MLB Grind Down: Saturday, September 20th
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
LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs
| LA Dodgers | Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
| Roberto Hernandez | Vegas Moneyline | Felix Doubront | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | LAD (-140) | LEFT | 8.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.231 | 0.697 | 0.315 | 9.20% | SP vs. Left | 0.313 | 0.772 | 0.346 | 16.50% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.247 | 0.748 | 0.326 | 19.20% | SP vs. Right | 0.249 | 0.798 | 0.349 | 13.00% |
| Batter Splits | LAD BvP  | LAD vs L | Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Roberto Hernandez – Hernandez has failed to pitch five complete innings in each of his last three starts, and with just 5.69 K’s/9 on the season, generally holds very little fantasy value. However, he’s pitched remarkably well against the Cubs this season and Chicago ranks just #25th in MLB in wOBA against right-handed pitching (.296 wOBA). He hasn’t been terrible since the All-Star break, posting a 4-3 record and 3.79 ERA in 10 second half starts, so he could be a viable option as a GPP flier or an extreme value play to fill out your rotation on multi-pitcher sites. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $5900 FD, $11400 DD, $6300 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $12000 FTD
- Felix Doubront – Doubront has been terrific in three starts since being acquired by the Cubs. He’s consistently posted strong strikeout numbers over the past few season but just simply can’t seem to avoid the longball. Fresh off of six shutout innings against the Pirates in his last start, he’ll face a Dodgers team that ranks #13th in wOBA against left-handed pitching. The shift to the National League appears to be what the doctor order for Doubront, but his inconsistencies over the past few years and the low probability of a win make him a bit risky. Rating = 5
Salaries: $5900 FD, $8150 DD, $5300 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $6800 FTD
Batter Grind Down
LA Dodgers
Scott Van Slyke – Van Slyke continues to be a solid (and cheap) option when he’s opposing a lefty, and with right-handed batters owning a .349 wOBA off of Doubront this season, things are no different today. Van Slyke has posted an impressive .437 wOBA versus southpaws and is hitting .400 since August 20th.
Additional Plays: Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp
Chicago Cubs
Jorge Soler – To say Soler has crushed right-handed pitching during his short career would be an understatement as he owns an ubsurd .435 ISO and .532 wOBA against righties thus far. After facing Clayton Kershaw yesterday, it’ll look like Roberto Hernandez is throwing beach balls.
Additional Plays: Javier Baez, Chris Coghlan, Anthony Rizzo (if he plays)
Detroit at Kansas City
| Detroit | Kansas City | ||||||||
| Max Scherzer | Vegas Moneyline | James Shields | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | DET (-195) | RIGHT | 7.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.245 | 0.693 | 0.308 | 24.7% | SP vs. Left | 0.259 | 0.706 | 0.312 | 19.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.219 | 0.614 | 0.272 | 32.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.251 | 0.700 | 0.308 | 19.40% |
| Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | Batter Splits | KCR BvP | KCR vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Max Scherzer – Scherzer has had a bit of an up-and-down season in 2014, but he brings an impressive 16-5 record, 3.26 ERA and 237 strikeouts into this afternoon’s battle with the AL Central Division on the line. Since being shelled by these Royals in what was the worst start in Scherzer’s career (10 earned runs in four innings of work), he’s posted an 8-2 record, 2.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.40 K’s/9 in 109 innings since. That one terrible start against the Royals skews the numbers, but Max pitched extremely well in the other two starts this season against KC and his elite strikeout abilities nullifies the fact that the Royals strikeout very little. He hasn’t been quite as good away from Comerica Park, but he’s still a top tier option in all formats. Rating = 8
Salaries: $10600 FD, $21150 DD, $12200 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $21950 FTD
- James Shields – “Big Game” James Shields will be called upon by the Royals to live up to his nickname this afternoon in a very important Central Division battle against the Tigers. He’s done his best to put this team on his back and carry them into the postseason, posting a 5-1 record, 2.35 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in nine starts since the beginning of August. He’ll have his hands full against a dangerous Detroit lineup that ranks #4 in MLB in wOBA against right-handed pitching this season (.328 wOBA). He dominated the Tigers last week but has had mixed results in their four previous meetings making him a better GPP option than a cash game play but a fine option in all formats. Rating = 6.5
Salaries: $8800 FD, $17300 DD, $9700 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $16300 FTD
Batter Grind Down
Detroit
Miguel Cabrera – Miggy is coming alive at the right time for the Tigers, as he’s now owns a .469 average and 1.351 OPS during the month of September. He’s also 19 for 52 with eight doubles and a pair of homeruns off of Shields and is one of the top options at 1B today.
Additional Plays: J.D. Martinez, Torii Hunter, Ian Kinsler
Kansas City
Alex Gordon – While I usually don’t like to pick on Scherzer, it’s hard to ignore Gordon’s success against the right-hander in the past (14 for 36 with three homeruns) and he owns a .350 wOBA against right-handed pitching.
Additional Plays: Salvador Perez
Toronto at NY Yankees
| Toronto | NY Yankees | ||||||||
| Marcus Stroman | Vegas Moneyline | Chris Capuano | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | TOR (-112) | LEFT | 8.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.227 | 0.654 | 0.291 | 20.2% | SP vs. Left | 0.321 | 0.969 | 0.421 | 14.30% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.273 | 0.638 | 0.285 | 20.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.683 | 0.301 | 22.70% |
| Batter Splits | TOR BvP | TOR vs L | Batter Splits | NYY BvP | NYY vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Marcus Stroman – Stroman was blasted by Baltimore in his last start, but despite some drastic inconsistencies, he’s put together a solid rookie season posting a 10-6 record and 3.80 ERA over 120.2 innings. However, He failed to make it out of the 4th inning in his only other appearance at Yankee Stadium and he’s been dreadful on the road this season, posting a 6.00 ERA in eight starts away from the Rogers Center. He’s dominated these Yankees hitters in two previous meetings, but his unpredictability and road struggles make him better suited for GPP use. Rating = 5
Salaries: $8200 FD, $12800 DD, $7500 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $12000 FTD
- Chris Capuano – Capuano will take the mound this afternoon owning a 2-3 record with a 4.55 ERA through 85 innings of work this season. While those numbers certainly don’t indicate a ton of success, his 3.82 xFIP gives some reason for hope. He tosses six shutout innings, while only allowing two hits, against Tampa Bay in his last start and his 8.15 K’s/9 this season is the highest of his MLB career. Capuano has pitched quite well in both starts against the Blue Jays this season, and while their .307 team wOBA against left-handed pitching isn’t that intimidating, a quick look up and down their batting order is reason for concern. He’s not a terrible option, but the risk is too high for my liking. Rating = 5
Salaries: $5300 FD, $12800 DD, $6000 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
Toronto
Jose Bautista – Bautista enters the game owning a .456 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season and he’s hammered Chris Capuano in the past, going 8 for 22 with a pair of doubles and three homeruns.
Additional Plays: Dioner Navarro, Jose Reyes, Edwin Encarnacion, Steve Tolleson
NY Yankees
Jacoby Ellsbury – Ellsbury (and this whole Yankees offense) has been slumping lately, but he busted out in a big way last night with a homerun, a double and three RBI’s. He’s been far better at Yankee Stadium this season (.303 home average) and is fine option where he’s cheap enough.
Additional Plays:Brett Gardner
Philadelphia at Oakland
| Philadelphia | Oakland | ||||||||
| Jerome Williams | Vegas Moneyline | Drew Pomeranz | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | OAK (-210) | LEFT | 8.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.292 | 0.803 | 0.355 | 17.7% | SP vs. Left | 0.265 | 0.729 | 0.325 | 26.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.260 | 0.718 | 0.320 | 16.1% | SP vs. Right | 0.199 | 0.575 | 0.264 | 21.40% |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs L | Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Jerome Williams – The City of Brotherly Love has brought the best out of Jerome Williams, as he’s posted a 3-2 record, 2.86 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in fist seven starts as a Philly. Tonight, he’ll head to Oakland to take on a free-falling A’s team at the spacious Oakland Coliseum. With that said, he’ll lose the luxury of facing an opposing pitcher and posted an ugly 6.71 ERA and 1.66 WHIP during his time in the American League this season. He pitched very well this season in his only other start versus Oakland but the upside is just too limited here for my liking. Rating = 4
Salaries: $6200 FD, $8950 DD, $6600 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $NA FTD
- Drew Pomeranz – With Jason Hammel off awaiting the birth of his child, Drew Pomeranz will draw his fist start in nearly a month for the A’s and he hasn’t seen any action in over two weeks. He was terrific in that last start and has been very effective predominately in a relief role for Oakland; posting a 2.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP while racking up nearly a strikeout per inning in 64 innings of work. Tonight, he’ll take on a Phillies team that ranks #25 in MLB in wOBA against left-handed pitching (.303 wOBA). The matchup is nice, but the risk of potential “ring rust” holds him back from a higher rating. Rating = 5
Salaries: $6300 FD, $10750 DD, $6900 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
Darin Ruf -Drew Pomeranz has been very difficult on left-handed batters during his career, so if you’re going to attack him you’ll want to do it from the right-side of the plate. Ruf hasn’t done much lately, but he can be found extremely cheap and he owns a .314 average and .962 OPS versus left-handed pitching this season.
Additional Plays: Carlos Ruiz, Marlon Byrd
Oakland
Brandon Moss – Lefties own a .354 wOBA off of Jerome Williams this season and Brandon Moss has had his number, going 6 for 15 with a pair of homeruns. He finally broke out of his homerless streak earlier this week and we’ve seen him go on extended heaters before.
Additional Plays: Eric Sogard, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick (if healthy), Stephen Vogt
Arizona at Colorado
| Arizona | Colorado | ||||||||
| Trevor Cahill | Vegas Moneyline | Eddie Butler | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | COL (-115) | RIGHT | 11.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.332 | 0.895 | 0.393 | 11.7% | SP vs. Left | ||||
| SP vs. Right | 0.215 | 0.640 | 0.294 | 29.1% | SP vs. Right | ||||
| Batter Splits | ARI BvP | ARI vs R | Batter Splits | COL BvP | COL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
- Trevor Cahill – Not much of an explanation is necessary here. Cahill owns a gross 3-11 record and 5.38 ERA this season and will now head into Coors Field to take on the Rockies. He’s failed to make it through five innings in three of his last four starts and I’m doubting he’ll do it today either. Rating = 1
Salaries: $5600 FD, $9750 DD, $5400 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $9750 FTD
- Eddie Butler – Expectations were extremely high in Denver for Eddie Butler, but after a rough beginning to his MLB career and poor outing to end his season at AAA, he has a whole lot to prove. He’ll get another chance at life in the big league’s today as he’ll take the Coors Field mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s armed with a mid 90’s fastball and has “the stuff” to one day be a top-of-the-rotation guy for Colorado, but with this game in Coors Field and him with his confidence frazzled, he’s only an option as a flier in GPP’s today. Rating = 3
Salaries: $6700 FD, $8150 DD, $4400 DK, $ FF, $ SS, $ FTD
Batter Grind Down
Arizona
Mark Trumbo – With Eddie Butler on the mound with something to prove, I expect him to challenge these Arizona hitters with his power fastball. The problem here is that challenging Mark Trumbo with a fastball at Coors Field can turn ugly very quickly. If you’re looking for an all-or-nothing type pick, than Trumbo is your best option today.
Additional Plays: A.J. Pollock, Didi Gregorius, Miguel Montero, Ender Inciarte
Colorado
Justin Morneau – Lefties have blasted Trevor Cahill to the tune of a .393 wOBA this season and Morneau is 5 for 8 with a double and a homerun off him in their prior meetings. Morneau owns a .399 wOBA against right-handed pitching and is also hitting .324 this season at Coors Field.
Additional Plays: Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson, Michael Cuddyer, Wilin Rosario, D.J. LeMahieu