MLB Grind Down: Friday, September 19th Page Three
Cincinnati at St. Louis
| Cincinnati | St. Louis | ||||||||
| David Holmberg | Vegas Moneyline | John Lackey | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| LEFT | STL (-200) | RIGHT | 7.5 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | SP vs. Left | 0.257 | 0.725 | 0.319 | 19.00% | ||||
| SP vs. Right | 0.245 | 0.842 | 0.367 | 14.30% | SP vs. Right | 0.276 | 0.766 | 0.337 | 20.00% |
| Batter Splits | CIN BvP  | CIN vs R | Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- David Holmberg – Holmberg has not fared well at the major-league level. In 4 career starts, he has an ERA well over 6.00 with a BB/9 over 6.0 as well. He draws a tough matchup against the Cardinals who are locked in offensively. He’s a huge underdog and carries little fantasy value tonight. Rating = 3
Salaries: $5000 FD, $9650 DD, $5300 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $NA FTD
- John Lackey – Lackey has given up 10 earned runs in his last 3 starts which has reduced his price dramatically across the industry. This is a perfect opportunity to buy low on Lackey. He owns a respectable strikeout rate of 7.4 batters per 9 innings and draws a favorable matchup against a depleted Reds offense. Over the last 30 days, the Reds have the worst team wOBA in baseball. Lackey has the ability to pitch deep into tonight’s game with the potential to average a strikeout per inning. Rating = 7
Salaries: $7200 FD, $12450 DD, $8300 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
Cincinnati
The Reds have all but given up this season. Avoid their offense and target the Lackey side of this matchup.
St. Louis
Matt Holliday – Holliday has really hit left-hand pitching well this season with a.419 wOBA. Holliday is a player that typically goes overlooked in daily fantasy baseball, which boosts his value as a tournament play as his percentage of ownership will be low. He should see plenty of RBI opportunities tonight.
Additional Plays: Yadier Molina, Jhonny Peralta
Philadelphia at Oakland
| Philadelphia | Oakland | ||||||||
| David Buchanan | Vegas Moneyline | Jon Lester | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | OAK (-250) | LEFT | 7.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.206 | 0.543 | 0.251 | 12.20% | SP vs. Left | 0.253 | 0.690 | 0.306 | 25.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.285 | 0.834 | 0.363 | 15.90% | SP vs. Right | 0.226 | 0.617 | 0.275 | 24.70% |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs L | Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- David Buchanan – Buchanan has posted some respectable numbers in his rookie season. He has a 3.75 ERA, a 5.5 K/9, and has produced a 51% ground ball rate. Tonight he faces an A’s ball club that has fallen apart over the last couple of months. That said, he’s a huge underdog tonight and will see little to no run support with Lester on the mound. Rating = 4
Salaries: $6400 FD, $12600 DD, $6900 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $NA FTD
- Jon Lester – The A’s need a big outing from Jon Lester to help stop the bleeding. The Mariners are quickly close the gap for the last Wildcard spot in the American League. To Lester’s credit, he has pitched incredibly well as a member of the A’s. In 9 starts with the club, he has posted a 2.30 ERA with a strikeout rate of 8.2 batters per 9 innings. Lester has great strikeout potential in his matchup against the Phillies who strike out at a 22% rate against left-hand pitching this season. He also has a good chance to pick up the win as he is currently listed as a -250 favorite. Rating = 9.5
Salaries: $10200 FD, $20700 DD, $12300 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
Avoid all Phillies tonight against Lester who is the top pitching option on the board tonight.
Oakland
Josh Donaldson – Donaldson is typically preferred against LH pitching, but Buchanan has some serious reverse splits this season. He has held LH hitters to a .275 wOBA, but has given up a .363 wOBA to RH hitters. Donaldson is an extra-base hit machine that will go overlooked tonight because he is facing a righty.
Additional Plays: Derek Norris, Coco Crisp
Texas at LA Angels
| Texas | LA Angels | ||||||||
| *Lisalverto Bonilla * | Vegas Moneyline | Hector Santiago | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | LAA (-125) | LEFT | 8.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | SP vs. Left | 0.218 | 0.562 | 0.254 | 21.30% | ||||
| SP vs. Right | SP vs. Right | 0.246 | 0.735 | 0.327 | 20.10% | ||||
| Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs L | Batter Splits | LAA BvP | LAA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Lisalverto Bonilla – Bonilla will be making his 2nd career start. He is a very interesting prospect as he has posted an elite strikeout rate in the minors. Over the last 3 years, he has averaged over 12 strikeouts per 9 innings. I typically take a wait and see approach with these young pitchers that are called up and that’s what I will be doing tonight. As long as the everyday players are back in the Angels lineup, you can safely avoid Bonilla in all leagues. Rating = 4
Salaries: $ FD, $NA DD, $NA DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $NA FTD
- Hector Santiago – Santiago has pitched well this season with a 3.55 ERA and a K/9 of 7.8. He does struggle with his command at times though as he is walking close to 4 batters per 9 innings. It’s a little surprising, but the Rangers actually hit LH pitching well. As a team, they are ranked 5th in wOBA vs. LH pitching this season. Santiago may be in line for the win though which puts him in play as a #2 starter on multi-pitcher sites. Rating = 6
Salaries: $6200 FD, $11550 DD, $7200 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
Texas
Adrian Beltre – Beltre has been a professional this season. He has continued to play at an elite level despite playing on an awful Rangers ball club. He crushes LH pitching and is facing lefty Hector Santiago who is a fly ball pitcher.
Additional Plays: None
LA Angels
Kole Calhoun – You never really know what to expect when these young pitchers make their first couple of major league starts. Bonilla looked a little shaky in his first start and will have his hands full with the Angels tonight. Calhoun has mashed RH pitching all season long and is a solid play in the OF tonight.
Additional Plays: Mike Trout
San Francisco at San Diego
| San Francisco | San Diego | ||||||||
| Tim Hudson | Vegas Moneyline | Odrisamer Despaigne | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | SFG (-130) | RIGHT | 6.5 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.274 | 0.745 | 0.327 | 12.30% | SP vs. Left | 0.265 | 0.742 | 0.334 | 10.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.254 | 0.654 | 0.286 | 18.60% | SP vs. Right | 0.218 | 0.584 | 0.266 | 20.70% |
| Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SFG vs R | Batter Splits | SDP BvP | SDP vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Tim Hudson – Hudson has been knocked around in his last 3 starts. During that stretch, he has given up a combined 14 earned runs while striking out 8 batters. His price has come way down and he arguably has the best matchup on the board when you factor in the ballpark. Hudson doesn’t walk many batters and he doesn’t give up many HR’s. I’m expecting a nice bounce back performance from him tonight against the Padres. Rating = 6.5
Salaries: $6500 FD, $14150 DD, $7000 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $NA FTD
- Odrisamer Despaigne – Despaigne is having a nice rookie season. In 15 starts, he has posted a 3.63 ERA with a K/9 of 5.9. He is a cheap option, but is facing a Giants offense that has the highest wOBA of any team in baseball over the last 30 days. Limit Despaigne to a tournament play tonight. Rating = 5
Salaries: $5400 FD, $10900 DD, $7700 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
San Francisco / San Diego
With a game in Coors Field, there is no reason to target hitters in this game. The total is set at only 6.5 runs which is the lowest total on the board.