Fantasy Baseball: Pickup and DFS plays for Monday

Fred Zinkie

Fantasy baseball analyst Fred Zinkie reveals his top waiver wire add for Monday's slate, as well as a couple of daily fantasy picks.

Pickup of the Day

Edward Cabrera (SP, Miami Marlins, 38 percent rostered)

Cabrera is a high-end prospect who could have a major impact in fantasy contests. The 24-year-old struck out 39 batters in six Triple-A starts this year before joining the Marlins, and he racked up nine whiffs across six scoreless innings despite making his 2022 debut at Coors Field. Cabrera is due for two starts this week, with the first one coming in a favorable matchup with the Nats. In virtually all leagues, I would drop by weakest starter for Cabrera, with the knowledge that I can circle back to a replacement level starter if he falters.

Edward Cabrera is worth adding in all fantasy baseball leagues. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Edward Cabrera is worth adding in all fantasy baseball leagues. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) (Mike Carlson via Getty Images)

DFS Plays of the Day

Santiago Espinal (2B, Toronto Blue Jays, $16)

I strongly encourage a Blue Jays stack on Monday. Toronto can field a lineup made up entirely of righties against Royals southpaw Daniel Lynch, who in his career has allowed right-handed batters to post an .850 OPS (.469 OPS vs. lefty hitters). Espinal needs to be part of the stack, as he has crushed left-handed pitching (1.061 OPS) in his breakout 2022 season. Other Toronto options for a stack include Bo Bichette ($23), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($19), George Springer ($22) and Danny Jansen ($18).

Cristian Javier (SP, Houston Astros, $44)

The Monday pitching options are very weak, with Javier as possibly the only one who I trust. The right-hander has been stellar across six starts and four relief appearances this year, posting a 2.41 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He should fare well against a Mariners lineup that sits in the middle of the pack in OPS vs. righties (.717).

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Additional news and notes

  • Taylor Ward (OF, Los Angeles Angels) was placed on the IL with a hamstring injury. Ward’s 1.087 OPS would lead the Majors if he had enough plate appearances to qualify, and he is expected to miss the minimum amount of time.

  • Luis Arraez (1B, Minnesota Twins) collected four hits on Sunday and leads the Majors with a .358 average.

  • Kevin Gausman (SP, Toronto Blue Jays) endured his worst 2022 start when he allowed five runs (three earned) across 3.2 innings against the Twins on Sunday.

  • Cal Mitchell (OF, Pittsburgh Pirates) hit his first career home run on Sunday. He is someone to add in 15-team leagues.

  • Chris Sale (SP, Boston Red Sox) will throw another bullpen session on Tuesday. This is the time to stash him in leagues where he was dropped.

  • Tylor Megill (SP, New York Mets) threw 3.2 innings in a rehab start over the weekend. He could make one more rehab appearance or join the Mets for his next outing.

  • Stephen Strasburg (SP, Washington Nationals) is set to join the Nats this week. He should be added in most leagues.

  • Grayson Rodriguez (SP, Baltimore Orioles) is dealing with a Grade 2 right lat strain and may not return this season. He can be dropped wherever he was stashed in non-keeper leagues.

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