, Dozier let you down early in the season, but he was playing through some nagging injuries. Since June 28, Dozier has slashed .333/.412/.507. With the platoon edge on a pitcher who allows the opposition to put the ball in play, Dozier is a good bet to keep the momentum strong.
Shortstop -- Harold Castro (L), 2%, Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (RHP Michael Pineda): In these notes, Castro fits in best at shortstop. For your fantasy lineup, Castro can be inserted anywhere but catcher. This allows you to field the strongest overall squad. The Tigers are taking advantage of Castro's flexibility by playing him nearly every day since the break. Slashing .385/.393/.423 over his past eight starts has certainly helped.
Corner Infield -- Andrew Vaughn (R), 43%, Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals (LHP Mike Minor): Even with Eloy Jimenez returning for this AL Central affair, Vaughn's spot in the lineup facing a lefty is secure. The rookie has experienced the typical ups and downs of a freshman campaign. Currently, things are good as he brought a four-game hitting streak into the Sunday night affair, In that span, Vuaghn posted a 1.692 OPS with three doubles and a homer in his last 13 at bats.
Middle Infield -- Kyle Farmer (R), 3%, Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs (RHP Kyle Hendricks): Let's give Joey Votto a break, though he's still obviously in play and will be until you guys do the right thing and propel him over the 50% rostership plateau. Instead, Farmer deserves a little attention for his steadiness at shortstop. He's been raking since the break, posting a 367/.441/.567 line.
Outfield -- Jarren Duran (L), 32%, Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Thomas Hatch): Duran has been slow out of the gate with the bat, but not his legs. He's only hitting .182 in 22 at bats since being promoted. However, he's shown off his elite speed on several occasions. With respect to his stick, Duran has been snake bit early on as his hard-hit rate is a stellar 53% with an above average 93 mph average exit velocity. If he keeps this up, good things will manifest sooner than layer.
Outfield -- Adam Eaton (L), 14%, Los Angeles Angels vs. Colorado Rockies (RHP German Marquez): With Mike Trout experiencing a setback in his recovery from a sore calf, Eaton will continue to be relied upon for offense. This interleague matchup with the Rockies gives us the perfect opportunity to point out that Angels Stadium is better for left-handed power than Coors Field. No, really, it is.
Outfield -- Gerardo Parra (L), under 1%, Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies (RHP Spencer Howard): Lately, Parra has been playing regularly against righty pitching and based on his .323/.364/.484 slash in those nine games, his lineup spot is secure.