MLB Grind Down: Sunday, August 23rd
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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Cleveland at NY Yankees – 1:05 PM EST
| Cleveland | NY Yankees | ||||||||
 | Trevor Bauer |  | CC Sabathia | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYY (-155) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.243 | 0.747 | 0.330 | 22.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.178 | 0.522 | 0.233 | 29.90% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.248 | 0.724 | 0.318 | 22.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.318 | 0.900 | 0.387 | 17.90% |
| Batter Splits | CLE BvP | CLE vs L | Batter Splits | NYY BvP | NYY vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Trevor Bauer : FD: $7,700 — DK: $6,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 295.1 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 4.39 — K%: 22.2% — BB%: 9.3% — HR/9: 1.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 33.0 — SIERA: 4.03 — ERA: 6.55 — K%: 21.5% — BB%: 9.0% — HR/9: 2.5
New York Yankees Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 19.2% (Rank: 10)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.285 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 16)
Pitches per PA: 3.89 (Rank: 5)
Analysis: Bauer has struggled in his last few starts and he draws one of the worst matchups on the board today. On the season, the Yankees are ranked sixth in team wOBA and tenth in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. He is a large underdog on the road and can safely be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating: 56.8
CC Sabathia : FD: $7,200 — DK: $6,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 181.2 — SIERA: 3.63 — ERA: 5.25 — K%: 20.1% — BB%: 5.4% — HR/9: 1.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.1 — SIERA: 4.45 — ERA: 5.22 — K%: 16.3% — BB%: 9.3% — HR/9: 1.8
Cleveland Indians Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.309 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 18.8% (Rank: 6)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.337 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 17.9% (Rank: 5)
Pitches per PA: 3.91 (Rank: 3)
Analysis: Sabathia has been an easy pitcher to avoid this season. The one thing he has in his favor tonight is that the Indians are a left-handed heavy lineup. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to deserve fantasy consideration. The Indians have the sixth-lowest strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating: 64.7
Batter Grind Down
Cleveland
Since the start of the 2014 season, CC Sabathia has given up a .387 wOBA to right-handed hitters. Carlos Santana is an elite play, while the other right-handed bats in this lineup deserve consideration as secondary options.
Elite Plays:
Carlos Santana : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 381 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 120
Last 30 Days: PA: 123 — wOBA: 0.293 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 86
Secondary Plays:
Francisco Lindor : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 91 — wOBA: 0.318 — ISO: 0.074 — wRC+: 103
Last 30 Days: PA: 129 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.100 — wRC+: 119
NY Yankees
The Yankees draw a favorable matchup against Trevor Bauer, who has given up a .318+ wOBA to hitters from both sides of the plate over the last two seasons. The discounted outfield options (Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner) are both great plays today at home.
Elite Plays:
Jacoby Ellsbury : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 654 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 99
Last 30 Days: PA: 123 — wOBA: 0.287 — ISO: 0.162 — wRC+: 79
Brett Gardner : FD: $2,900 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 798 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.176 — wRC+: 117
Last 30 Days: PA: 117 — wOBA: 0.271 — ISO: 0.051 — wRC+: 68
Secondary Plays:
Alex Rodriguez : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 342 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 120
Last 30 Days: PA: 119 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.230 — wRC+: 120
Brian McCann : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 687 — wOBA: 0.306 — ISO: 0.186 — wRC+: 93
Last 30 Days: PA: 85 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.282 — wRC+: 99
Texas at Detroit – 1:08 PM EST
| Texas | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Cole Hamels |  | Matt Boyd | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TEX (-135) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.217 | 0.647 | 0.294 | 20.9% | SP vs. Left | 0.400 | 1.312 | 0.546 | 11.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.239 | 0.661 | 0.291 | 25.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.329 | 0.879 | 0.379 | 19.20% |
| Batter Splits | TEX vs L | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs L | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Cole Hamels : FD: $10,400 — DK: $10,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 354.0 — SIERA: 3.29 — ERA: 3.05 — K%: 24.6% — BB%: 7.2% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.2 — SIERA: 2.95 — ERA: 3.64 — K%: 30.1% — BB%: 8.0% — HR/9: 1.5
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.348 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 22.1% (Rank: 22)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.335 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 24.4% (Rank: 25)
Pitches per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Hamels is coming off of a strong start against the Mariners. Over the last month of play, he has a 2.95 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 30.1%. He draws an awful matchup against the Tigers, though. On the season, Detroit is ranked second in team wOBA against left-handed pitching. Hamels is overpriced for his matchup.
Pitcher Rating: 86.7
Matt Boyd : FD: $5,000 — DK: $4,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 24.2 — SIERA: 4.35 — ERA: 7.66 — K%: 16.8% — BB%: 4.4% — HR/9: 2.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 18.0 — SIERA: 4.75 — ERA: 5.00 — K%: 15.6% — BB%: 5.2% — HR/9: 1.0
Texas Rangers Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.309 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 22.5% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.320 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 17.3% (Rank: 4)
Pitches per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 16)
Analysis: Boyd has not fared well in his short stint in the major leagues, posting a 7.66 ERA (4.35 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of 16.8%. He draws a difficult matchup tonight against the Rangers, who have a very capable offense against left-handed pitching. Boyd can be avoided in what is expected to be a high-scoring game.
Pitcher Rating: 39.9
Batter Grind Down
Texas
As mentioned above, Matt Boyd has been hittable in his short time in the majors this season. Hitters from both sides of the plate are in play. Adrian Beltre is an elite option at third base, as he has a .378 wOBA and a .182 ISO against southpaws over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
Adrian Beltre : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 299 — wOBA: 0.378 — ISO: 0.182 — wRC+: 139
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.168 — wRC+: 104
Secondary Plays:
Prince Fielder : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 257 — wOBA: 0.327 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 103
Last 30 Days: PA: 113 — wOBA: 0.297 — ISO: 0.100 — wRC+: 82
Delino Deshields Jr. : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.118 — wRC+: 109
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.280 — ISO: 0.074 — wRC+: 70
Detroit
Even though the Tigers are one of the best offenses in baseball against left-handed pitching, this is still a below-average matchup. Since the start of the 2014 season, Hamels has held left and right-handed hitters under a .295 wOBA. The Tigers are better targets for tournaments than they are for cash games.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
J.D. Martinez : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 240 — wOBA: 0.399 — ISO: 0.288 — wRC+: 157
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.227 — wRC+: 148
Victor Martinez : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 242 — wOBA: 0.447 — ISO: 0.256 — wRC+: 191
Last 30 Days: PA: 109 — wOBA: 0.253 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 55
Rajai Davis : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 279 — wOBA: 0.365 — ISO: 0.195 — wRC+: 134
Last 30 Days: PA: 57 — wOBA: 0.276 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 71
Philadelphia at Miami – 1:10 PM EST
| Philadelphia | Miami | ||||||||
 | Aaron Nola |  | Adam Conley | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIA (-117) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.308 | 0.826 | 0.358 | 9.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.318 | 0.938 | 0.415 | 25.90% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.214 | 0.671 | 0.295 | 24.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.313 | 0.857 | 0.364 | 13.60% |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs L | Batter Splits | MIA vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Aaron Nola : FD: $5,500 — DK: $6,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 34.2 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 4.41 — K%: 18.9% — BB%: 6.8% — HR/9: 1.3
Last 30 Days: IP: 28.2 — SIERA: 4.21 — ERA: 5.02 — K%: 17.7% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.3
Miami Marlins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 19.4% (Rank: 11)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.345 (Rank: 4) — Strikeout Rate: 15.9% (Rank: 3)
Pitches per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 27)
Analysis: Nola has mediocre numbers thus far in his rookie season, posting a 3.98 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 18.9%. While the Marlins have not hit right-handed pitching well this season, he has to face them at the wrong time. Over the last 14 days of play, Miami is ranked fourth in team wOBA and third in strikeout rate.
Pitcher Rating: 56.0
Adam Conley : FD: $4,900 — DK: $4,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 21.2 — SIERA: 4.09 — ERA: 5.82 — K%: 17.2% — BB%: 6.5% — HR/9: 1.3
Last 30 Days: IP: 15.2 — SIERA: 3.56 — ERA: 6.89 — K%: 20.3% — BB%: 5.8% — HR/9: 1.2
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.310 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 20.8% (Rank: 12)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.320 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 22.1% (Rank: 21)
Pitches per PA: 3.70 (Rank: 29)
Analysis: Conley is a small favorite today, but the Phillies are no longer an offense that we can continually pick on. They are ranked 12th in both team wOBA and strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season. Conley lacks the high floor that we are looking for in cash games and the high ceiling that we are looking for in tournaments.
Pitcher Rating: 51.3
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
The Phillies have been a great source of value recently and that all starts with Andres Blanco on DraftKings. He has been minimum salary for each of the last few games and he continues to swing a bot bat with a .447 wOBA and a .297 ISO over the last month of play. Blanco remains a great value play, while Cesar Hernandez is also worth a look.
Elite Plays:
Andres Blanco : FD: $2,800 — DK: $2,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 79 — wOBA: 0.408 — ISO: 0.197 — wRC+: 162
Last 30 Days: PA: 40 — wOBA: 0.447 — ISO: 0.297 — wRC+: 189
Secondary Plays:
Cesar Hernandez : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 133 — wOBA: 0.339 — ISO: 0.074 — wRC+: 116
Last 30 Days: PA: 107 — wOBA: 0.291 — ISO: 0.069 — wRC+: 82
Miami
The Marlins draw a favorable matchup against Aaron Nola, who has given up a .358 wOBA to left-handed hitters over the last two seasons. Justin Bour, Dee Gordon, and Derek Dietrich are all in play.
Elite Plays:
Justin Bour : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 324 — wOBA: 0.338 — ISO: 0.172 — wRC+: 114
Last 30 Days: PA: 89 — wOBA: 0.278 — ISO: 0.098 — wRC+: 73
Secondary Plays:
Dee Gordon : FD: $4,200 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 857 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.086 — wRC+: 103
Last 30 Days: PA: 101 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.141 — wRC+: 136
Derek Dietrich : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 302 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.218 — wRC+: 137
Last 30 Days: PA: 95 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.267 — wRC+: 148
Arizona at Cincinnati – 1:10 PM EST
| Arizona | Cincinnati | ||||||||
 | Chase Anderson |  | Raisel Iglesias | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CIN (-127) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.249 | 0.738 | 0.323 | 18.3% | SP vs. Left | 0.306 | 0.764 | 0.339 | 12.60% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.285 | 0.797 | 0.345 | 19.5% | SP vs. Right | 0.171 | 0.606 | 0.268 | 32.90% |
| Batter Splits | ARI vs R | Batter Splits | CIN BvP | CIN vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chase Anderson : FD: $6,100 — DK: $5,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 236.0 — SIERA: 4.01 — ERA: 4.27 — K%: 18.9% — BB%: 7.0% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 16.2 — SIERA: 3.39 — ERA: 5.40 — K%: 23.3% — BB%: 5.5% — HR/9: 1.1
Cincinnati Reds Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.305 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 19.5% (Rank: 12)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.291 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 24.1% (Rank: 24)
Pitches per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 22)
Analysis: Anderson may have a 3.39 SIERA over the last month of play, but he’s not a consistent fantasy option. He has struggled away from home in his career and he draws a fairly difficult matchup tonight against the Reds. Anderson is a road underdog that can safely be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating: 60.8
Raisel Iglesias : FD: $6,900 — DK: $7,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 66.1 — SIERA: 3.52 — ERA: 4.21 — K%: 23.0% — BB%: 6.5% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.2 — SIERA: 2.93 — ERA: 2.84 — K%: 24.2% — BB%: 4.2% — HR/9: 0.9
Arizona Diamondbacks Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 22)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.328 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 19.7% (Rank: 11)
Pitches per PA: 3.71 (Rank: 28)
Analysis: Iglesias has really pitched well over the last month of play, posting a 2.93 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 24.2%. He draws a decent matchup today against the Diamondbacks, who have the ninth-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Iglesias is a great tournament play at his price point and he deserves consideration as an SP2 on multi-pitcher sites.
Pitcher Rating: 82.9
Batter Grind Down
Arizona
The Diamondbacks’ offense has been putting up some monster outings recently, but they draw a difficult matchup against Raisel Iglesias, who has been very sharp in his last few starts. If you are targeting any hitters here, target the ones from the left side of the plate.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
David Peralta : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 584 — wOBA: 0.378 — ISO: 0.217 — wRC+: 138
Last 30 Days: PA: 88 — wOBA: 0.433 — ISO: 0.200 — wRC+: 175
Ender Inciarte : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 598 — wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.106 — wRC+: 100
Last 30 Days: PA: 119 — wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.109 — wRC+: 102
Cincinnati
The Reds draw a favorable matchup against Chase Anderson, who has not been particularly effective against hitters from either side of the plate. Joey Votto should continue his excellent play. Todd Frazier finally appears to be coming out of his slump. It may be a good time to buy low on the Home Run Derby champion.
Elite Plays:
Joey Votto : FD: $4,400 — DK: $5,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 572 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 147
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.506 — ISO: 0.341 — wRC+: 227
Secondary Plays:
Todd Frazier : FD: $2,700 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 900 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.203 — wRC+: 118
Last 30 Days: PA: 109 — wOBA: 0.245 — ISO: 0.147 — wRC+: 49
Eugenio Suarez : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 356 — wOBA: 0.318 — ISO: 0.129 — wRC+: 100
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.177 — wRC+: 114
Minnesota at Baltimore – 1:35 PM EST
| Minnesota | Baltimore | ||||||||
 | Mike Pelfrey |  | Kevin Gausman | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BAL (-160) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.263 | 0.743 | 0.332 | 11.3% | SP vs. Left | 0.244 | 0.693 | 0.306 | 19.50% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.304 | 0.777 | 0.341 | 10.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.257 | 0.704 | 0.308 | 19.10% |
| Batter Splits | MIN BvP | MIN vs R | Batter Splits | BAL BvP | BAL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Mike Pelfrey : FD: $5,900 — DK: $4,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 158.0 — SIERA: 4.91 — ERA: 4.27 — K%: 11.0% — BB%: 8.2% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 35.1 — SIERA: 4.62 — ERA: 2.55 — K%: 11.4% — BB%: 4.7% — HR/9: 0.3
Baltimore Orioles Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.321 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 22.2% (Rank: 28)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.344 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 21.1% (Rank: 17)
Pitches per PA: 3.82 (Rank: 14)
Analysis: Pelfrey has one of the lowest strikeout rates of any qualified starter, which makes him an easy avoid in all league formats. Since the start of the 2014 season, he has only struck out 11.0% of the batters that he has faced. He should be avoided against a very potent Orioles’ offense.
Pitcher Rating: 30.9
Kevin Gausman : FD: $6,700 — DK: $5,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 179.2 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 3.91 — K%: 19.3% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 39.1 — SIERA: 3.73 — ERA: 4.12 — K%: 20.4% — BB%: 4.9% — HR/9: 1.4
Minnesota Twins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.302 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 22)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.334 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 22.2% (Rank: 22)
Pitches per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 15)
Analysis: Gausman has pitched well recently, posting a 3.73 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 20.4% over the last month of play. The best part is that the sites have yet to adjust his price tag. He is still listed at a bargain-bin price of only $5,100 on DraftKings. He draws a favorable matchup against the Twins, who are ranked 24th in team wOBA and 22nd in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. Gausman is one of the best value plays on the board.
Pitcher Rating: 68.9
Batter Grind Down
Minnesota
The Twins have not been the same offense on the road this season and given their matchup against Kevin Gausman, they are secondary fantasy options at best. Miguel Sano and Brian Dozier are better targets for tournaments than they are for cash games.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Miguel Sano : FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 121 — wOBA: 0.456 — ISO: 0.347 — wRC+: 198
Last 30 Days: PA: 117 — wOBA: 0.415 — ISO: 0.313 — wRC+: 169
Brian Dozier : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 869 — wOBA: 0.337 — ISO: 0.197 — wRC+: 115
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.291 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 83
Baltimore
The Orioles draw a favorable matchup against Mike Pelfrey, who has given up a .332+ wOBA to hitters from both sides of the plate. There are quite a few fantasy options in this lineup. Don’t be afraid to load up on Orioles’ hitters in both cash games and tournaments.
Elite Plays:
Manny Machado : FD: $3,900 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 663 — wOBA: 0.374 — ISO: 0.206 — wRC+: 139
Last 30 Days: PA: 126 — wOBA: 0.357 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 128
Gerardo Parra : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 818 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.157 — wRC+: 114
Last 30 Days: PA: 116 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 148
Secondary Plays:
Chris Davis : FD: $4,800 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 715 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.247 — wRC+: 117
Last 30 Days: PA: 118 — wOBA: 0.508 — ISO: 0.465 — wRC+: 233
Adam Jones : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 879 — wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.183 — wRC+: 104
Last 30 Days: PA: 121 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.263 — wRC+: 123