Daily Batter Breakdown: Fri, August 15th
Welcome to the Daily Batter Breakdown. Each day, with at least 8 games on the night slate, I’ll breakdown some of the best top tier hitters to target based on matchup. The biggest split taken into account will be left/right, but each player card will also show park factors, player salaries and then a description of why I’ll be targeting him. Be sure to check out the FAQ for more information on specific stats.
There are 2 teams that look like obvious targets tonight but other’s that have solid matchups as well that might play as nice contrarian options. This is a solid slate and should prove to be a good leadup day for the DFBC. Good luck to all Grinders who are in it and I have no doubt one is going to take down the $1,000,000 prize.
 | Devin Mesoraco | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.298 | 0.871 | 3.51% | 0.374 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.333 | 1.137 | 9.52% | 0.469 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Morales – LEFT | 0.305 | 0.928 | 0.83% | 0.403 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.394 | 0.000 | $3,800 | $9,250 | $4,500 | $9,250 | ||
Devin Mesoraco
I love Mesoraco again tonight, and it doesn’t really matter what his price is. Even though he looks like a zombie, his bat is primed to come to life tonight off Morales who has allowed a .920 OPS to righties along with 16 homers this year. His WHIP is bad, his other numbers are bad and he’s in Coors Field tonight which is going to make the Reds righties very tough to deal with, especially Mesoraco. I really think he’s got one of the best chances to homer we’ve seen this season and he shouldn’t be ignored especially at the catcher position.
 | Chris Carter | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.210 | 0.728 | 6.11% | 0.319 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.407 | 1.559 | 22.22% | 0.655 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Buchholz – RIGHT | 0.287 | 0.790 | 2.44% | 0.342 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.006 | 0.000 | $4,100 | $10,150 | $4,800 | $9,800 | ||
Chris Carter
Mr. Double Dong himself is someone I am definitely looking at today if I’m making a GPP lineup. He’s been hotter than anything lately and I’ve seen the guy hit 2 homers in a game more than anyone that I can remember in the last couple of years. Buchholz has been absolutely terrible this year and while he seems to be getting a little bit better, he’s not making anyone feel any good about how he pitches. I like Carter definitely as a GPP play tonight even over the monster.
 | Dee Gordon | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.289 | 0.728 | 0.58% | 0.323 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.200 | 0.4 | 0.00% | 0.178 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Nelson – RIGHT | 0.234 | 0.748 | 4.68% | 0.332 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 0.918 | 0.000 | $2,900 | $8,250 | $3,900 | $8,400 | ||
Dee Gordon
Oh gee, 2nd base again. I like Dee at 2nd tonight even against Nelson, who has been pretty good for the Brewers. He has allowed a few runs thought and any time I can get Gordon against a right hander I am game. Gordon hits pretty well off of right handers, and does almost all of his stealing off of them. His price has came down for a guy who can go single steal steal and score equaling a homer and should provide some nice upside tonight.
 | Josh Donaldson | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.277 | 1.080 | 10.89% | 0.454 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.458 | 1.351 | 8.33% | 0.56 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Wood – LEFT | 0.247 | 0.684 | 1.87% | 0.304 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 0.947 | 0.000 | $4,100 | $10,050 | $4,700 | $10,150 | ||
Josh Donaldson
Donaldson has been pretty consistent this year, especially in his destruction of left handed pitching. I wouldn’t feel too good about this matchup if I am Alex Wood tonight as the 1.150 OPS and 13 HR in 106 bats are just video game numbers. Donaldson is expensive, and while Alex Wood has been solid lately, there just really isn’t anything that Donaldson won’t hit if it’s coming from a left arm. I think he may go overlooked today but definitely has 2 HR power.
 | Erick Aybar | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.289 | 0.739 | 1.68% | 0.326 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.167 | 0.577 | 0.00% | 0.251 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Martinez – RIGHT | 0.300 | 0.907 | 3.89% | 0.397 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.120 | 0.000 | $2,500 | $7,150 | $3,400 | $7,150 | ||
Erick Aybar
The Rangers’ pitching staff is just miserable right now causing them to throw Nick Martinez out there every 5 games even though he’s allowed a 1.64 WHIP and a .893 OPS to left handed batters this year. He’s not much better against righties either, and I love Aybar at the shortstop position tonight. Aybar really hasn’t been memorable as of late, however he usually bats 5th or 6th and should have some RBI opportunites and should be able to be driven in. He’s cheap and carries solid upside into this matchup in a position which isn’t very deep.
 | Rajai Davis | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.365 | 0.959 | 2.61% | 0.416 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.226 | 0.573 | 0.00% | 0.253 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Paxton – LEFT | 0.195 | 0.713 | 1.56% | 0.311 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.115 | 0.000 | $3,200 | $8,050 | $3,700 | $7,850 | ||
Rajai Davis
Rajai’s price has decreased with the recent Tigers’ struggles but he should be able to get back on track tonight. It’s insane how good he hits off of left handed pitching (.938 OPS) and with Paxton on the bump tonight I’m expecting a couple of hits, probably doubles. Paxton’s numbers are pretty solid but he’s only got 4 starts under his belt so they may come down especially against an angry Tigers team that wants to break out in every way possible.
 | Colby Rasmus | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.235 | 0.768 | 6.37% | 0.334 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.233 | 0.636 | 0.00% | 0.275 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Noesi – RIGHT | 0.224 | 0.695 | 4.48% | 0.307 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.016 | 0.000 | $3,000 | $7,750 | $3,400 | $7,600 | ||
Colby Rasmus
Rasmus has done all of his damage against right handers this year so it’s good that he’s going to get Noesi in US Cellular Field. It’s not as great that they aren’t in Rogers Centre but it’s OK because the Cell is a hitter’s park as well. Noesi generally gives up more consistent hits to right handers this year but has allowed a lot of power and homers to lefties. Rasmus isn’t a guy you’re lining up to go 4 out of 5; you just want him to hit a homer and be done with it. Definitely a GPP play and I doubt he’s highly owned but he does have a solid matchup.
 | Ryan Ludwick | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.254 | 0.789 | 3.17% | 0.343 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.071 | 0.205 | 0.00% | 0.105 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Morales – LEFT | 0.305 | 0.928 | 0.83% | 0.403 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.394 | 0.000 | $2,300 | $6,450 | $3,400 | $6,450 | ||
Ryan Ludwick
Ludwick should be hitting at the top of the order again tonight in Coors and after a nice display last night, you can still have him about the same price. His matchup is actually better as I noted above how horrible Morales is against right handed batters. It’s really not hard to fit him in with anything as he has crushed lefties in his career and the almost min-price he gets everywhere is just too hard to say no to.
 | Kole Calhoun | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.286 | 0.823 | 4.15% | 0.362 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.385 | 0.962 | 3.85% | 0.42 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Martinez – RIGHT | 0.300 | 0.907 | 3.89% | 0.397 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.120 | 0.000 | $3,200 | $8,450 | $3,500 | $8,450 | ||
Kole Calhoun
I’m expecting Calhoun to be leading off tonight which makes his cheap price and Matchup against Martinez almost unavoidable. Calhoun has been hot and Martinez has been not, which should be put into a rhyme at some time. Martinez gives it up to both sides and really just struggles at home with a terrible GB/FB rate which doesn’t help him at all in Globe Life Park. Calhoun is one of my favorite plays tonight especially on DK where his price is really affordable.
 | Mike Trout | ||||||
| Daily Breakdown | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left/Right Splits | 0.305 | 0.961 | 5.47% | 0.411 | |||
| Last 7 Days Splits | 0.160 | 0.641 | 8.00% | 0.266 | |||
| Opp SP vs. LR | Avg | OPS | HR% | wOBA | |||
| Martinez – RIGHT | 0.290 | 0.829 | 1.01% | 0.359 | |||
| PARK-1 | PARK-LR | FD | DD | DK | FF | SS | FTD |
| 1.120 | 0.000 | $4,800 | $13,850 | $5,400 | $13,850 | ||
Mike Trout
Even throughout his struggles lately, Trout is probably still the top option on the board today. He is fade at your own risk type of player who mashes lefties and righties. I’ve mentioned above how good of a matchup the Angels have against Martinez and how they will most likely put up a ton of runs tonight. Trout is a beast and can get it going against anyone, and should have an especially good time tonight in Globe Life Park.