MLB Grind Down: Saturday, July 12th Page Three
Washington at Philadelphia
| Washington | Philadelphia | ||||||||
| Stephen Strasburg | Vegas Moneyline | Cole Hamels | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | WAS (-135) | LEFT | 7.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.223 | 0.618 | 0.283 | 23.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.247 | 0.681 | 0.305 | 24.7% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.232 | 0.613 | 0.284 | 30.2% | SP vs. Right | 0.244 | 0.678 | 0.307 | 22.5% |
| Batter Splits | WSN BvP  | WSN vs L | Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Stephen Strasburg – Taking Strasburg on the road this season has proven to be a losing proposition on most occasions, but with a 0.55 ERA in his career at Citizens Bank Park, I’m willing to risk it once again tonight. He has been terrific in each of his last two starts, offers elite strikeout potential, and will face a Phillies team that ranks #29th in MLB in OPS versus right-handed pitching. With Cole Hamels on the mound for the Phillies, securing a win won’t come easy for Strasburg but he’s still a very strong fantasy option. Rating = 8.5
Salaries: $9700 FD, $21003 DS, $19000 DD, $10700 DK, $95500 FF, $29800 SS, $19000 FTD
- Cole Hamels – After a somewhat slow start to the 2014 season, Hamels has put things into cruise control lately. Since the beginning of June he owns 5-3 record to go along with a miniscule 1.62 ERA and 57 K’s in 55.2 innings. He held this Washington offense in check in four starts last season, posting a 2.63 ERA in 27.1 innings. The Phillies never make it easy for him to grab a “W” and things will likely be very tough once again with Strasburg on the mound for the Nats, but he’s still well worth consideration. Rating = 7.5
Salaries: $8900 FD, $18550 DS, $17500 DD, $10100 DK, $91400 FF, $27700 SS, $17500 FTD
Batter Grind Down
Washington and Philadelphia
This game has “Pitchers Duel” written all over it and I won’t be targeting any hitters here.
LA Angels at Texas
| LA Angels | Texas | ||||||||
| Jered Weaver | Vegas Moneyline | Miles Mikolas | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | LAA (-164) | RIGHT | 10.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.240 | 0.662 | 0.298 | 19.7% | SP vs. Left | 0.333 | 1.011 | 0.432 | 15.0% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.225 | 0.652 | 0.293 | 17.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.333 | 0.789 | 0.366 | 24.1% |
| Batter Splits | LAA BvP | LAA vs R | Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Jered Weaver – Weaver was lifted from his last start after just two innings with tightness in his lower back, so there is a small concern here. He dominated this Rangers team in their only prior meeting this season, allowing just one run on four hits over eight innings. The Rangers are in the midst of a freefall and find themselves with the worst record in MLB. However, Weaver’s small injury concerns and his recent struggles on the road (4.72 road ERA this season) dampen his fantasy outlook today. Rating = 5
Salaries: $7300 FD, $14705 DS, $14750 DD, $8400 DK, $100200 FF, $23000 SS, $14750 FTD
- Miles Mikolas – Mikolas was brutalized by the Houston Astros in his last start; surrendering nine runs on 12 hits in just 3.1 innings pitched. Things won’t get an easier for him today as he’ll take on a red-hot Anaheim team that ranks 7th in MLB in OPS versus right-handed pitching. Mikolas posted decent numbers this season at AAA Round Rock (3.22 ERA over 44.2 innings), but even there he was much more effective out of the bullpen. Rating = 3
Salaries: $5000 FD, $10779 DS, $8950 DD, $4700 DK, $64000 FF, $13000 SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
LA Angels
Kole Calhoun – Lefties are hitting .310 off of Mikolas this season at AAA and Calhoun owns a .411 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. He’s wreaking havok from the leadoff spot of this Angels lineup and has the most runs scored in MLB over the last 30 days.
Additional Plays: Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols
Texas
Shin-Soo Choo – Weaver has been very tough on right-handed batters this season, but has struggled a bit against lefties. While Choo has had a disappointing season, he has punished Weaver in the past to the tune of 14 for 36 with six doubles.
Additional Plays: Adrian Beltre
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
| Pittsburgh | Cincinnati | ||||||||
| Charlie Morton | Vegas Moneyline | Mike Leake | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | PIT (-104) | RIGHT | 7.5 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.265 | 0.684 | 0.332 | 19.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.279 | 0.754 | 0.335 | 14.8% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.229 | 0.572 | 0.274 | 17.9% | SP vs. Right | 0.246 | 0.660 | 0.298 | 18.4% |
| Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs R | Batter Splits | CIN BvP | CIN vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Charlie Morton – Aside from one rough start against the Cubs, Morton has been tremendous lately and has surrendered two earned runs or less in eight of his last nine starts. In his last start, versus St. Louis, he held the Cardinals scoreless and allowed just one hit over seven innings. He has been slightly less effective on the road this season but pitched admirably against the Reds when they met earlier this season. With Votto and Phillips both out of the lineup, Morton should have success today as long as he keeps the ball down. Rating = 5.5
Salaries: $7500 FD, $15777 DS, $15100 DD, $8100 DK, $85100 FF, $23400 SS, $15100 FTD
- Mike Leake – After consecutive dominant outings to close out the month of June, Leake has been quite hittable recently, allowing 20 hits over the last two starts. His once very pedestrian K-Rate has spiked up a bit this year and now sits at 7.07 K’s/9. Leake has had mediocre results in his two starts against the Pirates this season and isn’t much more than an average fantasy option today. Rating = 5
Salaries: $8400 FD, $16952 DS, $14300 DD, $8300 DK, $108300 FF, $23400 SS, $14300 FTD
Batter Grind Down
Pittsburgh
Gregory Polanco – Lefties have posted a .372 wOBA against Leake this season and Polanco is crushing righties during his young career to the tune of a .329 batting average.
Additional Plays: Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez
Cincinnati
Billy Hamilton – Over the last 27 games, Hamilton has posted the following stat line; .348 average, 18 runs scored, 23 RBI’s and 12 stolen bases. Lefties own a career .310 batting average off of Morton and Billy Hamilton can rack up fantasy points as quick as anyone.
Additional Plays: Jay Bruce
Oakland at Seattle
| Oakland | Seattle | ||||||||
| Jesse Chavez | Vegas Moneyline | Hisashi Iwakuma | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | SEA (-110) | RIGHT | 7.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.253 | 0.641 | 0.300 | 19.4% | SP vs. Left | 0.241 | 0.639 | 0.281 | 18.9% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.226 | 0.618 | 0.281 | 25.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.217 | 0.624 | 0.276 | 24.0% |
| Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Jesse Chavez – While I have some concerns that Chavez is wearing down a bit, he sure quieted the concerns a bit with his last outing where he shutout San Francisco for six innings while striking out nine Giants. He brings an impressive 7-5 record and 3.06 ERA into tonight’s game against Seattle and should continue to have success in the spacious Safeco Field. Rating = 5.5
Salaries: $7700 FD, $16569 DS, $13800 DD, $8200 DK, $85900 FF, $22600 SS, $13800 FTD
- Hisashi Iwakuma – Iwakuma took advantage of two favorable matchups in his last two starts and put up huge fantasy points against the Twins and Astros. Things will be tougher for him tonight as the A’s come to Seattle and rank 6th in MLB in OPS against right-handed pitching. Even in a somewhat tough matchup, Iwakuma is still very much in play on the sites that factor WHIP into their scoring as he owns a 1.03 WHIP since the beginning of 2013. Rating = 6.5
Salaries: $8700 FD, $18669 DS, $17800 DD, $9700 DK, $106100 FF, $27400 SS, $17800 FTD
Batter Grind Down
Oakland
Brandon Moss – Iwakuma has dominated righties this season (.236 wOBA) but has been human against lefties (.329 wOBA). Moss owns a .384 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and has a .905 OPS on the road.
Additional Plays: Coco Crisp (if healthy)
Seattle
Robinson Cano – Cano has multiple hits in each of the last three games and is now hitting .343 off of right-handed pitching this season. He’s been red-hot lately, posting a 1.015 OPS during the month of July.
Additional Plays: Kyle Seager
San Diego at LA Dodgers
| San Diego | LA Dodgers | ||||||||
| Ian Kennedy | Vegas Moneyline | Paul Maholm | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | LAD (-) | LEFT | |||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.252 | 0.761 | 0.336 | 23.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.238 | 0.590 | 0.269 | 18.3% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.261 | 0.715 | 0.327 | 21.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.305 | 0.845 | 0.381 | 13.0% |
| Batter Splits | SDP BvP | SDP vs L | Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LAD vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Ian Kennedy – Kennedy walked into Coors Field and held the Rockies to just one run over seven innings in his last start. Things get easier tonight, but not by much as the Dodgers rank #4 in MLB in OPS versus right-handed pitching and have knocked him around to the tune of a 6.30 ERA in their two meetings this season. He’s a slightly risky cash game option today considering the matchup, but with 9.67 K’s/9 on the season he makes for a very intriguing GPP option. Rating = 6
Salaries: $7400 FD, $17552 DS, $15450 DD, $8500 DK, $102400 FF, $24000 SS, $15450 FTD
- Paul Maholm – Maholm will fill in for Beckett tonight and he’s really struggled as a starting pitcher this season; posting a 5.50 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in seven start. He’s been pitching out of the bullpen since mid May, so his pitch count will be a slight concern. With that said, if you’re ever going to trust Maholm as a starting pitcher a home game against the Padres is the perfect timing. He’s no Clayton Kershaw, but the matchup doesn’t get any better. Rating = 5
Salaries: $5000 FD, $13685 DS, $10000 DD, $6400 DK, $ FF, $13000 SS, $10000 FTD
Batter Grind Down
San Diego
Righties have posted a .401 wOBA off of Maholm this season, but there just aren’t any overly appealing bats in this Padres lineup.
Additional Plays: None
LA Dodgers
Yasiel Puig – Puig has doubled in three consecutive games and has crushed right-handed pitching this season to the tune of a .410 wOBA. He owns a .935 OPS at Dodger Stadium this season and is 3 for 10 with a homerun off of Kennedy in their prior meetings.
Additional Plays: Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez