MLB Grind Down: Sunday, July 12 - Page Three
Philadelphia at San Francisco – 4:05 PM EST
| Philadelphia | San Francisco | ||||||||
 | Chad Billingsley |  | Chris Heston | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SFG (-220) | 8 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.434 | 1.21 | 0.517 | 0.14 | SP vs. Left | 0.278 | 0.78 | 0.342 | 0.13 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.254 | 0.591 | 0.266 | 0.045 | SP vs. Right | 0.223 | 0.594 | 0.266 | 0.236 |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chad Billingsley – Billingsley pitched admirably in his last start, but he still owns an unsightly 6.67 ERA so far in 2015 and has racked up just 11 strikeouts in 27 innings of work. He’ll face a Giants team that has finally gotten healthy and one that owns a solid .320 team wOBA against right-handed pitching. Billingsley is just simply not worth consideration in any format today. Rating = 2
Salaries: $5,000 FD, $5,200 DK
Chris Heston – Heston was terrific in his last outing, shutting out the Mets (again) over 7.1 innings. The rookie pitcher enters today’s game with a somewhat surprising 8-5 record to go along with a 3.51 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. He’s been very effective at the spacious AT&T Park, where he’s posted a 2.72 ERA in nine home starts. His 3.54 SIERA suggests that his early season success is sustainable and today’s matchup against the feeble hitting Phillies is a definite fantasy boost. He’s a nice value option in all formats, but with just three total strikeouts over his last two starts, his upside is somewhat limited. Rating = 5.5
Salaries: $7,300 FD, $6,500 DK
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Maikel Franco – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.353 wOBA: 0.2 ISO: 126 wRC+
Ryan Howard – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.332 wOBA: 0.238 ISO: 111 wRC+
San Francisco
Brandon Belt – (LHB) – Belt picked up a pair of hits for the third straight game yesterday and now owns a .400 average and 1.072 OPS during the month of July. It’s a fairly small sample size, but left-handed batters have annihilated Chad Billingsley to the tune of a .517 wOBA and Belt owns a .390 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.39 wOBA: 0.237 ISO: 158 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Hunter Pence – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.339 wOBA: 0.169 ISO: 122 wRC+
Buster Posey – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.389 wOBA: 0.194 ISO: 157 wRC+
Joe Panik – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.367 wOBA: 0.154 ISO: 142 wRC+
Brandon Crawford – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.326 wOBA: 0.197 ISO: 113 wRC+
Milwaukee at LA Dodgers – 4:10 PM EST
| Milwaukee | LA Dodgers | ||||||||
 | Kyle Lohse |  | Brett Anderson | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAD (-175) | 8 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.748 | 0.327 | 0.166 | SP vs. Left | 0.283 | 0.645 | 0.292 | 0.16 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.262 | 0.728 | 0.319 | 0.173 | SP vs. Right | 0.263 | 0.708 | 0.309 | 0.18 |
| Batter Splits | MIL BvP | MIL vs L | Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Kyle Lohse – To call the first half of the 2015 season a disappointment for Kyle Lohse would be an understatement, as the veteran right-hander owns an ugly 5-10 record with a 6.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. He’s was smacked around for eight earned runs and 23 baserunners in 11.1 innings of work over his last two starts (both favorable matchups) and is tasked with heading to Southern California to battle a Dodgers team that leads MLB in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season (.340 team wOBA). With a modest 6.47 K/9, he’s an easy pitcher to avoid today. Rating = 2.5
Salaries: $5,400 FD, $5,800 DK
Brett Anderson – Anderson disappointed a lot of the DFS world in his last start when he failed to take advantage of a nice home matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. However, don’t ignore the southpaw entirely today, as he owns a rock solid 3.12 ERA through 17 starts. While the Brewers happen to own MLB’s 28th ranked team wOBA against left-handed pitching, they’re finally healthy and are actually loaded with guys who handle the bat well versus left-handed pitching. Anderson is a fine secondary option tonight, but I’ll likely be staying away. Rating = 5
Salaries: $7,700 FD, $7,400 DK
Batter Grind Down
Milwaukee
Ryan Braun – (RHB) – With hits in 13 of his last 14 games, Braun now finds himself hitting a very respectable .272 on the season. He owns a .334 average and 1.028 OPS against left-handed pitching during his career and has been far more productive away from Miller Park this season.
2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.374 wOBA: 0.194 ISO: 137 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Gomez – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.333 wOBA: 0.163 ISO: 109 wRC+
Jean Segura – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.316 wOBA: 0.113 ISO: 97 wRC+
Aramis Ramirez – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.232 wOBA: 0.213 ISO: 39 wRC+
Jonathan Lucroy – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.201 wOBA: 0.135 ISO: 18 wRC+
LA Dodgers
Adrian Gonzalez – (LHB) – Gonzalez finds himself as one of the best values at 1B today. The veteran southpaw sports a .388 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and left-handers own a .344 wOBA off of Kyle Lohse. Gonzalez has pounded the Brewers veteran in their previous meetings; going 10-for-26 with five doubles and a pair of home runs.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.388 wOBA: 0.253 ISO: 153 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Yasmani Grandal – (Switch) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.413 wOBA: 0.276 ISO: 170 wRC+
Yasiel Puig – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.338 wOBA: 0.175 ISO: 119 wRC+
Justin Turner – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.446 wOBA: 0.29 ISO: 193 wRC+
Joc Pederson – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.38 wOBA: 0.28 ISO: 148 wRC+
Atlanta at Colorado – 4:10 PM EST
| Atlanta | Colorado | ||||||||
 | Alex Wood |  | Chad Bettis | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| COL (-118) | 10 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.251 | 0.638 | 0.285 | 0.24 | SP vs. Left | 0.268 | 0.773 | 0.338 | 0.156 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.255 | 0.696 | 0.309 | 0.211 | SP vs. Right | 0.324 | 0 | 0.411 | 0.165 |
| Batter Splits | ATL BvP | ATL vs R | Batter Splits | COL BvP | COL vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Alex Wood – After throwing just two pitches before being washed out by a rain delay on Thursday, Wood will get another crack at the Rockies today. While the left-hander brings a strong 6-5 record and 3.34 ERA into today’s game, it’s just not wise to trust a starting pitcher at Coors Field in cash games. However, with the Rockies owning just a .288 team wOBA against left-handed pitching this season and Wood sporting a tremendous 5-2 record and 2.43 ERA in 11 road starts this season, he’s an intriguing (and very contrarian) GPP play. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $8,000 FD, $6,900 DK
Chad Bettis – Bettis was battered for 10 earned runs in just 2.1 innings of work on Tuesday against the Angels and saw his ERA and WHIP balloon to 4.95 and 1.40, respectively. Considering the environment, Bettis hasn’t pitched terribly this season and today’s matchup against the Freddie Freeman-less Braves isn’t overly intimidating, but there are just too many better options on the board than to be targeting pitchers at Coors Field today. Rating = 3
Salaries: $5,400 FD, $4,200 DK
Batter Grind Down
Atlanta
Cameron Maybin – (RHB) – Maybin isn’t as cheap as you’d like him to be, but with Chad Bettis allowing a .373 wOBA to right-handed batters and this matchup being in Coors Field, he should be worth the investment. Maybin owns a .321 average since the beginning of June and is locked into a spot at the top of the Braves batting order.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.338 wOBA: 0.115 ISO: 115 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Kelly Johnson – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.335 wOBA: 0.193 ISO: 113 wRC+
Nick Markakis – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.345 wOBA: 0.068 ISO: 120 wRC+
A.J. Pierzynski – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.336 wOBA: 0.177 ISO: 114 wRC+
Colorado
Troy Tulowitzki – (RHB) – Tulo at home and versus a left-handed pitcher has been a recipe for fantasy success for many years. He may have had his 21-game hitting streak snapped in yesterday’s game. but he owns a ridiculous .415 average and 1.072 OPS against left-handed pitching this season and continues to thrive at Coors Field.
2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.451 wOBA: 0.231 ISO: 177 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Nolan Arenado – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.304 wOBA: 0.156 ISO: 76 wRC+
Michael McKenry – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.509 wOBA: 0.333 ISO: 216 wRC+
DJ LeMahieu – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.326 wOBA: 0 ISO: 90 wRC+
Wilin Rosario – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.308 wOBA: 0.122 ISO: 78 wRC+
LA Angels at Seattle – 4:10 PM EST
| LA Angels | Seattle | ||||||||
 | Andrew Heaney |  | Taijuan Walker | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SEA (-113) | 7 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.206 | 0.512 | 0.229 | 0.242 | SP vs. Left | 0.251 | 0.723 | 0.319 | 0.223 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.262 | 0 | 0.357 | 0.154 | SP vs. Right | 0.240 | 0.71 | 0.313 | 0.220 |
| Batter Splits | LAA BvP | ANA vs R | Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Andrew Heaney – In a battle between two of the most promising young arms in MLB right now, Heaney will head to Seattle to do battle with the Mariners. The former first round pick has been terrific in all three starts at the MLB level and enters today’s game with a 2-0 record, 1.77 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. The former first round pick was inconsistent in AAA, but still managed to post a 6-2 record with the Salt Lake Bees and was very tough on left-handed batters (.227 average against), which should bode well for him against this left-handed heavy Mariners team. He’s undoubtedly going to hit some roadblocks in the near future, so he’s probably best served for GPP use. Rating = 5
Salaries: $7,000 FD, $7,500 DK
Taijuan Walker – Walker was not great against the Tigers in his last start, but that Mariners still managed to pick up a win in his sixth straight start. The 22-year-old phenom was roughed up early this season but has settled in nicely and has posted an overly impressive 6-1 record to go along with a 2.32 ERA and 0.83 WHIP over his last eight starts. Walker has thrived at the spacious Safeco Field, where he owns a 3.43 ERA in seven home starts and mowed down this Angels team in their only previous meeting. His high pedigree, a 3.60 SIERA and solid 8.60 K/9 are all signs that the best is still ahead for Walker, so don’t be too late to jump on for the ride. Rating = 7.5
Salaries: $8,000 FD, $7,800 DK
Batter Grind Down
LA Angels
Mike Trout – (RHB) – Taijuan Walker has been tough on opposing batters lately, but nobody is getting Mike Trout out right now. The 23-year-old owns a .364 average and 1.397 OPS during the month of July and has crushed the ball all season on the road (.337 average and 1.073 OPS).
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.415 wOBA: 0.288 ISO: 175 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Albert Pujols – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.391 wOBA: 0.302 ISO: 159 wRC+
Seattle
Nelson Cruz – (RHB) – Cruz was perfect at the plate yesterday (3-for-3 with a walk) and gets a crack at yet another lefty this afternoon. He’s posted video game like numbers against southpaws this season as he owns a .406 average and 1.321 OPS against them in 64 ABs.
2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.543 wOBA: 0.422 ISO: 263 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Austin Jackson – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.344 wOBA: 0.217 ISO: 124 wRC+
Jesus Montero – (RHB) –
St. Louis at Pittsburgh – 8:05 PM EST
| St. Louis | Pittsburgh | ||||||||
 | Tim Cooney |  | Francisco Liriano | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| PIT (-165) | 7 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.429 | 1.071 | 0.469 | 0.000 | SP vs. Left | 0.245 | 0.673 | 0.303 | 0.28 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.234 | 0.762 | 0.324 | 0.235 | SP vs. Right | 0.195 | 0.59 | 0.269 | 0.259 |
| Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs L | Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Tim Cooney – The Cardinals may have dropped both of Tim Cooney previous starts this season, but it hasn’t been because the 24-year-old failed to keep them in the game. Cooney has been terrific this season at AAA Memphis, where he owns a 2.74 ERA and has held opposing hitters to just a .195 batting average. With that said, the southpaw doesn’t possess great strikeout potential and this Pirates lineup is loaded with guys who feast on left-handed pitching. He’s worth a flier as a value GPP play, but is just too risky for cash game consideration at this point. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $6,000 FD, $4,600 DK
Francisco Liriano – Liriano has pitched much better this season than his 5-6 record indicates, as he’ll head into his last start before the All-Star break sporting a 2.99 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 9.89 K/9 through his first 17 starts. Liriano misses more bats (67.1 Contact%) than any other qualified pitcher in baseball this season and his 2.82 xFIP suggest his early season success is here to stay. Liriano has pitched admirably against the Cardinals in their two previous meetings this season, and with St. Louis owning just a .291 team wOBA against left-handed pitching this season, he’s well worth consideration in all game types. Rating = 7
Salaries: $10,000 FD, $9,700 DK
Batter Grind Down
St. Louis
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Jhonny Peralta – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.333 wOBA: 0.247 ISO: 113 wRC+
Randal Grichuk – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.343 wOBA: 0.222 ISO: 120 wRC+
Pittsburgh
Andrew McCutchen – (RHB) – McCutchen has been somewhat quiet in this series, but has managed to extend his hitting streak to 13 games nonetheless. He’s thrived at PNC Park this season where he owns a .329 average and 1.010 OPS in front of the Pittsburgh faithful. With a long track-record of destruction against left-handed pitching, he should be in for a big evening against the very raw Tim Cooney.
2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.403 wOBA: 0.167 ISO: 163 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Starling Marte – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.429 wOBA: 0.298 ISO: 180 wRC+
Jung-ho Kang – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.376 wOBA: 0.196 ISO: 144 wRC+
Jordy Mercer – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.301 wOBA: 0.104 ISO: 92 wRC+