Daily Batter Breakdown: Wed, May 7th

by Jon Schiller (Varncass) Last Updated 2014-05-07 20:44:38

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.

Very interesting tonight is the Rockies/Rangers series which is being played in Texas and not Colorado. The over/under is still extremely high due to it being in Texas but many people may not realize the venue has changed. Looking at the weather there are some concerns but it’s something that needs to be monitored as opposed to something that needs to be seriously considered as of now.

		Victor Martinez
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.301	0.823	4.11%	0.336
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.455	1.263	4.55%	0.501
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Peacock – RIGHT			0.276	0.852	14.24%	0.379
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.139	1.044	$4,000	$8,982	$10,100	$4,500	$88,400	$7,400	$12,100

Victor Martinez

I love Martinez for cash games and his price is finally starting to reflect how solid he has been in them. The crazy part about it is even at the inflated price, I still think he’s a great play in this matchup. The Tigers send Porcello to the hill and are -230 right now against Peacock and the Astros in a 8.5 over/under game which means the Tigers should be a big 4.5 run favorite or around 5. Martinez is one of the only guys who will be hitting left handed in the lineup and if you can fit him in, he will pay off.

		Jose Abreu
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.172	0.812	13.79%	0.335
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.174	0.722	8.70%	0.299
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Wood – LEFT			0.235	0.654	7.39%	0.297
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.998	0.971	$4,200	$9,444	$10,600	$5,000	$64,700	$7,300	$12,300

Jose Abreu

Abreu is killing it right now and his price is rising but I really like his matchup against Travis Wood. Wood owns left handed batters but his weakness is pitching against righties. Abreu’s numbers against lefties aren’t exactly noteworthy (.172 avg/.812 OPS) but he is homering in approximately 1 of every 7 at bats against left handed pitching. His average will come around but for now his wOBA is definitely enough reason to pick him; you’ll just have to find some value to fit him in.

		Scooter Gennett
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.297	0.780	2.20%	0.341
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.207	0.578	3.45%	0.256
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Arroyo – RIGHT			0.283	0.806	4.79%	0.350
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.110	1.039	$2,900	$5,811	$6,600	$3,600	$48,700	$4,600	$8,300

Scooter Gennett

Arroyo is fresh off of a destruction of the Padres, but who doesn’t destroy the Padres in 2014. The Brewers are a much different team and one that is leading the division and has a solid offense even when Ryan Braun isn’t in it. Gennett has been nothing short of exceeds expectations so far this year against right handers and I don’t really expect Arroyo to hold him down. He’s still extremely cheap across the industry and should be used religiously tonight.

		Pedro Alvarez
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.219	0.751	6.25%	0.330
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.357	1.009	7.14%	0.434
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Lincecum – RIGHT			0.251	0.695	10.42%	0.318
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.907	0.897	$3,600	$7,310	$10,100	$4,300	$80,100	$7,700	$11,000

Pedro Alvarez

I’m basically over Lincecum at this point as his wOBA allowed, ERA, OPS allowed and WHIP are not anything short of poor. I’m expecting a nice game out of the Pirates tonight and if you’re looking for a GPP boost look no farther than Alvarez. Pedro brings solid 2 HR power and although he is extremely expensive, he’s still hitting right handers at a nice clip and has a solid matchup tonight against a pitcher who just isn’t what he used to be.

		Jean Segura
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.267	0.679	2.22%	0.296
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.286	0.762	4.76%	0.332
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Arroyo – RIGHT			0.243	0.653	4.06%	0.295
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.110	1.037	$3,200	$5,777	$8,900	$3,500	$67,000	$6,600	$7,800

Jean Segura

Segura is back. His price is still low but Jean is hitting in the last 7 days like he hit last year. He’s hitting for power, he’s been bumped up in the lineup a couple of times and he’s looking to take a couple of easy bags. I really like the Brewers tonight and his name was one of the first that I thought of when I heard that Arroyo would be toeing the rubber in Miller Park. A ton of his value is going to be determined by what spot he hits in the lineup but I still really like him even hitting 8th tonight.

		Charlie Blackmon
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.352	0.971	5.49%	0.422
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.259	0.667	3.70%	0.291
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Lewis – RIGHT			0.290	0.725	5.56%	0.345
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.985	1.016	$3,900	$9,345	$8,300	$5,000	$87,200	$7,600	$12,700

Charlie Blackmon

Blackmon has been the top player for fantasy purposes all year this year and that’s a pretty incredible surprise. I am expecting him to lead off against against the Rangers and even though he isn’t hitting at Coors Field, he gets arguably the 2nd best park to hit at in Rangers Stadium. Colby Lewis isn’t a shut down pitcher and the L/R matchup of Blackmon and Lewis should push Blackmon to the leadoff spot and to some extra at bats. The Rockies are really hot right now, Blackmon is hot as well and is one of your top hitters to target today.

		David DeJesus
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.214	0.701	2.86%	0.318
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.300	1.017	10.00%	0.441
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Norris – RIGHT			0.304	0.856	8.79%	0.377
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.931	0.976	$2,700	$5,771	$8,050	$3,600	$58,700	$4,400	$7,200

David DeJesus

DeJesus has broken out of his early season slump but he still remains a situational player. The great thing is that against Norris, the situation is definitely one that suits DeJesus. One thing I love about Maddon is that he plays the numbers game and always puts his team in the best position to win which is going to mean hitting DeJesus at the top of the lineup today. Not only does DeJesus kill right handed pitching but he’s got a 7 for 13 history with 2 HR against Norris in their careers. Expect him to hit early and often in this game.

		Mike Trout
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.448	1.370	6.90%	0.576
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.105	0.491	0.00%	0.244
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Nuno – LEFT			0.256	0.811	8.46%	0.348
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.968	1.066	$5,100	$9,134	$12,750	$5,700	$92,400	$10,200	$13,800

Mike Trout

What can I say about Trout? He’s the guy that a ton of people regard the best player in the game yet no one in fantasy has been talking about him recently. His price is starting to fall as he’s been struggling but he’s still one of the greatest cash game palyers and also has a fantastic matchup against Nuno. The Angels have one of the highest over/unders of the night and it appears that no one believes in Nuno at all. I’m going to pay up for some hitters tonight, I just have to determine which ones.

		Miguel Cabrera
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.282	0.726	1.18%	0.317
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.308	0.78	0.00%	0.346
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Peacock – RIGHT			0.213	0.662	7.81%	0.297
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
1.139	1.090	$4,300	$10,661	$12,400	$5,600	$103,800	$9,200	$11,800

Miguel Cabrera

Cabrera is finally getting his hitting legs under him and on any site where he isn’t max salary he should be used. Cabrera has a great matchup against Peacock and I’m expecting a homer at home as the Tigers are huge favorites, are on fire, and Cabrera is heating up. It has never really mattered the handedness of the pitcher when Miguel bats and no one wants to face him when he’s on his game.

		Troy Tulowitzki
		Daily Breakdown			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Left/Right Splits			0.400	1.284	8.57%	0.534
		Last 7 Days Splits			0.571	1.701	14.29%	0.703
		Opp SP vs. LR			Avg	OPS	HR%	wOBA
		Lewis – RIGHT			0.290	0.725	5.56%	0.345
PARK-1	PARK-LR	FD	DS	DD	DK	FF	SS	FTD
0.985	1.016	$5,800	$11,276	$15,000	$6,000	$134,600	$11,000	$13,600

Troy Tulowitzki

At this point, putting Troy in this article is just an homage as he’s absolutely out of his mind right now. I’m wondering if he can continue this streak but I will continue to throw him on here as long as he gets multiple hits in a game because how can you not? I’m not sure if Colby Lewis can slow him down but he certainly doesn’t have a bad matchup today.