MLB Grind Down: Friday, July 31st - Page Two
Tampa Bay at Boston – 7:10 PM EST
| Tampa Bay | Boston | ||||||||
 | Erasmo Ramirez |  | Eduardo Rodriguez | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BOS (-117) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.23 | 0.674 | 0.302 | 0.193 | SP vs. Left | 0.245 | 0.767 | 0.329 | 0.231 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.264 | 0 | 0.344 | 0.181 | SP vs. Right | 0.227 | 0.654 | 0.292 | 0.2 |
| Batter Splits | TBR BvP | TB vs L | Batter Splits | BOS BvP | BOS vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Erasmo Ramirez : FD: $7,000 — DK: $5,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 166.2 — SIERA: 4.15 — ERA: 4.43 — K%: 18.8% — BB%: 8.5% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.2 — SIERA: 3.70 — ERA: 2.73 — K%: 19.3% — BB%: 4.4% — HR/9: 1.2
Boston Red Sox Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 16.4% (Rank: 2)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.283 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 17.4% (Rank: 7)
Pitchers per PA: 3.96 (Rank: 2)
Analysis: Ramirez has pitched well recently, posting a 3.70 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 19.3%. The most impressive part is that he has only walked 4.4% of the batters that he has faced during that stretch. He gets to face the Red Sox at the perfect time, as they are ranked 29th in team wOBA over the last 14 days. Even with all of that, I still have a hard time targeting Ramirez on the road against the Red Sox.
Pitcher Rating:51.1
Eduardo Rodriguez : FD: $7,700 — DK: $7,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 61.1 — SIERA: 3.95 — ERA: 4.26 — K%: 20.6% — BB%: 7.9% — HR/9: 1.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 26.0 — SIERA: 4.30 — ERA: 4.15 — K%: 18.7% — BB%: 8.4% — HR/9: 1.7
Tampa Bay Rays Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 22.2% (Rank: 21)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.304 (Rank: 18) — Strikeout Rate: 22.3% (Rank: 22)
Pitchers per PA: 3.85 (Rank: 10)
Analysis: Rodriguez has cooled off since his blazing start, but he has been more than a serviceable starter for the Red Sox. In his first 61 major league innings, he has a 3.95 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 20.6%. The Rays are a team that hits left-handed pitching well, but they also strikeout at a high rate. Rodriguez is worth a look in tournaments tonight, but he’s not a big enough favorite to consider in cash games.
Pitcher Rating:64.2
Batter Grind Down
Tampa Bay
The Rays hit left-handed pitching well as a team, but their matchup against Eduardo Rodriguez is mediocre at best. In his rookie season, Rodriguez has held right-handed hitters to a .292 wOBA. The sample size is still too small to call him a reverse-splits pitcher though. The right-handed bats are the preferred targets in this matchup.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Logan Forsythe : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 1B/2B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 267 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.231 — wRC+: 131
Last 14 Days: PA: 43 — wOBA: 0.462 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 208
Evan Longoria : FD: $2,800 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 270 — wOBA: 0.360 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 137
Last 14 Days: PA: 48 — wOBA: 0.285 — ISO: 0.239 — wRC+: 84
Joey Butler : FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B/OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 79 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.162 — wRC+: 129
Last 14 Days: PA: 18 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.063 — wRC+: 124
Boston
The Red Sox draw a decent matchup against Erasmo Ramirez, who has really pitched well recently. The Red Sox offense is short-handed and they are swinging cold bats, but they are playing at home in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park. Xander Bogaerts and David Ortiz are both in play tonight.
Elite Plays:
Xander Bogaerts : FD: $2,900 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 714 — wOBA: 0.289 — ISO: 0.099 — wRC+: 79
Last 14 Days: PA: 60 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.034 — wRC+: 111
Secondary Plays:
David Ortiz : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 687 — wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.259 — wRC+: 140
Last 14 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.458 — ISO: 0.360 — wRC+: 196
San Diego at Miami – 7:10 PM EST
| San Diego | Miami | ||||||||
 | Odrisamer Despaigne |  | David Phelps | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIA (-116) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.239 | 0.744 | 0.323 | 0.24 | SP vs. Left | 0.238 | 0.696 | 0.31 | 0.19 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.262 | 0.764 | 0.335 | 0.232 | SP vs. Right | 0.274 | 0.744 | 0.328 | 0.158 |
| Batter Splits | SDP BvP | SD vs R | Batter Splits | MIA BvP | MIA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
*Editor’s Note: Ian Kennedy was originally set to start but was then declared out. However, that has changed and Kennedy is back in as tonight’s starter.
Pitcher Grind Down
Ian Kennedy : FD: $7,800 — DK: $6,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 297.1 — SIERA: 3.55 — ERA: 3.93 — K%: 23.6% — BB%: 7.8% — HR/9: 1.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 27.1 — SIERA: 3.83 — ERA: 3.29 — K%: 20.9% — BB%: 5.2% — HR/9: 2.3
Miami Marlins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.289 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 20.1% (Rank: 16)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.295 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 16.9% (Rank: 5)
Pitchers per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 26)
*Editor’s Note: Ian Kennedy was originally set to start but was then declared out. However, that has changed and Kennedy is back in as tonight’s starter.
Analysis: Kennedy has been in good form over the last month of play, posting a 3.83 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 20.9%. He draws a favorable matchup tonight against the Marlins, who are ranked 29th in team wOBA and 16th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Kennedy may not be the safest cash game play on single-pitcher sites, but he provides good upside at his price point. He deserves consideration as an SP2 and as a contrarian tournament play.
Pitcher Rating:68.5
David Phelps : FD: $6,100 — DK: $5,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 213.1 — SIERA: 4.24 — ERA: 4.13 — K%: 17.3% — BB%: 8.0% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 21.0 — SIERA: 4.35 — ERA: 2.57 — K%: 16.3% — BB%: 7.0% — HR/9: 0.4
San Diego Padres Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.291 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 22.0% (Rank: 26)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.300 (Rank: 20) — Strikeout Rate: 24.3% (Rank: 27)
Pitchers per PA: 3.82 (Rank: 13)
Analysis: Phelps may have a 2.57 ERA over the last month of play, but his indicators tell another story. During that stretch, he has a 4.35 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 16.3%. While we shouldn’t put too much stock into his recent outings, he does draw a terrific matchup against the Padres, who are ranked 28th in team wOBA and 26th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Phelps is cheap, he has good strikeout potential in this matchup, and he is pitching at home. Like Ian Kennedy, he also makes a strong contrarian play tonight.
Pitcher Rating:61.6
Batter Grind Down
San Diego
The Padres had a big offensive outing against the Mets yesterday, but they are still one of the worst offensive teams in all of baseball. They draw a mediocre matchup against David Phelps, but they have to face him in the pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. The Padres should be considered secondary options tonight.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Matt Kemp : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 768 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.193 — wRC+: 128
Last 14 Days: PA: 48 — wOBA: 0.447 — ISO: 0.317 — wRC+: 196
Justin Upton : FD: $2,800 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 823 — wOBA: 0.352 — ISO: 0.202 — wRC+: 127
Last 14 Days: PA: 34 — wOBA: 0.375 — ISO: 0.400 — wRC+: 146
Miami
Even though these pitchers aren’t exactly ace material, this game still has one of the lowest run totals on the board tonight. Marlins Park is a tough ballpark for offensive production. Dee Gordon is in a nice spot to steal a base or two tonight, but he is a secondary option at second base.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Dee Gordon : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 790 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.087 — wRC+: 103
Last 14 Days: PA: 12 — wOBA: 0.249 — ISO: 0.200 — wRC+: 53
San Francisco at Texas – 8:05 PM EST
| San Francisco | Texas | ||||||||
 | Madison Bumgarner |  | Nick Martinez | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SFG (-167) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.221 | 0.562 | 0.25 | 0.304 | SP vs. Left | 0.255 | 0.763 | 0.336 | 0.128 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.239 | 0.678 | 0.298 | 0.236 | SP vs. Right | 0.286 | 0.833 | 0.361 | 0.133 |
| Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs R | Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Madison Bumgarner : FD: $11,400 — DK: $10,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 348.1 — SIERA: 3.05 — ERA: 3.05 — K%: 24.9% — BB%: 4.9% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 22.2 — SIERA: 3.77 — ERA: 3.97 — K%: 21.0% — BB%: 6.0% — HR/9: 1.2
Texas Rangers Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.294 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 23.1% (Rank: 25)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.329 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 19.1% (Rank: 13)
Pitchers per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 16)
Analysis: Bumgarner hasn’t been in top form lately, but his bad day at the office is still better than most. Over the last month of play, he has a 3.97 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 21.0%. The good news is that he gets to face a Rangers’ offense that has not hit left-handed pitching well this season. They are ranked 23rd in team wOBA and 25th in strikeout rate against southpaws. The ballpark may scare a few people off of Bumgarner tonight, but I see him dominating a lineup that is littered with left-handed hitters. Bumgarner is a great alternative if for whatever reason you want to avoid Clayton Kershaw.
Pitcher Rating:87.8
Nick Martinez : FD: $6,000 — DK: $4,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 246.1 — SIERA: 5.02 — ERA: 4.35 — K%: 13.0% — BB%: 8.7% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 15.2 — SIERA: 4.50 — ERA: 8.04 — K%: 16.2% — BB%: 8.1% — HR/9: 2.9
San Francisco Giants Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 17.9% (Rank: 5)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.329 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 19.0% (Rank: 12)
Pitchers per PA: 3.75 (Rank: 23)
Analysis: Martinez is one of the worst starting pitchers in all of baseball. Over the last two seasons, he has a 5.02 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 13.0%. He walks a lot of batters and he gives up a lot of home runs. Basically, the opposing offense should be targeted whenever he takes the mound. Unless you are playing in a low-ball league format, Martinez should not be on your radar tonight.
Pitcher Rating:32.0
Batter Grind Down
San Francisco
The Giants draw one of the best matchups on the board, as they square off against Nick Martinez in the hitter-friendly Globe Life Park. Martinez has given up a .336+ wOBA to left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. Don’t be afraid to load up on Giants’ hitters in both cash games and tournaments.
Elite Plays:
Buster Posey : FD: $4,400 — DK: $5,400
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B/C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 730 — wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.168 — wRC+: 148
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.378 — ISO: 0.051 — wRC+: 149
Brandon Belt : FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 460 — wOBA: 0.361 — ISO: 0.226 — wRC+: 137
Last 14 Days: PA: 52 — wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.111 — wRC+: 110
Secondary Plays:
Hunter Pence : FD: $3,400 — DK: $5,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 630 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.184 — wRC+: 127
Last 14 Days: PA: 52 — wOBA: 0.441 — ISO: 0.261 — wRC+: 193
Matt Duffy : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 2B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 292 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.154 — wRC+: 127
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.120 — wRC+: 153
Angel Pagan : FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 553 — wOBA: 0.299 — ISO: 0.072 — wRC+: 95
Last 14 Days: PA: 52 — wOBA: 0.233 — ISO: 0.021 — wRC+: 49
Texas
The Rangers draw an awful matchup tonight against Madison Bumgarner, who has held left and right-handed hitters under a .295 wOBA over the last two seasons. The Rangers’ offense can safely be avoided in all league formats.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Arizona at Houston – 8:10 PM EST
| Arizona | Houston | ||||||||
 | Rubby De La Rosa |  | Scott Feldman | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| HOU (-150) | 8 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.298 | 0.885 | 0.382 | 0.153 | SP vs. Left | 0.271 | 0.721 | 0.314 | 0.132 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.24 | 0.674 | 0.298 | 0.222 | SP vs. Right | 0.265 | 0.756 | 0.331 | 0.145 |
| Batter Splits | ARI BvP | ARI vs R | Batter Splits | HOU BvP | HOU vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Rubby De La Rosa : FD: $7,100 — DK: $7,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 227.0 — SIERA: 3.90 — ERA: 4.48 — K%: 18.6% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.1 — SIERA: 4.31 — ERA: 3.99 — K%: 15.1% — BB%: 8.7% — HR/9: 2.2
Houston Astros Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.324 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 24.7% (Rank: 30)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.372 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 16.8% (Rank: 4)
Pitchers per PA: 3.86 (Rank: 9)
Analysis: De La Rosa got off to a great start this season, but he has come back down to Earth recently. Over the last month of play, he has a 4.31 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 15.1%. We never like to target average pitchers in bad form, especially when they are facing an offense that is the caliber of the Astros. De La Rosa should be avoided tonight in the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park.
Pitcher Rating:48.7
Scott Feldman : FD: $6,800 — DK: $5,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 253.2 — SIERA: 4.30 — ERA: 3.97 — K%: 13.8% — BB%: 6.3% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 13.1 — SIERA: 5.23 — ERA: 3.38 — K%: 7.3% — BB%: 5.5% — HR/9: 1.4
Arizona Diamondbacks Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.325 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 24.5% (Rank: 28)
Pitchers per PA: 3.70 (Rank: 29)
Analysis: Feldman has not pitched well since coming back from injury. Over the last month of play, he has a 5.23 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 7.3%. He has never been a high-strikeout pitcher, which really limits his fantasy appeal. He draws a difficult matchup tonight against the Diamondbacks, who are ranked 11th in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating:50.3
Batter Grind Down
Arizona
The Diamondbacks are an offense that can string together hits and put runs up on the board quickly. They draw a favorable matchup tonight against Scott Feldman in a hitter-friendly ballpark. Left and right-handed hitters are in play here, as Feldman hasn’t been particularly effective against hitters from either side of the plate.
Elite Plays:
Paul Goldschmidt : FD: $4,900 — DK: $5,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 731 — wOBA: 0.407 — ISO: 0.244 — wRC+: 159
Last 14 Days: PA: 59 — wOBA: 0.451 — ISO: 0.167 — wRC+: 189
Secondary Plays:
David Peralta : FD: $3,900 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 525 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.214 — wRC+: 133
Last 14 Days: PA: 40 — wOBA: 0.434 — ISO: 0.316 — wRC+: 178
Ender Inciarte : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 535 — wOBA: 0.327 — ISO: 0.114 — wRC+: 104
Last 14 Days: PA: 52 — wOBA: 0.386 — ISO: 0.176 — wRC+: 144
Houston
The Astros draw a favorable matchup tonight against Rubby De La Rosa. His splits against left and right-handed hitters make our job easy tonight. Since the start of the 2014 season, De La Rosa has given up a .382 wOBA to hitters from the left side of the plate. Preston Tucker and Luis Valbuena are both elite plays at their respective positions.
Elite Plays:
Preston Tucker : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 165 — wOBA: 0.404 — ISO: 0.293 — wRC+: 162
Last 14 Days: PA: 40 — wOBA: 0.469 — ISO: 0.447 — wRC+: 208
Luis Valbuena : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 2B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 696 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.217 — wRC+: 117
Last 14 Days: PA: 35 — wOBA: 0.233 — ISO: 0.063 — wRC+: 43
Secondary Plays:
Jose Altuve : FD: $4,500 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 824 — wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.105 — wRC+: 111
Last 14 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.416 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 171
Colby Rasmus : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 484 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.238 — wRC+: 108
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 101
Seattle at Minnesota – 8:10 PM EST
| Seattle | Minnesota | ||||||||
 | Taijuan Walker |  | Tommy Milone | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIN (-108) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.249 | 0.713 | 0.315 | 0.222 | SP vs. Left | 0.207 | 0.596 | 0.267 | 0.146 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.259 | 0 | 0.335 | 0.228 | SP vs. Right | 0.274 | 0.798 | 0.349 | 0.156 |
| Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs L | Batter Splits | MIN BvP | MIN vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Taijuan Walker : FD: $7,400 — DK: $6,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 150.2 — SIERA: 3.65 — ERA: 4.42 — K%: 22.4% — BB%: 7.5% — HR/9: 1.3
Last 30 Days: IP: 27.1 — SIERA: 3.29 — ERA: 6.26 — K%: 23.9% — BB%: 3.5% — HR/9: 2.0
Minnesota Twins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.305 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 20.4% (Rank: 20)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.302 (Rank: 19) — Strikeout Rate: 21.9% (Rank: 21)
Pitchers per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 15)
Analysis: Walker may have a 6.26 ERA over the last month of play, but the indicators suggest that he has pitched much better. During that stretch, he has a 3.29 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 23.9%. It was only a few weeks ago when we were saying that he was finally starting to live up to the expectations. I love the price point for Walker tonight and the matchup isn’t too shabby either. The Twins are ranked 21st in team wOBA and 20th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Fire up Walker as an SP2 and as a tournament play tonight.
Pitcher Rating:70.6
Tommy Milone : FD: $6,900 — DK: $6,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 193.1 — SIERA: 4.50 — ERA: 3.96 — K%: 15.4% — BB%: 7.2% — HR/9: 1.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 21.2 — SIERA: 3.80 — ERA: 4.57 — K%: 20.2% — BB%: 5.6% — HR/9: 2.1
Seattle Mariners Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.296 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.331 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 20.7% (Rank: 17)
Pitchers per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 5)
Analysis: Milone is one of those pitchers that I just can’t back. He has pitched better recently, but looking at the larger sample size, he is a below-average left-handed pitcher with a low strikeout rate. He draws a decent matchup against the Mariners, but they have been producing over the last two weeks, ranking seventh in team wOBA. I’d much rather target Taijuan Walker, as he has more upside and, in my opinion, a better chance of picking up the win.
Pitcher Rating:52.1
Batter Grind Down
Seattle
The Mariners draw a favorable matchup against Tommy Milone, who has given up a .349 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. He is very effective against left-handed bats though, so make sure to only target the righties in this lineup.
Elite Plays:
Nelson Cruz : FD: $4,200 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 258 — wOBA: 0.441 — ISO: 0.281 — wRC+: 188
Last 14 Days: PA: 66 — wOBA: 0.418 — ISO: 0.288 — wRC+: 175
Franklin Gutierrez : FD: $2,700 — DK: $2,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 39 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 123
Last 14 Days: PA: 27 — wOBA: 0.390 — ISO: 0.333 — wRC+: 156
Secondary Plays:
Austin Jackson : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 282 — wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.117 — wRC+: 109
Last 14 Days: PA: 65 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.153 — wRC+: 113
Mark Trumbo : FD: $2,300 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B/OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 191 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 108
Last 14 Days: PA: 51 — wOBA: 0.311 — ISO: 0.125 — wRC+: 101
Minnesota
The Twins have a decent run total tonight, but I don’t love the matchup against Taijuan Walker. If you are targeting any hitters here, target the ones that hit from the right side of the plate. Since the start of the 2014 season, Walker has given up a .335 wOBA to right-handed bats.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Brian Dozier : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 805 — wOBA: 0.339 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 117
Last 14 Days: PA: 50 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 134
Aaron Hicks : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 265 — wOBA: 0.267 — ISO: 0.062 — wRC+: 67
Last 14 Days: PA: 49 — wOBA: 0.431 — ISO: 0.186 — wRC+: 180