MLB Grind Down: Friday, September 25th
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.
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Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM EST
| Pittsburgh | Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
 | Gerrit Cole |  | Jon Lester | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHC (-125) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.235 | 0.653 | 0.291 | 23.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.253 | 0.688 | 0.303 | 26.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.243 | 0.654 | 0.289 | 25.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.233 | 0.646 | 0.285 | 24.30% |
| Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs L | Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Gerrit Cole : FD: $9,800 — DK: $10,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 332.0 — SIERA: 3.21 — ERA: 3.06 — K%: 24.4% — BB%: 6.1% — HR/9: 0.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 38.2 — SIERA: 3.21 — ERA: 2.79 — K%: 25.0% — BB%: 4.6% — HR/9: 0.2
Chicago Cubs Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.318 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 24.1% (Rank: 30)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.335 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 23.9% (Rank: 25)
Pitches per PA: 3.98 (Rank: 1)
Analysis: There is only one early game today, but sites have it included in their all-day slates. Cole has been in great form coming into today’s start, posting a 3.21 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 25.0% over the last month of play. He draws a favorable strikeout matchup against the Cubs, but Chicago is ranked 11th in team wOBA against right-handed pitching and they average the most pitches per plate appearance this season. With so many aces on the bump tonight, Cole is best suited as a tournament play.
Pitcher Rating: 80.4
Jon Lester : FD: $10,500 — DK: $10,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 409.2 — SIERA: 3.18 — ERA: 2.92 — K%: 24.8% — BB%: 5.7% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 41.2 — SIERA: 3.12 — ERA: 3.02 — K%: 24.4% — BB%: 5.0% — HR/9: 0.4
Pittsburgh Pirates Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.306 (Rank: 20) — Strikeout Rate: 22.3% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 16) — Strikeout Rate: 19.1% (Rank: 5)
Pitches per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 22)
Analysis: Lester has pitched well over the last month of play, posting a 3.12 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 24.4%. The Cubs are small favorites today against the Pirates in what could be a preview of the National League Wildcard matchup. The Pirates have not fared well against left-handed pitching this season, ranking 20th in team wOBA and 23rd in strikeout rate. The biggest concern here is the fact that Lester doesn’t hold runners well. The Pirates have a lot of speed in their lineup, which could turn singles and walks into doubles and triples.
Pitcher Rating: 84.2
Batter Grind Down
Pittsburgh
The Pirates draw a difficult matchup against Jon Lester on paper, but the stolen base potential is there for anyone in this lineup that has speed. Lester is arguably the worst pitcher in baseball at holding runners, so if and when the Pirates get baserunners, they will certainly look to be aggressive on the base paths.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Andrew McCutchen : FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 244 — wOBA: 0.409 — ISO: 0.220 — wRC+: 166
Last 30 Days: PA: 121 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.155 — wRC+: 147
Starling Marte : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 215 — wOBA: 0.335 — ISO: 0.161 — wRC+: 116
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.305 — ISO: 0.146 — wRC+: 94
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs draw a difficult matchup against Gerrit Cole, who has held both left and right-handed hitters under a .295 wOBA over the last two seasons. The Cubs may be small favorites in this game, but there are better matchups to exploit tonight.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Dexter Fowler : FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 881 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 109
Last 30 Days: PA: 121 — wOBA: 0.324 — ISO: 0.170 — wRC+: 103
Chicago White Sox at NY Yankees – 7:05 PM EST
| Chicago White Sox | NY Yankees | ||||||||
 | Carlos Rodon |  | CC Sabathia | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYY (-160) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.178 | 0.486 | 0.227 | 26.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.185 | 0.542 | 0.243 | 28.50% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.272 | 0.809 | 0.354 | 22.4% | SP vs. Right | 0.307 | 0.875 | 0.376 | 18.40% |
| Batter Splits | CHW BvP | CWS vs L | Batter Splits | NYY vs L | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Carlos Rodon : FD: $8,500 — DK: $7,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 133.1 — SIERA: 4.12 — ERA: 3.78 — K%: 23.3% — BB%: 11.4% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 33.2 — SIERA: 3.96 — ERA: 1.87 — K%: 21.3% — BB%: 8.8% — HR/9: 0.5
New York Yankees Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.333 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 19.2% (Rank: 7)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 12)
Pitches per PA: 3.91 (Rank: 3)
Analysis: Rodon has really improved in the second half of the season. He comes into tonight’s start in good form, posting a 3.96 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 21.3%. He still needs to cut down on his walks though, which could be an issue for tonight’s matchup against the Yankees. In addition to being the third-best offense against right-handed pitching, the Yankees average the third-most pitches per plate appearance. They are a very patient team at the plate and Rodon has to face them in the hitter-friendly confines of Yankee Stadium.
Pitcher Rating: 57.4
CC Sabathia : FD: $7,500 — DK: $6,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 201.2 — SIERA: 3.80 — ERA: 4.91 — K%: 20.2% — BB%: 6.2% — HR/9: 1.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 20.0 — SIERA: 4.80 — ERA: 1.80 — K%: 21.6% — BB%: 13.6% — HR/9: 0.5
Chicago White Sox Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.284 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 20.5% (Rank: 10)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.301 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 22.6% (Rank: 22)
Pitches per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 20)
Analysis: Sabathia has been in subpar form over the last month of play. While he does have a 1.80 ERA, he owns a 4.80 SIERA with a walk rate of 13.6% during that stretch. He does not fare well against right-handed hitters and even though the White Sox may not have the most talented lineup in baseball, they should be able to knock Sabathia around a bit tonight.
Pitcher Rating: 66.0
Batter Grind Down
Chicago White Sox
As mentioned above, CC Sabathia does not handle right-handed hitters well. Over the last two seasons, Sabathia has allowed a .376 wOBA to hitters from the right side of the plate. He does a good job of containing left-handed hitters though, so if you are targeting any hitters in this matchup, make sure that they hit from the right side of the plate.
Elite Plays:
Jose Abreu : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 299 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.221 — wRC+: 148
Last 30 Days: PA: 126 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.233 — wRC+: 130
Avisail Garcia : FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 172 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.149 — wRC+: 120
Last 30 Days: PA: 112 — wOBA: 0.260 — ISO: 0.070 — wRC+: 59
Secondary Plays:
Melky Cabrera : FD: $3,500 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 331 — wOBA: 0.306 — ISO: 0.134 — wRC+: 92
Last 30 Days: PA: 122 — wOBA: 0.324 — ISO: 0.134 — wRC+: 103
Trayce Thompson : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 36 — wOBA: 0.484 — ISO: 0.353 — wRC+: 214
Last 30 Days: PA: 69 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.266 — wRC+: 137
Tyler Saladino : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 56 — wOBA: 0.277 — ISO: 0.125 — wRC+: 71
Last 30 Days: PA: 66 — wOBA: 0.277 — ISO: 0.148 — wRC+: 71
NY Yankees
The Yankees are still trying to chase down the Blue Jays for the American League East crown. They draw a decent matchup tonight at home against Carlos Rodon, who has allowed a .354 wOBA to right-handed hitters in his rookie season.
Elite Plays:
Alex Rodriguez : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 165 — wOBA: 0.406 — ISO: 0.306 — wRC+: 160
Last 30 Days: PA: 87 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.260 — wRC+: 103
Chris Young : FD: $2,500 — DK: $2,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 248 — wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.210 — wRC+: 126
Last 30 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.290 — ISO: 0.108 — wRC+: 80
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Beltran : FD: $3,400 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 283 — wOBA: 0.277 — ISO: 0.146 — wRC+: 72
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.162 — wRC+: 122
Chase Headley : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 313 — wOBA: 0.332 — ISO: 0.135 — wRC+: 111
Last 30 Days: PA: 112 — wOBA: 0.270 — ISO: 0.102 — wRC+: 66
Philadelphia at Washington – 7:05 PM EST
| Philadelphia | Washington | ||||||||
 | Jerad Eickhoff |  | Jordan Zimmermann | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| WAS (-230) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.277 | 0.903 | 0.382 | 11.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.269 | 0.724 | 0.317 | 20.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.176 | 0.451 | 0.199 | 27.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.232 | 0.595 | 0.263 | 22.80% |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | Batter Splits | WAS BvP | WAS vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jerad Eickhoff : FD: $5,600 — DK: $7,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 37.0 — SIERA: 4.30 — ERA: 3.16 — K%: 19.3% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.0 — SIERA: 4.38 — ERA: 3.77 — K%: 18.9% — BB%: 7.9% — HR/9: 1.2
Washington Nationals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 21.7% (Rank: 26)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.330 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 21.7% (Rank: 17)
Pitches per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 21)
Analysis: The Phillies have been playing some pathetic baseball recently. Their pitching staff has been terrible and their offense has been even worse. Eickoff owns a 4.30 SIERA with a decent strikeout rate, but he’s not a great fantasy option. He is one of the largest underdogs on the board tonight and he has to face the Nationals in their own backyard.
Pitcher Rating: 48.3
Jordan Zimmermann : FD: $9,600 — DK: $8,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 390.1 — SIERA: 3.46 — ERA: 3.07 — K%: 21.4% — BB%: 4.1% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 36.1 — SIERA: 3.22 — ERA: 3.72 — K%: 25.2% — BB%: 6.1% — HR/9: 1.5
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.294 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 20.7% (Rank: 18)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.258 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 28.4% (Rank: 30)
Pitches per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 27)
Analysis: Zimmermann’s velocity has improved over the last month or so and it has shown in his strikeout rate. Over the last 30 days, Zimmermann has a 3.22 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 25.2%. He draws the best matchup on the schedule, as he gets to face a Phillies’ offense that is ranked dead last in both team wOBA and strikeout rate over the last two weeks of play. Zimmermann is a safe bet to pick up the win tonight and he should be able to strikeout close to a batter per inning.
Pitcher Rating: 86.1
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
It’s a good thing that the Phillies’ offense doesn’t do motivational speeches for a living, because I am less and less inspired every time I watch them play. They have all but given up on the season, so we should all but give up on them. They should be avoided tonight against Jordan Zimmermann, who has been tough on hitters from both sides of the plate.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Washington
The Nationals are still clinging onto their postseason hope, but it is dwindling. They now have a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs. The good news is that they start a series against a Phillies’ pitching staff that may be the worst in baseball. Left and right-handed hitters are in play tonight against Jerad Eickhoff.
Elite Plays:
Clint Robinson : FD: $2,300 — DK: $2,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B/OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 276 — wOBA: 0.344 — ISO: 0.159 — wRC+: 117
Last 30 Days: PA: 60 — wOBA: 0.391 — ISO: 0.204 — wRC+: 149
Secondary Plays:
Bryce Harper : FD: $5,700 — DK: $6,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 708 — wOBA: 0.432 — ISO: 0.274 — wRC+: 178
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.549 — ISO: 0.424 — wRC+: 257
Yunel Escobar : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 829 — wOBA: 0.331 — ISO: 0.100 — wRC+: 111
Last 30 Days: PA: 99 — wOBA: 0.421 — ISO: 0.058 — wRC+: 169
Anthony Rendon : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 748 — wOBA: 0.349 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 122
Last 30 Days: PA: 124 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.081 — wRC+: 116
Tampa Bay at Toronto – 7:07 PM EST
| Tampa Bay | Toronto | ||||||||
 | Jake Odorizzi |  | R.A. Dickey | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TOR (-165) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.225 | 0.644 | 0.283 | 27.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.229 | 0.683 | 0.302 | 14.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.244 | 0.729 | 0.322 | 17.9% | SP vs. Right | 0.246 | 0.744 | 0.325 | 18.60% |
| Batter Splits | TBR BvP | TB vs R | Batter Splits | TOR BvP | TOR vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jake Odorizzi : FD: $8,400 — DK: $8,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 325.1 — SIERA: 3.75 — ERA: 3.76 — K%: 22.9% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 35.0 — SIERA: 4.20 — ERA: 4.63 — K%: 21.1% — BB%: 7.5% — HR/9: 1.5
Toronto Blue Jays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.337 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 18.8% (Rank: 7)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.348 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 20.5% (Rank: 9)
Pitches per PA: 3.85 (Rank: 10)
Analysis: There are too many red flags with Odorizzi tonight. The first, and most important, is his matchup. The Blue Jays are ranked first in team wOBA against right-handed pitching and tonight’s contest will take place in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. The other issue is that Odorizzi has some troubling splits away from home. In his career, his SIERA is a full run higher on the road, while his strikeout rate dips a full two and a half percentage points.
Pitcher Rating: 57.3
R.A. Dickey : FD: $7,900 — DK: $6,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 418.0 — SIERA: 4.42 — ERA: 3.88 — K%: 16.8% — BB%: 7.7% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 41.1 — SIERA: 4.53 — ERA: 3.70 — K%: 13.5% — BB%: 3.7% — HR/9: 1.1
Tampa Bay Rays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.305 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 21.4% (Rank: 24)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.331 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 24.0% (Rank: 26)
Pitches per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 14)
Analysis: Dickey has actually had a pretty good season for the Blue Jays. It comes as a surprise every time he has a quality outing though, as most of us picture him getting lit up last season whenever his name is mentioned. Even though he has been in better form, he is still not a viable option in DFS. He has a low strikeout rate and he is pitching in one of the worst pitcher’s parks in all of baseball. Dickey could be in line for the win tonight against the Rays, but he will likely give up a few runs in the process.
Pitcher Rating: 55.2
Batter Grind Down
Tampa Bay
The Rays haven’t had a ton of success against R.A. Dickey in the past. This is one of the few occasions where I actually look at BvP, as most hitters can either pick up the knuckleball, or they can’t. Of the Rays’ active hitters, Evan Longoria (10-for-40 with six extra-base hits) and Asdrubal Cabrera (6-for-16 with four extra-base hits) have had the best success against Dickey.
Elite Plays:
Evan Longoria : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 982 — wOBA: 0.302 — ISO: 0.143 — wRC+: 95
Last 30 Days: PA: 118 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 125
Secondary Plays:
Asdrubal Cabrera : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 798 — wOBA: 0.311 — ISO: 0.149 — wRC+: 99
Last 30 Days: PA: 91 — wOBA: 0.296 — ISO: 0.148 — wRC+: 89
John Jaso : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,000
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 490 — wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 130
Last 30 Days: PA: 69 — wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.207 — wRC+: 145
Toronto
The Blue Jays may not have the most favorable matchup on paper, but they have one of the highest team totals on the board yet again. They are facing Jake Odorizzi, who has struggled away from Tropicana Field. Odorizzi is a reverse-splits pitcher, which does give the advantage to the Blue Jays in this matchup, as their lineup consists primarily of right-handed hitters.
Elite Plays:
Jose Bautista : FD: $4,800 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 1028 — wOBA: 0.389 — ISO: 0.259 — wRC+: 150
Last 30 Days: PA: 121 — wOBA: 0.443 — ISO: 0.293 — wRC+: 186
Secondary Plays:
Edwin Encarnacion : FD: $5,000 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 895 — wOBA: 0.393 — ISO: 0.288 — wRC+: 152
Last 30 Days: PA: 109 — wOBA: 0.484 — ISO: 0.418 — wRC+: 214
Josh Donaldson : FD: $4,800 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 1045 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 128
Last 30 Days: PA: 125 — wOBA: 0.369 — ISO: 0.229 — wRC+: 135
Russell Martin : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 730 — wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.183 — wRC+: 122
Last 30 Days: PA: 73 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.290 — wRC+: 117
Ben Revere : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 865 — wOBA: 0.307 — ISO: 0.063 — wRC+: 92
Last 30 Days: PA: 121 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.053 — wRC+: 111
Minnesota at Detroit – 7:08 PM EST
| Minnesota | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Mike Pelfrey |  | Matt Boyd | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIN (-110) | 9.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.280 | 0.790 | 0.349 | 11.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.351 | 1.163 | 0.482 | 12.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.312 | 0.784 | 0.344 | 10.5% | SP vs. Right | 0.305 | 0.901 | 0.383 | 19.20% |
| Batter Splits | MIN vs L | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Mike Pelfrey : FD: $5,900 — DK: $4,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 181.2 — SIERA: 4.91 — ERA: 4.66 — K%: 11.0% — BB%: 7.6% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 23.2 — SIERA: 4.47 — ERA: 7.23 — K%: 11.1% — BB%: 3.7% — HR/9: 1.5
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.319 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 19.9% (Rank: 14)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.295 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 21.2% (Rank: 15)
Pitches per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Pelfrey should not be on your radar tonight. Pelfrey should not be on your radar the next time he takes the mound. Pelfrey should not be on your radar at all. Ever. I’m sure he is a very nice human being, but he doesn’t help grow my bankroll, so sorry Pelfrey, you will not be in any of my lineups. He has one of the lowest strikeout rates of any qualified pitcher and he is facing a capable Tigers’ offense in Comerica Park.
Pitcher Rating: 38.3
Matt Boyd : FD: $5,200 — DK: $4,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 48.2 — SIERA: 4.68 — ERA: 7.40 — K%: 17.3% — BB%: 7.0% — HR/9: 2.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 24.0 — SIERA: 5.00 — ERA: 7.13 — K%: 17.8% — BB%: 9.9% — HR/9: 2.6
Minnesota Twins Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 20.7% (Rank: 13)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.335 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 18.2% (Rank: 4)
Pitches per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 12)
Analysis: Boyd may have a higher strikeout rate than Mike Pelfrey, but I feel the same way about him. His 5.00 SIERA (7.13 ERA) and his walk rate of 9.9% over the last month of play are more than enough reason to avoid him tonight. The Twins’ offense has actually been playing well recently and Vegas is expecting this game to be a shootout.
Pitcher Rating: 37.8
Batter Grind Down
Minnesota
I just can’t seem to take the right Twins’ batters on the right night. To quote the best rock band in history, “quit playing games with my heart.” You know what? You are right, that joke went a little too far. The Backstreet Boys clearly weren’t the best rock band ever. That honor belongs to N’Sync. Anyway, lets get back to baseball. The right-handed hitters in the Twins’ lineup are in a great spot tonight against Matt Boyd.
Elite Plays:
Miguel Sano : FD: $4,000 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 84 — wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.227 — wRC+: 145
Last 30 Days: PA: 100 — wOBA: 0.392 — ISO: 0.268 — wRC+: 151
Brian Dozier : FD: $2,900 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 404 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.208 — wRC+: 116
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.285 — ISO: 0.137 — wRC+: 77
Secondary Plays:
Aaron Hicks : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 185 — wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 141
Last 30 Days: PA: 81 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.186 — wRC+: 115
Trevor Plouffe : FD: $2,900 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 347 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.170 — wRC+: 118
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.308 — ISO: 0.146 — wRC+: 93
Torii Hunter : FD: $2,600 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 322 — wOBA: 0.333 — ISO: 0.173 — wRC+: 111
Last 30 Days: PA: 81 — wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.156 — wRC+: 124
Detroit
The Tigers draw one of the best matchups on the board tonight. They square off against Mike Pelfrey, who has allowed a .344+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. All of the hitters that are batting in the top half of the order are in play tonight at home.
Elite Plays:
J.D. Martinez : FD: $3,500 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 831 — wOBA: 0.378 — ISO: 0.236 — wRC+: 142
Last 30 Days: PA: 113 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.236 — wRC+: 117
Anthony Gose : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 636 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.106 — wRC+: 98
Last 30 Days: PA: 110 — wOBA: 0.360 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 129
Secondary Plays:
Ian Kinsler : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 1046 — wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 108
Last 30 Days: PA: 107 — wOBA: 0.310 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 94
Victor Martinez : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 848 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 113
Last 30 Days: PA: 95 — wOBA: 0.247 — ISO: 0.058 — wRC+: 51