MLB Grind Down: Sunday, May 25th

by Ryan138 Last Updated 2014-05-25 16:53:36

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: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s MLB Scoring System,check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review

Oakland at Toronto

Oakland					Toronto
Drew Pomeranz		Vegas Moneyline			J.A. Happ		Vegas Over/Under
LEFT		OAK (-120)			LEFT		9.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.143	0.447	0.209	29.6%	SP vs. Left	0.293	0.773	0.346	17.9%
SP vs. Right	0.286	0.843	0.381	18.8%	SP vs. Right	0.239	0.740	0.330	18.5%
Batter Splits	OAK BvP		OAK vs L		Batter Splits	TOR BvP		TOR vs L
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Drew Pomeranz – Pomeranz has been exceptional coming from the bullpen to the starting pitching role recently. In 28.2 innings, this year, he has a 0.94 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. The problem with playing him for daily fantasy purposes is he has not gone past 5 innings yet this year. His pitch count has increased with each start and could get closer to 100 today, but I still would have a tough time rostering him against the Blue Jays. Rating = 4

Salaries: $5200 FD, $15024 DS, $10750 DD, $7200 DK, $84900 FF, $19200 SS, $NA FTD

• J.A. Happ – Playing for the Blue Jays has allowed Happ to pitch like an average pitcher, yet still put up 3 wins in 4 starts. He has been up and down in his 4 starts giving up either 4 earned runs or 1. His 1.80 WHIP does not make him a viable fantasy option against a good Oakland offense and a total of 9’. Rating = 4

Salaries: $5500 FD, $12532 DS, $10900 DD, $6000 DK, $69000 FF, $13000 SS, $ FTD

Batter Grind Down

Oakland

Josh Donaldson – His average against LH pitching is down so far this year, but in the last 3 years has hit lefties for over .300 and a .936 OPS. This Oakland team should be able to put up a number of runs against Happ today and Donaldson makes for a great third base play today.

Additional Plays: – Coco Crisp Yoenis Cespedes

Toronto

Jose Bautista – Joey bats is going to cost you, but there may not be a hotter hitter against lefties in the league at the moment. He is crushing them for.444 and a ridiculous OPS of 1.404. Play him with confidence today against Pomeranz who allows a .381 wOBA against RH hitters.

Additional Plays: Edwin Encarnacion Melky Cabrera

Texas at Detroit

Texas					Detroit
Colby Lewis		Vegas Moneyline			Justin Verlander		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		DET (-175)			RIGHT		8.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.312	0.852	0.373	21.4%	SP vs. Left	0.233	0.648	0.291	23.0%
SP vs. Right	0.404	0.916	0.411	19.0%	SP vs. Right	0.276	0.724	0.322	21.5%
Batter Splits	TEX BvP		TEX vs R		Batter Splits	DET BvP		DET vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Colby Lewis – Colby has been a pitcher I have attacked so far this year and it has been successful for the most part. He has never pitched past the 6th inning this season and has a 5.40 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. This Detroit team has 111 at bats against him and a .306 team average. Colby has given up 3 or more earned runs in 4 of his 7 starts and I foresee it happening again today. Rating = 2

Salaries: $6800 FD, $8858 DS, $12100 DD, $6900 DK, $62800 FF, $13900 SS, $9500 FTD

• Justin Verlander – Verlander is coming off two very poor starts where he has allowed 5 earned runs in each against Cleveland and Baltimore. Prior to these two starts, he had allowed 3 or less earned runs in all 8 of his starts. Verlander will look to bounce back today against a Rangers team that will be missing Fielder for the rest of the season. I struggle to trust Verlander this year in a tough matchup, especially considering his strikeout numbers are at a career low of 6.68 K/9, but is a heavy favroite and should have run support. Rating = 7

Salaries: $8500 FD, $16522 DS, $15950 DD, $10400 DK, $89800 FF, $25800 SS, $17000 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Texas

Shin-Soo Choo – Choo is always a great cash game play as he has hit for over .300 consistently in his career. Choo has recently moved into the 3 spot due to Fielder’s injury. I think this is a great move for Choo as he will have more RBI opportunities and had only 3 stolen bases in the leadoff spot anyway.

Additional Plays: Mitch Moreland

Detroit

Victor Martinez – Clearly Miggy is a top play every day, but look at the May Vmart has had so far. He is 29/83 with 8 home runs this month and he is top catcher on the board against Lewis who is allowing a .411 wOBA to righties and a .373 wOBA to lefties.

Additional Plays: Miguel Cabrera Rajai Davis Austin Jackson Torii Hunter

Milwaukee at Miami

Milwaukee					Miami
Jimmy Nelson		Vegas Moneyline			Randy Wolf		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		MIL (-110)			LEFT		8.0
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.125	0.473	0.234	14.3%	SP vs. Left	0.500	1.000	0.444	0.0%
SP vs. Right	0.000	0.063	0.043	31.3%	SP vs. Right	0.125	0.375	0.159	37.5%
Batter Splits	MIL BvP		MIL vs L		Batter Splits	MIA BvP		MIA vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Jimmy Nelson – Nelson has been called up by the Brewers due to some injury concerns on Gallardo’s ankle. Nelson was pitching very well in Triple A with a 1.71 ERA and held batters to only a .180 BA. He also has 58 strikeouts in 58 innings in the minors. You never know what you are going to get with these rookie pitchers in a start like this, but he does have a decent matchup against the Marlins Rating = 5

Salaries: $ FD, $NA DS, $9150 DD, $6500 DK, $NA FF, $NA SS, $NA FTD

• Randy Wolf – The veteran pitcher was signed to a contract after Jose Fernandez went down with injury. 2012 was the last season that Wolf pitched in the majors and had a 5.65 ERA in 26 starts. He allowed batters to hit .313 against him that year. He will be on a low pitch count in this game most likely and should be avoided. Rating = 2

Salaries: $5100 FD, $10879 DS, $ DD, $7000 DK, $69400 FF, $13000 SS, $9500 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Milwaukee

Ryan Braun – Wolf allows RH hitters to crush him for over .300 and over a .500 SLG. Braun has crushed LH pitching in his career and should continue against the veteran today.

Additional Plays: Jean Segura Mark Reynolds Carlos Gomez

Miami

Garrett Jones – It may not be a bad idea to jump on the Garrett Jones bandwagon today. He is mashing in the last week for .444 with 2 home runs during that time. We do not know what we are going to see with the opposing pitcher, so taking a hot bat against him may be the best option.

Additional Plays: Derek Dietrich

Arizona at NY Mets

Arizona					NY Mets
Bronson Arroyo		Vegas Moneyline			Rafael Montero		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		ARI (-101)			RIGHT		7.5
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.278	0.791	0.344	12.3%	SP vs. Left	0.333	1.412	0.571	11.8%
SP vs. Right	0.244	0.646	0.292	17.5%	SP vs. Right	0.000	0.000	0.000	12.5%
Batter Splits	ARI BvP		ARI vs R		Batter Splits	NYM BvP		NYM vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Bronson Arroyo – Arroyo came back down to Earth in his last start after a string of 4 great starts. He still holds a 4.45 ERA due to many poor performances and is really becoming a hit or miss pitcher. He does have a decent matchup in a pitchers park, but has been hit hard by this Mets team in the past. I could not trust Arroyo in any type of format today. Rating = 4

Salaries: $6000 FD, $14445 DS, $13600 DD, $7700 DK, $91500 FF, $21400 SS, $12400 FTD

• Rafael Montero – Montero has struggled in his first two starts this season giving up 8 earned runs and 3 home runs total. Both of these starts have come in a pitcher friendly park, which worries me even more. Montero has simply given up too many base runners on the season and should be avoided today.Rating = 3

Salaries: $4200 FD, $10875 DS, $8350 DD, $5500 DK, $64000 FF, $13000 SS, $9500 FTD

Batter Grind Down

Arizona

Miguel Montero – Montero on Montero crime should occur today as Rafael has allowed LH batters to an OPS of 1.462 and a wOBA of .571 in his first 2 starts.

Additional Plays: Gerardo Parra Paul Goldschmidt

NY Mets

David Wright – Righties have crushed Arroyo so far this year for a .360 average. Wright has a good history of 11/41 with 1 home run against Arroyo.

Additional Plays: Daniel Murphy Eric Young

LA Dodgers at Philadelphia

LA Dodgers					Philadelphia
Josh Beckett		Vegas Moneyline			A.J. Burnett		Vegas Over/Under
RIGHT		LAD (-113)			RIGHT		8.0
Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
SP vs. Left	0.273	0.800	0.360	20.2%	SP vs. Left	0.272	0.764	0.357	20.4%
SP vs. Right	0.225	0.684	0.306	24.2%	SP vs. Right	0.204	0.545	0.245	28.4%
Batter Splits	LAD BvP		LAD vs R		Batter Splits	PHI BvP		PHI vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

• Josh Beckett – Beckett has pitched well for the Dodgers and has a 2.89 ERA to show for it after 8 starts. What has impressed me more is the fact that he has kept runners off the base pads with a 1.16 WHIP and has a nice 8.87 K/9. He is only a small favorite in a game with a higher over/under than I expected at 8, which is holding me off liking Beckett a lot today. Rating = 5

Salaries: $6800 FD, $16944 DS, $14500 DD, $8900 DK, $70600 FF, $24600 SS, $12800 FTD

• A.J. Burnett – Burnett has been struggling a bit recently and has given up 12 earned runs in his last 3 starts. Control has been a bit of an issue as he has allowed 9 walks in his last 2 starts alone. He still holds a very respectable 3.32 ERA on the season, but I will be avoiding Burnett against a good Dodgers offense today due to these recent struggles. Rating = 4

Salaries: $7200 FD, $15448 DS, $14050 DD, $8000 DK, $84800 FF, $21400 SS, $13200 FTD

Batter Grind Down

LA Dodgers

Dee Gordon – Gordon is a great player to take for fantasy purposes and is especially great to take against guys that are walking hitters a lot. The automatic steal is in play against Burnett so if he can get on, those stolen base points should add up very quickly today.

Additional Plays: Adrian Gonzalez Hanley Ramirez

Philadelphia

Chase Utley – Beckett has pitched well this year so far, but Utley has hit him well in the past for 8/27 and 2 bombs.

Additional Plays: Ryan Howard

MLB Grind Down Page 1 – Page 2