Well, 25% of the season is now in the books. The Boston Red Sox have the best record in the American League and the San Francisco Giants sit atop the Senior Circuit's standings -- just like everyone predicted! No? Well then, if some teams are either over- or under-performing, it's clear that the players on those teams may well follow suit.
The point is, you should look no further than the MLB standings to know that fantasy standings are also in flux. Water finds it level, your slumping players will rebound, and your injured guys will return. In other words, keep grinding! To that end, the Daily Notes crew is here for you, helping to keep your lineups at full strength as you navigate more injuries than ever.
Here are the players in a great spot to help you navigate a Monday slate consisting of just nine games -- all evening affairs -- with everyone accessible in at least 50% of all ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Yusei Kikuchi (L), rostered in 33% of ESPN leagues, Seattle Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers: To be honest, it's shocking that Kikuchi's roster percentage isn't well over the 50% mark used to pinpoint streaming candidates. He's recorded five quality starts in his seven outings, including each of his last three. In that span, Kikuchi has posted a 2.66 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP, with 25 strikeouts and only four walks over 20 1/3 innings. Add in a home tilt against the tame Tigers and the left-hander becomes one of the best overall plays on the board -- not just among streamers.
Casey Mize (R), 18%, Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners: Speaking of quality efforts, Mize has now turned in three of them in a row, giving him four total on the season. His underlying metrics haven't been as strong as Kikuchi, his mound foe, but simply working six frames in this landscape is a feather in one's cap as the average length of starts continues to decline. Mize has a good chance to extend his quality start streak facing an offense with the ninth-lowest wOBA and the tenth-highest K-rate with a right-hander on the hill.
Adbert Alzolay (R), 16%, Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals: As I always say, you can't spell Alzolay without Zola. That alone is enough to start him on Monday. Fine, if you want an actual good reason, Alzolay has quietly complied a 23.6% K/BB, ranking 17th in MLB among pitchers who have thrown at least 30 innings. A low 64.8% LOB mark is driving a high 4.50 ERA. Alzolay's 3.39 xFIP and 3.21 SIERA are better reflections of his skill-set to date.
Bullpen: Regular readers know one of my favorite Monday ploys is to find a dominant reliever or two to insert into a lineup likely devoid of some usually active players. Tejay Antone tops my wish list on this slate. Since getting knocked around for four runs on May 2, Antone has registered three straight scoreless multi-inning relief efforts. In this stretch, he has struck out eight batters in 5 1/3 frames, with no hits allowed and just one walk issued.
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please consult our Closer Chart.
Hitting
Catcher -- Mitch Garver (R), 42%, Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox (LHP Dallas Keuchel): The Twins have been one of the most disappointing teams to date, with Garver being just one of their many struggling bats. However, he continues to hit left-handed pitching well. Since 2019, Garver has hit .287/.390/.638 with the platoon edge. Four of his six round-trippers this season have come with a lefty on the hill.
First Base -- Albert Pujols (R), 3%, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (LHP Madison Bumgarner): To be clear, this is not a token pick out of respect for Pujols' marvelous career. Lost in recent events is the fact he's still handling left-handed pitching quite well. Granted, it's only been in 28 plate appearances, but Pujols has posted a .259/.286/.593 line in 2021, including three of his five homers.
Second Base -- Cesar Hernandez (S), 21%, Cleveland at Los Angeles Angels (Undecided): I can hear the "Not again!" grumblings, complete with an eye roll. Well, through Saturday's games, Hernandez has actually been quite productive in May, producing an offensive line of .275/.327/.510.
Third Base -- Matt Duffy (R), 2%, Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals (LHP Jon Lester): Duffy has also enjoyed a solid month, slashing .282/.310/.436 with a pair of steals. Lester's 2.25 ERA may seem impressive, but he's only fanned 10 hitters while issuing seven free passes in 16 stanzas.
Shortstop -- Kyle Farmer (R), 2%, Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants (RHP Logan Webb): Farmer's recent production has been bolstered by Coors Field, but keep in mind that the Great American Ballpark isn't much of a downgrade. More importantly, Farmer has taken over as Cincinnati's primary shortstop, hitting in the middle of a lineup with the second highest wOBA in baseball when there's a right-hander on the mound.
Corner Infield -- Miguel Sano (R), 44%, Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox (LHP Dallas Keuchel): Admittedly, this is an all or nothing pick. Injuries and a 35% strikeout rate when playing have increased Sano's availability in ESPN leagues to the point where he's a free agent in more leagues than he's not. As mentioned, his main issue is making contact, but he draws a lefty in Keuchel -- one with only 18 whiffs in 43 2/3 innings.
Middle Infield -- Amed Rosario (R), 7%, Cleveland at Los Angeles Angels (Undecided): While overall, Rosario's performance remains disappointing, he has been flashing signs of turning things around. It may not seem like much, but after not even attempting any steals at all last season, Rosario has had a pair in May. This could be a sign of growing confidence.
Outfield -- Taylor Ward (R), 1%, Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleveland (LHP Sam Hentges): Neither Ward nor Justin Upton are currently crushing it, but sometimes facing a mediocre arm with the platoon edge is all that's needed to reverse fortunes. Granted, Cleveland has demonstrating a magic touch with developing pitching, but Hentges has walked six batters while serving up four homers in his first 13 2/3 innings in the majors.
Outfield -- Ian Happ (S), 43%, Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals (LHP Jon Lester): Just as Happ was getting it going, he had the nasty collision with teammate Nico Hoerner. Happ luckily avoided a concussion, but he still needed an IL stint due to the resulting rib injury. Now is the time to take advantage of one of your competitors having jettisoned the outfielder as he's poised to be a solid fantasy contributor over the final three-quarters of the season.
Outfield -- Andrew Vaughn (R), 48%, Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins (LHP J.A. Happ): There is a good chance this is the last time Vaughn qualifies for inclusion in our "under 50% club," especially since he's in line for a solid performance on Monday night against a hittable left-hander. Vaughn's power is beginning to manifest as he's left the yard twice this past week -- the first two homers of his career.