Ildemaro Vargas idle Monday for Nationals

Washington Nationals infielder Ildemaro Vargas is not in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against right-hander Keegan Thompson and the Chicago Cubs.

What It Means:

Vargas will grab a seat after starting the last three games. Maikel Franco will replace Vargas on third base and in the last spot of the lineup.

Franco has a $2,200 salary on Monday and numberFire’s models project him for 8.8 FanDuel points. Per our MLB Heat Map, the Nationals have the fourth-lowest implied total (3.45) out of 14 active teams. Thompson has registered a 21.2% strikeout rate this season and he recorded a 4.64 xFIP in July.