MLB Grind Down: Friday, July 24th
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.
Remember, these writeups are done prior to lineups being released, so make sure to check our Starting Lineups page to ensure the recommended options are playing.
Note: For more info on DFS MLB scoring systems on the two largest sites, check out our DraftKings review and FanDuel review.
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Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs – 4:05 PM EST
| Philadelphia | Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
 | Jerome Williams |  | Jon Lester | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHC (0) | 0.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.295 | 0.782 | 0.347 | 13.9% | SP vs. Left | 0.258 | 0.699 | 0.309 | 25.30% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.298 | 0.000 | 0.365 | 15.9% | SP vs. Right | 0.231 | 0.640 | 0.283 | 24.20% |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs L | Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jerome Williams : FD: $4,700 — DK: $4,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 185.0 — SIERA: 4.27 — ERA: 5.40 — K%: 14.9% — BB%: 6.7% — HR/9: 1.3
Chicago Cubs Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.297 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 24.5% (Rank: 29)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.285 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 26.5% (Rank: 30)
Pitchers per PA: 3.99 (Rank: 1)
Analysis: There is only one game in the afternoon today, but it’s included in the all-day slates, so we will include it here in the Grind Down. Williams takes the mound for the Phillies in what will likely be a very long day. He is one of the most hittable pitchers in baseball and he has to face the Cubs in Wrigley Field with the wind blowing out to center field. He has one of the lowest pitcher ratings on the board today.
Pitcher Rating:30.4
Jon Lester : FD: $9,600 — DK: $9,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 337.1 — SIERA: 3.15 — ERA: 2.77 — K%: 24.4% — BB%: 5.8% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 32.1 — SIERA: 2.81 — ERA: 2.23 — K%: 27.6% — BB%: 6.3% — HR/9: 0.0
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.309 (Rank: 14) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 17)
Pitchers per PA: 3.71 (Rank: 27)
Analysis: Lester has been terrific in his recent starts, posting a 2.81 SIERA with s strikeout rate of 27.6%. He draws a favorable matchup today against the Phillies, but his appeal does get hurt a bit by the wind blowing out to center field. The total for this game is now set at 8.5 runs, which is very high for a game that Lester is pitching in. He should be able to pick up an easy win today, but the Phillies could easily run into a home run or two. For that reason, it’s better to save your starting pitcher slot(s) for one of the guys pitching tonight.
Pitcher Rating:82.8
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
The Phillies are actually a fairly decent offense against left-handed pitching. While their matchup against Jon Lester is less than ideal, they do have the wind at their backs today in Wrigley Field. I’m not going to go out on a limb and call them elite plays, but Cesar Hernandez and Darin Ruf are both viable secondary options at their respective positions.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Cesar Hernandez : FD: $3,000 — DK: $2,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.074 — wRC+: 120
Last 14 Days: PA: 39 — wOBA: 0.239 — ISO: 0.118 — wRC+: 47
Darin Ruf : FD: $2,300 — DK: $2,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 131 — wOBA: 0.408 — ISO: 0.227 — wRC+: 163
Last 14 Days: PA: 10 — wOBA: 0.405 — ISO: 0.000 — wRC+: 161
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are one of the top offenses on the board, so if you are playing in the all-day slate, don’t be afraid to load up on their hitters. In addition to the helping wind blowing out to left, they also draw a terrific matchup against Jerome Williams, who has given up a .347+ wOBA to left and right-handed hitters. I wasn’t planning on playing the all-day slate, but I may have to with the Cubs’ offense being in such a great spot.
Elite Plays:
Anthony Rizzo : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 754 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.253 — wRC+: 147
Last 14 Days: PA: 47 — wOBA: 0.283 — ISO: 0.027 — wRC+: 75
Kyle Schwarber : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 40 — wOBA: 0.529 — ISO: 0.351 — wRC+: 245
Last 14 Days: PA: 24 — wOBA: 0.559 — ISO: 0.364 — wRC+: 265
Dexter Fowler : FD: $2,800 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 697 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 100
Last 14 Days: PA: 43 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.028 — wRC+: 119
Secondary Plays:
Kris Bryant : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 301 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.170 — wRC+: 121
Last 14 Days: PA: 45 — wOBA: 0.239 — ISO: 0.105 — wRC+: 44
Jorge Soler : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 290 — wOBA: 0.333 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 109
Last 14 Days: PA: 45 — wOBA: 0.242 — ISO: 0.122 — wRC+: 47
Washington at Pittsburgh – 7:05 PM EST
| Washington | Pittsburgh | ||||||||
 | Max Scherzer |  | Jeff Locke | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| WAS (-120) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.230 | 0.646 | 0.286 | 25.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.216 | 0.598 | 0.270 | 11.20% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.200 | 0.561 | 0.249 | 32.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.270 | 0.747 | 0.329 | 18.30% |
| Batter Splits | WAS BvP | WAS vs L | Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Max Scherzer : FD: $12,000 — DK: $14,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 358.1 — SIERA: 2.79 — ERA: 2.74 — K%: 28.6% — BB%: 5.4% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 35.2 — SIERA: 2.81 — ERA: 3.03 — K%: 25.7% — BB%: 0.7% — HR/9: 1.0
Pittsburgh Pirates Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.304 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 20.5% (Rank: 21)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.299 (Rank: 20) — Strikeout Rate: 25.7% (Rank: 29)
Pitchers per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 18)
Analysis: After an incredible stretch of starts, Scherzer has come back down to Earth recently. He has still pitched well, he is just giving up a few runs here and there. Over the last month of play, he has a 2.81 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 25.7%. He doesn’t seem to be getting very much love from the oddsmakers tonight and I’m not sure why. Granted, the Nationals’ offense has been hot garbage recently, but the Pirates haven’t been much better. It’s a rare opportunity to target Mad Max when his ownership won’t be very high.
Pitcher Rating:92.4
Jeff Locke : FD: $6,600 — DK: $6,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 234.2 — SIERA: 4.06 — ERA: 3.95 — K%: 16.8% — BB%: 7.8% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.1 — SIERA: 4.01 — ERA: 2.15 — K%: 15.2% — BB%: 8.0% — HR/9: 0.0
Washington Nationals Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.307 (Rank: 16) — Strikeout Rate: 21.3% (Rank: 16)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.280 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 25.4% (Rank: 28)
Pitchers per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 25)
Analysis: Locke has a 2.15 ERA over the last month of play, but don’t fall into this trap. He has a 4.01 SIERA during that stretch with a low strikeout rate of 15.2%. He does draw one of the better matchups on the board, but I expect his run support to be limited, if there is any at all. Given the price point and matchup, you have to figure that he will be a fairly popular value play. I’m not falling for it though. The Nationals should be able to get back on track tonight with their ace on the mound.
Pitcher Rating:55.7
Batter Grind Down
Washington
The Nationals draw a decent matchup tonight against Jeff Locke, but they don’t have their best right-handed hitters available right now. It’s hard to get excited about rostering Ian Desmond or Wilson Ramos, which is exactly why they are listed as secondary options tonight in PNC Park.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Ian Desmond : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 238 — wOBA: 0.319 — ISO: 0.159 — wRC+: 101
Last 14 Days: PA: 32 — wOBA: 0.289 — ISO: 0.107 — wRC+: 81
Pittsburgh
The Pirates may have a lot of talent in their lineup, but they have been unable to turn that into much success offensively. They are ranked below the major league average in wOBA and strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. The Buccos can safely be avoided against Max Scherzer, who dominates hitters from both sides of the plate.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Detroit at Boston – 7:10 PM EST
| Detroit | Boston | ||||||||
 | Justin Verlander |  | Rick Porcello | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BOS (-138) | 9.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.240 | 0.703 | 0.311 | 18.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.274 | 0.769 | 0.335 | 15.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.314 | 0.000 | 0.375 | 15.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.273 | 0.720 | 0.316 | 17.60% |
| Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | Batter Splits | BOS BvP | BOS vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Justin Verlander : FD: $7,100 — DK: $5,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 240.0 — SIERA: 4.26 — ERA: 4.84 — K%: 17.3% — BB%: 7.4% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 22.1 — SIERA: 4.53 — ERA: 6.85 — K%: 17.7% — BB%: 8.8% — HR/9: 1.6
Boston Red Sox Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 16.6% (Rank: 2)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.247 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 21.6% (Rank: 20)
Pitchers per PA: 3.97 (Rank: 2)
Analysis: Verlander is having another season to forget. Over the last month of play, he has a 4.523 SIERA (6.85 ERA) with a strikeout rate of 8.8%. He continues to give up a lot of home runs, which could be a big problem in tonight’s matchup against the Red Sox. Boston is ranked 12th in wOBA and second in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. It’s a long fall from the top and unfortunately, Verlander hasn’t reached the bottom yet.
Pitcher Rating:38.0
Rick Porcello : FD: $7,400 — DK: $5,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 310.1 — SIERA: 3.90 — ERA: 4.23 — K%: 16.4% — BB%: 5.2% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 19.0 — SIERA: 3.56 — ERA: 6.63 — K%: 19.5% — BB%: 5.8% — HR/9: 2.4
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.333 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 19.2% (Rank: 12)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.339 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 12)
Pitchers per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Porcello hasn’t been as bad as his 6.63 ERA over the last month would suggest, but he’s not a pitcher that we need to be targeting anytime soon. He has a below-average strikeout rate and he plays in the very difficult American League East. He draws a bad matchup tonight against the Tigers, who are ranked third in wOBA and 12th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Both pitchers should be avoided in what is expected to be a high scoring affair.
Pitcher Rating:51.1
Batter Grind Down
Detroit
The Tigers draw a favorable matchup tonight against Rick Porcello in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park. Since the start of last season, Porcello has given up a .316+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters. Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez are both elite plays at their respective positions, while J.D. Martinez and Nick Castellanos are also worth a look.
Elite Plays:
Ian Kinsler : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 865 — wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.133 — wRC+: 104
Last 14 Days: PA: 42 — wOBA: 0.553 — ISO: 0.375 — wRC+: 265
Victor Martinez : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 676 — wOBA: 0.357 — ISO: 0.177 — wRC+: 128
Last 14 Days: PA: 41 — wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.256 — wRC+: 106
Secondary Plays:
J.D. Martinez : FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 650 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.246 — wRC+: 148
Last 14 Days: PA: 42 — wOBA: 0.316 — ISO: 0.231 — wRC+: 99
Nick Castellanos : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 691 — wOBA: 0.296 — ISO: 0.142 — wRC+: 85
Last 14 Days: PA: 34 — wOBA: 0.403 — ISO: 0.276 — wRC+: 160
Boston
The Red Sox have one of the highest team totals on the board tonight, as they square off against Justin Verlander at home. Boston has struggled to score runs recently, but some home cooking with Verlander as their guest should be just what they need to get going. Verlander is a reverse-splits pitcher, so give the edge to the right-handed hitters in the Sox lineup tonight.
Elite Plays:
Mookie Betts : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 458 — wOBA: 0.349 — ISO: 0.178 — wRC+: 120
Last 14 Days: PA: 34 — wOBA: 0.230 — ISO: 0.212 — wRC+: 37
Hanley Ramirez : FD: $3,500 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 637 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.168 — wRC+: 120
Last 14 Days: PA: 35 — wOBA: 0.217 — ISO: 0.118 — wRC+: 28
Secondary Plays:
David Ortiz : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 668 — wOBA: 0.369 — ISO: 0.247 — wRC+: 135
Last 14 Days: PA: 31 — wOBA: 0.295 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 83
Dustin Pedroia : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 691 — wOBA: 0.324 — ISO: 0.094 — wRC+: 103
Last 14 Days: PA: 23 — wOBA: 0.085 — ISO: 0.045 — wRC+: -65
Xander Bogaerts : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 690 — wOBA: 0.291 — ISO: 0.102 — wRC+: 80
Last 14 Days: PA: 36 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.057 — wRC+: 114
Chicago White Sox at Cleveland – 7:10 PM EST
| Chicago White Sox | Cleveland | ||||||||
 | Jose Quintana |  | Corey Kluber | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CLE (-175) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.243 | 0.657 | 0.289 | 22.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.255 | 0.709 | 0.313 | 27.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.269 | 0.710 | 0.312 | 20.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.212 | 0.544 | 0.240 | 29.60% |
| Batter Splits | CHW BvP | CWS vs R | Batter Splits | CLE BvP | CLE vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jose Quintana : FD: $8,200 — DK: $8,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 320.1 — SIERA: 3.50 — ERA: 3.51 — K%: 21.2% — BB%: 5.9% — HR/9: 0.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 32.2 — SIERA: 2.68 — ERA: 3.58 — K%: 23.7% — BB%: 0.7% — HR/9: 0.6
Cleveland Indians Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.319 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 17.8% (Rank: 4)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 16.8% (Rank: 6)
Pitchers per PA: 3.93 (Rank: 3)
Analysis: Quintana has pitched well over the last month of play, posting a 2.68 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 23.7%. When he is in good form, he provides great value in daily fantasy, as he is typically underpriced. In two starts against the Indians this season, he has a 1.39 ERA while holding hitters to a .239 batting average. Run support is an issue though, as Corey Kluber is on the mound for the Indians. With a low chance of picking up the win, Quintana should only be targeted in tournaments.
Pitcher Rating:58.4
Corey Kluber : FD: $11,000 — DK: $11,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 376.2 — SIERA: 2.65 — ERA: 2.80 — K%: 28.3% — BB%: 5.3% — HR/9: 0.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 37.1 — SIERA: 2.66 — ERA: 2.65 — K%: 29.0% — BB%: 4.8% — HR/9: 0.5
Chicago White Sox Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.296 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 19.9% (Rank: 16)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.269 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 23.1% (Rank: 25)
Pitchers per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 21)
Analysis: Kluber is the top pitching option on the board tonight. Last night, Clayton Kershaw was a great example of why you shouldn’t fade the obvious pitcher in cash games. While Kluber’s matchup isn’t as favorable as Kershaw’s was last night, it’s not far off. The White Sox are ranked 25th in wOBA and 16th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Kluber has double-digit strikeout potential in this one and he also has a decent chance of pitching another complete game.
Pitcher Rating:98.0
Batter Grind Down
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox draw a difficult matchup against Corey Kluber, who is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. They should be avoided in all league formats tonight.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Cleveland
The Indians are surprisingly one of the best hitting teams against left-handed pitching. The left-handed hitters in their lineup hit left-handed pitching well and they also have some quality right-handed bats. Francisco Lindor offers great value at shortstop, as he has been red-hot over the last few weeks. Carlos Santana, Yan Gomes, and Ryan Raburn are also in play against Jose Quintana.
Elite Plays:
Francisco Lindor : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 48 — wOBA: 0.285 — ISO: 0.093 — wRC+: 82
Last 14 Days: PA: 42 — wOBA: 0.399 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 161
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Santana : FD: $3,500 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 341 — wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 126
Last 14 Days: PA: 38 — wOBA: 0.510 — ISO: 0.300 — wRC+: 240
Yan Gomes : FD: $2,500 — DK: $2,800
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 208 — wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.165 — wRC+: 126
Last 14 Days: PA: 32 — wOBA: 0.349 — ISO: 0.207 — wRC+: 126
Ryan Raburn : FD: $2,200 — DK: $2,200
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 257 — wOBA: 0.325 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 111
Last 14 Days: PA: 9 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.125 — wRC+: 103
Baltimore at Tampa Bay – 7:10 PM EST
| Baltimore | Tampa Bay | ||||||||
 | Chris Tillman |  | Chris Archer | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TBR (-159) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.252 | 0.675 | 0.301 | 17.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.220 | 0.613 | 0.276 | 24.60% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.242 | 0.740 | 0.325 | 17.0% | SP vs. Right | 0.235 | 0.633 | 0.285 | 24.40% |
| Batter Splits | BAL BvP | BAL vs R | Batter Splits | TBR BvP | TB vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chris Tillman : FD: $6,300 — DK: $5,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 305.1 — SIERA: 4.33 — ERA: 3.86 — K%: 17.3% — BB%: 8.1% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.2 — SIERA: 2.91 — ERA: 1.40 — K%: 24.0% — BB%: 3.0% — HR/9: 0.0
Tampa Bay Rays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.291 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 22.1% (Rank: 27)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.269 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 22.0% (Rank: 23)
Pitchers per PA: 3.85 (Rank: 10)
Analysis: Tillman has turned things around in his recent outings, posting a 2.91 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 24.0% over the last month of play. Is this a rare stretch of starts or is this something that we can expect to continue? Tillman draws a favorable matchup tonight against the Rays, who are ranked 27th in wOBA and 27th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. The form and matchup are both in his favor tonight, so it may be a good time to buy low on Tillman in tournament play.
Pitcher Rating:49.2
Chris Archer : FD: $10,600 — DK: $11,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 323.1 — SIERA: 3.33 — ERA: 3.09 — K%: 24.5% — BB%: 7.7% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 33.2 — SIERA: 3.10 — ERA: 4.54 — K%: 27.0% — BB%: 5.8% — HR/9: 1.9
Baltimore Orioles Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 9) — Strikeout Rate: 22.4% (Rank: 28)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 14) — Strikeout Rate: 21.8% (Rank: 22)
Pitchers per PA: 3.83 (Rank: 12)
Analysis: Archer has given up some runs in his last few starts, but his indicators still look good. Over the last month of play, he has a 3.10 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 27.0%. He draws a plus-matchup tonight against the Orioles, who have the third-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. The upside is there for Archer, but if I can only pay up for one pitcher tonight, it’s hard not to give the edge to Corey Kluber. Archer makes a better SP2 or tournament play tonight at home.
Pitcher Rating:83.5
Batter Grind Down
Baltimore
The Orioles are a decent hitting team against right-handed pitching, but they strikeout at a high clip and they draw a tough matchup against Chris Archer, who has held left and right-handed hitters under a .290 wOBA over the last two seasons. There are better matchups to exploit tonight.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Tampa Bay
Even though Chris Tillman has pitched well recently, he has still given up a .325 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. I’m not going to have a ton of exposure to Tampa tonight, but Evan Longoria, John Jaso, and Steven Souza are in play here. For you BvP fans out there, Longoria is 15-for-40 with six home runs against Tillman in his career.
Elite Plays:
Evan Longoria : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 823 — wOBA: 0.302 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 97
Last 14 Days: PA: 39 — wOBA: 0.168 — ISO: 0.054 — wRC+: 2
Secondary Plays:
John Jaso : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 356 — wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.180 — wRC+: 134
Last 14 Days: PA: 35 — wOBA: 0.294 — ISO: 0.097 — wRC+: 90
Steven Souza : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 257 — wOBA: 0.278 — ISO: 0.174 — wRC+: 79
Last 14 Days: PA: 9 — wOBA: 0.272 — ISO: 0.000 — wRC+: 76