MLB Grind Down: Sunday, June 28 - Page Three

by John Britt (jmbwngfn) Last Updated 2015-06-28 14:57:45

Seattle at LA Angels – 3:35 PM EST

Seattle					LA Angels
			Felix Hernandez					Hector Santiago
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			SEA (-113)					7
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.198	0.549	0.246	0.238	SP vs. Left	0.206	0.538	0.246	0.208
SP vs. Right	0.205	0.589	0.262	0.294	SP vs. Right	0.244	0.744	0.327	0.209
Batter Splits	SEA BvP		SEA vs L		Batter Splits	LAA BvP		ANA vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Felix Hernandez – Felix has uncharacteristically struggled this month, but brings a rock solid 10-4 record and 3.24 ERA through his first 15 starts this season. The King lives up to his nickname in day games as he’s owns a perfect 8-0 record to go along with a 1.55 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 12 starts dating back to the beginning of the 2014 season. This Angels team owns just a .301 team wOBA this season and Felix has dominated them in both prior meetings this season, allowing just two earned runs while racking up 18 strikeouts in 14 innings of work. There are plenty of nice pitching options on the board today, and Felix is certainly one of them. Rating = 8

Salaries: $11,500 FD, $10,800 DK

Hector Santiago – Santiago was terrific against the Astros in his last start, and with a 2.68 ERA on the season, he’s been a bright spot in the Angels rotation. He owns an impressive 2.38 ERA in nine starts and Yankee Stadium and this Seattle team sports MLB’s worst team wOBA over the last 30 days. Santiago serves up a ton of fly balls and his 4.51 xFIP doesn’t instill a ton of confidence, but he’s in a groove and his 22.4 K% keeps him on the fantasy radar. Rating = 5

Salaries: $7,600 FD, $7,300 DK

Batter Grind Down

Seattle

Nelson Cruz – (RHB) – Simply put, Nelson Cruz has crushed left-handed pitching to the tune of a video game like .572 wOBA and 282 wRC+ this season.

Secondary Plays:

Mark Trumbo – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.376 wOBA: 0.3 ISO: 138 wRC+

Austin Jackson – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.397 wOBA: 0.227 ISO: 161 wRC+

LA Angels

No Elite Plays

Secondary Plays:

Mike Trout – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.411 wOBA: 0.295 ISO: 172 wRC+

Albert Pujols – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.405 wOBA: 0.303 ISO: 168 wRC+

Kansas City at Oakland – 4:05 PM EST

Kansas City					Oakland
			Jeremy Guthrie					Jesse Chavez
			RIGHT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			OAK (-158)					7.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.308	0.876	0.383	0.141	SP vs. Left	0.248	0.667	0.297	0.192
SP vs. Right	0.242	0.619	0.276	0.123	SP vs. Right	0.243	0.673	0.298	0.249
Batter Splits	KCR BvP		KC vs R		Batter Splits	OAK BvP		OAK vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Jeremy Guthrie – After one of the worst pitching performances of the season to close out the month of May (11 earned runs in 1 inning against the Yankees), Guthrie looked to be settling in nicely, but was then rocked again by the Mariners on Tuesday. His 5.15 SIERA is tied with Kyle Kendrick for the worst in MLB among qualified starters this season and his 10.7 K% is dead last. Guthrie has a reputation for struggling with left-handed batters which will likely be on full display today against an Oakland lineup with several left-handed weapons. Rating = 2.5

Salaries: $5,700 FD, $4,800 DK

Jesse Chavez – Chavez wasn’t his usual sharp self in his last outing, but brings a rock solid 2.90 ERA and 1.15 WHIP Into today’s start against the Royals nonetheless. He has thrived at the spacious Oakland Coliseum, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.35 ERA over 103.1 innings at home since the beginning of last season. Chavez pitched 3.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen against this Royals team earlier this season, but targeting opposing pitchers against Kansas City just hasn’t been a recipe for fantasy success. The Royals not only strike out less often than any team in baseball, but their .276 team batting average against right-handed pitching is also the best in baseball. Rating = 5

Salaries: $8,700 FD, $7,200 DK

Batter Grind Down

Kansas City

No Elite Plays

Secondary Plays:

Eric Hosmer – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.368 wOBA: 0.178 ISO: 136 wRC+

Alex Gordon – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.369 wOBA: 0.187 ISO: 137 wRC+

Oakland

Josh Reddick – (LHB) – Reddick has a five-game hitting streak snapped yesterday, but still owns an impressive .328 average and .925 OPS against right-handed pitching this season. With left-handed batters owning a .429 wOBA off of Guthrie, he’s an excellent value play.

2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.399 wOBA: 0.212 ISO: 162 wRC+

Secondary Plays:

Billy Burns – (Switch) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.335 wOBA: 0.093 ISO: 117 wRC+

Colorado at San Francisco – 4:05 PM EST

Colorado					San Francisco
			Kyle Kendrick					Madison Bumgarner
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			SFG (-222)					7
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.288	0.866	0.375	0.150	SP vs. Left	0.210	0.53	0.237	0.313
SP vs. Right	0.261	0.756	0.332	0.116	SP vs. Right	0.240	0.674	0.296	0.236
Batter Splits	COL BvP		COL vs L		Batter Splits	SFG BvP		SF vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Kyle Kendrick – I can proudly say that I’ve never rostered Kyle Kendrick before, and today most certainly won’t be the time I start. Mr. Gas Can enters today’s game with an ugly 3-9 record, 5.96 ERA and 1.44 WHIP on the season and will face a Giants team that owns the league’s sixth best wOBA against right-handed pitching this season (.325 wOBA). His 5.15 SIERA and terrible 11.1 K% both leave little reason for hope. I’m staying far away and I suggest you do the same. Rating = 2

Salaries: $4,900 FD, $4,100 DK

Madison Bumgarner – San Francisco may have lost each of Bumgarner’s last three starts, but “Bummy” is most certainly not to blame. After a somewhat shaky start to the 2015 season, Bumgarner has set himself into cruise control and now owns a 6-3 record with a 2.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 9.79 K/9 over his last 12 starts. This Colorado lineup loses most of its bark away from Coors Field (.293 team wOBA on the road) and Bumgarner mowed them down in their last visit to the Bay Area last season; tossing a complete game one-hit shutout while racking up 13 strikeouts. This is the most lopsided pitching matchup on the board, making Bumgarner a terrific option in all formats. Rating = 8.5

Salaries: $11,100 FD, $10,600 DK

Batter Grind Down

Colorado

No Elite Plays

Secondary Plays:

Troy Tulowitzki – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.478 wOBA: 0.255 ISO: 194 wRC+

Nolan Arenado – (RHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.321 wOBA: 0.13 ISO: 86 wRC+

Carlos Gonzalez – (LHB) – 2015 vs LH Pitching: 0.185 wOBA: 0.018 ISO: -7 wRC+

San Francisco

Brandon Belt – (LHB) – I love Belt today; not only have lefties destroyed Kendrick for a .406 wOBA, but Belt has posted an impressive .380 wOBA off of right-handed pitching. He already owns one home run off of Kendrick in his career (In seven AB’s) and he a great shot at picking up another one today. 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.39 wOBA: 0.249 ISO: 157 wRC+

Secondary Plays:

Buster Posey – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.381 wOBA: 0.185 ISO: 150 wRC+

Matt Duffy – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.375 wOBA: 0.168 ISO: 146 wRC+

Joe Panik – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.371 wOBA: 0.164 ISO: 144 wRC+

Arizona at San Diego – 4:10 PM EST

Arizona					San Diego
			Chase Anderson					Odrisamer Despaigne
			RIGHT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			SDP (-109)					7.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.234	0.702	0.310	0.176	SP vs. Left	0.252	0.727	0.323	0.106
SP vs. Right	0.282	0.781	0.341	0.204	SP vs. Right	0.248	0.67	0.298	0.178
Batter Splits	ARI BvP		ARI vs R		Batter Splits	SDP BvP		SD vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Chase Anderson – Considering he pitches half of his games in the very hitter-friendly Chase Field and that has last start was at Coors Field, Anderson will likely be skipping on his way to the mound today at Petco Park. He was dreadful in that last start, but it doesn’t make too much sense to read too far into results at Coors. Anderson has had a couple of blow-up outings this season, but he’s also allowed two earned runs or less in ten of his 14 starts this season. These San Diego bats have been awfully cold lately and Anderson has pitched quite well against them in both prior meetings this season. He’s improved his control this season (2.14 BB/9) but it’s come at the expense of his strikeout rate (down from 8.27 K/9 last season to just 5.79 K/9 in 2015). The park shift gives him some added value but shouldn’t be counted on as anything more than a secondary arm on multi-pitcher sites or as a GPP flier. Rating = 5.5

Salaries: $6,200 FD, $6,100 DK

Odrisamer Despaigne – There’s not a ton to love about Despaigne; he sports an unimpressive 3-5 record with a 4.83 ERA and his 11.9 K% is a liability by fantasy standards. While he has faired much better in the pitcher-friendly Petco Park, the Diamondbacks blasted him for eight earned runs on ten hits in just five innings in their last meeting. He’s not a pitcher I’m comfortable targeting in cash games and is limited upside makes him a subpar GPP target. Rating = 3.5

Salaries: $5,200 FD, $5,100 DK

Batter Grind Down

Arizona

Paul Goldschmidt – (RHB) – With another hit last night, Goldie brings a nine-game hitting streak into today’s game. The park shift is not ideal, but Goldschmidt can simply hit anywhere. He owns a .343 average and 1.105 OPS against right-handed pitching this season and righties have posted a .346 wOBA off of Despaigne.

2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.456 wOBA: 0.289 ISO: 191 wRC+

Secondary Plays:

A.J. Pollock – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.339 wOBA: 0.164 ISO: 111 wRC+

David Peralta – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.347 wOBA: 0.18 ISO: 117 wRC+

San Diego

No Elite Plays

Secondary Plays:

Matt Kemp – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.281 wOBA: 0.112 ISO: 81 wRC+

Justin Upton – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.376 wOBA: 0.216 ISO: 146 wRC+

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis – 8:00 PM EST

Chicago Cubs					St. Louis
			Jason Hammel					Carlos Martinez
			RIGHT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			STL (-130)					7
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.232	0.665	0.294	0.203	SP vs. Left	0.253	0.774	0.336	0.175
SP vs. Right	0.216	0.641	0.281	0.255	SP vs. Right	0.238	0.623	0.279	0.293
Batter Splits	CHC BvP		CHC vs R		Batter Splits	STL BvP		STL vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Jason Hammel – Hammel can’t seem to secure many wins lately, but it certainly hasn’t been due to his pitching. The Cubs right-hander brings a 5-2 record with a terrific 2.65 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with him to the Gateway City and owns a 2-0 record with a 2.01 ERA in five starts this month. Hammel’s 3.07 SIERA and 25.4 K% both land him near the game’s elite pitchers and reinforce that his success this season should be taken very seriously. With that said, the Cardinals own the best record in baseball (including a 28-7 home record) and they smacked him around in their two meetings last season (8 earned runs in 11.1 innings). Rating = 7

Salaries: $9,300 FD, $8,800 DK

Carlos Martinez – Martinez was hammered for seven earned runs in back-to-back starts to open the month of May, but he’s really stepped up for the Cardinals since; posting a 5-2 record with a 1.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.15 K/9 in the eight starts since. Tonight’s opponent, the Chicago Cubs, happen to be one of the perpetrators during his early May struggles, but they own just a .306 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and their 25% strikeout rate is the second highest in MLB. Martinez can pitch himself into trouble when he’s not locating his fastball, but his high ceiling makes him a great GPP target. Rating = 7

Salaries: $9,700 FD, $9,000 DK

Batter Grind Down

Chicago Cubs

Anthony Rizzo – (LHB) – If you’re attacking Carlos Martinez, you’ll want to do it with left-handers as they’ve posted a .311 wOBA off of him. Rizzo is obviously the most dangerous left-hander in this Cubs lineup and he owns a .980 OPS against right-handed pitching and has already taken Martinez deep once in their brief history.

2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.414 wOBA: 0.295 ISO: 165 wRC+

Secondary Plays:

Kris Bryant – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.354 wOBA: 0.158 ISO: 123 wRC+

Chris Coghlan – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.348 wOBA: 0.198 ISO: 119 wRC+

St. Louis

Jason Heyward – (LHB) – Heyward reached base four times in last night’s game and is now hitting .333 during the month of June. He’s worn out this Cubs pitching staff this season, posting a .419 average against them and has owned Jason Hammel in their previous meetings, going 8 for 14.

2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.307 wOBA: 0.18 ISO: 95 wRC+

Secondary Plays:

Kolten Wong – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.368 wOBA: 0.205 ISO: 137 wRC+

Matt Carpenter – (LHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.401 wOBA: 0.201 ISO: 159 wRC+

Jhonny Peralta – (RHB) – 2015 vs RH Pitching: 0.362 wOBA: 0.147 ISO: 133 wRC+

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