MLB Grind Down: Thursday, August 13th

by Derek Farnsworth (Notorious) Last Updated 2015-08-15 18:16:44

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.

Remember, these writeups are done prior to lineups being released, so make sure to check our Starting Lineups page to ensure the recommended options are playing.

Note: For more info on DFS MLB scoring systems on the two largest sites, check out our DraftKings review and FanDuel review.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter and lineup alerts for the most up-to-date DFS MLB news.

Colorado at NY Mets – 12:10 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Colorado					NY Mets
			Eddie Butler					Noah Syndergaard
			RIGHT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			NYM (-244)					7.0
SP vs. Left	0.347	1.076	0.455	8.2%	SP vs. Left	0.250	0.677	0.294	19.30%
SP vs. Right	0.288	0.000	0.357	11.9%	SP vs. Right	0.218	0.608	0.267	32.00%
Batter Splits	COL BvP		COL vs R		Batter Splits	NYM BvP		NYM vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Eddie Butler : FD: $5,000 — DK: $4,300

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 91.1 — SIERA: 5.42 — ERA: 5.72 — K%: 10.1% — BB%: 11.3% — HR/9: 1.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 21.0 — SIERA: 5.43 — ERA: 7.29 — K%: 11.6% — BB%: 11.6% — HR/9: 2.1

New York Mets Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.296 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 20.6% (Rank: 21)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.318 (Rank: 14) — Strikeout Rate: 24.3% (Rank: 29)
Pitchers per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 5)

Analysis: The PGA Championship kicks off today at Whistling Straits, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of the sports world is going to stop and watch. We still have a nine-game schedule on tap today, with four afternoon and five evening games. Butler will be on the bump for the Rockies, as they look to steal a game in New York. On paper, the matchup is certainly appealing, as the Mets are ranked 27th in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. The issue isn’t the matchup, it’s the pitcher. Since the start of the 2014 season, Butler owns a 5.42 SIERA with a walk rate (11.3%) that is higher than his strikeout rate (10.1%). He is the largest underdog on the board today for a reason.

Pitcher Rating: 28.2

Noah Syndergaard : FD: $11,000 — DK: $11,100

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 98.2 — SIERA: 3.03 — ERA: 3.01 — K%: 26.3% — BB%: 5.5% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 32.0 — SIERA: 3.11 — ERA: 2.81 — K%: 26.4% — BB%: 6.2% — HR/9: 1.1

Colorado Rockies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.343 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 20.2% (Rank: 16)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 17) — Strikeout Rate: 26.2% (Rank: 30)
Pitchers per PA: 3.75 (Rank: 23)

Analysis: If Eddie Butler is the largest underdog, then that means that Syndergaard is the largest favorite. He has been terrific in his rookie season, posting a 3.03 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 26.3%. The Mets’ pitching staff leads the majors in walks allowed and Syndergaard fits right into the club, as he has only walked 5.5% of the batters that he has faced. He draws a nice matchup today against the Rockies, who are a much different ball club away from Coors Field. The strikeout potential is there and he obviously has a great shot of picking up the win. He is the premier pitching option on the board today.

Pitcher Rating: 96.5

Batter Grind Down

Colorado

The Rockies’ offense continues to struggle away from Coors Field. They have the lowest team total on the board today, as they square off against Noah Syndergaard in the pitcher-friendly Citi Field. The Rockies can safely be avoided in all league formats.

Elite Plays:

NONE

Secondary Plays:

NONE

NY Mets

The Mets’ offense has been better recently and they have a great opportunity to keep things rolling today against Eddie Butler. Since the start of the 2014 season, Butler has given up a .357+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters. While the Twins and Cubs may be in a better spots as a whole, there are some good fantasy options in the Mets’ lineup today.

Elite Plays:

Daniel Murphy : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,900

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 2B/3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 275 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.159 — wRC+: 123
Last 30 Days: PA: 103 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.191 — wRC+: 118

Secondary Plays:

Curtis Granderson : FD: $3,900 — DK: $4,300

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 386 — wOBA: 0.384 — ISO: 0.225 — wRC+: 151
Last 30 Days: PA: 113 — wOBA: 0.389 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 155

Yoenis Cespedes : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,400

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 368 — wOBA: 0.375 — ISO: 0.219 — wRC+: 140
Last 30 Days: PA: 103 — wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 110

Oakland at Toronto – 12:37 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Oakland					Toronto
			Jesse Chavez					Mark Buehrle
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			TOR (-146)					7.5
SP vs. Left	0.204	0.581	0.264	21.8%	SP vs. Left	0.261	0.724	0.317	12.80%
SP vs. Right	0.229	0.584	0.263	19.9%	SP vs. Right	0.277	0.731	0.319	13.10%
Batter Splits	OAK BvP		OAK vs L		Batter Splits	TOR BvP		TOR vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Editor’s Note: Sonny Gray has been scratched. Jesse Chavez will start in his place.

Sonny Gray : FD: $9,800 — DK: $12,200

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 380.2 — SIERA: 3.52 — ERA: 2.65 — K%: 20.9% — BB%: 7.5% — HR/9: 0.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 47.0 — SIERA: 3.74 — ERA: 1.72 — K%: 19.8% — BB%: 6.4% — HR/9: 0.8

Toronto Blue Jays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.330 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 18.8% (Rank: 6)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.350 (Rank: 4) — Strikeout Rate: 16.8% (Rank: 4)
Pitchers per PA: 3.82 (Rank: 14)

Editor’s Note: Sonny Gray has been scratched. Jesse Chavez will start in his place.

Analysis: Gray has been sharp over the last month of play, posting a 1.72 ERA (3.74 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of 19.8%. The problem that he has today is that he is facing a Blue Jays’ offense that is on a torrid pace right now. Not only that, but he has to face them in Toronto in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. Gray is overpriced for his matchup and there is no reason for him to be on your radar in the early slate of games. Noah Syndergaard and Jon Lester are both better plays at similar price points.

Pitcher Rating: 59.8

Mark Buehrle : FD: $7,800 — DK: $7,600

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 350.0 — SIERA: 4.36 — ERA: 3.37 — K%: 13.0% — BB%: 4.7% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 26.2 — SIERA: 4.79 — ERA: 3.38 — K%: 9.2% — BB%: 1.8% — HR/9: 1.4

Oakland Athletics Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.298 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 16.9% (Rank: 2)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.274 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 18.3% (Rank: 6)
Pitchers per PA: 3.87 (Rank: 7)

Analysis: Buehrle is one of those pitchers that is better in real-life than he is in fantasy. He always seems to give his team a chance to win, but his low strikeout potential kills his fantasy appeal. Since the start of the 2014 season, Buehrle has a 4.36 SIERA with a strikeout rate of only 13.0%. To make matters worse, he is facing an A’s offense that has the second-lowest strikeout rate of any team against left-handed pitching this season. Some people may see him as an SP2 in the early slate, but he does have enough upside for my liking.

Pitcher Rating: 53.1

Batter Grind Down

Oakland

The A’s offense has struggled in this series, but they have some nice right-handed hitters to throw at the left-handed Mark Buehrle, who has given up a .319 wOBA to hitters from the right side of the plate. The A’s also see a favorable ballpark shift today playing in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre.

Elite Plays:

Danny Valencia : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 90 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 140
Last 30 Days: PA: 49 — wOBA: 0.436 — ISO: 0.267 — wRC+: 186

Secondary Plays:

Josh Phegley : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,300

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 87 — wOBA: 0.392 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 157
Last 30 Days: PA: 37 — wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.176 — wRC+: 133

Brett Lawrie : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,400

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 117 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 118
Last 30 Days: PA: 88 — wOBA: 0.258 — ISO: 0.134 — wRC+: 63

Billy Butler : FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,100

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 117 — wOBA: 0.294 — ISO: 0.184 — wRC+: 89
Last 30 Days: PA: 74 — wOBA: 0.248 — ISO: 0.118 — wRC+: 57

Toronto

While I like the Blue Jays’ offense as a whole today, I’m not sure I like any individual hitters. Due to their recent surge offensively, the Blue Jays are extremely expensive on both FanDuel and DraftKings. I’m not sure that I want to overpay for a player that is facing Sonny Gray, who has held both left and right-handed hitters under a .265 wOBA over the last two seasons.

Elite Plays:

NONE

Secondary Plays:

Josh Donaldson : FD: $5,400 — DK: $5,800

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 397 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.263 — wRC+: 147
Last 30 Days: PA: 100 — wOBA: 0.490 — ISO: 0.458 — wRC+: 220

Jose Bautista : FD: $5,200 — DK: $5,600

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 364 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.298 — wRC+: 145
Last 30 Days: PA: 101 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.330 — wRC+: 132

Troy Tulowitzki : FD: $4,100 — DK: $4,400

Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 322 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.175 — wRC+: 102
Last 30 Days: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.256 — wRC+: 117

Chris Colabello : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,400

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 197 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.159 — wRC+: 131
Last 30 Days: PA: 49 — wOBA: 0.339 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 115

Russell Martin : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 296 — wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.190 — wRC+: 103
Last 30 Days: PA: 75 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.206 — wRC+: 115

Texas at Minnesota – 1:10 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Texas					Minnesota
			Chi Chi Gonzalez					Ervin Santana
								RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			MIN (-120)					8.5
SP vs. Left	0.263	0.652	0.298	7.0%	SP vs. Left	0.276	0.766	0.333	17.60%
SP vs. Right	0.181	0.602	0.272	9.6%	SP vs. Right	0.236	0.708	0.312	23.70%
Batter Splits	TEX BvP		TEX vs R		Batter Splits
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Chi Chi Gonzalez : FD: $6,600 — DK: $4,900

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 43.1 — SIERA: 5.57 — ERA: 3.74 — K%: 8.3% — BB%: 10.6% — HR/9: 0.6

Minnesota Twins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.300 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.288 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 23.8% (Rank: 28)
Pitchers per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 18)

Analysis: Gonzalez may have a 3.74 ERA this season, but his SIERA is nearly two runs higher. He has one of the lowest strikeout rates of any starter this season and it’s never a good sign when you have more walks than strikeouts. He is a small underdog in a game that features a total of 8.5 runs. With a small chance to pick up a win and limited strikeout potential, Gonzalez is an easy avoid in all league formats today.

Pitcher Rating: 35.7

Ervin Santana : FD: $7,500 — DK: $6,000

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 237.2 — SIERA: 3.86 — ERA: 4.20 — K%: 20.5% — BB%: 7.9% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.2 — SIERA: 5.33 — ERA: 5.16 — K%: 10.4% — BB%: 7.4% — HR/9: 1.2

Texas Rangers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 19.4% (Rank: 11)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.344 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 18.6% (Rank: 8)
Pitchers per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 15)

Analysis: Santana is like a box of chocolates, you never know which one you are going to get. He has been wildly inconsistent this season and he comes into today’s start in awful form, posting a 5.33 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 10.4% over the last month of play. He should also be avoided in what is expected to be a high-scoring game. The Rangers are ranked seventh in team wOBA and 11th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season.

Pitcher Rating: 52.4

Batter Grind Down

Texas

I hate to discriminate against handedness, but we only want to target the left-handed hitters from the Rangers today. Since the start of the 2014 season, Ervin Santana has given up a .333 wOBA to hitters from the left side of the plate. Prince Fielder, Rougned Odor, Shin-Soo Choo, and Mitch Moreland are all in play here.

Elite Plays:

Prince Fielder : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,500

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 289 — wOBA: 0.403 — ISO: 0.161 — wRC+: 156
Last 30 Days: PA: 101 — wOBA: 0.319 — ISO: 0.146 — wRC+: 97

Secondary Plays:

Rougned Odor : FD: $3,700 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 185 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 123
Last 30 Days: PA: 98 — wOBA: 0.424 — ISO: 0.261 — wRC+: 170

Shin-Soo Choo : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,600

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 270 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.212 — wRC+: 128
Last 30 Days: PA: 72 — wOBA: 0.417 — ISO: 0.279 — wRC+: 165

Mitch Moreland : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 238 — wOBA: 0.392 — ISO: 0.257 — wRC+: 148
Last 30 Days: PA: 73 — wOBA: 0.337 — ISO: 0.063 — wRC+: 110

Minnesota

The Twins are coming off of an 11-run performance last night. They will look to keep it going today against Chi Chi Gonzalez, who has one of the lowest strikeout rates of any starter this season. Left and right-handed hitters are in play here. Don’t be afraid to stack the Twins in both cash games and tournaments.

Elite Plays:

Brian Dozier : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,000

Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 337 — wOBA: 0.338 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 115
Last 30 Days: PA: 96 — wOBA: 0.290 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 82

Miguel Sano : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,800

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 88 — wOBA: 0.436 — ISO: 0.306 — wRC+: 183
Last 30 Days: PA: 87 — wOBA: 0.332 — ISO: 0.233 — wRC+: 111

Aaron Hicks : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,100

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 155 — wOBA: 0.280 — ISO: 0.093 — wRC+: 75
Last 30 Days: PA: 94 — wOBA: 0.365 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 134

Secondary Plays:

Torii Hunter : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,600

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 279 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 105
Last 30 Days: PA: 77 — wOBA: 0.282 — ISO: 0.186 — wRC+: 76

Trevor Plouffe : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,500

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 299 — wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.199 — wRC+: 104
Last 30 Days: PA: 83 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.282 — wRC+: 99

Joe Mauer : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,200

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 306 — wOBA: 0.303 — ISO: 0.103 — wRC+: 91
Last 30 Days: PA: 89 — wOBA: 0.268 — ISO: 0.085 — wRC+: 66

Milwaukee at Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
Milwaukee					Chicago Cubs
			Tyler Cravy					Jon Lester
			RIGHT					LEFT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			CHC (-220)					8.5
SP vs. Left	0.313	0.905	0.394	13.5%	SP vs. Left	0.261	0.708	0.312	25.90%
SP vs. Right	0.289	0.000	0.347	17.4%	SP vs. Right	0.229	0.633	0.280	24.30%
Batter Splits	MIL BvP		MIL vs L		Batter Splits			CHC vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Tyler Cravy : FD: $5,300 — DK: $4,600

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 20.0 — SIERA: 4.50 — ERA: 4.95 — K%: 15.7% — BB%: 7.2% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 5.0 — SIERA: 4.57 — ERA: 10.80 — K%: 16.7% — BB%: 8.3% — HR/9: 1.8

Chicago Cubs Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.301 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 24.3% (Rank: 30)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.332 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 23.4% (Rank: 27)
Pitchers per PA: 3.99 (Rank: 1)

Analysis: Cravy owns a 4.50 SIERA with a strikeout rate of only 15.7% in his first 20 career major league innings. While those numbers aren’t terrible, they don’t jump off the page either. He draws a difficult matchup today against the Cubs with the wind blowing out to center in Wrigley Field. He is one of the largest underdogs on the board and the total is set at a healthy 8.5 runs. This is not the time to take a chance on Cravy.

Pitcher Rating: 35.6

Jon Lester : FD: $10,700 — DK: $10,800

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 359.1 — SIERA: 3.13 — ERA: 2.76 — K%: 24.7% — BB%: 5.6% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.1 — SIERA: 2.40 — ERA: 1.84 — K%: 28.0% — BB%: 3.7% — HR/9: 0.3

Milwaukee Brewers Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.282 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 20.4% (Rank: 12)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.288 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 9)
Pitchers per PA: 3.73 (Rank: 26)

Analysis: Lester has been close to unhittable recently, posting a 2.40 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 28.0% over the last month of play. He draws a nice matchup today against the Brewers, who are ranked 27th in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. The biggest issue here is that the wind is blowing out to center field and we all know how well the ball travels with the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field. Lester should still be able to pick up the win and some strikeouts along the way, but don’t be surprised if he gives up a couple of runs in the process.

Pitcher Rating: 81.3

Batter Grind Down

Milwaukee

Even though the Brewers draw a difficult matchup against Jon Lester, there is a healthy wind blowing out to center field. The Brewers should not be used in cash games, but Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy, and Khris Davis are all intriguing tournament plays.

Elite Plays:

NONE

Secondary Plays:

Ryan Braun : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,100

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.404 — ISO: 0.256 — wRC+: 156
Last 30 Days: PA: 87 — wOBA: 0.357 — ISO: 0.224 — wRC+: 124

Khris Davis : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,300

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 61 — wOBA: 0.241 — ISO: 0.164 — wRC+: 44
Last 30 Days: PA: 77 — wOBA: 0.331 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 106

Jonathan Lucroy : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,000

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 60 — wOBA: 0.225 — ISO: 0.093 — wRC+: 33
Last 30 Days: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.298 — ISO: 0.122 — wRC+: 83

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs not only draw a favorable matchup against Tyler Cravy, but they get to face him at home with the wind blowing out to center field. If there was ever a time for the Cubs to put up ten runs, this would be it. Hitters from both sides of the plate are in play here.

Elite Plays:

Anthony Rizzo : FD: $4,300 — DK: $5,300

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 349 — wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 146
Last 30 Days: PA: 102 — wOBA: 0.366 — ISO: 0.216 — wRC+: 134

Kris Bryant : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,700

Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 341 — wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.184 — wRC+: 126
Last 30 Days: PA: 100 — wOBA: 0.298 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 88

Dexter Fowler : FD: $2,900 — DK: $4,600

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 370 — wOBA: 0.307 — ISO: 0.156 — wRC+: 94
Last 30 Days: PA: 110 — wOBA: 0.391 — ISO: 0.170 — wRC+: 152

Secondary Plays:

Kyle Schwarber : FD: $3,900 — DK: $4,800

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 79 — wOBA: 0.472 — ISO: 0.294 — wRC+: 208
Last 30 Days: PA: 82 — wOBA: 0.449 — ISO: 0.275 — wRC+: 192

Jorge Soler : FD: $2,800 — DK: $3,700

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 260 — wOBA: 0.312 — ISO: 0.131 — wRC+: 97
Last 30 Days: PA: 97 — wOBA: 0.320 — ISO: 0.080 — wRC+: 103

Chris Coghlan : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,200

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 322 — wOBA: 0.339 — ISO: 0.182 — wRC+: 116
Last 30 Days: PA: 70 — wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.182 — wRC+: 104

NY Yankees at Cleveland – 7:10 PM EST

Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%	Stats	Avg	OPS	wOBA	K%
NY Yankees					Cleveland
			Nathan Eovaldi					Trevor Bauer
			RIGHT					RIGHT
			Vegas Moneyline					Vegas Over/Under
			NYY (-109)					8.0
SP vs. Left	0.309	0.795	0.348	15.6%	SP vs. Left	0.230	0.709	0.315	22.80%
SP vs. Right	0.257	0.675	0.298	17.5%	SP vs. Right	0.249	0.727	0.319	22.50%
Batter Splits	NYY BvP		NYY vs R		Batter Splits	CLE BvP		CLE vs R
Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window

Pitcher Grind Down

Nathan Eovaldi : FD: $7,400 — DK: $7,700

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 323.1 — SIERA: 3.95 — ERA: 4.29 — K%: 16.5% — BB%: 5.6% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 30.2 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 3.23 — K%: 16.3% — BB%: 7.0% — HR/9: 0.6

Cleveland Indians Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.312 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 18.9% (Rank: 7)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.340 (Rank: 9) — Strikeout Rate: 21.6% (Rank: 22)
Pitchers per PA: 3.91 (Rank: 3)

Analysis: Eovaldi comes into tonight’s start in good form, posting a 3.98 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 16.3% over the last month of play. The biggest problem with Eovaldi is that he doesn’t strike a ton of hitters out and he is facing an Indians’ offense that has the seventh-lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. There are better pitching options tonight for both cash games and tournaments.

Pitcher Rating: 55.1

Trevor Bauer : FD: $8,400 — DK: $9,800

Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 290.1 — SIERA: 3.92 — ERA: 4.12 — K%: 22.6% — BB%: 9.3% — HR/9: 1.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 32.0 — SIERA: 3.54 — ERA: 5.06 — K%: 25.4% — BB%: 9.0% — HR/9: 2.5

New York Yankees Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.327 (Rank: 4) — Strikeout Rate: 18.9% (Rank: 7)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.348 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 20.5% (Rank: 16)
Pitchers per PA: 3.89 (Rank: 4)

Analysis: Bauer has a high ERA in his recent outings, but his indicators look good. Over the last month of play, he has a 3.54 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 25.4%. The biggest issue here is his matchup. On the season, the Yankees are ranked fourth in team wOBA and seventh in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Both of the pitchers in this game are risky fantasy options, even in a small five-game slate.

Pitcher Rating: 58.3

Batter Grind Down

NY Yankees

The Yankees don’t have the best matchup on the board, but they are small favorites in a game that features a total of 8.0 runs. With such a small slate of games on tap tonight, there are quite a few Yankees’ hitters that are in play here. Trevor Bauer has given up a .315+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons.

Elite Plays:

Mark Teixeira : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,600

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 289 — wOBA: 0.415 — ISO: 0.356 — wRC+: 169
Last 30 Days: PA: 94 — wOBA: 0.477 — ISO: 0.366 — wRC+: 212

Jacoby Ellsbury : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,900

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 182 — wOBA: 0.318 — ISO: 0.099 — wRC+: 101
Last 30 Days: PA: 104 — wOBA: 0.224 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 35

Secondary Plays:

Brian McCann : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,600

Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 267 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.216 — wRC+: 112
Last 30 Days: PA: 72 — wOBA: 0.313 — ISO: 0.269 — wRC+: 98

Brett Gardner : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,200

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 312 — wOBA: 0.362 — ISO: 0.166 — wRC+: 132
Last 30 Days: PA: 89 — wOBA: 0.283 — ISO: 0.055 — wRC+: 77

Cleveland

Nathan Eovaldi has drastically different splits against left and right-handed hitters, which makes our job easy tonight. Since the start of the 2014 season, he has given up a .348 wOBA to left-handed hitters. Anyone that can hit from the left side of the plate is in play tonight for the Indians.

Elite Plays:

Michael Brantley : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,900

Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 266 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.169 — wRC+: 150
Last 30 Days: PA: 98 — wOBA: 0.448 — ISO: 0.212 — wRC+: 194

Secondary Plays:

Carlos Santana : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,800

Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 295 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 123
Last 30 Days: PA: 98 — wOBA: 0.310 — ISO: 0.148 — wRC+: 98

Francisco Lindor : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,600

Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 141 — wOBA: 0.299 — ISO: 0.126 — wRC+: 90
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 121

Jose Ramirez : FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,100

Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: 2B/SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 138 — wOBA: 0.261 — ISO: 0.091 — wRC+: 63
Last 30 Days: PA: 34 — wOBA: 0.428 — ISO: 0.259 — wRC+: 180