As always, my stacks are listed in order of preference. I usually end the introduction to Stack the Deck with that sentence. For Monday’s edition, it seemed useful to start there. While these stacks are listed in the order I would use them, I am pretty sure I had them in every conceivable order at one point or another while writing this article. These four stacks are like my children, and I like them all roughly evenly. So while I would use the Dodgers first and then go on down the list, I don’t feel nearly as strongly about it as I might normally. If you like one of the other stacks better, don’t hesitate to use it instead. My preferred strategy will probably be to pick my pitcher(s) first, since I will be pretty happy with whichever stack(s) I can afford with the remaining salary.
Los Angeles Dodgers @Philadelphia Phillies (Nick Pivetta, R)
Justin Turner, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Curtis Granderson, Cody Bellinger, Yasmani Grandal, Chase Utley, Yasiel Puig
I don’t like listing so many hitters for a stack, but for a deep team like the Dodgers, anyone who bats near the top of the lineup is worth considering. The Dodgers have turned things around somewhat following their 11-game losing streak, with Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig and Chase Utley all batting .346 or better over the last seven days.
Of course, anyone is worth considering against Nick Pivetta these days. Pivetta has the highest ERA in baseball (6.75) among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched. Pivetta has allowed at least six earned runs in each of his last two starts, it is worth stacking Dodgers to see if he can make it three in a row.
Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets (Matt Harvey, R)
Dee Gordon, J.T. Realmuto, Marcell Ozuna, Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Bour, Christian Yelich, Derek Dietrich
In his three starts since returning from shoulder surgery, Harvey has allowed five walks, 20 hits and 14 earned runs with six strikeouts in 10.1 innings. Even if Harvey limits the damage, he is unlikely to go deep into the game; Harvey has thrown more than 5.1 innings just once since April 21. The Mets’ 4.71 bullpen ERA is better than only the Tigers, so this game has blowout potential if Miami can chase Harvey early.
The Marlins have had some success against Harvey in the past. Dee Gordon is 6-for-13 with a stolen base. J.T. Realmuto is 6-for-15 while Marcell Ozuna is 7-for-20. It appears Justin Bour is heating up, going 5-for-11 with three runs and three RBI over his last three games.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers (Brent Suter, L)
Jordan Luplow, Andrew McCutchen, Josh Bell, David Freese, Jordy Mercer, Starling Marte
It will be interesting to see how Pirates manager Clint Hurdle constructs his lineup for what will essentially be a bullpen game. Brent Suter topped out at 50 pitches Tuesday in his last start, and he is unlikely to go deep into Monday’s game, either. Pittsburgh’s lineup has been pretty inconsistent anyway, especially with Starling Marte missing three consecutive games with a finger injury. Whoever bats at the top of the lineup will likely have value, and I am rooting for Mercer and Luplow. This should be a solid value stack no matter how the lineup shakes out, but it could be super cheap if the right guys slot in at the top.
New York Yankes vs. Ervin Santana (R)
Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner, Gary Sanchez, Starlin Castro, Todd Frazier, Jacoby Ellsbury, Chase Headley, Greg Bird
Keep an eye on this lineup before you finalize any stacks. The Yankees have done a good job giving at least one of their starters a rest just about every day, and that could open up opportunities for others. Aaron Judge has been batting second more often than not of late, but Chase Headley would be awfully interesting if he takes that spot in this game.
Ervin Santana has a 3.35 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, but his 4.44 FIP is worse than several of Monday’s scheduled starters, including Luis Perdomo, Dylan Bundy, Dan Straily and Brent Suter. The Yankees have an .808 OPS at home and a .790 OPS against righties. Only the Astros have been better against righties this season.