MLB Grind Down: Saturday, May 24th

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2014-05-24 14:29:20

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.

Note: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s MLB Scoring System,check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review

Cleveland at Baltimore

Cleveland					Baltimore
Corey Kluber		Vegas Moneyline			Ubaldo Jimenez		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		BAL (-110)			RIGHT		8.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.277	0.730	0.325	23.6%	SP vs. Left	0.228	0.664	0.300	26.7%
SP vs. Right	0.263	0.679	0.305	23.5%	SP vs. Right	0.260	0.710	0.319	21.0%
Batter Splits	CLE BvP		CLE vs R		Batter Splits	BAL BvP		BAL vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Corey Kluber – Kluber came out of the gates a bit sluggish this season, but he’s been fantastic lately. Over his last six starts, he’s racked up a 3-1 record to go along with a 2.34 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 55 K’s in just 42.1 innings. He’s been a bit shakey away from Progressive Field however, and the Orioles are not swinging and missing as often as you’d expect. The matchup is not ideal, but his high strikeout potential makes him a solid GPP target. Rating = 6

Salaries: $8300 FD, $19394 DS, $14050 DD, $10300 DK, $119200 FF, $26900 SS, $12800 FTD

• Ubaldo Jimenez – Ubaldo was knocked around in his last start (5 earned runs over 5 innings against Kansas City) but had strung three very strong starts together prior to that. His once mid-90’s fastball now struggles to hit 90MPH and his best days are clearly behind him. The Indians rank 4th in MLB in OPS against right-handed pitching and should be very familiar with their old teammates tendancies. He still has an upsdie worth gambling for in GPP’s, but there are better cash game options. Rating = 5

Salaries: $6400 FD, $16243 DS, $11850 DD, $8200 DK, $83000 FF, $19500 SS, $13400 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Cleveland

Michael Brantley – Brantley brings a nine game hitting streak into today’s game and now owns the following line so far this season; .302 average, 9 homeruns, 37 RBI’s, and 6 stolen bases. He’s hitting .357 this month and has always handled the bat better versus right handed pitching during his career.

• Additional Plays: Lonnie Chisenhall

Baltimore

Chris Davis – Davis was back to doing damage last night, going 2 for 3 with a double and a homerun. He’s in a nice spot again tonight against a right (1.143 OPS against last season) and at Camden Yards (1.058 home OPS last year). After a slow start to the year, he’s officially heating up and owns a 1.131 OPS so far in the month of May.

• Additional Plays: Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones

Oakland at Toronto

Oakland					Toronto
Jesse Chavez		Vegas Moneyline			R.A. Dickey		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		OAK (-115)			RIGHT		9.0
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.241	0.612	0.290	21.6%	SP vs. Left	0.249	0.738	0.327	17.9%
SP vs. Right	0.193	0.556	0.249	25.5%	SP vs. Right	0.235	0.679	0.310	20.2%
Batter Splits	OAK BvP		OAK vs R		Batter Splits	TOR BvP		TOR vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Jesse Chavez – Oakland has won eight of Chavez’ nine starts this season and he’s yet to allow more than four runs in any start. While the advanced stats point to a small decline here, it’s hard to argue with a 4-1 record, 2.54 ERA and a strikeout per inning. With that said, he’s had numerous favorable matchups to start the season and traveling into the Rogers Center to take on the streaking offense of the Blue Jays is no easy task. His strong start to the season makes him a fine GPP target, but there is a lot of risk in paying his inflated salary for use in cash games. Rating = 5.5

Salaries: $8100 FD, $18274 DS, $14200 DD, $10400 DK, $70500 FF, $25800 SS, $14800 FTD

• R.A. Dickey – Trusting Dickey in DFS isn’t for the faint at heart as it’s very tough to predict what you’re in store for with the knuckleballer. However, he has been fairly consistently solid at the Rogers Center this season, posting a 4-1 record with a 3.05 ERA and nearly a strikeout per inning. Despite shutting Oakland down quiet well in two meetings last season, the A’s offense is red-hot making this matchup far from ideal. He’d be best used as a flier in GPP’s. Rating = 5

Salaries: $7400 FD, $14495 DS, $14050 DD, $8300 DK, $81100 FF, $20600 SS, $13400 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Oakland

Brandon Moss – Moss is locked in right now and has smacked five homeruns over the last nine games and now owns a 1.178 OPS in the month of May. He crushed right handed pitching last season to the tune of a .905 OPS and has had better success on the road (.911 OPS last season). He already owns a homerun off of Dickey in just nine prior meetings.

• Additional Plays: Josh Donaldson

Toronto

Adam Lind – Jesse Chavez only weakness this season has been against left-handed batters (.497 OPS for righties, .705 against lefties), and Lind is one of their most dangerous weapons from that side of the plate. Over the last eight games, Lind is hitting .379 and has raised his batting average to .319 on the young season. He also owns a 1.101 OPS against right handed pitching and is still reasonably priced almost everywhere.

• Additional Plays: Melky Cabrera

NY Yankees at Chicago White Sox

NY Yankees					Chicago White Sox
Vidal Nuno		Vegas Moneyline			John Danks		Vegas Over/Under
LEFT		NYY (-105)			LEFT		9.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.313	0.960	0.427	16.7%	SP vs. Left	0.289	0.811	0.355	12.5%
SP vs. Right	0.240	0.733	0.320	13.8%	SP vs. Right	0.264	0.771	0.338	16.6%
Batter Splits	NYY BvP		NYY vs L		Batter Splits	CHW BvP		CHW vs L
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Vidal Nuno – The move to the rotation hasn’t faired too well for Nuno so far, as he owns a 5.82 ERA to far in 2014. He hasn’t thrown more than 82 pitches in any start and that limited pitch count really limits his fantasy upside. The White Sox are near the top of MLB in runs scored this year, but they do strikeout with regularity. Rating = 4

Salaries: $4500 FD, $9191 DS, $9850 DD, $6700 DK, $64900 FF, $15700 SS, $9800 FTD

• John Danks – I try to make it a priority not to rely on a pitcher who was thumped by the Houston Astros in his last outing. Therefore, after failing to get through five innings in Houston before allowing eight runs and three longballs, I’ll be passing on Danks today against the Yankees. Rating = 4

Salaries: $5200 FD, $10448 DS, $11700 DD, $6200 DK, $53900 FF, $15200 SS, $10800 FTD

Batter Grind Down

NY Yankees

Mark Teixeira – The switch hitting Teixeira has punished left-handed pitching to the tune of a .915 OPS since the beginning of 2011. He’s had particular success against southpaw John Danks, going 7 for 12 with a homerun. He owns an OPS right at .900 during the month of May and still finds himself with a very reasonable price-tag.

• Additional Plays: Alfonso Soriano, Yangervis Solarte

Chicago White Sox

Dayan Viciedo – Viciedo has made a career off of hitting left-handed pitching as he sports a career .319 batting average (and .903 OPS) versus southpaws. He has also been a beast this season during day games, posting a .380 average and 1.136 OPS during 50 at bats.

• Additional Plays: Alexei Ramirez, Paul Konerko

LA Dodgers at Philadelphia

LA Dodgers					Philadelphia
Dan Haren		Vegas Moneyline			David Buchanan		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		LAD (-130)			RIGHT		8.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.255	0.712	0.315	19.5%	SP vs. Left
SP vs. Right	0.275	0.745	0.332	21.0%	SP vs. Right
Batter Splits	LAD BvP		LAD vs R		Batter Splits	PHI BvP		PHI vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Dan Haren – Haren had a forgettable performance in his last start, giving up five runs on ten hits in six innings against the Diamonbacks. However, he’s pitched well this season and owns a 5-2 record and 3.18 ERA through his first nine starts. He pitched admirably in a losing effort against these Phillies last month; allowing just one earned run while fanning seven batters in six innings. His terrific command keeps him out of trouble for the most part (and his WHIP somewhat low) and his chances for a “W” increase greatly today with a rookie on the hill for the Phillies. Rating = 6

Salaries: $7800 FD, $16152 DS, $14350 DD, $9300 DK, $84300 FF, $20800 SS, $15200 FTD

• David Buchanan – The Cliff Lee injury will force the Phillies to call up Buchanan from AAA Lehigh to make his MLB debut. The callup probably couldn’t come at a worse time for the right-hander as he was rocked in his last start in the minors, failing to pitch into the 2nd inning. With his confidence likely shaken a bit, i’ll be avoiding him entirely today. Rating = 2

Salaries: $3000 FD, $11678 DS, $8150 DD, $5500 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD

Batter Grind Down

LA Dodgers

Hanley Ramirez – A pinch hit appearance broke up his six game hitting streak last night, but it’s hard not to like Hanley tonight against rookie David Buchanan. He’s homered twice in the last five games and offers an upside that very few (Tulo) shortstops can match.

Additional Plays: Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez

Philadelphia

Marlon Byrd – Usually I target Byrd against left-handed pitching but it’s hard to ignore his success against Haren; 12 for 24 with four doubles, a triple, and a pair of homeruns.

• Additional Plays: Domonic Brown, Chase Utley

Washington at Pittsburgh

Washington					Pittsburgh
Stephen Strasburg		Vegas Moneyline			Gerrit Cole		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		WAS (-113)			RIGHT		6.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.219	0.600	0.278	23.0%	SP vs. Left	0.257	0.655	0.298	21.8%
SP vs. Right	0.224	0.589	0.275	30.6%	SP vs. Right	0.255	0.666	0.302	20.3%
Batter Splits	WSN BvP		WSN vs R		Batter Splits	PIT BvP		PIT vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Stephen Strasburg – While there is some panic occuring by owners of Strasburg in season long leagues, I’m not that concerned. While it seems as if he’s been struggling lately (mainly due to his lower than usual strikeout numbers), he still owns a 2.30 ERA and 1.13 WHIP during the month of May. He has absolutely dominated the Pirates during his career, posting 2.57 ERA, .71 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in just 28 innings. His struggles on the road and recent dip in strikeouts prevent him from a higher rating, but he’s still my top target of the day. Rating = 8

Salaries: $10000 FD, $21203 DS, $18200 DD, $11400 DK, $100000 FF, $28000 SS, $19000 FTD

• Gerrit Cole – The former first overall pick in the 2011 draft has already developed into a very solid pitcher for the Buccos and owns a 4-3 record with a 3.84 ERA so far in 2014. Cole dominated these Nationals in their only previous meeting, allowing just two hits over seven innings last season. He may have a tough time getting a “W” today with Strasburg opposing him, but he’s still a solid option. Rating = 6.5

Salaries: $8100 FD, $16511 DS, $13900 DD, $9700 DK, $90700 FF, $23400 SS, $12600 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Washington and Pittsburgh

This game has all the makings of a pitchers duel (O/U of just 6.5) and I won’t be targeting any players from this game

MLB Grind Down Page 1 – Page 2