MLB Daily Grind Down: Friday, August 9th
The RotoGrinders MLB Grind Down article will give you an in-depth analysis into the MLB schedule. This article will break down the numbers for every single game and give you analysis on which trends you can exploit. While matchups are a major factor in daily fantasy baseball, there are plenty of other factors to consider such as injuries, weather, and salaries.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. No sport has more variance than baseball. The best choice is not always the right choice but following the trends will win you money over time.
Note: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s MLB Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review
- FPAB – Fantasy Points Per At Bat
- K% – Strikeout Percentage
- K/9 – Strikeouts Per 9 IP
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Philadelphia vs. Washington
| 7:05 PM | Philadelphia – ROAD | Washington – HOME | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM BATTING | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | |
| SEASON | 0.251 | 0.698 | 19.90% | 0.53 | 0.241 | 0.686 | 20.40% | 0.52 | |
| VS. LEFT/RIGHT | 0.255 | 0.698 | 19.60% | 0.40 | 0.212 | 0.620 | 21.40% | 0.35 | |
| SP STATS | Lannan – LHP | Haren – RHP | |||||||
| WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | ||
| SEASON | 1.35 | 4.10 | 4.50 | 6.92 | 1.32 | 5.14 | 7.96 | 8.55 | |
| LAST 14 DAYS | 1.66 | 5.28 | 3.58 | 5.37 | 0.84 | 2.84 | 8.53 | 13.00 | |
| BATTER SPLITS | Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window | ||||||||
PHI vs R  | PHI BvP | WSN vs L | WSN BvP | ||||||
What Vegas Says
- Over/Under Total Runs – 8.5
- Favored Team – WAS -165
Pitcher Grind Down
- Home When is Dan Haren going to stop getting love from Vegas? He is a dismal 6.08 pitcher at home with a .295 BAA. He had a very nice start last time out but he does that. He throws one good game and then has 3 or 4 horrible performances in a row. The PHI batters look weak on paper, but they just destroyed Jeff Samradzija yesterday. PHI is batting .257 on the road, .258 versus right-handers, and .244 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 4
- Away John Lannan is awful on the road with a 6.08 ERA and .350 BAA. Both pitchers have a plus 6 ERA for their home road splits. I would bet the over on this game. Lannan only has 34 Ks in 12 starts. That is less than 3 a game so there is absolutely no upside in playing him today. WAS is batting .260 at home, .215 versus left-handers, and .234 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 2
Batter Grind Down
- Home Jayson Werth has produced 23.25 fp over the last 7 days. He is also batting .333 versus left-handed pitching and is 10-29 with 4 HR versus Lannnan. That’s ‘Play of the Day’ material. Lannan been so bad on the road that you can consider everyone worth a look. I especially like Ian Desmond. RG Stack Rating 6
- Away Darin Ruf and Chase Utley have been hot for PHI. Ruf is batting .343 versus right-handers. Chase Utley is batting .300 versus them. Michael Young and Delmon Young are both batting over .300 versus Haran in 98 combined AB. Jimmy Rollins, Domonic Brown and Ben Revere have positive BvPs as well. RG Stack Rating 7
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LA Angels vs. Cleveland
| 7:05 PM | LA Angels – ROAD | Cleveland – HOME | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM BATTING | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | |
| SEASON | 0.267 | 0.753 | 18.20% | 0.62 | 0.259 | 0.745 | 21.20% | 0.65 | |
| VS. LEFT/RIGHT | 0.276 | 0.771 | 17.90% | 0.50 | 0.254 | 0.736 | 21.90% | 0.49 | |
| SP STATS | Weaver – RHP | Jimenez – RHP | |||||||
| WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | ||
| SEASON | 1.12 | 2.90 | 7.30 | 11.14 | 1.48 | 4.18 | 8.53 | 9.28 | |
| LAST 14 DAYS | 0.81 | 1.59 | 8.11 | 15.40 | 1.45 | 2.04 | 8.37 | 11.07 | |
| BATTER SPLITS | Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window | ||||||||
| LAA vs R | LAA BvP | CLE vs R | CLE BvP | ||||||
What Vegas Says
- Over/Under Total Runs – 7.5
- Favored Team – CLE -110
Pitcher Grind Down
- Home Scott Kazmir had a rough April but his June and July were pretty good. He posted a 2.75 ERA and .198 BAA for July. His K/9 is 8.11 so he has big game potential when he is pitching well. Right now, he is pitching well. LAA is batting .252 on the road, .239 versus left-handers, and .265 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 7
- Away I know Jered Weaver ‘s road ERA is a 3.96 and his K/9 totals take a huge dip away from LAA as well, but I love him today versus CLE as a GPP play. CLE just saw their season slip away after being swept by DET in a 4 game series and they are human so there could be a letdown effect for the tribe. Weaver had a fantastic July and his K totals should get some help from a CLE team that has recorded the 6th most Ks on the year. CLE is batting .254 at home, .250 versus right-handers, and .233 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 7
Batter Grind Down
- Home Nick Swisher has 2 HRs in 25 AB versus Weaver. Jason Giambi is 5-12 and Carlos Santana is 5-9 versus him as well. RG Stack Rating 2
- Away Mike Trout is super hot with 39 fp over the last 7 days. He is also batting .336 versus left-handers on the year. Calhoun has been hot as well but Kazmir is holding lefties to a .205 BAA so it is best to avoid him today. RG Stack Rating 2
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Detroit vs. NY Yankees
| 7:05 PM | Detroit – ROAD | NY Yankees – HOME | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM BATTING | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | |
| SEASON | 0.279 | 0.782 | 17.40% | 0.66 | 0.240 | 0.668 | 19.40% | 0.52 | |
| VS. LEFT/RIGHT | 0.283 | 0.780 | 16.60% | 0.52 | 0.241 | 0.676 | 19.50% | 0.39 | |
| SP STATS | Porcello – RHP | Nova – RHP | |||||||
| WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | ||
| SEASON | 1.25 | 4.28 | 6.60 | 8.71 | 1.25 | 3.08 | 9.12 | 10.92 | |
| LAST 14 DAYS | 1.24 | 1.74 | 3.56 | 10.73 | 1.14 | 1.71 | 8.57 | 13.67 | |
| BATTER SPLITS | Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window | ||||||||
| DET vs R | DET BvP | NYY vs R | NYY BvP | ||||||
What Vegas Says
- Over/Under Total Runs – 8.5
- Favored Team – DET -115
Pitcher Grind Down
- Home Since joining the rotation, Ivan Nova has posted 6 quality starts in 7 outings and those numbers came against some pretty good opponents. He has a K/9 of 9.12 on the year and finished July with a 2.03 ERA and .188 WHIP. I think you have to consider him today even against this DET team if you can buy him for a bargain price because he is rolling and has big game upside. DET is batting .262 on the road, .282 versus right-handers and .253 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 6
- Away Rick Porcello has recreated the success he had in May again in July. Many experts were high on him earlier in the year and he is pitching really well right now. NYY is slumping so this could be another great spot to ride a starter from a hot DET team. However, Rick is allowing left-handers to bat .305 versus him on the season and NYY is loaded with dangerous left-handed bats. NYY is batting .246 at home, .239 versus left-handers, and .217 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 7
Batter Grind Down
- Home Curtis Granderson has looked good since returning. Ichiro Suzuki is 7-22 versus Porcello. Robinson Cano is 6-16 versus him as well. Travis Hafner is 7-24 with 2 HRs versus Rick. All of those players are lefties. RG Stack Rating 4
- Away Austin Jackson is 5-10 versus Nova. DET is not the same on the road and Nova has been good so I think today is the day you avoid paying top dollar for the Tigers. RG Stack Rating 5
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Oakland vs. Toronto
| 7:07 PM | Oakland – ROAD | Toronto – HOME | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM BATTING | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | |
| SEASON | 0.243 | 0.710 | 19.50% | 0.59 | 0.253 | 0.738 | 18.30% | 0.63 | |
| VS. LEFT/RIGHT | 0.245 | 0.708 | 19.30% | 0.46 | 0.253 | 0.749 | 18.50% | 0.50 | |
| SP STATS | Parker – RHP | Rogers – RHP | |||||||
| WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | ||
| SEASON | 1.24 | 4.02 | 6.14 | 8.68 | 1.48 | 4.61 | 6.28 | 3.49 | |
| LAST 14 DAYS | 1.50 | 4.50 | 6.50 | 8.67 | 2.17 | 8.27 | 6.71 | 4.37 | |
| BATTER SPLITS | Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window | ||||||||
| OAK vs R | OAK BvP | TOR vs R | TOR BvP | ||||||
What Vegas Says
- Over/Under Total Runs – 9
- Favored Team – OAK -111
Pitcher Grind Down
- Home Playing Esmil Rogers to me is like betting on the horse with 1-40 odds to show. Every once in awhile he produces and you look like a genius but most of the time you are simply throwing your money away. He has given up 30 hits in his last 3 starts. OAK is batting .246 on the road, .245 versus right-handers, and .22 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 2
- Away Jarrod Parker has a lower ERA on the road, which is really just an anomaly. He has given up 12 HRs on the road to only 5 at home and his BAA is slightly higher on the road as well. I think the splits are a mixture of good luck on the road and bad luck at home. He should get the win today but TOR is a tough home team and he does not get enough Ks to offset the damage that they should do to him. The OU is set at 9 and he is only a slight favorite so you do the math. TOR is batting .263 at home, .255 versus right-handers, and .261 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 5
Batter Grind Down
- Home Brett Lawrie, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Reyes and Jose Bautista have all been hot for TOR. Reyes, Adam Lind, Colby Rasmus and Encarnacion are all batting for a high average versus right-handers. RG Stack Rating 4
- Away Esmil Rogers is allowing left-handers to bat .312 versus him so move Stephen Vogt, Eric Sogard, Brandon Moss, Seth Smith and Josh Reddick onto your radar. The team owns a .341 BAA versus Rogers so everyone is worth a look. RG Stack Rating 8
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San Diego vs. Cincinnati
| 7:10 PM | San Diego – ROAD | Cincinnati – HOME | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM BATTING | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | AVG | OPS | K% | FPAB | |
| SEASON | 0.246 | 0.692 | 20.50% | 0.55 | 0.249 | 0.721 | 20.20% | 0.58 | |
| VS. LEFT/RIGHT | 0.242 | 0.672 | 20.60% | 0.39 | 0.250 | 0.722 | 20.30% | 0.47 | |
| SP STATS | Cashner – RHP | Arroyo – RHP | |||||||
| WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | WHIP | ERA | K/9 | FPPG | ||
| SEASON | 1.25 | 3.80 | 6.10 | 7.83 | 1.18 | 3.62 | 5.16 | 9.15 | |
| LAST 14 DAYS | 1.16 | 3.79 | 6.16 | 12.00 | 1.44 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 8.00 | |
| BATTER SPLITS | Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window | ||||||||
| SDP vs R | SDP BvP | CIN vs R | CIN BvP | ||||||
What Vegas Says
- Over/Under Total Runs – 8.5
- Favored Team – CIN -175
Pitcher Grind Down
- Home About a month ago, some one accused me of hating Bronson Arroyo. I do not know the guy so It is not possible for me to hate him. He is having a lucky year, though, and I do not think he can carry through his success for the whole year because he is not a high K guy or a player that induces a heavy number of ground balls. He is certainly worth strong consideration today versus this very weak SDG team but at this point you are paying upper mid range price for a lower mid range pitcher. That is like chasing an inside straight draw on the river. SDG is batting .254 on the road, .241 versus right-handers, and .249 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 7
- Away Andrew Cashner is a nice draw for CIN. The right-hander struggles on the road with a 5.02 road ERA and had a horrible July with a 6.63 ERA. His K totals are on the low side of things so no need even thinking about using him tonight. CIN is batting .254 at home, .251 versus left-handers, and .236 over the last 7 days. RG Start-Ability 3
Batter Grind Down
- Home Joey Votto and Shin-Soo Choo are your best plays here because of their sick righty/home splits. They happen to be the too hottest Reds as well. Jay Bruce is worth a look as well. RG Stack Rating 7
- Away Will Venable has been hot for SDG with 24 fp. He is 5-12 versus Arroyo Chase Headley is 7-19 over the last 7 days and historically comes to life on the road. Mark Kotsay (if he plays) is 9-31 with 3 HRs versus Arroyo. RG Stack Rating 2
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