MLB Grind Down: Saturday, May 9 - Page Two
Cincinnati at Chicago White Sox – 7:10 PM EST
| Cincinnati | Chicago White Sox | ||||||||
 | Jason Marquis |  | Carlos Rodon | ||||||
| RIGHT | Left | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHW (-132) | 9 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | SP vs. Left | ||||||||
| SP vs. Right | SP vs. Right | ||||||||
| Batter Splits | CIN vs L | Batter Splits | CWS BvP | CWS vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jason Marquis
Pitching Stats
2015: SIERA: 3.56 — K Rate: 22.2% — K/9: 8.59 — BB Rate: 7.1% — GB Rate: 49.4%
Chicago White Sox vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.307 (Rank: 16)
Strikeout Rate: 20.0% (Rank: 18)
Analysis: Marquis is not someone we want to target in DFS although he has some decent numbers to start the year. A tale off should be expected soon rather than later and today he faces a capable White Sox lineup in a hitters park. Avoid him in this matchup. Rating = 4.5
Carlos Rodon
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 5.70 — Strikeout Rate: 12.5% — Walk Rate: 12.5% — Ground Ball Rate: 45.5%
Cincinnati Reds vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.301 (Rank: 20)
Strikeout Rate: 20.1% (Rank: 17)
Analysis: Rodon has come into the season with a lot of hype and while he struggled in his first appearance out of the bullpen, he has come back to pitch pretty well in his last two. His last outing, he was able to extend out to three innings pitched, but did allow six hits. His first start should give him a bit more comfortability than pitching out of the bullpen. We are still waiting to see those strikeout numbers from the minors transition to the major leagues, but the potential and upside is clearly there. Rating = 5.5
Batter Grind Down
Cincinnati
Joey Votto
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.306 — ISO: 0.069 — OBP: 0.353
Analysis: Votto should have his way getting on base against the young pitcher. Rodon has a walk rate of 12.5% early in his career and Votto continues to walk at a very high rate as well (14.9%). I am not totally sure what to expect from Rodon in this matchup, but I could see him struggling against some of the more patient Reds batters.
Secondary Plays:
Billy Hamilton
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.235 — ISO: 0.172 — OBP: 0.276
Todd Frazier
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.462 — ISO: 0.538 — OBP: 0.296
Chicago White Sox
Melky Cabrera
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.389 — ISO: 0.077 — OBP: 0.432
Analysis: I am writing up Cabrera due to him hitting high up in the order, for a cheap price and ability to get on base. He makes a decent cash game option for me today due to this and the fact that I see Marquis struggling today against this White Sox squad.
Secondary Plays:
Jose Abreu
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.387 — ISO: 0.247 — OBP: 0.363
Adam LaRoche
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.331 — ISO: 0.150 — OBP: 0.356
Texas at Tampa Bay – 6:10 PM EST
| Texas | Tampa Bay | ||||||||
 | Ross Detwiler |  | Matt Andriese | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TBR (0) | 0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.218 | 0.516 | 0.235 | 0.14 | SP vs. Left | ||||
| SP vs. Right | 0.304 | 0.848 | 0.368 | 0.144 | SP vs. Right | ||||
| Batter Splits | TEX vs R | Batter Splits | TB BvP | TB vs L | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Ross Detwiler
Salaries: $6000 FD, $5400 DK
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 5.37 — Strikeout Rate: 14.4% — Walk Rate: 9.3% — Ground Ball Rate: 33.0%
2014: xFIP: 4.47 — Strikeout Rate: 14.2% — Walk Rate: 7.7% — Ground Ball Rate: 46.3%
Tampa Bay Rays vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 14)
Strikeout Rate: 24.0% (Rank: 6)
Analysis: Detwiller is coming off a performance that upset a number of DFS players who were looking to take advantage of a struggling pitcher in Houston. He proceeded to pitch well against the Houston bats over seven innings and only allowed one earned run. Even with two decent performances in a row, his xFIP sits at 5.37 and he is walking batters at a 9.3% clip. He is not in play in any formats this afternoon, even in Tropicana. Rating = 3.5
Matt Andriese
Texas Rangers vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.281 (Rank: 27)
Strikeout Rate: 19.7% (Rank: 18)
Analysis: Analysis: Well, Odorizzi has been switched to Andriese, which makes our selection for an afternoon slate pitcher even more difficult. This will be Andrese’s first major league start and his minor league numbers are nothing spectacular. He held a 7.15 K/9 rate last year in Triple AAA with a BB% of 7.2%. He is an easy avoid, even with the good matchup and pitcher’s park. Rating = 3.5
Batter Grind Down
Texas
Prince Fielder
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.416— ISO: 0.119 — OBP: 0.446
Carlos Peguero
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.387 — ISO: 0.325 — OBP: 0.360
Analysis: With the news of the switch of pitchers, these two guys make for much better plays than against Odorizzi. Peguero is cheap still across the industry and is swinging a hot bat. I do not fully know what to expect from the opposing pitcher today, but i don’t mind targeting these two guys.
Secondary Plays:
Adrian Beltre
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.259 — ISO: 0.127 — OBP: 0.250
Tampa Bay
Evan Longoria
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.522 — ISO: 0.056 — OBP: 0.640
Analysis: Longo was back in the lineup on Friday and continued to his well with two hits and an RBI. He is mashing left-handed pitching on the year for a .522 wOBA and has a great matchup against Detwiller who has struggled against righties this year (.455 wOBA).
Secondary Plays:
Steven Souza
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.304 — OBP: 0.357
Logan Forsythe
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.374 — ISO: 0.265 — OBP: 0.342
NY Mets at Philadelphia – 7:05 PM EST
| NY Mets | Philadelphia | ||||||||
 | Jonathon Niese |  | Aaron Harang | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYM (-113) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | SP vs. Left | 0.284 | 0.747 | 0.33 | 0.174 | ||||
| SP vs. Right | SP vs. Right | 0.253 | 0.702 | 0.312 | 0.192 | ||||
| Batter Splits | NYM BvP | NYM vs R | Batter Splits | PHI vs L | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jonathon Niese
Salaries: $8100 FD, $7300 DK
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.52 — Strikeout Rate: 13.7% — Walk Rate: 7.2% — Ground Ball Rate: 64.1%
2014: xFIP: 3.63 — Strikeout Rate: 17.6% — Walk Rate: 5.7% — Ground Ball Rate: 47.7%
Philadelphia Phillies vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.328 (Rank: 7)
Strikeout Rate: 16.4% (Rank: 26)
Analysis: Niese has been great for the Mets so far this year. In four of his five starts, he allowed only one earned run and allowed four in his other start against a good Yankees offense. He is not going to rack up a huge point total due to his low strikeout rate (13.7%), but he does have a tough matchup against a Phillies squad who are actually ranked seventh against lefties so far this year. Niese is a solid second starter today, as he should get some run support. Rating = 6
Aaron Harang
Salaries: $7800 FD, $6500 DK
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.99 — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% — Walk Rate: 5.4% — Ground Ball Rate: 30.6%
2014: xFIP: 4.03 — Strikeout Rate: 18.4% — Walk Rate: 8.1% — Ground Ball Rate: 39.4%
New York Mets vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.285 (Rank: 26)
Strikeout Rate: 19.0% (Rank: 21)
Analysis: Harang has actually pitched very well to start his 2015 season. His numbers have improved from 2014 in his xFIP, strikeout rate as well as walk rate. The groundball rate is awfully low at 30.6%, but it has not had an effect on home runs allowed (.23 HR/9). He is difficult to trust regardless of the matchup, but I can see taking a flyer on him for a tournament on sites where he is cheap. Rating = 5
Batter Grind Down
NY Mets
Lucas Duda
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.153 — OBP: 0.353
Analysis: Duda got the day off yesterday against the lefty Hamels, but should be right back in the top of the order against Harang. This projects as a solid matchup for Duda, as Harang allowed a wOBA of .330 to lefties in 2014.
Secondary Plays:
Curtis Granderson
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.141 — OBP: 0.389
Michael Cuddyer
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.292 — ISO: 0.158 — OBP: 0.280
Philadelphia
None
Secondary Plays:
Darin Ruf
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.485 — ISO: 0.400 — OBP: 0.412
Jeff Francoeur
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.281 — ISO: 0.100 — OBP: 0.286
St. Louis at Pittsburgh – 7:05 PM EST
| St. Louis | Pittsburgh | ||||||||
 | Carlos Martinez |  | Vance Worley | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| PIT (-104) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.289 | 0.849 | 0.363 | 0.111 | SP vs. Left | 0.25 | 0.666 | 0.297 | 0.158 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.239 | 0.609 | 0.275 | 0.302 | SP vs. Right | 0.266 | 0.691 | 0.304 | 0.186 |
| Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs R | Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Carlos Martinez
Salaries: $8100 FD, $6900 DK
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.72 — Strikeout Rate: 22.4% — Walk Rate: 11.2% — Ground Ball Rate: 50.0%
2014: xFIP: 3.54 — Strikeout Rate: 21.8% — Walk Rate: 9.3% — Ground Ball Rate: 51.2%
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.266 (Rank: 27)
Strikeout Rate: 29.9% (Rank: 1)
Analysis: Martinez is coming off his worst performance of the season. He allowed seven earned runs in only 3.2 innings pitched to the Cubs. He will look to bounce back today against the Pirates and he is in a good spot to do so. Prior to the Cubs game, Martinez had not allowed more than two earned runs in his previous five starts and has a strikeout rate of 22.4% on the season. He gets a start against a Pittsburgh team that has really struggled against righties (.266 team wOBA) and makes a solid play tonight. Rating = 7.5
Vance Worley
Salaries: $7000 FD, $6400 DK
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 4.24 — Strikeout Rate: 18.0% — Walk Rate: 7.8% — Ground Ball Rate: 43.0%
2014: xFIP: 3.54 — Strikeout Rate: 17.3% — Walk Rate: 4.8% — Ground Ball Rate: 49.4%
St. Louis Cardinals vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 26)
Strikeout Rate: 21.4% (Rank: 10)
Analysis: Worley is an average major league pitcher that will turn in some solid performances along with some poor ones. He has a 4.24 xFIP on the season and is facing a Cardinals squad that he allowed only one earned run (a home run to Carpenter) in his last start. I don’t know if we can expect a similar performance, but the Cardinals are another offense that has struggled against righties (.292 team wOBA). I like Martinez a bit more in this matchup, even though the Pirates are a small favorite. Rating = 6
Batter Grind Down
St. Louis
Matt Carpenter
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.468 — ISO: 0.351 — OBP: 0.425
Analysis: Worley allowed a home run to Carpenter in their last start as Carp is rolling along again this year against right-handed pitching. His .351 ISO shows a lot of power and he is always a great cash game option due to his ability to get on base.
Secondary Plays:
Matt Adams
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.176— OBP: 0.342
Jhonny Peralta
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.357 — ISO: 0.153— OBP: 0.362
Pittsburgh
None
Secondary Plays:
Neil Walker
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.354 — ISO: 0.129 — OBP: 0.368
Gregory Polanco
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.325 — ISO: 0.132 — OBP: 0.337
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee – 7:10 PM EST
| Chicago Cubs | Milwaukee | ||||||||
 | Travis Wood |  | Kyle Lohse | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHC (-108) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.214 | 0.618 | 0.276 | 0.227 | SP vs. Left | 0.248 | 0.725 | 0.319 | 0.151 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.293 | 0.837 | 0.371 | 0.174 | SP vs. Right | 0.232 | 0.644 | 0.286 | 0.191 |
| Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs R | Batter Splits | MIL BvP | MIL vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Travis Wood
Salaries: $7500 FD, $6100 DK
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 3.48— Strikeout Rate: 26.1% — Walk Rate: 6.7% — Ground Ball Rate: 30.8%
2014: xFIP: 4.51 — Strikeout Rate: 18.7% — Walk Rate: 9.7% — Ground Ball Rate: 34.4%
Miwaukee Brewers vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.215 (Rank: 30)
Strikeout Rate: 25.1% (Rank: 4)
Analysis: Wood has been up and down so far this year. He is coming off getting crushed by the Cardinals for six earned runs, but has shown promise allowing three or fewer earned runs in the other five starts. He does get a prime matchup against the Brewers tonight, who are a bit improved from the beginning of the season, but are still ranked 30th against lefties. Wood’s strikeout rate seems a bit unsustainable, but is at this point elite at a 26.1% rate. He is a tournament play for me today. Rating = 5
Kyle Lohse
Salaries: $6300 FD, $7100 DK
Pitching Stats
2015: xFIP: 4.44 — Strikeout Rate: 15.4% — Walk Rate: 5.4% — Ground Ball Rate: 35.4%
2014: xFIP: 4.05 — Strikeout Rate: 17.3% — Walk Rate: 5.5% — Ground Ball Rate: 40.1%
Chicago Cubs vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.309 (Rank: 14)
Strikeout Rate: 24.9% (Rank: 1)
Analysis: Lohse has not been a pitcher that we want to target in any formats this year. He has had only one start that he has allowed less than three earned runs on the season and he has been hurt very badly by the long ball this year. He has allowed at least one home run in each of his starts and nine on the year. He is struggling badly to start the year and needs to be avoided until we see an improvement. Rating = 4.5
Batter Grind Down
Chicago Cubs
Anthony Rizzo
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.425 — ISO: 0.270— OBP: 0.430
Analysis: With all the new studs coming up the system, Rizzo has held his own as a leader of this young group. He is batting .330 on the year, with six home runs and four of them have come within the last week. He is in a great spot to go yard again today in a hitter friendly park in Milwaukee.
Secondary Plays:
Jorge Soler
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.157 — OBP: 0.316
Kris Bryant
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.400 — ISO: .096 — OBP: 0.471
Miguel Montero
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.344 — ISO: .148 — OBP: 0.375
Milwaukee
Ryan Braun
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.247 — ISO: .000 — OBP: 0.300
Analysis: Braun struggled a bit to start the year, but is now seeing the ball much better over the last couple of weeks. He has a prime matchup against a lefty in Wood that Braun has hit well over his career.
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Gomez
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.127 — ISO: 0.000 — OBP: 0.143
Jean Segura
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.537 — ISO: 0.133 — OBP: 0.563