MLB Grind Down: Friday, August 21st - Page Two

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2015-08-21 17:27:06

Texas at Detroit – 7:08 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Texas					Detroit
			Colby Lewis					Justin Verlander
			RIGHT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			DET (-123)					8.5
SP vs. Left	0.292	0.809	0.35	0.149	SP vs. Left	0.235	0.679	0.3	0.189
SP vs. Right	0.261	0.759	0.328	0.215	SP vs. Right	0.302	0.818	0.358	0.169
Batter Splits	TEX BvP		TEX vs R		Batter Splits	DET BvP		DET vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Colby Lewis : FD: $6,900 — DK: $7,200

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 322.2 — SIERA: 4.18 — ERA: 4.85 — K%: 17.7% — BB%: 5.5% — HR/9: 1.3
Last 30 Days: IP: 41.0 — SIERA: 3.66 — ERA: 3.73 — K%: 21.0% — BB%: 3.1% — HR/9: 1.8

Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.324 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 20.1% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.345 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 24.6% (Rank: 26)
Pitches per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 11)

Analysis: Lewis has pitched well recently, but it’s going to take more than decent form for me to consider taking him against the Tigers in Detroit. If you look at his splits, he has struggled with hitters from both sides of the plate and the Tigers are one of the best hitting teams in baseball against right-handed pitching. There is no reason for Lewis to be on your radar tonight.

Pitcher Rating: 50.7

Justin Verlander : FD: $7,700 — DK: $7,300

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 276.0 — SIERA: 4.18 — ERA: 4.43 — K%: 18.0% — BB%: 6.9% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 39.2 — SIERA: 3.66 — ERA: 3.18 — K%: 22.9% — BB%: 3.8% — HR/9: 0.9

Texas Rangers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 19.2% (Rank: 10)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.336 (Rank: 9) — Strikeout Rate: 17.4% (Rank: 4)
Pitches per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 16)

Analysis: Someone must have found the “ON” switch on Verlander, because he has been a completely different pitcher in his recent starts. Over the last month of play, he has a 3.66 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 22.9%. You may think that a matchup against a left-handed heavy lineup is a bad thing, but not for Verlander. He has some serious reverse splits. I’m not recommending Verlander as a cash game play tonight, but I wouldn’t rule him out for tournaments.

Pitcher Rating: 57.3

Batter Grind Down

Texas

Even though I don’t mind Justin Verlander as a tournament play tonight, that doesn’t mean that I’m going to completely avoid taking hitters against him, they will just be in different lineups. Verlander has the propensity to give up big outings when he’s off, so Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder are both intriguing plays tonight.

Elite Plays:

Adrian Beltre : FD: $3,400 — DK: $3,700

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 747 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 113
Last 30 Days: PA: 118 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 119

Secondary Plays:

Prince Fielder : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,300

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 427 — wOBA: 0.377 — ISO: 0.133 — wRC+: 137
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.134 — wRC+: 105

Detroit

The Tigers draw a favorable matchup tonight against Colby Lewis, who has given up a .328+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. Lewis has pitched better recently, but Vegas seems to agree with me on this one. The Tigers are in play for both cash games and tournaments.

Elite Plays:

Victor Martinez : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,400

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 758 — wOBA: 0.345 — ISO: 0.175 — wRC+: 120
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.251 — ISO: 0.127 — wRC+: 53

Secondary Plays:

Miguel Cabrera : FD: $5,400 — DK: $5,200

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 789 — wOBA: 0.404 — ISO: 0.210 — wRC+: 161
Last 30 Days: PA: 26 — wOBA: 0.519 — ISO: 0.300 — wRC+: 240

Ian Kinsler : FD: $4,100 — DK: $4,300

Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 951 — wOBA: 0.327 — ISO: 0.137 — wRC+: 107
Last 30 Days: PA: 123 — wOBA: 0.422 — ISO: 0.181 — wRC+: 173

J.D. Martinez : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,600

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 731 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.242 — wRC+: 147
Last 30 Days: PA: 113 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 149

Anthony Gose : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 541 — wOBA: 0.306 — ISO: 0.098 — wRC+: 92
Last 30 Days: PA: 94 — wOBA: 0.252 — ISO: 0.108 — wRC+: 54

Kansas City at Boston – 7:10 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Kansas City					Boston
			Johnny Cueto					Henry Owens
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			KCR (-149)					8.5
SP vs. Left	0.184	0.535	0.243	0.245	SP vs. Left	0.267	0.78	0.338	0.375
SP vs. Right	0.203	0.613	0.271	0.237	SP vs. Right	0.28	0.845	0.365	0.2
Batter Splits	KCR BvP		KC vs L		Batter Splits	BOS BvP		BOS vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Johnny Cueto : FD: $11,000 — DK: $10,000

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 404.1 — SIERA: 3.28 — ERA: 2.34 — K%: 24.1% — BB%: 6.2% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 42.0 — SIERA: 4.37 — ERA: 1.71 — K%: 17.1% — BB%: 6.7% — HR/9: 0.2

Boston Red Sox Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 16.8% (Rank: 2)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.393 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 17.1% (Rank: 3)
Pitches per PA: 3.96 (Rank: 2)

Analysis: Cueto may have a 1.71 ERA over the last month of play, but he hasn’t been quite as sharp since being traded to the Royals. During that stretch, he has a 4.37 SIERA with an usually low strikeout rate of 17.1%. With a matchup against the Red Sox in Fenway, he’s an easy fade for me tonight. The Red Sox have the second-lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching and they average the second-most pitches per plate appearance this season.

Pitcher Rating: 69.3

Henry Owens : FD: $5,100 — DK: $6,500

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 10.0 — SIERA: 5.55 — ERA: 3.60 — K%: 16.7% — BB%: 11.9% — HR/9: 0.0

Kansas City Royals Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.311 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 14.9% (Rank: 1)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.331 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 14.5% (Rank: 1)
Pitches per PA: 3.68 (Rank: 30)

Analysis: I’ll keep this analysis short. Owens has not fared well in his first three major league starts and he faces a Royals’ offense that is the toughest to strikeout in all of baseball. To make matters worse, he is facing them in a hitter-friendly ballpark. See what I’m getting at here?

Pitcher Rating: 37.8

Batter Grind Down

Kansas City

The Royals were a big disappointment last night, but they should bounce back nicely tonight against Henry Owens. In addition to a nice matchup against a young pitcher, they also see a sizable ballpark boost playing in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park. The right-handed hitters (and Eric Hosmer) are in play from the Royals tonight.

Elite Plays:

Lorenzo Cain : FD: $4,000 — DK: $5,200

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 295 — wOBA: 0.401 — ISO: 0.199 — wRC+: 160
Last 30 Days: PA: 104 — wOBA: 0.344 — ISO: 0.184 — wRC+: 119

Secondary Plays:

Ben Zobrist : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,400

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 2B/OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 288 — wOBA: 0.397 — ISO: 0.157 — wRC+: 161
Last 30 Days: PA: 104 — wOBA: 0.468 — ISO: 0.273 — wRC+: 207

Eric Hosmer : FD: $3,900 — DK: $4,900

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 350 — wOBA: 0.314 — ISO: 0.115 — wRC+: 99
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.471 — ISO: 0.267 — wRC+: 208

Alcides Escobar : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,700

Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 303 — wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.096 — wRC+: 105
Last 30 Days: PA: 128 — wOBA: 0.206 — ISO: 0.025 — wRC+: 23

Boston

Even though I expect the Red Sox to make it tough on Johnny Cueto tonight, there is no reason to target them outside of tournaments. This is still a bad matchup and with a full slate of games on tap, there are better teams to target.

Elite Plays:

NONE

Secondary Plays:

David Ortiz : FD: $4,600 — DK: $4,400

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 735 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.267 — wRC+: 143
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.486 — ISO: 0.398 — wRC+: 215

Travis Shaw : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,800

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 49 — wOBA: 0.399 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 154
Last 30 Days: PA: 55 — wOBA: 0.531 — ISO: 0.400 — wRC+: 246

Philadelphia at Miami – 7:10 PM EST

Stats	wOBA	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Philadelphia		Miami
	Jerad Eickhoff				Kendry Flores
	RIGHT				RIGHT
	Vegas Moneyline				Vegas Over/Under
	MIA (-129)				8
SP vs. Left		SP vs. Left	0.417	0.917	0.412	0.071
SP vs. Right		SP vs. Right	0.222	0.485	0.223	0.158
Batter Splits	PHI vs R	Batter Splits	MIA BvP		MIA vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Jerad Eickhoff : FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,600

Miami Marlins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.290 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 19.4% (Rank: 11)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.341 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 15.0% (Rank: 2)
Pitches per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 27)

Analysis: Eickhoff is making his major league debut tonight. He has pitched well in the minors, but it won’t hurt to take and wait-and-see approach with him tonight. His matchup against the Marlins may seem favorable at first glance, but Miami is actually ranked seventh in team wOBA over the last 14 days of play.

Pitcher Rating: 44.3

Kendry Flores : FD: $5,000 — DK: $4,000

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 7.1 — SIERA: 4.09 — ERA: 2.45 — K%: 12.5% — BB%: 6.3% — HR/9: 0.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 3.2 — SIERA: 2.63 — ERA: 4.91 — K%: 18.8% — BB%: 6.3% — HR/9: 0.0

Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.294 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 13)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 17) — Strikeout Rate: 22.4% (Rank: 23)
Pitches per PA: 3.70 (Rank: 29)

Analysis: Flores is also making his first career major league start tonight, although he has made six appearances out of the bullpen. Flores pitched well in the minor leagues this season, but he doesn’t have a high strikeout rate. The best route to take here is to avoid both of these young starting pitchers.

Pitcher Rating: 50.3

Batter Grind Down

Philadelphia

The Phillies’ offense may not be loaded with big names, but they have been producing lately. They draw a favorable matchup against Kendry Flores, who is making his first major league start tonight. None of the Phillies’ bats stand out as elite plays, but Odubel Herrera, Cesar Hernandez, and Andres Blanco are all viable punts if you need some salary cap relief.

Elite Plays:

NONE

Secondary Plays:

Odubel Herrera : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,600

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 2B/OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 297 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 112
Last 30 Days: PA: 95 — wOBA: 0.378 — ISO: 0.136 — wRC+: 142

Cesar Hernandez : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,200

Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 348 — wOBA: 0.285 — ISO: 0.071 — wRC+: 79
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.286 — ISO: 0.061 — wRC+: 79

Andres Blanco : FD: $2,800 — DK: $2,000

Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.332 — ISO: 0.237 — wRC+: 111
Last 30 Days: PA: 38 — wOBA: 0.415 — ISO: 0.286 — wRC+: 168

Miami

It’s always hard trying to predict how a pitcher is going to fare in his major league debut. In these situations, I like to use Vegas because they are going to be right more often than not. They like the Marlins offense against the young right-hander. The left-handed bats of Dee Gordon, Derek Dietrich, and Justin Bour are all in play.

Elite Plays:

Dee Gordon : FD: $4,200 — DK: $5,300

Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 854 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.086 — wRC+: 102
Last 30 Days: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.344 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 119

Secondary Plays:

Derek Dietrich : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,700

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 299 — wOBA: 0.372 — ISO: 0.219 — wRC+: 138
Last 30 Days: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.230 — wRC+: 137

Justin Bour : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,100

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 321 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.174 — wRC+: 113
Last 30 Days: PA: 83 — wOBA: 0.255 — ISO: 0.105 — wRC+: 58

Arizona at Cincinnati – 7:10 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Arizona					Cincinnati
			Rubby De La Rosa					David Holmberg
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			ARI (-123)					8
SP vs. Left	0.303	0.888	0.383	0.147	SP vs. Left	0.239	0.876	0.393	0.136
SP vs. Right	0.235	0.675	0.297	0.217	SP vs. Right	0.238	0.854	0.368	0.133
Batter Splits	ARI BvP		ARI vs L		Batter Splits	CIN BvP		CIN vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Rubby De La Rosa : FD: $7,100 — DK: $7,000

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 244.0 — SIERA: 4.00 — ERA: 4.50 — K%: 18.3% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 32.0 — SIERA: 4.73 — ERA: 2.81 — K%: 13.1% — BB%: 9.2% — HR/9: 1.1

Cincinnati Reds Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.306 (Rank: 20) — Strikeout Rate: 19.5% (Rank: 12)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.285 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 23.9% (Rank: 25)
Pitches per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 22)

Analysis: De La Rosa has not been in the best form recently. His strikeout rate has taken a huge hit and his SIERA is nothing special. He can safely be avoided tonight against the Reds in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. There are safer options in cash games and pitchers with more upside that can be targeted in tournaments.

Pitcher Rating: 60.0

David Holmberg : FD: $5,400 — DK: $4,300

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 49.2 — SIERA: 5.53 — ERA: 5.26 — K%: 13.3% — BB%: 12.9% — HR/9: 2.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 19.2 — SIERA: 5.89 — ERA: 5.95 — K%: 13.6% — BB%: 14.8% — HR/9: 2.3

Arizona Diamondbacks Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.314 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 20.8% (Rank: 13)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 19.8% (Rank: 13)
Pitches per PA: 3.71 (Rank: 28)

Analysis: Holmberg is one of my favorite pitchers to pick on. He has an above-average SIERA and walk rate with a below-average strikeout rate. The Diamondbacks’ offense should feast tonight in Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Holmberg should be avoided in all league formats.

Pitcher Rating: 37.0

Batter Grind Down

Arizona

The Diamondbacks may not have the highest team total on the board tonight, but they are still one of my favorite offenses to target. They draw a favorable matchup against David Holmberg, who has given up a .368+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons.

Elite Plays:

Paul Goldschmidt : FD: $4,400 — DK: $5,600

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 208 — wOBA: 0.469 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 200
Last 30 Days: PA: 120 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.125 — wRC+: 128

A.J. Pollock : FD: $4,200 — DK: $5,300

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 161 — wOBA: 0.384 — ISO: 0.230 — wRC+: 142
Last 30 Days: PA: 110 — wOBA: 0.399 — ISO: 0.173 — wRC+: 153

Secondary Plays:

Welington Castillo : FD: $3,400 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 171 — wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.234 — wRC+: 140
Last 30 Days: PA: 78 — wOBA: 0.415 — ISO: 0.418 — wRC+: 163

Yasmany Tomas : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,800

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 3B/OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 89 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 108
Last 30 Days: PA: 73 — wOBA: 0.297 — ISO: 0.127 — wRC+: 82

Cincinnati

Rubby De La Rosa makes my job easy. He is effective against right-handed hitters and he can’t seem to get left-handed hitters out for the life of him. He actually gives up a higher wOBA to lefties than Jeremy Guthrie and that’s saying something. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are in play here. Billy Hamilton would also become a solid play if he ends up batting leadoff.

Elite Plays:

Joey Votto : FD: $4,200 — DK: $5,400

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 570 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.189 — wRC+: 147
Last 30 Days: PA: 124 — wOBA: 0.504 — ISO: 0.297 — wRC+: 226

Secondary Plays:

Jay Bruce : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,600

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 760 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.187 — wRC+: 97
Last 30 Days: PA: 113 — wOBA: 0.259 — ISO: 0.175 — wRC+: 58

Todd Frazier : FD: $2,800 — DK: $4,400

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 898 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.204 — wRC+: 119
Last 30 Days: PA: 117 — wOBA: 0.245 — ISO: 0.148 — wRC+: 49

LA Dodgers at Houston – 8:10 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
LA Dodgers					Houston
			Brett Anderson					Mike Fiers
			LEFT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			HOU (-119)					8
SP vs. Left	0.288	0.686	0.307	0.154	SP vs. Left	0.228	0.653	0.286	0.237
SP vs. Right	0.263	0.713	0.311	0.164	SP vs. Right	0.231	0.699	0.303	0.257
Batter Splits			LA vs R		Batter Splits	HOU BvP		HOU vs L
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Brett Anderson : FD: $7,200 — DK: $6,200

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 178.0 — SIERA: 3.47 — ERA: 3.34 — K%: 16.1% — BB%: 6.9% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 26.2 — SIERA: 4.00 — ERA: 4.73 — K%: 11.0% — BB%: 8.5% — HR/9: 1.0

Houston Astros Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.313 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 23.0% (Rank: 26)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.278 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 24.8% (Rank: 28)
Pitches per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 7)

Analysis: Anderson has not been a great fantasy option recently, posting a 4.73 ERA with a strikeout rate of only 11.0% over the last month of play. It’s always a red flag for me when a pitcher’s strikeout rate takes a huge hit. I will be avoiding Anderson tonight against the Astros, who have a very potent offense, especially when they are playing at home.

Pitcher Rating: 55.4

Mike Fiers : FD: $8,000 — DK: $7,900

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 201.1 — SIERA: 3.48 — ERA: 3.35 — K%: 24.9% — BB%: 7.7% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.2 — SIERA: 3.19 — ERA: 4.25 — K%: 26.2% — BB%: 6.6% — HR/9: 1.2

Los Angeles Dodgers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.330 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 20.1% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.341 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 20.1% (Rank: 14)
Pitches per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 6)

Analysis: Fiers has pitched well since coming over to the Astros. Over the last month of play, he has a 3.19 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 26.2%. He may not have great velocity, but he has great deception with his offspeed pitches, which makes his fastball feel like it’s coming at you faster than it really is. The issue here is his matchup. On the season, the Dodgers are ranked second in team wOBA against right-handed pitching.

Pitcher Rating: 67.6

Batter Grind Down

LA Dodgers

The Dodgers are small underdogs tonight against the Astros, but they hit right-handed pitching well and they see a favorable ballpark shift playing in the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park. Adrian Gonzalez is an elite play at his discounted price point, while the rest of the Dodgers’ hitters are better secondary options.

Elite Plays:

Adrian Gonzalez : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,700

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 858 — wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.240 — wRC+: 149
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.325 — ISO: 0.130 — wRC+: 109

Secondary Plays:

Yasmani Grandal : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,000

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 638 — wOBA: 0.362 — ISO: 0.220 — wRC+: 135
Last 30 Days: PA: 75 — wOBA: 0.301 — ISO: 0.075 — wRC+: 93

Jimmy Rollins : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,000

Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 810 — wOBA: 0.300 — ISO: 0.152 — wRC+: 91
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.367 — ISO: 0.214 — wRC+: 138

Andre Ethier : FD: $2,700 — DK: $2,800

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 642 — wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.170 — wRC+: 126
Last 30 Days: PA: 67 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.210 — wRC+: 135

Houston

The Astros draw a nice matchup tonight against Brett Anderson, who has not been striking batters out recently. That should bode well for the Astros, as good things typically happen when they put the ball into play. The right-handed hitters in this lineup are all in play tonight at home.

Elite Plays:

Carlos Correa : FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,900

Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 83 — wOBA: 0.410 — ISO: 0.288 — wRC+: 165
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.400 — ISO: 0.271 — wRC+: 159

Jose Altuve : FD: $3,900 — DK: $4,400

Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 310 — wOBA: 0.422 — ISO: 0.144 — wRC+: 174
Last 30 Days: PA: 126 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.051 — wRC+: 124

Secondary Plays:

Carlos Gomez : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,900

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 222 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.180 — wRC+: 107
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.242 — ISO: 0.074 — wRC+: 47

Evan Gattis : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 226 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.206 — wRC+: 100
Last 30 Days: PA: 98 — wOBA: 0.289 — ISO: 0.204 — wRC+: 81

Jed Lowrie : FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,100

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 193 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.146 — wRC+: 103
Last 30 Days: PA: 64 — wOBA: 0.302 — ISO: 0.143 — wRC+: 90