Daily Batter Breakdown: Tue, August 12th

by Jon Schiller (Varncass) Last Updated 2014-08-12 21:06:09

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.

This should be a really good slate tonight for games. Some solid matchups, some solid pitchers going but just enough to make it interesting and to spread the % owned out across the industry. The DFBC is coming up so good luck to all of those who are preparing to make the trip to Vegas this weekend.

		Jason Castro
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.220	0.680	3.60%	0.303
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.273	0.606	0.00%	0.28
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Pino – RIGHT		0.303	0.814	2.02%	0.358
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.981	0.000	$3,000	$7,600	$3,900		$6,200	$7,550

Jason Castro

Pino is goo for about 1 homer every single game, so coming into this one I’m really liking the Astros lefties. Pino has given up a .798 OPS to lefties and while his WHIP isn’t bad, he is having a propensity to get hit hard when he takes the mound. Vegas likes the Astros a lot today and so do I in a nice hitter’s park against a poor pitcher. Castro is cheap and he hits right handers very well so don’t be surprised if he hits at the top and does well.

		Albert Pujols
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.274	0.795	4.56%	0.341
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.267	0.967	6.67%	0.413
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Williams – RIGHT		0.307	0.824	2.54%	0.364
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.922	0.000	$3,500	$10,700	$4,400		$7,400	$10,850

Albert Pujols

I am wondering if Jerome Williams ever threw batting practice for the Angels when he pitched for them because I kind of feel like that’s what this game might turn out to be. Williams keeps appearing for major league teams and his last 10 ER outing against Cleveland did not turn out so well. He’s got a 1.66 WHIP and 6.71 ERA this year and isn’t good against righties or lefties. Pujols has been very solid lately an I’m not afraid to pay for him here.

		Ben Zobrist
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.239	0.718	2.46%	0.321
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.375	1.024	0.00%	0.45
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Tepesch – RIGHT		0.256	0.763	2.78%	0.336
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.120	0.000	$4,100	$9,600	$4,800		$9,000	$9,500

Ben Zobrist

Zobrist has been money for everyone who has been using him for the past week an I see no reason why he shouldn’t continue mashing the ball. The switch hitter should have a nice time against Tepesch who hasn’t been terrible this year but hasn’t been good. He doesn’t go deep into games so Zobrist should have an end game advantage and he’s got multiple ways of scoring fantasy points. The 2nd base position is somewhat weak tonight so either pay up for Tampa’s 2nd baseman or punt it.

		Lonnie Chisenhall
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.287	0.828	3.73%	0.364
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.091	0.394	4.55%	0.183
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Collmenter – RIGHT		0.300	0.805	2.96%	0.353
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.993	0.000	$2,600	$7,400	$3,700		$6,000	$7,350

Lonnie Chisenhall

Chisenhall has been horrible lately, but what that has done is really bring down his price. He’s almost free at a couple of sites and still has really solid numbers on the year. He’s hit both sides well but has more homer power against right handed starters. Collmenter has been struggling with keeping it in the park lately and could again today against an Indians lineup that has a lot of lefties to take advantage of his .801 OPS given up to lefties.

		Jed Lowrie
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.246	0.692	1.41%	0.309
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.308	0.938	0.00%	0.405
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Guthrie – RIGHT		0.288	0.827	5.01%	0.363
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.025	0.000	$2,800	$7,550	$3,500		$5,200	$7,550

Jed Lowrie

Like 2nd base, I’m not really a fan of shortstop today. Lowrie is cheap and while he won’t bring you huge upside he does bring you a guy who has hit pretty well against both sides. I like to pick on Guthrie vs LHB because even though he’s made some improvements he’s still given up 16 HR and a .801 OPS against them. I think Oakland snaps out of the slump tonight and puts up a big number.

		Denard Span
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.303	0.767	0.33%	0.340
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.469	1.094	0.00%	0.478
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Montero – RIGHT		0.286	1.065	9.53%	0.451
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.916	0.000	$3,400	$9,400	$4,100		$8,200	$9,200

Denard Span

Montero came up in May and had one good start but was hit hard in the other 3. In fact, he was hit so hard he allowed 4 HR and a 1.065 OPS to left handed batters. No matter where they are the lefties in the Nationals lineup are hard to deal with so I am very wary of Montero here. Span will be leading off, is cheap everywhere and should have a nice game as he has a .792 OPS against righties, a ton of SB against them and is a fairly safe pick.

		Kole Calhoun
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.286	0.823	4.15%	0.362
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.308	0.692	0.00%	0.304
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Williams – RIGHT		0.321	0.882	3.06%	0.386
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.922	0.000	$3,200	$8,450	$3,500		$7,400	$8,450

Kole Calhoun

I noted above how terrible Jerome Williams has been this year, and while I don’t expect him to give up 10 ER this game, most all of the Angels make solid plays today. I like Calhoun as he’s cheap on a few sites and should be leading off as a lefty vs a righty. He’s picked up the pace lately with multiple hit games in the last 3 games and he has a .823 OPS against right handers this year with 10 HR. He’s definitely on my radar tonight.

		Matt Joyce
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.285	0.801	2.14%	0.351
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.176	0.44	0.00%	0.213
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Tepesch – RIGHT		0.256	0.763	2.78%	0.336
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.120	0.000	$2,800	$7,200	$3,500		$5,600	$7,250

Matt Joyce

Joyce is still really cheap almost everywhere and has an .812 OPS against right handed pitchers this year. Tepesch has some reverse splits this year but I’m not worried as he was horrible against lefties last year. Joyce should be easy to lock in and definitely watch where he bats in the order. My only qualm is that he might get lifted early depending on how the game is going. Tampa has one of the highest over/unders of the day and some of the cheaper bats.

		Josh Harrison
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.304	0.794	2.53%	0.341
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.435	1.089	0.00%	0.474
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Ray – LEFT		0.326	0.827	2.60%	0.368
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.038	0.000	$3,900	$9,000	$4,400		$9,000	$9,100

Josh Harrison

I was tempted to put more Pirates hitters here but even though I like most of their right handers today, Harrison seems like the best option. You’re going to have to pay for him but he’s been a top 5 hitter in the majors in the last 2-3 weeks considering all around fantasy performances. Not only does he face a rookie RHP in Ray who has allowed a 1.63 WHIP in his limited starts this year, but if Ray doesn’t last long Harrison will feast on the Tigers awful relieving.

		Stephen Vogt
		Daily Breakdown		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits		0.331	0.835	2.88%	0.364
		Last 7 Days Splits		0.250	0.836	10.00%	0.363
		Opp SP vs. LR		Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Guthrie – RIGHT		0.288	0.827	5.01%	0.363
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.025	0.000	$3,000	$7,550	$3,400		$6,100	$7,500

Stephen Vogt

Vogt is still affordable and should be hitting in the middle of the Athletics lineup tonight which will be filled with lefties. I noted above how bad Guthrie is against lefties and he still is this year. Vogt has been great for the Athletics and has had a pretty solid few days. He’s hitting .329 with a .861 OPS against righties and has 6 of his 7 homers against them. Oakland should break out here an have a nice game.