MLB Grind Down: Sunday, May 10 - Page Two
Atlanta at Washington – 1:35 PM EST
| Atlanta | Washington | ||||||||
 | Alex Wood |  | Jordan Zimmermann | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| WAS (-167) | |||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.246 | 0.667 | 0.299 | 0.26 | SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.655 | 0.29 | 0.193 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.231 | 0.645 | 0.288 | 0.24 | SP vs. Right | 0.23 | 0.606 | 0.269 | 0.263 |
| Batter Splits | ATL BvP | ATL vs R | Batter Splits | WAS BvP | WAS vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Alex Wood – Wood was exceptional in his rookie season last year, posting an 11-11 record with a 2.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and racking up 170 strikeouts in 171.1 innings. However, after picking up a “W” in his 2015 debut, the Braves have now dropped all five games Wood has started since. Wood has relied much more heavily on his fastball this season than he did last year and he’s now missing way fewer bats than he did as a rookie (88.0 Contact% and 16.4 K%). He’s still a developing young pitcher and there are plenty of reasons to believe he’ll turn things around in short order. He really kept this Washington lineup off balance last season, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in just 25.1 innings. Rating = 6.5
Salaries: $7500 FD, $8300 DK
Jordan Zimmermann – Looking at his pedestrian 2015 numbers simply doesn’t do Zimmermann justice, by removing his one atrocious start at Fenway Park (where his defense really let him down), Zimmermann rocks a 2.51 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in his other five outings. Zimmermann was brilliant down the stretch last season (8-0 record with a 2.18 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 13 second half starts) and has thrived at Nationals Park, posting a 32-19 record with a 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 78 career starts. We have seen both his strikeout rate and fastball velocity dip to open this season which is a slight concern, but I still really like Zimmermann today against this Braves lineup that doesn’t pack a huge punch. Rating = 7.5
Salaries: $8800 FD, $9200 DK
Batter Grind Down
Atlanta
Freddie Freeman – Jordan Zimmermann is rarely a pitcher you want to pick on, but the matchup is still a nice one for Freeman. Freddie owned a 388 wOBA and 150 wRC+ off of right-handed pitching last season and brings a six-game hitting streak into today’s game. He’s also 8 for 22 off of Zimmerman in their previous battles.
Secondary Plays:
Nick Markakis: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.332 wOBA: 0.135 ISO: 111 wRC+
A.J. Pierzynski: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.298 wOBA: 0.098 ISO: 87 wRC+
Washington
Bryce Harper – I almost never recommend a batter in a LvsL matchup, but Harper is swinging the bat so well right now that he’s a dangerous player to fade. Harper hit his sixth home run over the last three games yesterday and has handled the bat quite well against Wood in the past, going 5 for 11 with a pair of doubles.
Secondary Plays:
Jayson Werth: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.366 wOBA: 0.165 ISO: 164 wRC+
Ryan Zimmerman: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.347 wOBA: 0.135 ISO: 118 wRC+
St. Louis at Pittsburgh – 1:35 PM EST
| St. Louis | Pittsburgh | ||||||||
 | Tyler Lyons |  | Jeff Locke | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| PIT (-111) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | SP vs. Left | 0.183 | 0.521 | 0.238 | 0.101 | ||||
| SP vs. Right | 0.275 | 0.8 | 0.345 | 0.203 | SP vs. Right | 0.271 | 0.777 | 0.342 | 0.18 |
| 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
Tyler Lyons – Lyons will hang out to his rotation spot for at least one more start today in Pittsburgh. He’s bounced between AAA Memphis and St. Louis for each of the past two seasons and sports a mediocre 4.69 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 94 career innings. Lyons was pitching very well at AAA to start the season (2.91 ERA in four starts) but failed to make it out of the fifth inning against the Cubbies on Tuesday. However, he did rack up 7 strikeouts in that start, which could bode well for him against this Pirates team that is striking out more frequently against left-handed pitching (29.9% K%) than any other team in MLB this season. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $5900 FD, $5400 DK
Jeff Locke – Locke got off to a nice start to 2015 season, but he’ll enter today’s game against the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals on the heels of three straight sub-par performances. Locke has quietly been a nice weapon for the Pirates over the past two seasons as he owned a 17-13 record with a 3.69 ERA in 51 starts during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He doesn’t strike many batters out, but he does force a large quantity of ground balls (53.9 GB%). This is a fairly left-handed Cardinals lineup that owns just a .292 wOBA against left-handed pitching this season, but I’ll be avoiding Locke in all formats today. Rating = 4
Salaries: $6700 FD, $5600 DK
Batter Grind Down
St. Louis
Matt Holliday – With three more hits yesterday, Holliday brings an impressive .354 batting average into today’s game against the Pirates. Holliday smashed left-handed pitching for a .435 wOBA and 183 wRC+ last season and he’s also had his way with Jeff Locke in their previous meetings, going 5 for 12 with a home run.
Secondary Plays:
Jhonny Peralta: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.332 wOBA: 0.212 ISO: 148 wRC+
Mark Reynolds: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.315 wOBA: 0.122 ISO: 60 wRC+
Peter Bourjos: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.303 wOBA: 0.136 ISO: 64 wRC+
Pittsburgh
Andrew McCutchen – McCutchen is starting to come alive at the plate just in time for this ideal home matchup against an inexperienced left-hander. McCutchen owned a .397 wOBA and .240 ISO against left-handed pitching last season and posted a .983 OPS at PNC Park last season.
Secondary Plays:
Starling Marte: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.361 wOBA: 0.124 ISO: 124 wRC+
Jordy Mercer: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.282 wOBA: 0.14 ISO: 127 wRC+
Josh Harrison: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.363 wOBA: 0.142 ISO: 141 wRC+
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee – 2:10 PM EST
| Chicago Cubs | Milwaukee | ||||||||
 | Kyle Hendricks |  | Matt Garza | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIL (-105) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.232 | 0.584 | 0.261 | 0.13 | SP vs. Left | 0.222 | 0.634 | 0.285 | 0.186 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.244 | 0.633 | 0.282 | 0.162 | SP vs. Right | 0.234 | 0.652 | 0.289 | 0.185 |
| Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs R | Batter Splits | MIL BvP | MIL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Kyle Hendricks – Hendricks was a bright spot for the Cubs last season during his somewhat brief rookie campaign as he posted a 7-2 record with a 2.46 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 13 starts. However, while his 3.92 xFIP is solid, it also hinted that a regression was likely to follow this season. Unfortunately for Henricks, that regression has reared its ugly head to start the 2015 season and the 25-year-old will take the mound at Miller Park sporting an unsightly 5.61 ERA after five starts. He’s in a nice spot to get things turned around today against a free-falling Milwaukee team who he dominated on two occasions last season, just don’t expect many strikeouts. Rating = 5.5
Salaries: $6100 FD, $6100 DK
Matt Garza – After posting an impressive 6-4 record with a 2.83 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in his 14 starts at Miller Park last season, things have turned upside-down for Garza so far this season. The veteran right-hander has picked up a loss in all three home starts to open 2015 and, at this point, Milwaukee management is likely only hoping he can get rolling so they can raise his price-tag on the trade market. His strikeout rate has declined in five consecutive seasons and his 4.08 BB/9 thus far is a cause for concern as well. He was hammered by this Cubs team in three starts last season, and there’s no denying that the 2015 version of the Cubbies is much more intimidating. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $7000 FD, $7100 DK
Batter Grind Down
Chicago Cubs
Anthony Rizzo – Rizzo owned a .391 wOBA and .235 ISO against right-handed pitching last season and is off to a hot start to the 2015 season. Rizzo has at least one hit in nine of the last ten games and brings a 1.027 OPS into today’s game.
Secondary Plays:
Miguel Montero: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.322 wOBA: 0.131 ISO: 100 wRC+
Chris Coghlan: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.362 wOBA: 0.186 ISO: 130 wRC+
Kris Bryant
Milwaukee
Adam Lind – With a righty on the mound for the Cubs, Lind shoots up my rankings at 1B. Lind posted a .410 wOBA and 164 wRC+ against right-handed pitching last season and is hitting .341 against righties thus far in 2015.
Secondary Plays:
Scooter Gennett: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.346 wOBA: 0.157 ISO: 118 wRC+
Gerardo Parra: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.307 wOBA: 0.123 ISO: 90 wRC+
Cincinnati at Chicago White Sox – 2:10 PM EST
| Cincinnati | Chicago White Sox | ||||||||
 | Michael Lorenzen |  | John Danks | ||||||
| Right | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHW (-113) | 9.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | SP vs. Left | 0.251 | 0.709 | 0.317 | 0.104 | ||||
| SP vs. Right | SP vs. Right | 0.27 | 0.811 | 0.355 | 0.166 | ||||
| Batter Splits | CIN BvP | CIN vs L | Batter Splits | CWS BvP | CWS vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Michael Lorenzen – Lorenzen picked up his first career win against the Pirates in his last start and now will get his first taste of interleague play as the Reds visit the Windy City to take on the White Sox. The former first round pick has flown through the Cincinnati farm system and has pitched rather well in his first two starts at the big leagues. All four runs he’s surrendered in his first two starts have come via solo home runs, which could be a sign of trouble ahead against this Chicago team with plenty of power (and a DH). He’s a GPP-only option for me at this point in his career. Rating = 5
Salaries: $5700 FD, $4200 DK
John Danks – Danks is one of MLB’s least appealing fantasy pitching options and just isn’t someone I ever find myself targeting. His 4.62 xFIP was the second-worst in MLB last season among 88 qualified starting pitchers. He brings a 6.20 ERA and 1.54 WHIP into today’s start against the Cincinnati Reds and his 5.99 K/9 is simply not good enough in DFS baseball. He’s been much more effective at U.S. Cellular Field recently, but I’m avoiding him in all formats. Rating = 3
Salaries: $6300 FD, $5500 DK
Batter Grind Down
Cincinnati
Marlon Byrd – Righties posted a .355 wOBA off of Danks last season and Byrd’s destruction of left-handed pitching is not a well kept secret. Byrd has already smacked four home runs this week and owns a .288 career average against southpaws.
Secondary Plays:
Billy Hamilton: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.285 wOBA: 0.107 ISO: 84 wRC+
Joey Votto: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.342 wOBA: 0.328 ISO: 163 wRC+
Todd Frazier: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.355 wOBA: 0.151 ISO: 110 wRC+
Zack Cozart: 2014 vs LH Pitching – 0.239 wOBA: 0.121 ISO: 92 wRC+
Chicago White Sox
Jose Abreu – It’s been a quiet start to the season for Abreu thus far, but the Cuban slugger brings a six-game hitting streak into today’s game against Lorenzen. Abreu owned a .394 wOBA and .250 ISO against right-handed pitching last season and is the biggest road block for Lorenzen in this White Sox lineup.
Secondary Plays:
Adam LaRoche: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.384 wOBA: 0.221 ISO: 146 wRC+
Adam Eaton: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.344 wOBA: 0.119 ISO: 118 wRC+
Houston at LA Angels – 3:35 PM EST
| Houston | LA Angels | ||||||||
 | Scott Feldman |  | Garrett Richards | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAA (-156) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.267 | 0.715 | 0.314 | 0.126 | SP vs. Left | 0.194 | 0.519 | 0.237 | 0.246 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.258 | 0.737 | 0.325 | 0.157 | SP vs. Right | 0.208 | 0.542 | 0.252 | 0.237 |
| Batter Splits | HOU BvP | HOU vs R | Batter Splits | ANA BvP | ANA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Scott Feldman – I don’t think I’ve ever rostered Scott Feldman in DFS baseball before, and after he was blasted for six earned runs in three innings against the Rangers in his last start, it’s definitely not happening today. Feldman sports a 5.50 ERA and 1.43 WHIP through his first six starts and his strikeout rates are consistently ranked near the bottom of qualified starting pitchers. He’s had success against the Angels since the beginning of last season, but he’s not anywhere on my radar. Rating = 2.5
Salaries: $6700 FD, $5800 DK
Garrett Richards – Richards looked a bit shaky against these Astros in his 2015 debut, but he really settled in during his three starts since. Richards throws about as hard as any starter in MLB these days and he mixes in a very strong slider to keep batters off balance and force a ton of groundballs (52.2%). While this Houston lineup is undoubtedly improved, Richards mowed them down last season; posting a 3-1 record with a 2.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and racking up 28 strikeouts in 27.1 innings of work. He doesn’t quite seem to get the attention he deserves, but he’s one of the game’s most promising young pitchers if he can stay healthy. Rating = 7.5
Salaries: $8700 FD, $10200 DK
Batter Grind Down
Houston
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Jose Altuve: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.34 wOBA: 0.1 ISO: 119 wRC+
Luis Valbuena: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.355 wOBA: 0.208 ISO: 124 wRC+
LA Angels
Mike Trout – Trout homered yesterday for the third time in four games and now sports a .306 average and 1.008 OPS this season. He’s also 5 for 17 with a pair of home runs off of Feldman. As an added bonus, Scott Feldman allowed more stolen bases than any other pitcher in MLB last season (35) and Trout is 7 for 7 in stolen base attempts.
Secondary Plays:
Kole Calhoun: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.348 wOBA: 0.19 ISO: 129 wRC+
Albert Pujols: 2014 vs RH Pitching – 0.347 wOBA: 0.201 ISO: 129 wRC+