MLB Daily Grind Down: Saturday, September 21st Part Three

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2013-09-21 16:23:22

Toronto vs. Boston

7:10 PM	Toronto – ROAD					Boston – HOME
TEAM BATTING	AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB		AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB
SEASON	0.252	0.733	18.00%	0.62		0.273	0.780	20.40%	0.68
VS. LEFT/RIGHT	0.254	0.744	18.00%	0.49		0.260	0.743	20.60%	0.48
SP STATS	Buehrle – LHP					Buchholz – RHP
	WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG		WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG
SEASON	1.35	4.17	6.17	9.07		1.01	1.51	8.52	15.22
LAST 14 DAYS	2.44	10.00	6.00	2.50		0.91	0.00	7.36	14.00
BATTER SPLITS	Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window
	TOR vs R		TOR BvP			BOS vs L		BOS BvP

Pitcher Grind Down

• Mark Buehrle – The 2013 season has been a rollercoaster for Buehrle as he’s given up two or fewer runs in 17 games, but also given up five or more runs in nine games. His inconsistencies and tendency to randomly impload exclude him from being a viable H2H and 50/50 option, but he is worth a gamble on in GPP’s. Pitcher Rating: 4 out of 10

• Clay Buchholz – Buchholz has been sensational when healthy in 2013. He blew through the Blue Jays lineup in two separate starts back in May (when the Blue Jay’s lineup was much stronger) and has yet to give up a run since returning from the DL. Pitcher Rating: 7 out of 10

Batter Grind Down

Dustin Pedroia feasts on left-handed pitching and is hitting .344 versus them this year.

Adam Lind has homered in back-to-back games and owns an OPS versus righties of .928.

St. Louis vs. Milwaukee

7:10 PM	St. Louis – ROAD					Milwaukee – HOME
TEAM BATTING	AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB		AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB
SEASON	0.272	0.743	17.90%	0.61		0.254	0.714	19.70%	0.57
VS. LEFT/RIGHT	0.277	0.747	17.70%	0.47		0.250	0.702	18.90%	0.42
SP STATS	Lynn – RHP					Gallardo – RHP
	WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG		WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG
SEASON	1.34	4.18	8.66	10.81		1.39	4.29	7.05	9.04
LAST 14 DAYS	1.46	3.12	10.53	10.37		1.08	4.15	7.62	11.00
BATTER SPLITS	Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window
	STL vs R		STL BvP			MIL vs R		MIL BvP

Pitcher Grind Down

• Lance Lynn – After struggling throughout most of the summer, Lynn walks into this contest on the heels of two consecutive quality pitching performances. However, he has not pitched well on the road this year and has been knocked around by Milwaukee.

• Yovani Gallardo – Gallardo has been a bit of a mystery this year and as soon as it appeared he over his early season struggles he was smacked around by the Reds in his last start. The Cardinals always seem to hit him hard and there are much safer pitching options on the board today. Pitcher Rating: 5 out of 10

Batter Grind Down

Matt Holliday has three homeruns in just 27 career AB’s versus Gallardo

Aramis Ramirez brings a five game hitting streak into today’s game and drove in five runs last night.

Arizona vs. Colorado

8:10 PM	Arizona – ROAD					Colorado – HOME
TEAM BATTING	AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB		AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB
SEASON	0.259	0.717	18.30%	0.56		0.264	0.735	19.80%	0.60
VS. LEFT/RIGHT	0.263	0.708	17.20%	0.40		0.268	0.748	19.70%	0.48
SP STATS	Cahill – RHP					De La Rosa – LHP
	WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG		WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG
SEASON	1.41	4.12	6.26	8.13		1.39	3.49	6.03	9.27
LAST 14 DAYS	1.49	2.20	5.03	9.70		3.50	18.00	4.50	-1.00
BATTER SPLITS	Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window
	ARI vs L		ARI BvP			COL vs R		COL BvP

Pitcher Grind Down

• Trevor Cahill – Cahill has been very solid since returning from a hip injury, posting a 4-0 record with a 2.79 ERA in six starts. He hasn’t pitched quite as well on the road, and with this game being played in Coors Field, it’s probably wise to look elsewhere. Pitcher Rating: 4 out of 10

• Jorge De La Rosa – De La Rosa continues to pitch very well at Coors Field and has had plenty of success against Arizona in four previous starts this year. However, he hasn’t pitched for nearly two weeks with a thumb injury and probably should not be used other than as a flier in GPP’s. Pitcher Rating: 4 out of 10

Batter Grind Down

Avoid Using lefties versus De La Rosa as they’re only hitting .200 off of him in 2013

Charlie Culberson enters the game with an eight game hitting streak and is 10 for his last 17.

Paul Goldschmidt destroys left-handed pitching, posting an OPS of .999

LA Dodgers vs. San Diego

8:40 PM	LA Dodgers – ROAD					San Diego – HOME
TEAM BATTING	AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB		AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB
SEASON	0.266	0.723	18.40%	0.56		0.247	0.693	20.90%	0.54
VS. LEFT/RIGHT	0.270	0.730	18.30%	0.44		0.254	0.727	21.20%	0.46
SP STATS	Kershaw – LHP					Smith – RHP
	WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG		WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG
SEASON	0.93	1.94	8.64	14.35		1.69	6.57	11.90	5.28
LAST 14 DAYS	1.07	2.57	8.36	11.50		1.08	1.50	12.75	15.50
BATTER SPLITS	Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window
	LAD vs R		LAD BvP			SDP vs L		SDP BvP

Pitcher Grind Down

• Clayton Kershaw – He’s arguably the best pitcher in baseball and brings his 1.94 ERA into Petco Park tonight. He’s always a very solid fantasy option but it’s worth noting that the Padres are one of the few teams that have caused him headaches this year. Pitcher Rating: 9 out of 10

• Burch Smith – Smith was absolutely outstanding in his last start, mowing down the Braves while striking out 10 batters in seven scoreless innings. The strikeout rate is terrific, but there is no way I can trust this kid just yet in H2H and 50/50’s and taking the mound opposite of Kershaw doesn’t help him. Perhaps he’s worth a GPP flier, but otherwise I’d look elsewhere. Pitcher Rating: 4 out of 10

Batter Grind Down

It’s a small sample size, but Burch Smith has already surrendered 4 homeruns to lefties in just 55 at bats.

It may not be wise to pick against Kershaw, but Denorfia has had plenty of success against him in the past (8 for 27 with three homeruns) and hits left-handed pitching well in general.

Seattle vs. LA Angels

9:05 PM	Seattle – ROAD					LA Angels – HOME
TEAM BATTING	AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB		AVG	OPS	K%	FPAB
SEASON	0.243	0.706	21.70%	0.54		0.263	0.743	18.90%	0.61
VS. LEFT/RIGHT	0.246	0.723	21.40%	0.47		0.258	0.752	19.00%	0.51
SP STATS	Saunders – LHP					Williams – RHP
	WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG		WHIP	ERA	K/9	FPPG
SEASON	1.62	5.16	5.01	7.00		1.37	4.65	5.69	5.95
LAST 14 DAYS	2.14	8.10	7.56	4.03		1.27	4.42	5.47	10.70
BATTER SPLITS	Note: Batter Splits Below Open in Pop Up Window
	SEA vs R		SEA BvP			LAA vs L		LAA BvP

Pitcher Grind Down

• Joe Saunders – Saunders is rarely a strong fantasy option, especially away from Safeco Field. He sports a 5.29 road ERA and a horrendous 1.76 road WHIP. He’s pitched very well against Anaheim in two prior starts, but you should be looking elsewhere. Pitcher Rating: 3 out of 10

• Jerome Williams – Williams is nothing more than an average MLB pitcher at this point in his career. His ERA, WHIP and strikeouts are all middle of the road, but he has walked away with a “W” in each of his last three starts. Pitcher Rating: 5 out of 10

Batter Grind Down

Stock up on the right handed bats from Anaheim as righties are hitting .340 off of Saunders. Both Trumbo and Trout should be well worth their asking price today.

Raul Ibanez is 5 for 10 with a homerun off of Jerome Williams.