MLB First Look: Monday, June 30
Editor’s Note: Welcome to MLB First Look! In an effort to provide Grinders with more “night-before” MLB Research Content, we’re proud to announce MLB First Look by Top-Ranked Notorious. Unlike season-long where writers have months to prep before writing articles on draft strategy, the quick nature of Daily Fantasy’s player draft-pool turn-around makes completing entire research routines and writing high quality articles the night before challenging, and at times impossible. This column should help you glean insight and strategies to exploit as Notorious begins his research routine with you. Since it’s a new column, let us know your feedback in the comments!
MLB First Look provides you a quick overview of the most noteworthy DFS tidbits for tomorrow’s MLB matchups and player pools, and is brought to you by none other than Derek “Notorious” Farnsworth (#6 Ranked Overall, DraftDay MLB Champion, DSBC Finalist x3, DSBBC Finalist, DFBBC Finalist). Each night before weekday games (and occasionally weekends), Notorious will analyze the daily matchups and player pools to provide you with his initial thoughts on strategies for that day. The preview will begin with a starting pitcher overview, then move onto matchup notes, teams to target, player pricing, general strategy and more. Additionally, Derek will give you a quick recap of how his night in DFS transpired.
What I Learned Tonight
What’s up Grinders, I’m very excited to bring you the first edition of the RotoGrinders MLB First Look. Typically, I’ll open with a recap of my night in DFS and any thoughts that I took away from the games. However, Sunday was a rare day off for me. Not only was I traveling, but sometimes it can be good to take a day off to re-charge the old batteries.
The daily grind of an entire MLB season can be extremely taxing and taking a break when you need one can really be beneficial to your mental health and your bankroll in the long run. As much as we love daily fantasy sports, taking a night off from checking box scores and constantly refreshing your scoreboards can put your mind at ease and you’ll be refreshed and ready to go for the next slate of games. After a Sunday off for yours truly, I’m ready to get back at it Monday. Let’s take a quick look at tomorrow’s 11 game slate:
Today’s MLB Schedule
| TIME | AWAY | HOME | AWAY STARTER | HOME STARTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:05 PM | Colorado | Washington | Flande (0-0) – 7.20 ERA | Zimmermann (5-4) – 2.95 ERA |
| 7:05 PM | Tampa Bay | N.Y. Yankees | Archer (4-5) – 3.29 ERA | Phelps (3-4) – 4.35 ERA |
| 7:05 PM | Texas | Baltimore | Saunders (0-4) – 5.19 ERA | Jimenez (2-8) – 4.70 ERA |
| 7:08 PM | Oakland | Detroit | Kazmir (9-3) – 2.66 ERA | Sanchez (5-2) – 2.64 ERA |
| 7:10 PM | N.Y. Mets | Atlanta | Wheeler (3-8) – 4.45 ERA | Wood (6-6) – 3.07 ERA |
| 7:10 PM | Chi. Cubs | Boston | Arrieta (4-1) – 2.05 ERA | Peavy (1-6) – 4.93 ERA |
| 8:10 PM | Seattle | Houston | Ramirez (1-4) – 4.58 ERA | McHugh (4-6) – 2.86 ERA |
| 8:10 PM | Kansas City | Minnesota | Duffy (4-7) – 2.69 ERA | Pino (0-1) – 6.30 ERA |
| 8:10 PM | L.A. Angels | Chi. White Sox | Richards (8-2) – 2.76 ERA | Noesi (2-5) – 5.07 ERA |
| 10:10 PM | Cleveland | L.A. Dodgers | Kluber (7-5) – 3.09 ERA | Haren (7-4) – 3.83 ERA |
| 10:10 PM | Cincinnati | San Diego | Latos (1-0) – 2.89 ERA | Hahn (3-1) – 2.38 ERA |
Today’s Noteworthy Research Findings
1) Starting Pitcher Overview
– Click the “$” icon to view a player’s price on each of the sites
Scanning through tonight’s games, here are the Pitchers that caught my eye:
- Jordan Zimmermann vs. COL – Zimmermann is the biggest favorite on the board (-205) in a game that features a low run total (7.5). The Rockies are a much different team offensively away from Coors. Zimmermann may be the safest cash game play at $8,700 on FD.
- Mat Latos vs. SD – Who doesn’t love a pitcher facing the Padres in Petco. Latos isn’t producing quite as many swinging strikes as he did last season, but has pitched well since coming back from injury. He has as much upside as any pitcher, but is cheaper than some of the aces on the mound tonight.
- Collin McHugh vs. SEA – McHugh continues to give up a lot of walks (which hurts his ability to pitch deep into games), but he draws a nice matchup against the Mariners. I like his price on FD ($7,300) and he’s scored 12+ FP’s in 4 of his last 6 starts.
- Zack Wheeler vs. ATL – At first glance, Wheeler looks to be in a great spot to target as a GPP play. The Braves only have a few LH hitters in their lineup and have struck out the 5th most times of any team in baseball this season.
2) Two Easy Teams to Target
Baltimore Orioles – Not only are the Orioles facing an over the hill pitcher in Joe Saunders, but they are facing him in Camden Yards. Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones both have a wOBA over .500 against LH pitching this season and the Orioles’ stacks should be in full force tonight.
Los Angeles Angels – The total for this game already moved up a full run and a half from 7.0 to 8.5. Runs should be plentiful in this one, especially for the Angels as they are facing Hector Noesi who isn’t scaring anyone with an ERA over 5.00 on the season.
3) The Night of the Yohan
We have two Yohan’s on the mound tonight with Yohan Flande facing the Nationals and Yohan Pino facing the Royals. Both are only $3,000 on FD tonight which allows you to basically take your pick of any batter at every position. Could this be the night of the Yohan as a deep GPP play?
4) BvP Standout: V-Mart
Batter vs. Pitcher is always a heated debate in the daily fantasy world, but it’s hard to ignore Victor Martinez dominance over Scott Kazmir in the past. V-Mart is 11/23 with 4 XBH’s off of Kazmir in his career. It also doesn’t hurt that V-Mart is sporting a .488 wOBA against southpaws this season.
5) To Steal or Not to Steal
Targeting players for stolen bases is often an overlooked part of daily fantasy baseball. Tonight could be a nice time to target the speedsters in the Rangers’ lineup as Ubaldo Jimenez has already given up 13 SB’s this season which is tied for the 2nd most of any pitcher in baseball. Elvis Andrus, Leonys Martin, and Alex Rios should all get a slight boost in fantasy value tonight.
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