It's crunch time for many head-to-head leagues, as the playoffs are right around the corner. This makes getting off to a strong start this week that much more important. Even on this abbreviated Monday slate, there's a nice supply of pitchers and hitters to kick things off on a high note.
Here's a list of pitchers and hitters, all available in at least half of all ESPN leagues set up for a fruitful Monday.
Pitching
Pitchers to stream
Luke Weaver (R), rostered in 42 percent of ESPN leagues, St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins: Based on a recent statement from John Mozeliak, while Weaver's rotation spot isn't in immediate danger, he needs to show more consistency, especially with Adam Wainwright and later Michael Wacha returning. With this added motivation and facing one of the weakest offenses in the league, look for Weaver to rise to the occasion.
Lance Lynn (R), 20 percent, New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox: Not only did Lynn avoid facing the Red Sox over the weekend, but he makes his first start in pinstripes against a paler set of hose. The White Sox ranked 22nd in terms of weighted on-base average (wOBA) versus right-handers in tandem with a generous 25 percent strikeout rate. Lynn last started on July 27, then threw 4.1 innings in relief on August 1, so there isn't any concern about how long Lynn can pitch. Lynn will give up baserunners, so ratios will be risky, but if you need to bully up punchouts with a good shot at a win, Lynn is in play.
Matthew Boyd (L), 12 percent, Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels: Somewhat surprisingly, the Angels are one of the least productive clubs in the league with a southpaw on the hill. Further, Mike Trout has missed the past four contests with a sore wrist and could remain out of Monday's lineup. Boyd is pitching extremely well lately, posting a 2.88 ERA and 0.88 WHIP during his past four starts, featuring 28 strikeouts with just four walks in those 25 frames.
Wei-Yin Chen (L), 1 percent, Miami Marlins vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Initially, Chen was scheduled to work Sunday with Dan Straily lined up for Monday. However, likely due to Chen's 2.81 home ERA as compared to his 10.27 road mark, the two hurlers were flip-flopped. For the season, the Cardinals are an above-average offense versus southpaws, and now they're deploying a pair of righty-swinging outfielders in Harrison Bader and Tyler O'Neill. Still, in what looks like a low-scoring game in Marlins Park, Chen is an option in deeper formats.
Bullpen
Pedro Strop has stepped up in Brandon Morrow's absence, garnering five saves since July 19, including a pair over the weekend. Strop is in line to close to begin the week, as Morrow won't be activated until at least Wednesday. With the rejuvenated Cole Hamels taking on the lowly Royals, Strop, who is available in 72 percent of ESPN leagues, could tack on another helper.
Projected game scores
Hitting
Catcher
Robinson Chirinos (R), 23 percent, Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners (LHP Wade LeBlanc): After providing the Mariners with a much-needed rotation boost during the first half, LeBlanc has been homer-happy his past seven starts, serving up nine gophers in his past 40.2 innings. Chirinos is wielding a hot stick, stroking a .911 OPS the past month, with a 1.214 mark the past week.
First base
Greg Bird (L), 37 percent, New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox (RHP Dylan Covey): Bird is in the throes of another cold stretch, perhaps facing Covey will be the panacea. After teasing with improved velocity early in the season, Covey has struggled mightily lately, allowing at least four runs in seven of his past eight outings, whiffing just 18 with 22 free passes in those 37.1 stanzas.
Second base
Ben Zobrist (B), 50 percent, Chicago Cubs at Kansas City Royals (RHP Jakob Junis): With Kris Bryant out, not only is Zobrist playing more at second base with Javier Baez covering the hot corner, but the veteran has assumed Bryant's spot in the order, the productive two-hole. Zobrist has been an on-base machine this season, sporting a .392 mark. He's been even more beastly lately, getting on at a 48 percent clip the past week, ideal for points leagues.
Third base
Jeimer Candelario (B), 13 percent, Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels (RHP Nick Tropeano): While Candelario's batting average has been a disappointment, his developing power is one of the few bright spots of the Tigers' campaign. The switch-hitter will square off with Tropeano, author of 15 homers allowed in just 71 frames.
Shortstop
Jedd Gyorko (R), 3 percent, St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins (LHP Wei-Yin Chen): Shortstop is a tough find in this slate, although it should be noted Gyorko's teammate Paul DeJong was just over the 50 percent threshold, thus could also be available in shallower leagues. Both Gyorko and Dejong enjoy the platoon edge, albeit on the road in a park known for suppressing power.
Corner infield
David Freese (R), 4 percent, Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies (LHP Kyle Freeland): Get ready for a lot of blurbs for and against the Rockies this week, as Colorado is home for seven games. Freese's ground ball tendencies aren't ideal, but still, Coors is Coors.
Middle infield
Jeff McNeil (L), 2 percent, New York Mets vs. Cincinnati Reds (RHP Homer Bailey): My apologies, I'm breaking my own rule here, highlighting the same player two days in a row. However, on the short schedule, there is a paucity of choices up the middle. The intent was to feature Brandon Nimmo, hitting leadoff against Bailey, so consider Nimmo in play as well. McNeil isn't hitting for power, but he's making solid contact which will come in handy against Bailey, whose hard contact against is among the highest in the league.
Outfield
Josh Reddick (L), 31 percent, Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants (RHP Dereck Rodriguez): While it's unfair to say Pudge's son has been doing it with smoke and mirrors, his 4.17 xFIP is more indicative of his skill level than Rodriguez's actual 2.59 ERA may suggest. He's owed some home run regression with Reddick capable as anyone to inflict it. While his splits aren't nearly as extreme this season, Reddick has made a career on taking righty pitching out of the yard.
Leonys Martin (L), 28 percent, Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins (RHP Kyle Gibson): One of the quieter deadline deals was Cleveland's acquisition of Martin to shore up a shaky outfield. So far, it's paid off, as Martin is 4-for-8 with a pair of homers in his first three games with the Indians.
Cameron Maybin (R), 4 percent, Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers (LHP Martin Perez): Maybin is hitting low in the Mariners order, which will curtail his production, although keep in mind it doesn't hurt those who steal in the American League. Few, if any pitchers allow more baserunners than Perez, as evidenced by his 1.97 WHIP.
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.