MLB Grind Down: Monday, June 8th - Page Two
Houston at Chicago White Sox – 8:10 PM EST
| Houston | Chicago White Sox | ||||||||
 | Lance McCullers |  | Chris Sale | ||||||
| Right | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHW (-151) | 7 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.188 | 0.591 | 0.267 | 0.167 | SP vs. Left | 0.194 | 0.47 | 0.219 | 0.342 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.25 | 0.641 | 0.271 | 0.308 | SP vs. Right | 0.214 | 0.622 | 0.277 | 0.282 |
| Batter Splits | HOU BvP | HOU vs L | Batter Splits | CWS vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Lance McCullers (FD: $6700, DK: $7400)
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 24.0 — SIERA: 2.69 — K%: 29.6% — BB%: 6.1% — FB Rate: 31.1% — HR/FB: 0.0%
Last 30 Days: IP: 24.0 — SIERA: 2.69 — K%: 29.6% — BB%: 6.1% — FB Rate: 31.1% — HR/FB: 0.0%
Chicago White Sox Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.300 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 19.0% (Rank: 9)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.272 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 18.4% (Rank: 7)
Pitches per PA: 3.71 (Rank: 24)
Analysis: McCullers has wasted little time getting acclimated to the major leagues. After three mediocre starts, he pitched a complete game against the Orioles, striking out 11 batters while only giving up one run. McCullers owns a 2.69 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 29.6%. He can be a little erratic at times though, which is a concern for his road start tonight. He deserves consideration as a GPP play, but he’ll likely see very little run support tonight with Chris Sale pitching for the White Sox.
Pitcher Rating:62.4
Chris Sale (FD: $10900, DK: $11400)
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 240.0 — SIERA: 2.61 — K%: 30.3% — BB%: 5.8% — FB Rate: 39.8% — HR/FB: 8.2%
Last 30 Days: IP: 38.2 — SIERA: 1.85 — K%: 37.6% — BB%: 4.3% — FB Rate: 43.0% — HR/FB: 8.8%
Houston Astros Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.312 (Rank: 17) — Strikeout Rate: 24.0% (Rank: 29)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.314 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 24.8% (Rank: 28)
Pitches per PA: 3.81 (Rank: 12)
Analysis: After a sluggish start to the season, Sale is back to being the Sale that we are used to seeing. In the last 30 days, he has posted a 1.85 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 37.6%. During that stretch, he has struck out nearly nine times as many batters as he has walked. He is the premier pitching option on the slate tonight, as he takes on the Astros at home. The Astros hit left-handed pitching fairly well, but they also have the 2nd-highest strikeout rate as a team. Sale has a great chance to reach the elusive double-digit strikeout total again tonight.
Pitcher Rating:98.3
Batter Grind Down
Houston
NONE – Chris Sale is the elite pitching option in tonight’s eight-game slate. While the Astros do have a lot of power in their lineup, they also chase a lot of bad pitches out of the zone. Sale should be able to dominate this Astros’ lineup tonight at home.
Chicago White Sox
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Jose Abreu (FD: $3500, DK: $5200)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 642 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.240 — wRC+: 147
Adam Eaton (FD: $2800, DK: $3800)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 561 — wOBA: 0.338 — ISO: 0.128 — wRC+: 114
St. Louis at Colorado – 8:40 PM EST
| St. Louis | Colorado | ||||||||
 | John Lackey |  | David Hale | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| STL (-137) | 10 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.258 | 0.729 | 0.32 | 0.168 | SP vs. Left | 0.286 | 0.761 | 0.334 | 0.089 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.254 | 0.686 | 0.303 | 0.21 | SP vs. Right | 0.245 | 0.67 | 0.294 | 0.132 |
| Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs R | Batter Splits | COL BvP | COL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
John Lackey (FD: $8800, DK: $7100)
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 268.2 — SIERA: 3.75 — K%: 19.2% — BB%: 5.8% — FB Rate: 33.9% — HR/FB: 10.0%
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.1 — SIERA: 4.12 — K%: 18.5% — BB%: 6.9% — FB Rate: 37.9% — HR/FB: 5.6%
Colorado Rockies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.338 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 19.1% (Rank: 10)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.348 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 12)
Pitches per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 22)
Analysis: We have another game in Coors Field tonight, which means we have another game where we can gloss over the starting pitchers. Lackey has pitched well this season, but Coors Field is where a pitcher’s ERA goes to die. He should be avoided tonight against the Rockies.
Pitcher Rating:49.9
David Hale (FD: $5900, DK: $4200)
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 100.0 — SIERA: 4.48 — K%: 11.8% — BB%: 9.0% — FB Rate: 26.9% — HR/FB: 8.9%
Last 30 Days: IP: 12.2 — SIERA: 3.92 — K%: 13.7% — BB%: 0.0% — FB Rate: 37.2% — HR/FB: 18.8%
St. Louis Cardinals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.319 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 18.8% (Rank: 8)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.297 (Rank: 19) — Strikeout Rate: 21.3% (Rank: 19)
Pitches per PA: 3.73 (Rank: 23)
Analysis: Hale wouldn’t be a good fantasy option even if this game was being playing in Petco Park. There is absolutely zero reason to consider targeting Hale against the Cardinals in Coors Field.
Pitcher Rating:27.9
Batter Grind Down
St. Louis
Matt Carpenter (FD: $4300, DK: $5400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 657 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 134
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.320 — ISO: 0.026 — wRC+: 103
Analysis: Coors Field was a park built for a player like Carpenter. In fact, I liken him to a more talented Charlie Blackmon. Carpenter hits a ton of line drives, which should result in a few extra-base hits during this season. The Cardinals are the top offense to target tonight, as they take on David Hale. Load up on Cardinals’ bats in both cash games and tournaments.
Additional Plays:
Jhonny Peralta (FD: $4000, DK: $4900)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 668 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.175 — wRC+: 125
Kolten Wong (FD: $3600, DK: $4800)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 527 — wOBA: 0.314 — ISO: 0.149 — wRC+: 99
Matt Holliday (FD: $3400, DK: $4800)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 662 — wOBA: 0.344 — ISO: 0.134 — wRC+: 120
Randal Grichuk (FD: $2900, DK: $3900)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 107 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 109
Mark Reynolds (FD: $2800, DK: $3300)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 423 — wOBA: 0.313 — ISO: 0.192 — wRC+: 96
Colorado
Carlos Gonzalez (FD: $3700, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 346 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.203 — wRC+: 100
Last 14 Days: PA: 48 — wOBA: 0.423 — ISO: 0.190 — wRC+: 154
Analysis: Gonzalez is finally starting to hit. Over the last 14 days, he has a .423 wOBA and a .190 ISO. He has a great track record against right-handed pitching in his career and he’s much cheaper than some of his teammates tonight. As always with Coors Field, we should target as many hitters as we can from this game. Pick your spots and load up on the players in Coors wherever possible tonight.
Additional Plays:
Troy Tulowitzki (FD: $4800, DK: $4900)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 421 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.189 — wRC+: 122
Nolan Arenado (FD: $4200, DK: $4600)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 508 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.229 — wRC+: 107
Charlie Blackmon (FD: $4100, DK: $4500)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 657 — wOBA: 0.359 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 113
DJ LeMahieu (FD: $3500, DK: $4000)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 563 — wOBA: 0.313 — ISO: 0.100 — wRC+: 81
Wilin Rosario (FD: $3400, DK: $3500)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 364 — wOBA: 0.290 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 66
Arizona at LA Dodgers – 10:10 PM EST
| Arizona | LA Dodgers | ||||||||
 | Rubby De La Rosa |  | Mike Bolsinger | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAD (-164) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.293 | 0.851 | 0.369 | 0.15 | SP vs. Left | 0.287 | 0.78 | 0.341 | 0.181 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.237 | 0.682 | 0.301 | 0.233 | SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.722 | 0.315 | 0.238 |
| Batter Splits | ARI vs R | Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LA vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Rubby De La Rosa (FD: $7200, DK: $6800)
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 170.2 — SIERA: 3.86 — K%: 19.3% — BB%: 7.3% — FB Rate: 32.2% — HR/FB: 14.4%
Last 30 Days: IP: 32.0 — SIERA: 3.27 — K%: 21.5% — BB%: 5.9% — FB Rate: 23.1% — HR/FB: 28.6%
Los Angeles Dodgers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.348 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 19.9% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.326 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 23.1% (Rank: 25)
Pitches per PA: 3.92 (Rank: 4)
Analysis: De La Rosa has been very sharp this season, especially over the last 30 days of play. During that stretch, he has posted a 3.27 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 21.5%. He has cut down on his walks this season and he has produced a much higher ground-ball rate. The big issue with De La Rosa tonight is his matchup. The Dodgers are ranked 1st in wOBA against right-handed pitching and they average the 4th-most pitches per plate appearance of any team this season.
Pitcher Rating:51.9
Mike Bolsinger (FD: $6000, DK: $7000)
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 88.2 — SIERA: 3.62 — K%: 20.0% — BB%: 7.6% — FB Rate: 26.7% — HR/FB: 12.7%
Last 30 Days: IP: 30.2 — SIERA: 3.88 — K%: 19.3% — BB%: 8.4% — FB Rate: 28.0% — HR/FB: 8.7%
Arizona Diamondbacks Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 19.9% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 20.7% (Rank: 16)
Pitches per PA: 3.65 (Rank: 29)
Analysis: Bolsinger hasn’t pitched quite as well as his 1.98 ERA would suggest, but he’s still having a very good season for the Dodgers. He has a decent strikeout rate and he plays on a team that often gives him plenty of run support. Bolsinger has a 3.07 xFIP at home this season, averaging nearly two more strikeouts per nine innings than he has on the road. I prefer Mike Leake over Bolsinger at this price point, but he’s not a bad play tonight against the Diamondbacks.
Pitcher Rating:63.9
Batter Grind Down
Arizona
NONE – The Diamondbacks aren’t necessarily in an awful spot tonight, but given the other offenses to target (Blue Jays, Cardinals, Rockies), they are secondary options at best against Mike Bolsinger in the pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium.
LA Dodgers
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Joc Pederson (FD: $4000, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 218 — wOBA: 0.392 — ISO: 0.299 — wRC+: 154
Adrian Gonzalez (FD: $3900, DK: $4900)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 665 — wOBA: 0.398 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 159