MLB Grind Down: Saturday, July 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.
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 | ||||||||
 | Cole Hamels |  | Jake Arrieta | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHC (-180) | TBD | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.206 | 0.600 | 0.277 | 21.3% | SP vs. Left | 0.194 | 0.557 | 0.253 | 29.30% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.243 | 0.668 | 0.295 | 24.9% | SP vs. Right | 0.212 | 0.555 | 0.246 | 25.10% |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Cole Hamels : FD: $9,200 — DK: $9,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 324.1 — SIERA: 3.29 — ERA: 3.00 — K%: 24.1% — BB%: 7.2% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.1 — SIERA: 3.63 — ERA: 7.46 — K%: 17.4% — BB%: 5.0% — HR/9: 0.4
Chicago Cubs Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 4) — Strikeout Rate: 22.4% (Rank: 21)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.285 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 26.5% (Rank: 30)
Pitchers per PA: 3.99 (Rank: 1)
Analysis: I have no record of this, but Hamels may be the biggest underdog that he has been all season. The moneyline for the Cubs is set at -180, which says a lot about the oddsmakers faith in the Phillies’ offense. Being a huge underdog takes the win out of consideration, at least for our purposes. The strikeout potential is there, but the Cubs actually hit left-handed pitching very well. On the season, they are ranked fourth in team wOBA against southpaws. Hamels can be avoided, as there are much better pitching options in the early and all-day slates.
Pitcher Rating:63.2
Jake Arrieta : FD: $10,600 — DK: $11,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 285.1 — SIERA: 2.80 — ERA: 2.52 — K%: 27.0% — BB%: 6.2% — HR/9: 0.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 37.2 — SIERA: 2.50 — ERA: 1.19 — K%: 27.2% — BB%: 5.2% — HR/9: 0.0
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.285 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 19.0% (Rank: 9)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 17)
Pitchers per PA: 3.71 (Rank: 27)
Analysis: Arrieta has been dominant over the last month of play, posting a 2.50 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 27.2%. Since the start of the 2014 season, he has one of the lowest SIERAs in all of baseball. He is the top rated pitcher on the schedule today, as he takes on a Phillies’ offense that is ranked dead last in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. He’s a huge favorite here and he gets a helping wind blowing in from center field.
Pitcher Rating:92.7
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
The Phillies do not hit left-handed pitching well. To quote Doctor Seuss:
“I do not like them in a house.
I do not like them with a mouse.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.”
They should be avoided today against Jake Arrieta, who has held left and right-handed hitters under a .255 wOBA over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Chicago Cubs
The Cubbies are a much better offense against left-handed pitching, but their matchup against Cole Hamels is still mediocre at best. Hamels is an above-average lefty with a high strikeout rate. Kris Bryant is really the only fantasy option of note here. He has hit southpaws well this season, posting a .395 wOBA and a .279 ISO.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Kris Bryant : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 72 — wOBA: 0.395 — ISO: 0.279 — wRC+: 152
Last 14 Days: PA: 45 — wOBA: 0.239 — ISO: 0.105 — wRC+: 44
Detroit at Boston – 4:05 PM EST
| Detroit | Boston | ||||||||
 | Alfredo Simon |  | Steven Wright | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BOS (-127) | 9.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.272 | 0.793 | 0.345 | 14.9% | SP vs. Left | 0.260 | 0.726 | 0.320 | 18.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.233 | 0.654 | 0.291 | 17.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.714 | 0.313 | 15.30% |
| 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
Alfredo Simon : FD: $7,800 — DK: $5,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 301.1 — SIERA: 4.25 — ERA: 3.85 — K%: 16.0% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.2 — SIERA: 4.54 — ERA: 8.77 — K%: 15.3% — BB%: 7.6% — HR/9: 1.4
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: Simon has been knocked senseless in his last few starts, posting an 8.77 ERA over the last month of play. He is in the worst form of the entire season and he faces a very competent Red Sox offense tonight in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park. The risk greatly outweighs the potential reward for Simon and he should be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating:41.0
Steven Wright : FD: $5,700 — DK: $4,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 69.1 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 4.15 — K%: 16.7% — BB%: 6.8% — HR/9: 1.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 5.0 — SIERA: 5.73 — ERA: 10.80 — K%: 12.0% — BB%: 12.0% — HR/9: 3.6
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: I didn’t think it was possible, but Wright actually has a higher ERA than Alfredo Simon over the last month of play. To his credit, he has only had one start during that stretch. On the season, Wright owns a 3.98 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 16.7%. He draws one of the worst matchups on the board, as he takes on a Tigers’ offense that is ranked third in team wOBA and 12th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating:41.6
Batter Grind Down
Detroit
The Tigers are one of the best offenses in baseball against right-handed pitching this season. Even without Miguel Cabrera in the lineup the last few weeks, their offense hasn’t skipped a beat. The left-handed hitters have the advantage in today’s matchup against Steven Wright, but J.D. Martinez and Ian Kinsler are both in play here as well.
Elite Plays:
Victor Martinez : FD: $3,400 — DK: $3,900
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
Alex Avila : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 441 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.157 — wRC+: 108
Last 14 Days: PA: 31 — wOBA: 0.225 — ISO: 0.000 — wRC+: 35
Secondary Plays:
J.D. Martinez : FD: $4,200 — DK: $5,000
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
Ian Kinsler : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,500
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
Boston
The Red Sox offense has been ice cold over the last couple of weeks, but hopefully a matchup against Alfredo Simon can end their hitting slump. Since the start of last season, Simon has given up a .345 wOBA to left-handed hitters. David Ortiz and Brock Holt (if he’s batting second) are the top targets here. Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval are both viable secondary plays.
Elite Plays:
David Ortiz : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,100
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
Brock Holt : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 543 — wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.098 — wRC+: 101
Last 14 Days: PA: 25 — wOBA: 0.247 — ISO: 0.043 — wRC+: 49
Secondary Plays:
Hanley Ramirez : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,200
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
Pablo Sandoval : FD: $2,200 — DK: $2,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 671 — wOBA: 0.354 — ISO: 0.149 — wRC+: 130
Last 14 Days: PA: 32 — wOBA: 0.227 — ISO: 0.032 — wRC+: 35
Oakland at San Francisco – 4:05 PM EST
| Oakland | San Francisco | ||||||||
 | Chris Bassitt |  | Madison Bumgarner | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SFG (-170) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.240 | 0.672 | 0.310 | 16.2% | SP vs. Left | 0.223 | 0.568 | 0.253 | 30.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.265 | 0.688 | 0.308 | 13.1% | SP vs. Right | 0.240 | 0.678 | 0.298 | 23.60% |
| Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs L | Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chris Bassitt : FD: $5,100 — DK: $5,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 57.1 — SIERA: 4.78 — ERA: 3.45 — K%: 14.9% — BB%: 9.4% — HR/9: 0.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 17.0 — SIERA: 4.62 — ERA: 2.65 — K%: 13.0% — BB%: 2.9% — HR/9: 0.0
San Francisco Giants Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.327 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 18.1% (Rank: 5)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.380 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 20.5% (Rank: 16)
Pitchers per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 23)
Analysis: Bassitt takes the mound today for the A’s in what may be a very rough outing. He has been a mediocre pitcher at best over the last two seasons, posting a 4.78 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 14.9%. He draws a difficult matchup against the Giants, who are ranked sixth in team wOBA and fifth in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Bassitt has little to no fantasy appeal in this matchup.
Pitcher Rating:35.7
Madison Bumgarner : FD: $11,300 — DK: $11,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 341.1 — SIERA: 3.04 — ERA: 3.08 — K%: 24.9% — BB%: 4.9% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 30.2 — SIERA: 2.83 — ERA: 3.82 — K%: 28.4% — BB%: 5.5% — HR/9: 1.2
Oakland Athletics Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.302 (Rank: 19) — Strikeout Rate: 16.9% (Rank: 2)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.269 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 16.6% (Rank: 5)
Pitchers per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 6)
Analysis: Bumgarner is one of the best pitchers in baseball. He comes into tonight’s start in good form, posting a 2.83 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 28.4% over the last month of play. He’s a pitcher that throws a ton of strikes, which helps him pitch deep into most games. His matchup against the A’s is an interesting one. Oakland is one of the toughest teams to strikeout in all of baseball, but he gets to face them at home (AT&T Park) under National League rules. He should be able to strike the pitcher out a couple of times and he’s going to pick up more strikeouts along the way. I have Bumgarner ranked right behind Jake Arrieta as the top pitching option in the early slate.
Pitcher Rating:85.8
Batter Grind Down
Oakland
The A’s draw one of the worst matchups on the board. They have to face Madison Bumgarner on the road in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. Since the start of the 2014 season, Bumgarner has held left and right-handed hitters under a .300 wOBA. The A’s offense can safely be avoided today in San Francisco.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
San Francisco
The Giants put up nine runs against the A’s last night and they have a good chance for another breakout performance today against Chris Bassitt, who isn’t particularly effective against hitters from either side of the plate. Angel Pagan may be my favorite value play in the early slate. He is extremely cheap and he’s been very productive recently (check his game logs). Buster Posey and Brandon Belt are also in play here.
Elite Plays:
Angel Pagan : FD: $2,200 — DK: $2,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 535 — wOBA: 0.300 — ISO: 0.074 — wRC+: 95
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.303 — ISO: 0.071 — wRC+: 97
Secondary Plays:
Buster Posey : FD: $4,400 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B/C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 711 — wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 148
Last 14 Days: PA: 37 — wOBA: 0.422 — ISO: 0.029 — wRC+: 179
Brandon Belt : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 441 — wOBA: 0.369 — ISO: 0.235 — wRC+: 143
Last 14 Days: PA: 40 — wOBA: 0.410 — ISO: 0.212 — wRC+: 171
Toronto at Seattle – 4:10 PM EST
| Toronto | Seattle | ||||||||
 | Drew Hutchison |  | J.A. Happ | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SEA (0) | 0.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.255 | 0.770 | 0.337 | 21.4% | SP vs. Left | 0.273 | 0.807 | 0.352 | 25.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.262 | 0.717 | 0.316 | 23.5% | SP vs. Right | 0.262 | 0.742 | 0.325 | 17.30% |
| Batter Splits | TOR BvP | TOR vs L | Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Drew Hutchison : FD: $8,400 — DK: $7,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 288.2 — SIERA: 3.67 — ERA: 4.74 — K%: 22.4% — BB%: 7.4% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 21.1 — SIERA: 3.92 — ERA: 4.64 — K%: 21.9% — BB%: 9.4% — HR/9: 0.4
Seattle Mariners Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.301 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 21.8% (Rank: 25)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.342 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 18.1% (Rank: 8)
Pitchers per PA: 3.87 (Rank: 7)
Analysis: Hutchison was scratched from his start last night due to illness. He is scheduled to make his start tonight, but there is a decent chance that he could be scratched once again. Either way, he should be avoided in daily fantasy. Not only is he under the weather, but he has to face a Mariners’ offense that has been on fire in recent weeks. Seattle is ranked seventh in wOBA and eighth in strikeout rate over the last 14 days of play.
Pitcher Rating:60.1
J.A. Happ : FD: $6,500 — DK: $6,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 260.2 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 4.18 — K%: 19.0% — BB%: 7.1% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 24.0 — SIERA: 4.38 — ERA: 5.25 — K%: 16.2% — BB%: 7.1% — HR/9: 1.1
Toronto Blue Jays Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.364 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 16.9% (Rank: 2)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 14.2% (Rank: 2)
Pitchers per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 15)
Analysis: Happ is one of those pitchers that is never on my radar. It’s not that he’s a terrible pitcher, he just doesn’t provide the upside that I’m looking for in a starting pitcher. Over the last two seasons, he has a 3.98 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 19.0%. He struggles to keep the ball in the park at times and he draws a very tough matchup today against the Blue Jays. On the season, Toronto is ranked first in team wOBA and second in strikeout rate against left-handed pitching.
Pitcher Rating:44.6
Batter Grind Down
Toronto
As mentioned above, the Blue Jays are the best offense in baseball when facing a left-handed pitcher. Not only do they hit a lot of home runs, but their lineup is filled with quality right-handed hitters, which makes it extremely tough on a southpaw. Safeco Field isn’t the best ballpark for offensive production, but Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, and Russell Martin are all in play here.
Elite Plays:
Jose Bautista : FD: $4,600 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 220 — wOBA: 0.432 — ISO: 0.253 — wRC+: 180
Last 14 Days: PA: 39 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.314 — wRC+: 148
Secondary Plays:
Josh Donaldson : FD: $4,700 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 264 — wOBA: 0.434 — ISO: 0.345 — wRC+: 185
Last 14 Days: PA: 33 — wOBA: 0.277 — ISO: 0.172 — wRC+: 71
Russell Martin : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 169 — wOBA: 0.352 — ISO: 0.090 — wRC+: 126
Last 14 Days: PA: 33 — wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 127
Seattle
The Mariners are in a good spot today against Drew Hutchison. Not only has their offense been scoring runs in bunches recently, but Hutchison has struggled with left-handed hitters throughout his career. Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager, and Seth Smith all have the splits in their favor, but Nelson Cruz is also in play against Hutchison.
Elite Plays:
Robinson Cano : FD: $3,400 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 698 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.168 — wRC+: 137
Last 14 Days: PA: 43 — wOBA: 0.427 — ISO: 0.300 — wRC+: 182
Kyle Seager : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 702 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.199 — wRC+: 132
Last 14 Days: PA: 45 — wOBA: 0.486 — ISO: 0.225 — wRC+: 223
Secondary Plays:
Nelson Cruz : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 824 — wOBA: 0.360 — ISO: 0.240 — wRC+: 132
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.440 — ISO: 0.282 — wRC+: 191
Seth Smith : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 719 — wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.191 — wRC+: 131
Last 14 Days: PA: 28 — wOBA: 0.457 — ISO: 0.304 — wRC+: 202
Baltimore at Tampa Bay – 6:10 PM EST
| Baltimore | Tampa Bay | ||||||||
 | Miguel Gonzalez |  | Erasmo Ramirez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TBR (-114) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.255 | 0.765 | 0.336 | 16.3% | SP vs. Left | 0.233 | 0.674 | 0.304 | 19.60% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.248 | 0.734 | 0.324 | 18.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.261 | 0.000 | 0.345 | 18.50% |
| 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
Miguel Gonzalez : FD: $7,500 — DK: $7,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 257.1 — SIERA: 4.32 — ERA: 3.60 — K%: 17.2% — BB%: 7.7% — HR/9: 1.5
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.1 — SIERA: 4.69 — ERA: 6.75 — K%: 14.2% — BB%: 7.1% — HR/9: 2.1
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: Gonzalez is usually an easy pitcher to avoid in daily fantasy, especially since he has been shelled in his last few outings. Over the last month of play, he has a 6.75 ERA with a strikeout rate of only 14.2%. His matchup against the Rays is a favorable one, but that’s not enough to deserve fantasy consideration. If anything, I’d give a boost to the Rays’ offense in this matchup.
Pitcher Rating:48.6
Erasmo Ramirez : FD: $6,800 — DK: $6,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 159.1 — SIERA: 4.13 — ERA: 4.35 — K%: 19.1% — BB%: 8.8% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 22.1 — SIERA: 3.40 — ERA: 1.61 — K%: 22.4% — BB%: 5.9% — HR/9: 1.2
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: Ramirez has always been known as an erratic pitcher that couldn’t find any kind of consistency. That story has changed recently though, as he has been very good over the last couple of months. In his last four starts, he has a 3.40 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 22.4%. He draws a favorable strikeout matchup against the Orioles, who have the third-highest strikeout rate of any team against right-handed pitching this season. Ramirez is still not cash game safe, but he’s worth a look in tournaments.
Pitcher Rating:56.3
Batter Grind Down
Baltimore
The Orioles draw a mediocre matchup against Erasmo Ramirez. While he has pitched better recently, he has still given up a .345 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. Adam Jones is the preferred target here, while Chris Davis and Manny Machado are both secondary options at their respective positions.
Elite Plays:
Adam Jones : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 789 — wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.175 — wRC+: 103
Last 14 Days: PA: 35 — wOBA: 0.453 — ISO: 0.371 — wRC+: 195
Secondary Plays:
Manny Machado : FD: $4,400 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 565 — wOBA: 0.371 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 138
Last 14 Days: PA: 36 — wOBA: 0.398 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 156
Chris Davis : FD: $3,600 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 634 — wOBA: 0.320 — ISO: 0.212 — wRC+: 102
Last 14 Days: PA: 30 — wOBA: 0.240 — ISO: 0.103 — wRC+: 46
Tampa Bay
The Rays’ offense may inspire little confidence at this point in the season, but they do draw a nice matchup today against Miguel Gonzalez, who has given up a .324+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. John Jaso is one of the top catching options on the board for both the early and all-day slates.
Elite Plays:
John Jaso : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,800
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
Secondary Plays:
Evan Longoria : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,300
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