WEATHER
This is a quiet Monday slate with just six main slate games and only one that has some weather concerns. You guessed it, it’s in Washington, DC.
- Cubs at Nationals – Light rain during the day and then again during the game. It’s chilly, overcast, field should be wet but playable.
BLAKE SNELL
Snellzilla is generally a better home pitcher and the Reds are never a good offense period. Not to mention Cincinnati remains without one of their good hitters vs LHP and former Padre Wil Myers for this series here as well, so we should expect Snell to be chalky and also to be more than fine using him in that scenario.
MACKENZIE GORE
Speaking of former Padres, Gore has quietly just been going about his business for the lowly Nationals this season striking out 35 over 27 innings and allowing just 19% hard contact. The walks are still a little high and the swinging strike rate is only elite on his curveball right now, but it’s only getting better which is a problem for the rest of the league.
The Cubs aren’t hitting much away from Wrigley and offer Gore a potential for a a 7+ strikeout game today.
BLUE JAYS
Springer, Springer, Springer
The Jays are in Boston. I repeat, the Jays are in Boston. The Bruins PA announcer made a reference to their collapse and the Hidenburg last night and I’m not sure what we should reference regarding the Red Sox trying to stop Toronto but it’s never a good sight for Boston.
Playing Vlad and Bo in Boston always is tempting as hell, but if Toronto is going to score 7+ then it’s guys like Kirk, Belt, Varsho who should fill out your stack around Springer.
ASTROS
Bregman, Pena, Dubon
Ross Stripling is not good, at best we can say he mixes things up well, but really that’s just a cover for not having anything good to throw. That kinda arsenal against an Astros team which I have admitted I am not high on this season but can still hit and is on the homestand wrap-around should pose to be an ugly night. Please welcome Alex Bregman to the 2023 season tonight.
PHILLIES
Turner, Marsh
Bryce Harper returns tomorrow and what better of a welcome back gift than the Phillies offense maybe heating up right before he returns? Gonsolin should get there eventually this season, but he’s not someone to avoid just yet.
CATCHER
- Alejandro Kirk
- Mike Zunino
FIRST BASE
Pitching isnt going to cost you a ton tonight, so fitting in Vladdy is doable, but I do like Belt here a good amount as a pivot
- Vladdy Jr
- Brandon Belt
- LaMonte Wade Jr
SECOND BASE
- Mauricio Dubon
- Bryson Stott
- Miguel Vargas
THIRD BASE
Bregman is a known slow starter who had a good Sunday night going 1-2 with 2 walks. The walks are nice to see as a sign he could have some good PA coming.
- Alex Bregman
- Jose Ramirez
SHORTSTOP
Very top heavy today. Bichette is easily the top rated SS in Fenway while Turner and Xander are pretty contrarian. Don’t mind using Pena in a Houston stack build but these three are my favorite one offs
- Bo Bichette
- Trea Turner
- Xander Bogaerts
OUTFIELD – Mt. Rushmore
A name to note here is Mitch Haniger, back in an AL park he knows well and should suit him decently. Luis Garcia has historically been hit harder at home in Houston and I don’t mind RvR for Haniger who hopefully bats cleanup or somewhere favorable today.
- George Springer
- Yordan Alvarez
- Mitch Haniger
- Lane Thomas
- George Springer – OF – Blue Jays – Chairman of The Dongers Club
- LaMonte Wade Jr – 1B – Giants
- Alex Bregman – 3B – Astros
- Xander Bogaerts – SS – Padres
- Alejandro Kirk – C – Blue Jays
- Mauricio Dubon – 2B – Astros
- Will Brennan – OF – Guardians
- Mitch Haniger – OF – Giants
- BONUS ………… Bo Bichette – SS – Blue Jays
FAVORITE BET(s)
- Astros ML + Blue Jays ML