Squad Up Daily MLB Early Fantasy Dose: Montgomery ends quest for Royals stack

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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily MLB fantasy picture for the 12-game schedule beginning at 7:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 23.

Hitter Stacks

• Kansas City Royals at New York Yankees (LHP Jordan Montgomery): Montgomery has been touched up for nine earned runs over his past two starts. His most recent outing, which was also against Kansas City, resulted in five earned runs in five innings. With familiarity and a hitter-friendly ballpark helping K.C., the offense receives a positive recommendation.

3-player stack: C Salvador Perez (51K), 1B Eric Hosmer (54K), OF Lorenzo Cain (53K)

• Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies (RHP Zach Eflin): Eflin was rocked in his most recent start and has given up at least nine hits in each of his past three starts. The Rockies offense has started to pick up their game outside of Coors Field, recently scoring 26 runs in a three-game set in Cincinnati.

3-player stack: OF Charlie Blackmon (59K), 3B Nolan Arenado (62K), 2B DJ LeMahieu (52K)

• Cleveland Indians at Cincinnati Reds (LHP Amir Garrett): After rolling through his first three starts, Garrett has served up seven homers with a 12:15 K:BB ratio over his past four. The Cleveland offense has started to come along of late but could still use any soft pitching matchup they get. Cincy's hitter-friendly ballpark is another factor in their favor.

3-player stack: 2B Jason Kipnis (49K), 3B Jose Ramirez (48K), OF Michael Brantley (52K)

Pitcher Breakdown

• TARGET - RHP Alex Cobb (53K), Rays (vs. Angels): Cobb is making strides in his major league comeback bid, finishing with quality starts in four straight outings. His 6.07 K/9 leaves much to be desired from a fantasy standpoint, but another quality outing and a victory would be plenty at this price. The Angels are 9-and-15 on the road the season.

• BARGAIN - RHP Christian Bergman (41K), Mariners (at Nationals): Bergman has pitched 87 2/3 innings as a starter for his career. The 5.44 ERA he has amassed during the time is nothing special. His most recent start was also one of his most dominant, allowing just two hits and striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings. At this price, rolling the dice on a flash in the pan is a fair strategy.

• FADE - RHP Carlos Carrasco (94K), Indians (at Reds): Carrasco is making his first start since May 15, after being sidelined due to a pectoral issue. Though he has been phenomenal this season, injuries have been a constant issue for Carrasco. Only once has he exceeded 150 innings in a season. If he struggles out of the gate, this could be another short outing.

• CONTRARIAN - RHP Matt Harvey (89K), Mets (vs. Padres): A high price tag, poor numbers, and bad press should keep plenty of owners off Harvey. For those willing to let the matchup dictate their selection, it doesn't get much better than drawing the San Diego Padres. San Diego's offense has been simply horrid in every offensive stat available.

Bargain Plays

• 1B Mike Naopli (42K), Rangers (at Red Sox): For owners looking for a bit of pop from a bargain play, look no further than Napoli. The veteran spent two seasons with the Red Sox and has five homers over his past nine games. As per usual with Napoli, he will likely be a boom or bust selection with the potential of a 0-fer performance in play.

• 2B Ian Happ (34K), Cubs (vs. Giants): Happ has hit .346 with a .731 slugging percentage through the first seven games of his MLB career. Despite his lack of experience, he has been thrust into the heart of Chicago's lineup. Considering his immediate success, beneficial offensive environment, and cheap price tag, Happ is a must-own.

• OF Jorge Bonifacio (41K), Royals (at Yankees): Bonifacio has drawn into the K.C. lineup for five straight games. Prior to the onset of the K.C.-New York series, Bonifacio had hit .269 with four homers, 10 RBIs, and 10 runs scored in 25 games. Though he is a relative unknown in fantasy, he has had a legitimate difference so far.

Top Fades

• 1B Brandon Belt (56K), Giants (at Cubs): Belt is hitting .250 against LHPs this season and complements it with an OPS of just .733. Chicago LHP Jon Lester has been dominant at Wrigley Field since 2015, posting a 2.67 ERA and giving up just 0.7 home runs per nine. Left-handed bats have also struggled against Lester since 2015, sporting a .256 wOBA.

• C Gary Sanchez (62K), Yankees (vs. Royals): Sanchez has hit .194 against LHPs for his career and .231 specific to this season. Though there's been improvement in his approach against lefties in 2017, a matchup against LHP Danny Duffy still warrants a fade. Duffy has 16 punchouts over his past two starts, one of which included a 10-strikeout game against these same Yankees.

• 2B Cesar Hernandez (53K), Phillies (vs. Rockies): Prior to the beginning of the Philadelphia-Colorado series, Monday, Hernandez had gone 5-for-28 with four runs scored over his past eight games. The Philadelphia offense also slowed behind him, mustering just 28 runs over the eight-game span. With much better hitters available for only a little bit more, Hernandez is priced out of his league.

Contrarian Plays

• OF Kyle Schwarber (55K), Cubs (vs. Giants): Schwarber's .185 average should be enough to scare off a handful of fantasy owners. But leading off for the Cubs' offense gives him enough intrinsic value to stay relevant. San Francisco RHP Johnny Cueto has given up seven homers and has a 4.94 ERA in 31 road innings this year.

• 3B Evan Longoria (54K), Rays (vs. Angels): Longoria's hitting a mediocre .250 with a .420 SLG% this season. Overall, it's been somewhat of a disappointing start for the third baseman who tallied 36 homers last year. Through the first 18 games of this month, Longoria is hitting .307 and making hard contact 42.2 percent of the time.

• 2B Devon Travis (43K), Blue Jays (at Brewers): Travis is tapping into the high-average approach we're accustomed to seeing from him, batting .526 with a 1.495 OPS over his past seven games. He should continue to hit fifth in the order with the Blue Jays still without 3B Josh Donaldson and SS Troy Tulowitzki. This will give him greater RBI upside.

For up-to-the-minute starting lineups, check out Baseball Press.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)