MLB Grind Down: Sunday, May 18th Page Three
Tampa Bay at LA Angels
| Tampa Bay | LA Angels | ||||||||
| David Price | Vegas Moneyline | Matt Shoemaker | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| LEFT | TBR (-135) | RIGHT | 8.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.226 | 0.587 | 0.261 | 23.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.225 | 0.639 | 0.288 | 22.2% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.267 | 0.705 | 0.310 | 21.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.100 | 0.393 | 0.175 | 14.3% |
| Batter Splits | TBR BvP  | TBR vs R | Batter Splits | LAA BvP | LAA vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
David Price – David Price is coming off a complete game, 12 strike out performance against the Mariners. He still comes into this game with a high ERA for him (4.02) due to a few very rough outings. He makes a very good GPP play today as many people will not trust him against the good Angels bats who are hitting .267 as a team against lefties. Price does have a high K/9 at 10.05, but his salary is too high to trust for cash games. Rating = 6
Matt Shoemaker – Shoemaker is filling in as a spot starter for the Angels, but is not a viable fantasy option at all due to the fact that his pitch count will not allow him to pitch deep into the game. He went 5 innings and only 57 pitches in his first game against the Phillies. Ignore him in all league types today. Rating = 2
Batter Grind Down
Tampa Bay
Matt Joyce – Joyce continues to mash RH pitching this season for an over .300 average. He should be batting in the top of the order today against Shoemaker and should be able to drive in some runs.
- Additional Plays: James Loney David DeJesus
Anaheim
Mike Trout – It is a little ridiculous to have to put Trout here as a top play, but he always is regardless of who is pitching. He is batting .333 with an OPS of 1.064 against LH pitching and with how Price has struggled at times this year, could be in store for a big game.
- Additional Plays: Collin Cowgill Albert Pujols
Miami at San Francisco
| Miami | San Francisco | ||||||||
| Jacob Turner | Vegas Moneyline | Ryan Vogelsong | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | SFG (-148) | RIGHT | 8.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.250 | 0.690 | 0.318 | 11.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.280 | 0.772 | 0.341 | 16.0% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.295 | 0.817 | 0.366 | 16.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.298 | 0.838 | 0.380 | 14.8% |
| Batter Splits | MIA BvP | MIA vs R | Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SFG vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jacob Turner – Turner has been all sorts of bad for the Marlins in his first 4 starts this year. He has an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.69 and is simply allowing way to many hits each game. He has yet to strike out more than 4 batters in any game and should not be used in any leagues. Rating = 2
Ryan Vogelsong – Vogelsong has had a very up and down season so far. He either gives up 1 earned run or less in a start, or he blows up for more than 4. He has a great matchup against the Marlins today and should be in line for the win as well, which boosts his fantasy potential. His 6.96 K/9 rate is also a nice addition for some extra points and I feel he is in play at the right price today. Rating = 6
Batter Grind Down
Miami
Derek Dietrich – Dietrich continues to hit RH pitching well on the season has brings his .271 average against Vogelsong. Dietrich is on a 6 game hitting streak and has hit 2 home runs during that span. He makes for a good cheap option.
- Additional Plays: Christian Yelich
San Francisco
Buster Posey – Turner has given up a .366 wOBA to RH bats and Posey has been hitting RH pitching well this year (.298 AVG). Turner should give up a good amount of runs today and Posey should be a main part of it.
- Additional Plays: Hunter Pence Angel Pagan
LA Dodgers at Arizona
| LA Dodgers | Arizona | ||||||||
| Dan Haren | Vegas Moneyline | Bronson Arroyo | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | LAD (-122) | RIGHT | 9.0 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.255 | 0.712 | 0.315 | 19.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.278 | 0.791 | 0.344 | 12.3% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.275 | 0.745 | 0.332 | 21.0% | SP vs. Right | 0.244 | 0.646 | 0.292 | 17.5% |
| Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LAD vs R | Batter Splits | ARI BvP | ARI vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Dan Haren – Haren has pitched well this year as he enters this game with a sub 3.00 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. The problem is he has not struck out enough batters to make for a great fantasy option (38 in 50 innings). Haren has a tough matchup against a Diamondbacks team that has a team average of .274 against him and are coming off an 18 run performance. Rating = 5
Bronson Arroyo – I really do not know what has got into Bronson Arroyo in his last 4 starts. Arroyo had at one point this season a 9.70 ERA, but has given up only 3 earned runs in 4 starts since and has brought his ERA down all the way to 4.15. He is extremely difficult to trust at a hitter friendly park today against a good Dodger offense. Rating = 5
Batter Grind Down
Los Angeles Dodgers
Hanley Ramirez – Arroyo has allowed RH hitters to bat .370 against him with a .534 SLG. If the Arroyo of old shows up today, he will not be able to keep the ball in the yard and multiple home runs could be hit against him.
- Additional Plays: Matt Kemp Yasiel Puig
Arizona
Aaron Hill – Hill has a great history against Haren as he is 9/28 against him with 5 extra base hits. This game has a 9 over/under and runs should be in store for both teams.
- Additional Plays: Paul Goldschmidt Gerardo Parra
San Diego at Colorado
| San Diego | Colorado | ||||||||
| Donn Roach | Vegas Moneyline | Juan Nicasio | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | COL (-) | RIGHT | |||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.308 | 0.718 | 0.332 | 10.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.243 | 0.761 | 0.342 | 17.0% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.277 | 0.637 | 0.302 | 15.1% | SP vs. Right | 0.282 | 0.780 | 0.348 | 16.4% |
| Batter Splits | SDP BvP | SDP vs R | Batter Splits | COL BvP | COL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Donn Roach – Roach will be making his first start out of the bullpen for the Padres today. He, of course, has to pitch against this Rockies team in Coors and his 1.52 WHIP will be put to the test today. Avoid him no matter the price today. Rating = 1
Juan Nicasio – Nicasio has pitched very well at Coors field this year and holds a 3.10 ERA in 5 starts there. He has held batters to a .222 AVG at Home and today may be one of the few times to take a pitcher in Coors. Nicasio could make for a good GPP play if cheap at your site due to the matchup, but we did see the Padres put up 8 last night due to the Coors factor. Play him at your own risk. Rating = 5
Batter Grind Dow n
San Diego
Seth Smith – Lefties are batting .299 against Nicasio on the season and Smith is coming off a nice performance yesterday. Smith is really only a RH pitching play only and has mashed them for .340 and an OPS of 1.031.
- Additional Plays: Everth Cabrera Chase Headley
Colorado
Carlos Gonzalez – Roach has given up a wOBA of .332 to left handed batters and has a very low strike out percentage as well. Gonzalez has double dong potential today in Coors and is coming off a 2 double game yesterday.
- Additional Plays: All the bats are in play today.
Detroit at Boston
| Detroit | Boston | ||||||||
| Anibal Sanchez | Vegas Moneyline | Jake Peavy | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||
| RIGHT | BOS (-115) | RIGHT | 8.5 | ||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.242 | 0.656 | 0.295 | 26.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.235 | 0.735 | 0.322 | 21.1% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.201 | 0.545 | 0.246 | 27.4% | SP vs. Right | 0.242 | 0.701 | 0.311 | 19.5% |
| Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | Batter Splits | BOS BvP | BOS vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Anibal Sanchez – Sanchez has not pitched since April 26th due to a lacerated finger and comes back to a difficult start agains the Red Sox in Fenway. Prior to the injury, Sanchez had a 3.13 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Sanchez’s K numbers are at career average, a very nice 9.39 K/9. Due to the matchup and coming back from injury, Sanchez is a GPP only play. Rating = 6
Jake Peavy – Peavy comes into this matchup with a good 3.94 ERA, but a troubling 1.46 WHIP on the season. He has been very susceptible to the long ball this year, as he has given up 1 in each of his 8 starts so far this year. He has a very tough matchup against the Tigers, but is a slight favorite against them today. Play him at your own risk, but I feel there are much better options at his price range. Rating = 4
Batter Grind Down
Detroit
Miguel Cabrera – This one is simple, Cabrera is 13 for 45 against Peavy with 3 home runs. Miggy makes for a top option at first base today.
- Additional Plays: Torii Hunter Victor Martinez
Boston
David Ortiz – It is hard to ignore Big Papi’s May numbers. He is 12 for 60 with 6 home runs so far this month and has hit 2 home runs in only 3 at bats against Sanchez. Papi could be in for a nice Sunday Night Baseball game and could be a under owned first basemen today.