MLB Grind Down: Sunday, May 24th
The RotoGrinders MLB Grind Down article will give you an in-depth analysis into the MLB schedule. This article will break down the numbers for every single game and give you analysis on which trends you can exploit. While matchups are a major factor in daily fantasy baseball, there are plenty of other factors to consider such as injuries, weather, and salaries.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. No sport has more variance than baseball. The best choice is not always the right choice but following the trends will win you money over time.
Note: Fantasy point averages listed use FanDuel scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s scoring system, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel review.
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Seattle at Toronto – 1:07 PM EST
| Seattle | Toronto | ||||||||
 | Taijuan Walker |  | Aaron Sanchez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TOR (-134) | 9.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.292 | 0.811 | 0.358 | 20.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.250 | 0.810 | 0.360 | 15.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.221 | 0.689 | 0.305 | 21.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.125 | 0.392 | 0.193 | 20.10% |
| Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs R | Batter Splits | TOR BvP | TOR vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Taijuan Walker – Walker’s dominant spring training is well in the rear-view mirror at this point, and after eight disappointing starts to open the 2015 season, he’s hanging on to a starter’s job with the Mariners by the skin of his teeth. The 22-year-old phenom may very well still develop into a future top-of-the-rotation pitcher, but he sports an ugly 7.47 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in his eight starts this season and the matchup against this very dangerous Toronto lineup in the Rogers Centre is simply not to the time to deploy him in your lineups as anything other than a complete GPP flier. Rating = 4
Salaries: $7600 FD, $6000 DK
Aaron Sanchez – Sanchez, the #2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, has shown flashes of dominance in his first full season the MLB level, but his early results are not quite what the Toronto front office was hoping for. He’ll enter today’s game against the Mariners sporting a 4.17 ERA and 1.54 ERA after eight starts and his .497 xFIP suggest that those numbers may even be a bit lucky. The good news; Sanchez is a groundball machine (59.9 GB%) and has pitched well at the Rogers Centre (2.30 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 43 career innings). The bad news; his 6.35 BB/9 is absolutely horrendous and the 5.96 K/9 is not what you’d expect from a pitcher of his pedigree. Left-handed batters own a .437 wOBA off of him this season, which is another big strike against him today against this left-handed heavy Seattle team. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $6600 FD, $5600 DK
Batter Grind Down
Seattle
Kyle Seager – (LHB) – With a home run in yesterday’s game, Seager extended his current hitting streak to eight games. Left-handed batters have punished Sanchez thus far this season (.437 wOBA against) and Seager owned a very solid .376 wOBA against right-handed pitching last season.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.376 wOBA: 0.221 ISO: 147 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Robinson Cano – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.382 wOBA: 0.166 ISO: 151 wRC+
Nelson Cruz – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.356 wOBA: 0.254 ISO: 128 wRC+
Logan Morrison – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.307 wOBA: 0.163 ISO: 98 wRC+
Toronto
Edwin Encarnacion – (RHB) – I usually like to target Edwin against left-handed pitching, but against the inexperienced Walker, I like him this afternoon. Right-handed batters own a .373 wOBA off of Walker this season and Edwin has already broke out his boom stick twice over the last three games. He owns a 1.004 OPS during the month of May and finds himself underpriced on several sites.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.392 wOBA: 0.291 ISO: 152 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Jose Bautista – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.387 wOBA: 0.227 ISO: 148 wRC+
Josh Donaldson – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.324 wOBA: 0.149 ISO: 110 wRC+
Russell Martin – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.382 wOBA: 0.17 ISO: 148 wRC+
Houston at Detroit – 1:08 PM EST
| Houston | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Roberto Hernandez |  | Anibal Sanchez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| DET (-150) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.244 | 0.730 | 0.325 | 8.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.219 | 0.589 | 0.262 | 22.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.244 | 0.754 | 0.328 | 18.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.244 | 0.680 | 0.298 | 17.30% |
| Batter Splits | HOU BvP | HOU vs R | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Roberto Hernandez – I can’t tell you how he’s doing it, but Hernandez has been rather effective so far this season. Despite owning a fastball that now struggles to reach the upper-80’s, Hernandez owns a very respectable 3.99 ERA and 1.25 WHIP after eight starts. With that said, his 4.17 K/9 is a fantasy liability and the matchup today against a Tigers team that owned the league’s second best team wOBA at home in 2014 (.339 wOBA) is a nice reason to stay far away. Rating = 3.5
Salaries: $6000 FD, $4700 DK
Anibal Sanchez – Riding the Sanchez train has been a bumpy ride thus far in 2015, as the Tigers’ right-hander has seemingly alternated very nice outings with absolutely disastrous ones. His 5.60 ERA after nine starts is undoubtedly discouraging, but nearly all of his advanced stats are in line with his 2014 season (that saw him post 3.43 ERA) aside from his sudden and uncharacteristic propensity to serve up the long ball. Sanchez allowed just four home runs in 126 innings last season, but has already been victimized nine times in 54.2 innings this season. There’s no sugar-coating the fact that he’s a risky play, but the fact that he’s a high strikeout pitcher facing the league’s second most strikeout prone team this season makes him a great GPP target and, at the very least, keeps him in consideration for cash games. Rating = 6
Salaries: $8600 FD, $7200 DK
Batter Grind Down
Houston
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Jose Altuve – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.34 wOBA: 0.1 ISO: 119 wRC+
George Springer – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.355 wOBA: 0.251 ISO: 130 wRC+
Colby Rasmus – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.327 wOBA: 0.232 ISO: 106 wRC+
Detroit
Miguel Cabrera – (RHB) – Excuse me for not believing that Roberto Hernandez can hold a sub-4.00 ERA for much longer, but I have a feeling the wheels fall off for him today and Mr. Cabrera should be right in the midst of the damage. Cabrera brings an 11-game hitting streak into today’s game and has raised his average to .342 and OPS to 1.042 on the young season. He’s smacked Hernandez around in the past, going 14 for 39 with a pair of doubles and three home runs.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.385 wOBA: 0.203 ISO: 148 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Ian Kinsler – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.317 wOBA: 0.144 ISO: 100 wRC+
Yoenis Cespedes – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.337 wOBA: 0.187 ISO: 117 wRC+
Anthony Gose – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.295 wOBA: 0.074 ISO: 84 wRC+
Rajai Davis – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.277 wOBA: 0.08 ISO: 73 wRC+
Oakland at Tampa Bay – 1:10 PM EST
| Oakland | Tampa Bay | ||||||||
 | Sonny Gray |  | Erasmo Ramirez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| OAK (-131) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.210 | 0.606 | 0.276 | 21.2% | SP vs. Left | 0.257 | 0.743 | 0.335 | 17.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.233 | 0.586 | 0.265 | 21.2% | SP vs. Right | 0.287 | 0.000 | 0.374 | 19.30% |
| Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | Batter Splits | TB BvP | TB vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Sonny Gray – Gray was not his usual sharp self in his last outing, allowing three earned runs on seven hits in just five innings of work against the Houston Astros. With that said, he’ll still bring a sparkling 1.92 ERA and 1.02 WHIP into tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. While this Tampa Bay team may have roughed him up a bit in their two meetings last season (7 earned runs in 12.1 innings), they sport a pedestrian .309 team wOBA this season and (strikeout % rank). Gray posted a terrific 2.51 ERA on the road last season and his ability to rack up both ground balls (50.3 GB%) and strikeouts (8.41 K/) makes him a nice option in all formats. Rating = 7
Salaries: $10200 FD, $9700 DK
Erasmo Ramirez – Ramirez has predominately been stuck in a long relief role for the Rays this season, but the rash of injuries to the Tampa rotation has forced him back into a starters role. Despite being extremely effective in each of his last two outings, he’s was forced out of action after just five innings of work in both starts while the Rays work on stretching him back out as a starter. He may sport a very ugly 6.44 ERA, but if you throw out two disastrous appearances to open the 2015 season, he owns a 2.25 ERA and 0.66 WHIP in 24 innings since. With that said, the modest strikeout totals, limited pitch count and rather tough matchup against the Oakland Athletics makes him a GPP only target (at best) for me today. Rating = 4.5
Salaries: $5300 FD, $5200 DK
Batter Grind Down
Oakland
Stephen Vogt – (LHB) – At a fairly thin catcher position, Vogt makes for a nice play behind the plate today. Vogt owns a .447 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and, after homering yesterday, perhaps his mini-slump is over.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.337 wOBA: 0.148 ISO: 119 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Brett Lawrie – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.336 wOBA: 0.177 ISO: 113 wRC+
Marcus Semien – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.288 wOBA: 0.13 ISO: 79 wRC+
Josh Reddick – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.367 wOBA: 0.239 ISO: 140 wRC+
Tampa Bay
No Elite Plays
Secondary Plays:
Evan Longoria – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.304 wOBA: 0.143 ISO: 99 wRC+
Cincinnati at Cleveland – 1:10 PM EST
| Cincinnati | Cleveland | ||||||||
 | Raisel Iglesias |  | Trevor Bauer | ||||||
| Right | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CLE (-175) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.222 | 0.619 | 0.285 | 9.7% | SP vs. Left | 0.242 | 0.715 | 0.320 | 23.30% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.179 | 0.547 | 0.236 | 27.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.255 | 0.725 | 0.321 | 21.40% |
| Batter Splits | CIN BvP | CIN vs R | Batter Splits | CLE vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Raisel Iglesias – With Johnny Cueto scratched from today’s start, Iglesias will be summoned from the bullpen to draw his third start of the season. The lanky right-hander has pitched admirably for Cincinnati when given the chance this season and sports a 3.94 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 16.0 innings of work. The Cuban defector has legit stuff, but he’s still a work in progress and is better served as a GPP only target. Rating = 4
Salaries: $6600 FD, $5500 DK
Trevor Bauer – Bauer ran into a bit of a rough patch to start the month of May, but he looks to have fallen back into his groove as he’s allowed just one earned run in each of his last two outings while racking up a combined 17 strikeouts. He brings a solid 3-1 record with a 3.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP into today’s home matchup against a struggling Red offense. With that said, he’s struggled at Progressive Field thus far this season (5.34 home ERA) and with 4.04 BB/9, he’s still struggling through some command problems. His 25 K% makes him a terrific GPP target and, for the risk tolerant, a fine cash game option as well. Rating = 6
Salaries: $8400 FD, $8500 DK
Batter Grind Down
Cincinnati
Billy Hamilton – (Switch) – Only four pitchers in MLB allowed more stolen bases than Bauer last season (19) and Hamilton’s speed is one of the least kept secrets in baseball. The Reds speedster has been slumping a bit and is dealing with a shoulder injury, but he can rack up fantasy points in a hurry on the base paths.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.285 wOBA: 0.104 ISO: 77 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Joey Votto – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.342 wOBA: 0.093 ISO: 116 wRC+
Jay Bruce – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.301 wOBA: 0.149 ISO: 88 wRC+
Todd Frazier – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.355 wOBA: 0.195 ISO: 125 wRC+
Cleveland
Jason Kipnis – (LHB) – Kipnis just keeps on rolling, and after two more hits yesterday, he’s now hitting .465 during the month of May. He’s crushing right-handed pitching this season to the tune of a .417 average and 1.085 OPS and is an elite option at 2B against the inexperienced Iglesias.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.318 wOBA: 0.117 ISO: 106 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Michael Brantley – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.401 wOBA: 0.197 ISO: 164 wRC+
Brandon Moss – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.336 wOBA: 0.213 ISO: 118 wRC+
Lonnie Chisenhall – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.344 wOBA: 0.165 ISO: 124 wRC+
Baltimore at Miami – 1:10 PM EST
| Baltimore | Miami | ||||||||
 | Miguel Gonzalez |  | Tom Koehler | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BAL (-110) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.252 | 0.754 | 0.332 | 15.8% | SP vs. Left | 0.243 | 0.689 | 0.308 | 19.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.234 | 0.689 | 0.307 | 18.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.245 | 0.709 | 0.316 | 18.20% |
| Batter Splits | BAL BvP | BAL vs R | Batter Splits | MIA BvP | MIA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Miguel Gonzalez – Gonzalez’ numbers after eight starts this season look eerily similar to his numbers in 2014; and that should please the Baltimore front office. Gonzalez owns a 5-2 record with a 3.24 ERA and 1.12 WHIP despite his advanced stats still calling for some type of regression (4.17 xFIP). He’ll head to Marlins Park today where he’ll have the added benefit of playing under the NL rules (ie: a few free outs against Tom Koehler) against a Marlins team that owns MLB’s worst home wOBA (.289 team wOBA). He’s shown an improved strikeout rate this season (20.7 K%) but has been very inconsistent and is probably better served for GPP purposes. Rating = 5.5
Salaries: $7800 FD, $6800 DK
Tom Koehler – The Marlins may have dropped each of the last four games in which Koehler has started, but Koehler has actually pitched quite well in lately (and this season in general). He’ll take the mound sporting an acceptable 3.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP after eight starts and has allowed just one earned run over his last 15.2 innings. He’ll face a dangerous Baltimore Orioles team today, but he at least has the luxury of facing them under NL rules and at Marlins Park, where he sports a fairly impressive 8-6 record with a 2.69 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 7.19 K/9 in 19 starts since the beginning of the 2014 season. He carries a bit too much risk for my liking for cash game use, but he’s worth a flier in GPP’s. Rating = 5
Salaries: $6600 FD, $6300 DK
Batter Grind Down
Baltimore
Manny Machado – (RHB) – Machado picked up two more hits yesterday to extend his hitting streak to six games. He owns a .373 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and looks to be thriving in the leadoff role for the Orioles.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.352 wOBA: 0.165 ISO: 125 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Jimmy Paredes – (Switch) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.303 wOBA: 0.132 ISO: 91 wRC+
Adam Jones – (RHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.31 wOBA: 0.165 ISO: 95 wRC+
Chris Davis – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.312 wOBA: 0.199 ISO: 97 wRC+
Miami
Giancarlo Stanton – (RHB) – Despite 12 home runs and 40 RBI’s through the first 43 games, it still somehow feels like it’s been a disappointing season for Stanton. Every time he swings the bat it just feels like he’s going to homer and I really like the multi-home run potential against Gonzalez here.
2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.391 wOBA: 0.262 ISO: 150 wRC+
Secondary Plays:
Dee Gordon – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.31 wOBA: 0.09 ISO: 99 wRC+
Christian Yelich – (LHB) – 2014 vs RH Pitching: 0.334 wOBA: 0.116 ISO: 112 wRC+