MLB Grind Down: Saturday, May 30 - Page Two

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2015-05-30 21:47:50

Miami at NY Mets – 4:10 PM EST

Miami					NY Mets
			Tom Koehler					Jonathon Niese
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			NYM (-128)					7.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.244	0.691	0.309	0.193	SP vs. Left	0.245	0.667	0.294	0.193
SP vs. Right	0.236	0.685	0.306	0.178	SP vs. Right	0.278	0.77	0.339	0.158
Batter Splits			MIA vs L		Batter Splits	NYM BvP		NYM vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Tom Koehler

Salaries: $6800 FD, $6200 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 4.64 — Strikeout Rate: 16.9% — Walk Rate: 9.3% — Ground Ball Rate: 40.2%
2014: xFIP: 4.15 — Strikeout Rate: 19.1% — Walk Rate: 8.8% — Ground Ball Rate: 43.1%

New York Mets vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.285 (Rank: 28)
Strikeout Rate: 20.1% (Rank: 13)

Analysis: Koehler has had a pretty impressive last two starts as he has allowed only one earned run over his last 13 innings. This has brought his overall ERA down to 3.44. Koehler’s numbers are average across the board (4.64 xFIP, 16.9% K-rate) and he should continue to be looked at as an average starter. His matchup today is solid, as the Mets have not been good against right-handed pitching on the year other than their three stars. Rating = 5.5

Jonathon Niese

Salaries: $7700 FD, $6600 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 4.16 — Strikeout Rate: 13.8% — Walk Rate: 6.9% — Ground Ball Rate: 53.8%
2014: xFIP: 3.63 — Strikeout Rate: 17.6% — Walk Rate: 5.7% — Ground Ball Rate: 47.7%

Miami Marlins vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 17)
Strikeout Rate: 22.2% (Rank: 12)

Analysis: After having a great start to the season, Niese has really struggled over his last three starts. He has allowed a total of 16 earned runs over his last three starts and has been downright awful. Baserunners have been a major problem for him as he has given up 30 total baserunners over 16 innings, and makes for a risky play until he can show us he can bounce back. With that said, he is a small favorite in one of the games with the lower totals on the afternoon. He makes a decent second starter with risk attached.

Batter Grind Down

Miami

Giancarlo Stanton
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.269 — OBP: 0.344

Analysis: Looking at Stanton this year, his numbers are a bit disappointing as he is hitting .227 with an OBP of only .319. Yet, he is still mashing home runs and has 13 on the year. The matchup against a lefty is a premium matchup and he should be used in all formats this afternoon.

Secondary Plays:

Martin Prado
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.147 — OBP: 0.361

Marcell Ozuna
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.402 — ISO: 0.125 — OBP: 0.429

NY Mets

Lucas Duda
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.375 — ISO: 0.208 — OBP: 0.376

Analysis: This Mets offense is led by a few solid lefties in Duda, Granderson and Murphy. Duda is my favorite play of these three guys as he has reached base safely in nine of his last ten games and has six home runs over that span as well. He has a great matchup against Koehler who has struggled against lefties on the year (.369 wOBA).

Secondary Plays:

Curtis Granderson
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.135 — OBP: 0.369

Daniel Murphy
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.147 — OBP: 0.354

Chicago White Sox at Houston – 4:10 PM EST

Chicago White Sox					Houston
			Jose Quintana					Dallas Keuchel
			LEFT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			HOU (-164)					8
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.242	0.65	0.287	0.227	SP vs. Left	0.215	0.545	0.246	0.243
SP vs. Right	0.265	0.693	0.306	0.208	SP vs. Right	0.239	0.638	0.285	0.161
Batter Splits	CWS BvP		CWS vs L		Batter Splits	HOU BvP		HOU vs L
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Jose Quintana

Salaries: $7600 FD, $7800 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.72 — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% — Walk Rate: 6.5% — Ground Ball Rate: 46.3%
2014: xFIP: 3.37 — Strikeout Rate: 21.5% — Walk Rate: 6.3% — Ground Ball Rate: 44.7%

Houston Astros vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.314 (Rank: 19)
Strikeout Rate: 23.1% (Rank: 9)

Analysis: Prior to his last start, Quintana had gone five starts without allowing more than two earned runs. He has backed up this play with a 3.72 xFIP and a 20.9% strikeout rate. He now faces an offense that strikes out at a high 23.1% clip and has a wOBA of just over .300 against lefties. The win may be tough this afternoon as Keuchel is a big time favorite, which drops Quintana’s fantasy value a bit on sites where the win is important. Rating = 6

Dallas Keuchel

Salaries: $9400 FD, $8700 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.30 — Strikeout Rate: 17.5% — Walk Rate: 7.5% — Ground Ball Rate: 63.3%
2014: xFIP: 3.20 — Strikeout Rate: 18.1% — Walk Rate: 5.9% — Ground Ball Rate: 63.5%

Chicago White Sox vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.246 (Rank: 30)
Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 14)

Analysis: Keuchel has been fantastic so far this year for the Astros and has a sub-two ERA and 3.30 xFIP on the year. He has had some of his poorer performances recently, but that is due to facing some very tough offenses (BAL/TOR). He will look to bounce back against a White Sox squad that is ranked 30th in the league against left-handed pitching with a wOBA of .246. He is a top option for the afternoon slate and could be used for both cash and tournament formats. Rating = 8

Batter Grind Down

Chicago White Sox

None

Secondary Plays:

Jose Abreu
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.310 — ISO: 0.133 — OBP: 0.324

Houston

Jose Altuve
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.428 — ISO: 0.130 — OBP: 0.484

Analysis: You know the drill by now. Anytime you can use Altuve against a left-handed pitcher, you can plug him in. Quintana is no exception, as he is allowing righties a wOBA of .368 on the season and with the Astros big favorites, they should cross home plate a few times and Altuve should have a lot to do with it.

Secondary Plays:

George Springer
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.411 — ISO: 0.283 — OBP: 0.404

Evan Gattis
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.216 — ISO: 0.196 — OBP: 0.182

Kansas City at Chicago Cubs – 7:15 PM EST

Editor’s Note: This game has been postponed. Do not roster any players from the Royals or Cubs.

Kansas City					Chicago Cubs
			Yordano Ventura					Tsuyoshi Wada
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			CHC (0)					0
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.236	0.678	0.302	0.193	SP vs. Left	0.193	0.537	0.244	0.213
SP vs. Right	0.245	0.69	0.309	0.213	SP vs. Right	0.259	0.775	0.339	0.219
Batter Splits	KC BvP		KC vs L		Batter Splits	CHC BvP		CHC vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Editor’s Note: This game has been postponed. Do not roster any players from the Royals or Cubs.

Yordano Ventura

Salaries: $8300 FD, $7500 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.73— Strikeout Rate: 19.5% — Walk Rate: 7.7% — Ground Ball Rate: 54.1%
2014: xFIP: 3.74 — Strikeout Rate: 20.3% — Walk Rate: 8.8% — Ground Ball Rate: 47.6%

Chicago Cubs vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.303 (Rank: 19)
Strikeout Rate: 25.9% (Rank: 1)

Analysis: We continue to wait for Ventura to really show us the stuff he came into the league with. His strikeout rate (19.5%) is a bit below expectations and he has allowed four or more earned runs in four of his last five starts. His xFIP of 3.73 shows some room for improvement and now he faces a Cubs squad who has the potential for a ton of strikeouts. He is not the safest option, but the slate lacks a lot of safe options and can be used against a Cubs team with major strikeout potential. Check the total of this game later in the day as it is not out yet and the pitchers’ ratings could fluctuate based on the wind. Rating = 6.5

Tsuyoshi Wada

Salaries: $6500 FD, $6600 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 2.44 — Strikeout Rate: 36.6% — Walk Rate: 7.3% — Ground Ball Rate: 45.0%
2014: xFIP: 3.96 — Strikeout Rate: 19.7% — Walk Rate: 6.6% — Ground Ball Rate: 35.9%

Kansas City Royals vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.338 (Rank: 5)
Strikeout Rate: 13.3% (Rank: 30)

Analysis: Wada has made two starts this year, and although they have been solid starts, he is not a guy who is going to pitch deep into his starts. Also, the matchup against the Royals will really limit his overall fantasy upside, and that means he can be avoided today. Rating = 4

Batter Grind Down

Editor’s Note: This game has been postponed. Do not roster any players from the Royals or Cubs.

Kansas City

Lorenzo Cain
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.433 — ISO: 0.196 — OBP: 0.444

Analysis: Cain makes for my favorite play on the Royals squad tonight as he has crushed left-handed pitching on the season. If the wind is blowing out at Wrigley, he makes for one of the best outfield options on the night slate.

Secondary Plays:

Salvador Perez
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.371 — ISO: 0.220 — OBP: 0.320

Eric Hosmer
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.145 — OBP: 0.342

Chicago Cubs

Anthony Rizzo
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.402 — ISO: 0.263 — OBP: 0.401

Analysis: Rizzo is always in play when playing against a righty pitcher this year. He has a wOBA of .402 against right-handed pitching and a very solid ISO of .263. He has a decent matchup against Ventura, who has struggled a bit against lefties on the season.

Secondary Plays:

Kris Bryant
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.390 — ISO: 0.207 — OBP: 0.401

Miguel Montero
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.167 — OBP: 0.385

Dexter Fowler
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.333 — ISO: 0.185 — OBP: 0.331

LA Dodgers at St. Louis – 7:15 PM EST

LA Dodgers					St. Louis
			Carlos Frias					Michael Wacha
			RIGHT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			STL (-142)					7.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.346	0	0.383	0.127	SP vs. Left	0.218	0.608	0.276	0.185
SP vs. Right	0.233	0.631	0.279	0.218	SP vs. Right	0.23	0.628	0.28	0.193
Batter Splits	LA BvP		LA vs R		Batter Splits	STL BvP		STL vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Carlos Frias

Salaries: $6200 FD, $4200 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.91 — Strikeout Rate: 14.7% — Walk Rate: 6.2% — Ground Ball Rate: 58.0%
2014: xFIP: 3.25 — Strikeout Rate: 21.2% — Walk Rate: 5.1% — Ground Ball Rate: 52.0%

St. Louis Cardinals vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.325 (Rank: 5)
Strikeout Rate: 18.7% (Rank: 24)

Analysis: Frias was rolling along in his first four starts for the Dodgers and then hit a major wall against the Padres in his last start. Here, he allowed ten earned runs over four innings of work and will look to bounce back against a tough Cardinals squad. The amount of solid hitting lefties in this Cards lineup worries me enough to avoid Frias tonight. Rating = 4.5

Michael Wacha

Salaries: $8900 FD, $8700 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 4.10 — Strikeout Rate: 14.8% — Walk Rate: 5.9% — Ground Ball Rate: 49.2%
2014: xFIP: 3.71 — Strikeout Rate: 21.0% — Walk Rate: 7.4% — Ground Ball Rate: 41.6%

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.358 (Rank: 1)
Strikeout Rate: 19.3% (Rank: 21)

Analysis: Wacha has had Ace-like stuff so far this season. His xFIP of 4.10 shows a bit of regression in due, but at this point, he has a 7-0 record, 1.72 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. His low 14.8% strikeout rate does drop his fantasy value a bit, along with the tough matchup against the Dodgers who are ranked first in the league in wOBA against right-handed pitching. With that said, he is a decent sized favorite against the Dodgers and could be used in all formats as he is one of my favorite options in the night slate. Rating = 7.5

Batter Grind Down

LA Dodgers

None

Secondary Plays:

Joc Pederson
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.424 — ISO: 0.352 — OBP: 0.397

Adrian Gonzalez
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.460 — ISO: 0.302 — OBP: 0.438

St. Louis

Matt Carpenter
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.427 — ISO: 0.264 — OBP: 0.415

Analysis: Carpenter is always one of the my favorite cash game plays because he always seems to get on base one way or another against righties. That statement has rung true over the last five games as he has not hit well (four hits), but has still been able to walk seven times. Both he and Wong are great plays against Frias, who as allowed a wOBA of .429 to lefties this year.

Secondary Plays:

Kolten Wong
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.389 — ISO: 0.188 — OBP: 0.389

Matt Holliday
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.120 — OBP: 0.424

Boston at Texas – 7:15 PM EST

Boston					Texas
			Wade Miley					Alex Gonzalez
			LEFT					Right
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			BOS (-128)					9.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.254	0.705	0.314	0.184	SP vs. Left
SP vs. Right	0.261	0.747	0.329	0.202	SP vs. Right
Batter Splits	BOS BvP		BOS vs R		Batter Splits	TEX BvP		TEX vs L
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Wade Miley

Salaries: $7000 FD, $6300 DK

Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 4.74 — Strikeout Rate: 14.6% — Walk Rate: 8.5% — Ground Ball Rate: 43.8%
2015: xFIP: 3.50 — Strikeout Rate: 21.1% — Walk Rate: 8.7% — Ground Ball Rate: 51.1%

Texas Rangers vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.336 (Rank: 6)
Strikeout Rate: 20.8% (Rank: 15)

Analysis: Miley has been a bit erratic this year in terms of runs allowed, but has really come on strong recently. He has allowed only three earned runs over his last three starts (21.2 innings). He has a 4.74 xFIP on the year, but what is more concerning is his lack of strikeouts (14.6%). He will now go into a hitter’s park with a large total. He should be avoided tonight. Rating = 3.5

Alex Gonzalez

*Salaries: *

Analysis: Gonzalez is now getting the start for the Rangers and has a very tough road ahead of him against this Red Sox lineup. Gonzalez has not pitched well in the minors this year and there is no format he should be played in, even with his very cheap price tag. Rating =2

Batter Grind Down

Boston

David Ortiz
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.219 — OBP: 0.394

Analysis: Ortiz should be back in the lineup tonight and the matchup could not set up and better. He has struggled a bit over the last few games, but Big Papi is still one of the better power bats against right-handed pitching. He has an ISO of .219 on the year and Klein has struggled mightily in his short time in the majors allowing a wOBA of .502. All the bats are in play in this game, but Ortiz is cheap at some of the bigger sites and is a great play.

Secondary Plays:

Pablo Sandoval
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.394 — ISO: 0.180 — OBP: 0.395

Brock Holt
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.371 — ISO: 0.125 — OBP: 0.395

Hanley Ramirez
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.305 — ISO: 0.187 — OBP: 0.275

Texas

Adrian Beltre
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.230 — OBP: 0.323

Analysis: Beltre presents us with the best right-handed bat in the Rangers’ lineup. He has not had the start of the season we expected from him, but has still hit lefties well so far and now has a matchup in hitter friendly Globe Life Park. He is another guy that is too cheap and makes a solid play tonight.

Secondary Plays:

Elvis Andrus
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.359 — ISO: 0.119 — OBP: 0.385

Robinson Chirinos
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.451 — ISO: 0.345 — OBP: 0.412

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