After last Monday's busy schedule, we're back to an abbreviated slate with a dozen teams enjoying an off day. Further, 16 of the 18 scheduled starters check in with a projected game score of at least 48, so finding streaming options which are both available and in a good spot is a bit of a chore. Not to mention, with solid pitching and fewer games, the inventory of favorable hitters is also reduced. Fear not, though! After analyzing all the numbers, we have what you need to start the week strong.
Here's a look at Monday's top streaming options, focusing on players rostered in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Pitchers to stream
Freddy Peralta (R), rostered in 48 percent of ESPN leagues, Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers: Streaming against the Dodgers is a big risk, especially with Manny Machado now anchoring a lineup that was already near the top in terms of production versus right-handers. Peralta's main allure is strikeouts, as he has fanned 57 batters in the 43.1 frames of his rookie campaign thus far. It's not an ideal setup, but the fact that Peralta is barely below the 50 percent threshold for inclusion here speaks towards his season-long success.
Shane Bieber (R), 34 percent, Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins: Bieber is amid a rough patch, which most young pitchers will go through. He was tagged for seven runs in just 1.2 frames last time out against the Pirates. The rookie's 4.80 ERA looks worrisome, but as ESPN Research Associate Kyle Soppe notes, Bieber's 3.61 FIP and 3.59 xFIP suggest he has pitched better than what the perception seems to be. Minnesota's offense has been an average one versus righties this season, and that was before Eduardo Escobar left the fold.
Derek Holland (L), 4 percent, San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres: Holland has displayed stretches of solid pitching over the course of 2018, but since he's now over 100 innings with a 9.1 K/9, it's time to take notice. Holland's spike in dominance is supported by an increase in his swinging-strike rate. The veteran left-hander is in a great spot to continue his newfound strikeout prowess, facing a Padres club fanning 25 percent of the time with a southpaw on the hill.
Bullpen
One of the quieter moves this week was the Astros' acquisition of Ryan Pressly from the Twins. Houston plans to use the righty in high-leverage situations, making him a great candidate for leagues which awards points for holds. In addition, Astros skipper A.J. Hinch has shown a tendency to be creative at the end of games. On a Monday where you probably have an open pitching spot, using a dominant setup man like Pressly can provide you with a few K's, and maybe even a little more.
Projected game scores
Hitting
Catcher
Kurt Suzuki (R), 46 percent, Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins (LHP Wei-Yin Chen): If either Suzuki or Tyler Flowers played the same amount as the typical No. 1 catcher, they'd both easily eclipse the 50 percent mark. As such, it's wise to start with the Braves when looking for a plug-and-play receiver. When Atlanta is facing a southpaw -- especially a non-elite arm -- Suzuki and his .817 OPS versus LHP is in play.
First base
Mitch Moreland (L), 39 percent, Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies (RHP Aaron Nola): Nola is an ace -- and borderline elite. Still, on a limited slate, sometimes you need to take a chance on a quality hitter. Moreland's career numbers versus righties are impressive, including a 132 wRC+ this season.
Second base
Ketel Marte (B), 29 percent, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers (LHP Martin Perez): Marte is likely going to lose some playing time once Jake Lamb gets back, freeing Eduardo Escobar to play up the middle. That said, Marte should continue to play versus southpaws. Marte's contact rate has always been excellent. This season, he's ramped up his hard-hit rate to an above-average clip.
Third base
Yairo Munoz (R), 10 percent, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Colorado Rockies (LHP Tyler Anderson): Munoz has played a lot while Kolten Wong and Jedd Gyorko have been out. The former Athletics prospect is taking advantage of the opportunity, slashing 292/.349/.444 with five steals.
Shortstop
JT Riddle (L), 1 percent, Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves (RHP Julio Teheran): Lefty swingers continue to be an issue for Teheran. Riddle has been in a deep slump for the past few weeks, however he isn't fanning at an elevated rate. That's usually a sign that a batter is on his way to righting the ship.
Corner infield
Yonder Alonso (L), 37 percent, Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins (RHP Ervin Santana): Santana will make his second start of the season after a longer-than-expected recovery from finger surgery. His initial outing was a mixed bag: five frames against the Tigers with five K's and just one walk -- but also seven hits and three runs allowed. For his career, Santana has been homer-prone, putting Alonso in a good spot to take advantage. The lefty swinger has given back some of last season's power gain, although with 17 homers, he's still on pace for his second-highest season total.
Middle infield
Chase d'Arnaud (R), under 1 percent, San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres (LHP Eric Lauer): With Evan Longoria back, d'Arnaud's playing time is significantly reduced. However, he should still see action at second base versus southpaws, buoyed by his .824 OPS over the last month.
Outfield
Curtis Granderson (L), 3 percent, Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics (RHP Edwin Jackson): Now 37 years old, Granderson gets paid to do one thing: mash right-handed pitching. While Edwin Jackson has been a pleasant surprise for Oakland, he's still homer-prone, serving up five long balls in his 35 frames this season.
Dustin Fowler (L), 2 percent, Oakland Athletics vs. Toronto Blue Jays (RHP Marco Estrada): Fowler didn't see much action over the weekend with Oakland visiting Colorado, and the subsequent need to use designed hitter Khris Davis in the outfield. With Nick Martini wielding a hot stick, Fowler hit the pine. Martini is also in play versus Estrada, but he doesn't carry the power potential possessed by Fowler.
Hunter Renfroe (R), 2 percent, San Diego Padres vs. San Francisco Giants (LHP Derek Holland): Renfroe has been a disappointment this season, albeit partially due to injury. He's been relegated to a reserve role for the Padres, seeing most of his playing time against southpaws. As expected, so far in his young career, Renfroe has been more effective playing with the platoon advantage.
Hitter matchup ratings
Hitter ratings account for the opposing starting pitcher's history (three years' worth) as well as ballpark factors. "LH" and "RH" ratings account only for left- and right-handed batters, respectively.
Weighted on-base average (wOBA) is the primary statistic used in the calculation. Ratings range from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the best possible matchup, statistically speaking, and 1 representing the worst. For example, a 10 is a must-start rating, while a 1 should be avoided (if possible); a 1-2 is poor, 3-4 is fair, 5-6 is average, 7-8 is very good and 9-10 is excellent.