MLB Grind Down: Sunday, June 14 - Page Three
Minnesota at Texas – 3:05 PM EST
| Minnesota | Texas | ||||||||
 | Phil Hughes |  | Nick Martinez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TEX (-117) | 9 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.253 | 0.655 | 0.286 | 0.199 | SP vs. Left | 0.26 | 0.777 | 0.343 | 0.129 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.297 | 0.775 | 0.337 | 0.203 | SP vs. Right | 0.282 | 0.772 | 0.339 | 0.133 |
| Batter Splits | MIN BvP | MIN vs R | Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Phil Hughes – After years and years of disappointing performances from the former Yankees phenom, Hughes finally looked to put everything together in 2014 for the Twins and posted an impressive 16-10 record with a 3.52 ERA (3.18 xFIP) over 209.2 innings. Understandably so, expectations from Hughes were quite high in the Twin Cities for Hughes this season…. and he’s been a massive letdown thus far. He’ll take the mound in Arlington rocking an ugly 4.81 ERA and 1.32 WHIP and his 5.63 K/9 and 4.22 SIERA don’t leave too much room for optimism. With that said, Hughes has arguably the best control in baseball (0.94 BB/9) and I’m expecting some degree of improvement. For now, he’s a GPP only play. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $7,300 FD, $6,700 DK
Nick Martinez – Nick Martinez bounced back from a shelling that saw him cough up seven earned runs in just 3.1 innings against the White Sox with six shutout innings (allowing just one hit) against the Athletics in his last start. He’s been a huge bright spot in this Rangers rotation this season and will take the mound this afternoon owning a 5-2 record with a 2.6 ERA through 12 starts. Today’s home start against a Minnesota team that owns the league’s worst team road wOBA (.266 team wOBA) is a nice one, but Martinez’ 4.81 xFIP is calling for a regression. With just 5.43 K/9 on the young season, he’s only in play as a secondary option. Rating = 4.5
Batter Grind Down
Minnesota
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Brian Dozier – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.358 wOBA: 0.242 ISO: 132 wRC+
Joe Mauer – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.269 wOBA: 0.076 ISO: 69 wRC+
Byron Buxton – (RHB)
Texas
Prince Fielder – (LHB) – Fielder has been terrific this season, posting a .347 average and .932 OPS through his first 242 AB’s. He owns a .384 average and .997 OPS against right-handed pitching and has also posted an impressive .423 average and 1.055 OPS in day games.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.426 wOBA: 0.172 ISO: 175 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Shin-Soo Choo – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.377 wOBA: 0.221 ISO: 140 wRC+
Mitch Moreland – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.427 wOBA: 0.273 ISO: 175 wRC+
Oakland at LA Angels – 3:35 PM EST
| Oakland | LA Angels | ||||||||
 | Sonny Gray |  | Matt Shoemaker | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| OAK (-115) | 7 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.208 | 0.601 | 0.273 | 0.214 | SP vs. Left | 0.244 | 0.719 | 0.314 | 0.209 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.228 | 0.576 | 0.261 | 0.208 | SP vs. Right | 0.235 | 0.674 | 0.294 | 0.247 |
| Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | Batter Splits | LAA BvP | ANA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Sonny Gray – A case could be made for Sonny Gray as the early-season AL Cy Young winner as the 25-year-old has posted a 7-3 record with a 1.74 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through his first 13 starts of 2015. He’s yet to allow more than three earned runs in any start this season and 23.2 K% is a fantasy asset. He dominated this Angels team in both prior meetings this season and kept them off balance in all four meetings last year as well. Gray doesn’t quite seem to draw the level of attention he likely deserved and with the Angels owning just a .302 team wOBA against right-handed pitching, he’s a terrific GPP option as he rarely seems to be highly owned. Rating = 7.5
Salaries: $10,100 FD, $10,600 DK
Matt Shoemaker – Shoemaker was a pleasant surprise last season for the Angels, as he posted a 16-4 record with a 3.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 136 innings as a rookie. However, he was very slow out of the gates and after being shelled by the Blue Jays in Toronto on May 21st, he sported an ugly 6.29 ERA after eight starts in 2015. He seems to have figured out whatever was ailing him as he’ll enter today’s game against the Athletics on the heels of three straight very strong outings. Shoemaker’s 8.34 K/9 is nice and his 3.59 SIERA suggests he’s been rather unlucky so far this season, but the Athletics have knocked him around in both prior meetings this season and their 17.4 K% is the third lowest strikeout rate in the league. Rating = 5.5
Salaries: $8,000 FD, $8,200 DK
Batter Grind Down
Oakland
Josh Reddick – (LHB) – Reddick received the day off yesteday, but should be back in the #3 spot fot the Athletics today against Matt Shoemaker. Reddick owns a .333 average and 1.022 OPS during the month of June and has punished right-handed pitching to the tune of a .366 average and 1.070 OPS this season.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.458 wOBA: 0.268 ISO: 206 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Stephen Vogt – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.399 wOBA: 0.272 ISO: 164 wRC+
LA Angels
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Mike Trout – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.411 wOBA: 0.299 ISO: 175 wRC+
Kole Calhoun – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.318 wOBA: 0.141 ISO: 110 wRC+
Albert Pujols – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.398 wOBA: 0.291 ISO: 166 wRC+
Arizona at San Francisco – 4:05 PM EST
| Arizona | San Francisco | ||||||||
 | Rubby De La Rosa |  | Chris Heston | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SFG (-140) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.302 | 0.893 | 0.386 | 0.154 | SP vs. Left | 0.325 | 0.894 | 0.388 | 0.103 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.238 | 0.689 | 0.304 | 0.235 | SP vs. Right | 0.226 | 0.596 | 0.265 | 0.268 |
| Batter Splits | ARI BvP | ARI vs R | Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Rubby De La Rosa – I’ll keep this one rather simple; De La Rosa has been pounded for 16 earned runs over his last two starts and now owns an ugly 5.84 ERA through 12 starts this season. To make things worse for him San Francisco will see a major park boost as they head into Chase Field and the Giants also happen to own the league’s best team wOBA on the road (.347 wOBA). He’s not a cash game option, but there are a few reasons to give him a look as a flier in GPP’s; 1) Despite his poor counting stats, his 3.40 SIERA is actually quite good, and 2) His 22.6 K% gives him some nice (cheap) upside. Rating = 4
Salaries: $6,600 FD, $6,100 DK
Chris Heston – Fresh off of a 11 strikeout no-hitter in his last start, Heston will look to keep the train rolling today against an Arizona team who he’s already mowed down on two separate occasions this season. He sports an impressive 3.19 xFIP and 8.03 K/9 this season and is racking up ground ball outs (56.2 GB%). With that said, a look through his game log shows that he’s been extremely inconsistent and seemingly alternates great starts with total duds. He’s definitely worth a look in GPP’s, but there are more trustworthy options for cash games. Rating = 6
Salaries: $7,400 FD, $7,400 DK
Batter Grind Down
Arizona
Paul Goldschmidt – (RHB) – Goldschmidt picked up at least two hits yesterday for the third consecutive game and now owns a .355 average and 1.131 OPS on the young season. He’s one of the best hitters in MLB and is well worth his big-ticket asking price if you can afford him.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.459 wOBA: 0.304 ISO: 191 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
A.J. Pollock – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.36 wOBA: 0.173 ISO: 124 wRC+
David Peralta – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.362 wOBA: 0.216 ISO: 126 wRC+
San Francisco
Brandon Belt – (LHB) – Left-handed batters have pummelled Rubby De La Rosa this season (.431 wOBA), so there’s a lot to like about this Giants lineup. Belt is their most intimidating left-handed bat and is locked into a run-producing spot in their batting order. He owns a .313 average and .950 OPS against right-handed pitching this season and is reasonably priced across the industry.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.405 wOBA: 0.252 ISO: 165 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Buster Posey – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.374 wOBA: 0.173 ISO: 144 wRC+
Joe Panik – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.368 wOBA: 0.168 ISO: 140 wRC+
Brandon Crawford – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.317 wOBA: 0.176 ISO: 105 wRC+
LA Dodgers at San Diego – 4:10 PM EST
| LA Dodgers | San Diego | ||||||||
 | Mike Bolsinger |  | James Shields | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAD (-108) | 7 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.296 | 0.804 | 0.351 | 0.168 | SP vs. Left | 0.260 | 0.728 | 0.321 | 0.2 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.242 | 0.73 | 0.319 | 0.225 | SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.708 | 0.31 | 0.236 |
| Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LA vs R | Batter Splits | SD vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Mike Bolsinger – Bolsinger put forth another strong outing in his last start, cruising to his fourth victory of the season while allowing just two runs and striking eight Diamondbacks. He now owns a sparkling 2.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through his first seven starts and is treated to a very nice matchup in the very pitcher friendly Petco Park. Bolsinger absolutely dominated this Padres team in their only previous meeting; tossing eight shutout innings while only allowing one hit and racking up eight K’s. Despite his ugly 5.50 ERA with Arizona last season, Bolsinger’s 3.31 xFIP suggested that this type of turn-around was very possible. Rating = 6
James Shields – Shields will put his undefeated 7-0 record on the line today when the Dodgers invade Petco Park. The move the National League is clearly paying dividends as Shields brings a ridiculous (and perhaps unsustainable considering his career total is 7.79 K/9) 10.93 K/9. Playing inside Petco Park is always a fantasy bonus, but today’s matchup against a Dodgers team that owns the league’s highest team wOBA (.350 wOBA) against right-handed pitching this season is a bit of a concern. With that said, Shields cruised to an easy victory against the Dodgers when they met last month and has pitched very well in front of the San Diego faithful this season. Rating = 7
Salaries: $9,300 FD, $9,200 DK
Batter Grind Down
LA Dodgers
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Adrian Gonzalez – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.414 wOBA: 0.259 ISO: 168 wRC+
Joc Pederson – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.398 wOBA: 0.321 ISO: 158 wRC+
San Diego
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Justin Upton – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.382 wOBA: 0.227 ISO: 148 wRC+
Will Venable – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.341 wOBA: 0.183 ISO: 121 wRC+
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs – 8:08 PM EST
| Cincinnati | Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
 | Anthony DeSclafani |  | Jon Lester | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHC (0) | 0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.271 | 0.815 | 0.355 | 0.148 | SP vs. Left | 0.274 | 0.744 | 0.327 | 0.257 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.222 | 0.6 | 0.263 | 0.174 | SP vs. Right | 0.233 | 0.643 | 0.285 | 0.238 |
| Batter Splits | CIN BvP | CIN vs L | Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Anthony DeSclafani – DeSclafani took advantage of back-to-back starts against the lowly Philadelphia Phillies and picked up a pair of wins and has now lowered his ERA to a very respectable 3.53 after 12 starts this season. However, DeSclafani owns just 6.06 K/9 this season and his 4.73 SIERA indicates that some tough times may be ahead for the young right-hander. While this Cubs team is certainly prone to racking up strikeouts, they also possess plenty of guys who handle the bat very well against right-handed pitching and were able to defeat DeSclafani when they squared off earlier this season. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $7,200 FD, $6,400 DK
Jon Lester – After a slow start to the season with his new team, Lester seemed to be rolling after posting a 4-1 record with a 1.76 ERA during the month of May, but he’s hit a few speed bumps in each of his last two starts. The Cubs have now dropped four straight games in which Lester has started and their “ace” sports an unflattering 4-5 record with a 4.25 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through his first 12 starts. Tonight he’ll do battle with a division rival Cincinnati team that not only owns an impressive .329 team WOBA against left-handed pitching this season, but who has also knocked Lester around in both prior meetings this season. Lester has the ability to put up the best score of the night whenever he takes the mound which makes him a nice GPP target, but there are definitely safer cash game plays in this price range. Rating = 6.5
Salaries: $9,000 FD, $8,600 DK
Batter Grind Down
Cincinnati
Billy Hamilton – (Switch) – He’s not your typical “elite play”, but Hamilton’s main weapon is his speed (SB’s) and Jon Lester simply can’t hold runners on base. If Hamilton reaches, it’s almost a certainty that he’ll snag a base or two.
2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.285 wOBA: 0.161 ISO: 76 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Todd Frazier – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.392 wOBA: 0.339 ISO: 148 wRC+
Joey Votto – (LHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.385 wOBA: 0.162 ISO: 144 wRC+
Chicago Cubs
Anthony Rizzo – (LHB) – Rizzo has suddenly gone cold at the plate, but we’ve never seen him struggle for long and I don’t anticipate him struggling against DeSclafani. Left-handed batters own a .320 wOBA off of DeSclafani this season and Rizzo owns a .411 wOBA and .277 ISO against right-handed pitching this season.
2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.411 wOBA: 0.277 ISO: 161 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Kris Bryant – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.403 wOBA: 0.196 ISO: 155 wRC+
Dexter Fowler – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.312 wOBA: 0.174 ISO: 94 wRC+
Chris Coghlan – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.335 wOBA: 0.212 ISO: 109 wRC+