MLB Grind Down: Sunday, August 3rd Page Three

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2014-08-03 15:16:30

Kansas City at Oakland

Kansas City					Oakland
James Shields		Vegas Moneyline			Scott Kazmir		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		OAK (-172)			LEFT		7
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.278	0.760	0.336	20.40%	SP vs. Left	0.236	0.606	0.276	23.30%
SP vs. Right	0.259	0.735	0.322	19.00%	SP vs. Right	0.207	0.589	0.264	22.50%
Batter Splits	KCR BvP		KCR vs L		Batter Splits	OAK BvP		OAK vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• James Shields – Shields has been very good for the Royals this season. He holds a 3.50 ERA and 1.29 WHIP to go along with his a 7.53 K/9. With that said, he will take on a tough A’s squad that has raked all year against all pitching. He makes a good GPP play for his price. Rating = 6

Salaries: $8300 FD, $15750 DD, $7800 DK, $83700 FF, $22900 SS, $15750 FTD

• Scott Kazmir – Kazmir continues to pitch very well for the A’s this season. Other than a hiccup against the Mets, Kazmir has not allowed more than 2 earned runs in his last 10 starts. He makes a great option today as he is a heavy favorite in a game with a low total in Oakland. Rating = 8

Salaries: $9100 FD, $18900 DD, $9100 DK, $125000 FF, $25400 SS, $18900 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Kansas City

I will be avoiding all the KC bats today.

Oakland

Stephen Vogt – I have loved playing the other two lefties all year in Moss and Jaso. The problem is Jaso has gotten expensive and Moss is on a bit of a cold streak. I do think they make good options, but Vogt might be the best bang for your buck today.

Additional Plays: Brandon Moss John Jaso

Chicago Cubs at LA Dodgers

Chicago Cubs					LA Dodgers
Edwin Jackson		Vegas Moneyline			Josh Beckett		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		LAD (-185)			RIGHT		8
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.333	0.919	0.401	16.70%	SP vs. Left	0.248	0.807	0.351	22.90%
SP vs. Right	0.249	0.768	0.338	23.60%	SP vs. Right	0.186	0.558	0.253	21.40%
Batter Splits	CHC BvP		CHC vs R		Batter Splits	LAD BvP		LAD vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Edwin Jackson – Edwin has really been a punching back all season long. He has allowed at least 3 earned runs in all of his last 5 starts while allowing 5 home runs during that span. He is a big underdog today and can safely be avoided. Rating = 3

Salaries: $5700 FD, $10400 DD, $5400 DK, $40000 FF, $13000 SS, $10400 FTD

• Josh Beckett – Beckett has been hit decently hard in his last 2 starts and has not made it 5 innings in either outing. It seems as a possible tired arm in the hot months as his July ended with Beckett allowing a 6.50 ERA and 1.78 WHIP. He makes a good GPP option due to him facing the Cubs in a game where run support should be there for him to get the win. I would not have too much exposure until we see a bounce back though. Rating = 5

Salaries: $7600 FD, $15150 DD, $7500 DK, $85900 FF, $22000 SS, $15150 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Chicago Cubs

Anthony Rizzo – Rizzo makes a decent GPP option today as I do not see a lot of people having exposure to him. We have seen the power he possesses and he can go yard against any pitcher in the league.

LA Dodgers

Adrian Gonzalez – Edwin has been absolutely crushed by LH bats (.401 wOBA) making GONZO a great play today as he has hit righties for a wOBA of .375.

Additional Plays: Matt Kemp Dee Gordon Carl Crawford Hanley Ramirez

Atlanta at San Diego

Atlanta					San Diego
Aaron Harang		Vegas Moneyline			Tyson Ross		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		SDP (-131)			RIGHT		6.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.291	0.779	0.344	16.40%	SP vs. Left	0.204	0.583	0.268	24.10%
SP vs. Right	0.237	0.669	0.295	20.10%	SP vs. Right	0.240	0.661	0.296	25.00%
Batter Splits	ATL BvP		ATL vs R		Batter Splits	SDP BvP		SDP vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Aaron Harang – Harang gets the matchup lottery today as he faces off against the Padres in Petco. They have been much better since the All-Star break, but, as we saw yesterday, can still be shut down for the most part. Harang has been pretty consistent (3.43 ERA) and makes a good cheap play today. Rating = 6

Salaries: $6700 FD, $14600 DD, $6600 DK, $80600 FF, $17500 SS, $14600 FTD

• Tyson Ross – Ross is a small favorite in a game with a 6’ total. He has been unbelievable at home as he holds a 1.86 ERA and is allowing only a .193 BAA. He faces a Braves squad that strikes out at a 21.6% clip against RH pitching. Couple this with a 9.08 K.9 and you have a great play in Ross. Rating = 8

Salaries: $8500 FD, $18000 DD, $9600 DK, $123800 FF, $28400 SS, $18000 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Atlanta

Avoid the Bats in Petco today against Ross.

San Diego

Even with Harang not being a world beater, I think avoiding the Padres bats has worked all season long, don’t stop now.

Pittsburgh at Arizona

Pittsburgh					Arizona
Francisco Liriano		Vegas Moneyline			Trevor Cahill		Vegas Over/Under
LEFT		PIT (-144)			RIGHT		8.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.282	0.818	0.358	28.70%	SP vs. Left	0.350	0.957	0.414	10.30%
SP vs. Right	0.213	0.665	0.299	24.00%	SP vs. Right	0.240	0.662	0.299	29.30%
Batter Splits	PIT BvP		PIT vs R		Batter Splits	ARI BvP		ARI vs L
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Francisco Liriano – Liriano has come back from the DL and has pitched fantastic. In his last 3 starts, he has allowed only 11 hits and 1 earned run. He has also struck out 22 batters in 19 innings pitched. He will be taking on a Diamondbacks squad that looks a lot less threatening without Goldy. He makes a very good mid-tier option today. Rating = 7

Salaries: $7400 FD, $13950 DD, $8400 DK, $96000 FF, $24200 SS, $13950 FTD

• Trevor Cahill – Cahill continues to start for Arizona and continues to pitch very poorly. He does not pitch deep into games nor does he strike out many batters. His 5.59 ERA can be avoided today. Rating = 3

Salaries: $5000 FD, $9750 DD, $5400 DK, $41900 FF, $13000 SS, $9750 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Pittsburgh

Neil Walker – Cahill has struggled overall, but has been very poor against LH bats. He has allowed a wOBA of .414 to lefties making the switch hitting Walker a great play.

Additional Plays: Andrew McCutchen Josh Harrison Gregory Polanco Ike Davis

Arizona

I think Liriano pitches around this depleted Dbacks lineup today.

NY Yankees at Boston

NY Yankees					Boston
David Phelps		Vegas Moneyline			Clay Buchholz		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		BOS (-122)			RIGHT		9
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.218	0.686	0.308	21.00%	SP vs. Left	0.297	0.827	0.368	13.80%
SP vs. Right	0.290	0.782	0.346	17.40%	SP vs. Right	0.296	0.809	0.350	19.30%
Batter Splits	NYY BvP		NYY vs R		Batter Splits	BOS BvP		BOS vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• David Phelps – Phelps has actually pitched pretty well for the Yankees. He has an overall 3.89 ERA on the year and a 1.34 WHIP. He will be taking on a Red Sox squad today in a game that has the makings of a big offensive night on Sunday Night baseball. He is cheap, but I think you can avoid him today. Rating = 4

Salaries: $6100 FD, $10950 DD, $6000 DK, $80600 FF, $15400 SS, $NA FTD

• Clay Buchholz – Buchholz has been very poor all season long. He is coming off a shellacking from the Blue Jays and will try to bounce back against the Yankees. You can safely avoid him today until he can show any glimpse of the Buchholz of old. Rating = 3

Salaries: $6400 FD, $11850 DD, $6700 DK, $56000 FF, $17000 SS, $ FTD

Batter Grind Down

NY Yankees Brett Gardner – He is on the heater of his life right now. Buchholz has been awful against LH batters (.368 wOBA) which put Gardner in a very good spot tonight.

Additional Plays: Jacoby Ellsbury Mark Teixeira Brian McCann

Boston

David Ortiz – This is the perfect setting for Ortiz. Sunday Night Baseball against the Yankees where Ortiz should be able to take advantage of the young righty today.

Additional Plays: Brock Holt Daniel Nava Mike Napoli