MLB Grind Down: Thursday, August 27th
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.
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LA Dodgers at Cincinnati – 12:35 PM EST
| LA Dodgers | Cincinnati | ||||||||
 | Zack Greinke |  | Anthony Desclafani | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAD (-200) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.225 | 0.594 | 0.263 | 22.9% | SP vs. Left | 0.268 | 0.816 | 0.352 | 17.90% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.215 | 0.593 | 0.261 | 26.0% | SP vs. Right | 0.271 | 0.715 | 0.309 | 17.50% |
| Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LA vs R | Batter Splits | CIN BvP | CIN vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Zack Greinke : FD: $11,900 — DK: $13,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 374.2 — SIERA: 3.02 — ERA: 2.23 — K%: 24.5% — BB%: 4.9% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 41.0 — SIERA: 3.30 — ERA: 2.85 — K%: 23.6% — BB%: 5.0% — HR/9: 0.7
Cincinnati Reds Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.305 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 19.3% (Rank: 9)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.310 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 21.2% (Rank: 18)
Pitches per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 23)
Analysis: Greinke is one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. He has been in good form coming into today’s start, posting a 3.30 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 23.6% over the last month of play. He draws a decent matchup against the Reds, who are ranked 23rd in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. Cincinnati doesn’t strikeout all that often, but we are less concerned with that when we have elite strikeout pitchers on the mound. Run support should come in groves for Greinke, as Anthony Desclafani is pitching opposite him.
Pitcher Rating: 95.7
Anthony Desclafani : FD: $6,500 — DK: $8,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 176.0 — SIERA: 4.23 — ERA: 4.40 — K%: 17.7% — BB%: 7.1% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 30.0 — SIERA: 3.68 — ERA: 3.90 — K%: 20.2% — BB%: 4.8% — HR/9: 1.5
Los Angeles Dodgers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 20.4% (Rank: 17)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.294 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 23.3% (Rank: 25)
Pitches per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 5)
Analysis: Desclafani has been a serviceable starter for the Reds, but he’s rarely a target in daily fantasy baseball. He has a mediocre SIERA with a below-average strikeout rate. He draws a difficult matchup today against the Dodgers, who are ranked third in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. The Dodgers also average the fifth-most pitches per plate appearance, which helps drive up opposing pitch counts. Desclafani should be avoided in an early slate that actually has some nice pitching options.
Pitcher Rating: 50.9
Batter Grind Down
LA Dodgers
The Dodgers are one of the best offenses in baseball when facing a right-handed pitcher. They draw a favorable matchup against Anthony Desclafani and they get to face him in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. The left-handed hitters have the edge in this matchup, but don’t rule out Yasiel Puig, who is riding a nine-game hitting streak.
Elite Plays:
Adrian Gonzalez : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 865 — wOBA: 0.380 — ISO: 0.238 — wRC+: 147
Last 30 Days: PA: 101 — wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.136 — wRC+: 105
Chase Utley : FD: $2,300 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 672 — wOBA: 0.310 — ISO: 0.137 — wRC+: 96
Last 30 Days: PA: 50 — wOBA: 0.390 — ISO: 0.208 — wRC+: 150
Secondary Plays:
Jimmy Rollins : FD: $2,800 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 820 — wOBA: 0.296 — ISO: 0.150 — wRC+: 88
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.160 — wRC+: 103
Yasiel Puig : FD: $2,700 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 708 — wOBA: 0.368 — ISO: 0.193 — wRC+: 138
Last 30 Days: PA: 80 — wOBA: 0.325 — ISO: 0.200 — wRC+: 109
Andre Ethier : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 650 — wOBA: 0.349 — ISO: 0.168 — wRC+: 126
Last 30 Days: PA: 61 — wOBA: 0.427 — ISO: 0.232 — wRC+: 178
Cincinnati
The Reds’ offense has been tough on elite pitching this season, but there is no need to target any of their hitters today against Zack Greinke, who has held both left and right-handed hitters under a .265 wOBA over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
LA Angels at Detroit – 1:08 PM EST
| LA Angels | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Matt Shoemaker |  | Randy Wolf | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAA (-130) | 9.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.250 | 0.720 | 0.314 | 20.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.259 | 0.592 | 0.276 | 10.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.249 | 0.715 | 0.310 | 24.2% | SP vs. Right | 0.321 | 0.879 | 0.382 | 18.80% |
| Batter Splits | LAA BvP | ANA vs L | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Matt Shoemaker : FD: $7,600 — DK: $6,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 253.1 — SIERA: 3.50 — ERA: 3.84 — K%: 22.0% — BB%: 5.2% — HR/9: 1.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 20.1 — SIERA: 3.68 — ERA: 5.75 — K%: 23.1% — BB%: 6.6% — HR/9: 1.8
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.324 (Rank: 4) — Strikeout Rate: 19.8% (Rank: 14)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.353 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 19.8% (Rank: 12)
Pitches per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Shoemaker will draw the start today in place of Andrew Heaney. He is likely doing Heaney a favor, as very few pitchers find success against the Tigers in Comerica Park. Shoemaker has good numbers over the last two seasons, but he is inconsistent and he draws one of the toughest matchups on the board. Detroit is ranked fourth in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. I want no part of a pitcher facing Miguel Cabrera and company, especially in Detroit.
Pitcher Rating: 63.7
Randy Wolf : FD: $4,700 — DK: $5,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 32.2 — SIERA: 3.82 — ERA: 4.96 — K%: 16.9% — BB%: 4.2% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 7.0 — SIERA: 2.94 — ERA: 3.86 — K%: 17.2% — BB%: 0.0% — HR/9: 0.0
LA Angels of Anaheim Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 18.6% (Rank: 4)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.300 (Rank: 26) — Strikeout Rate: 16.3% (Rank: 2)
Pitches per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 20)
Analysis: Wolf may have mediocre numbers over the last two seasons, but the sample size is small. The fact of the matter is that he is well past his prime. There should be plenty of runs to go around in this one, as the game features the second-highest run total of any game in the early slate. There is very little upside against a team that has the fourth-lowest strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating: 59.5
Batter Grind Down
LA Angels
The Angels have one of the highest team totals on the board today, as they square off against Randy Wolf in Comerica Park. They were close to being no-hit last night, but they should bounce back nicely today in a much better matchup. Wolf has given up a .382 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
Mike Trout : FD: $4,500 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 306 — wOBA: 0.403 — ISO: 0.262 — wRC+: 167
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.157 — wRC+: 111
Albert Pujols : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 293 — wOBA: 0.308 — ISO: 0.193 — wRC+: 101
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.280 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 81
Secondary Plays:
C.J. Cron : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 187 — wOBA: 0.325 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 112
Last 30 Days: PA: 76 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.243 — wRC+: 143
Shane Victorino : FD: $2,200 — DK: $2,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 124 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.108 — wRC+: 110
Last 30 Days: PA: 48 — wOBA: 0.259 — ISO: 0.093 — wRC+: 66
Detroit
The Tigers draw a decent matchup today against Matt Shoemaker. While he has pitched well at times this season, he has been inconsistent. Miguel Cabrera has eight multi-hit games in his las ten and remains an elite play at first base. J.D. Martinez and Ian Kinsler are also in play as secondary options.
Elite Plays:
Miguel Cabrera : FD: $5,400 — DK: $5,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 799 — wOBA: 0.406 — ISO: 0.213 — wRC+: 163
Last 30 Days: PA: 52 — wOBA: 0.564 — ISO: 0.273 — wRC+: 272
Secondary Plays:
J.D. Martinez : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 741 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.239 — wRC+: 145
Last 30 Days: PA: 112 — wOBA: 0.401 — ISO: 0.273 — wRC+: 158
Ian Kinsler : FD: $4,200 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 962 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 108
Last 30 Days: PA: 117 — wOBA: 0.427 — ISO: 0.193 — wRC+: 177
Toronto at Texas – 2:05 PM EST
| Toronto | Texas | ||||||||
 | Marco Estrada |  | Yovani Gallardo | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TOR (-140) | 9.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.217 | 0.685 | 0.301 | 18.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.240 | 0.677 | 0.301 | 16.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.232 | 0.720 | 0.315 | 20.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.267 | 0.709 | 0.313 | 16.70% |
| Batter Splits | TOR BvP | TOR vs R | Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Marco Estrada : FD: $8,600 — DK: $8,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 280.0 — SIERA: 4.16 — ERA: 3.86 — K%: 19.6% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.4
Last 30 Days: IP: 30.1 — SIERA: 4.87 — ERA: 2.37 — K%: 18.1% — BB%: 6.9% — HR/9: 1.2
Texas Rangers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.319 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 19.3% (Rank: 9)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.321 (Rank: 17) — Strikeout Rate: 17.2% (Rank: 4)
Pitches per PA: 3.81 (Rank: 17)
Analysis: Estrada may have a 2.37 ERA over the last month of play, but his peripheral statistics tell another story. During that stretch, he has a 4.87 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 18.1%. He draws a difficult matchup against the Rangers, who are ranked seventh in team wOBA and ninth in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Estrada should be avoided in what is expected to be the highest scoring game of the afternoon.
Pitcher Rating: 52.9
Yovani Gallardo : FD: $7,700 — DK: $8,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 341.2 — SIERA: 4.12 — ERA: 3.40 — K%: 16.7% — BB%: 7.5% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 28.0 — SIERA: 4.79 — ERA: 3.54 — K%: 11.4% — BB%: 7.3% — HR/9: 1.0
Toronto Blue Jays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.330 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 18.9% (Rank: 6)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.347 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 18.1% (Rank: 5)
Pitches per PA: 3.83 (Rank: 13)
Analysis: Gallardo has not been in great form recently, posting a 4.79 SIERA with a strikeout rate of only 11.4% over the last month of play. If you can’t strikeout batters at an elite rate, you are likely going to struggle against the Blue Jays, who are ranked second in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. I may not recommend another pitcher facing Toronto for the rest of the season.
Pitcher Rating: 40.5
Batter Grind Down
Toronto
The Blue Jays seem to score ten or more runs almost every night now. While this is a day game, that shouldn’t make much of a difference. They draw a favorable matchup against the struggling Yovani Gallardo and they get to face him in the hitter-friendly Globe Life Park. Once again, get as many Blue Jays’ hitters into your lineup as your budget will allow.
Elite Plays:
Edwin Encarnacion : FD: $5,200 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 812 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.276 — wRC+: 145
Last 30 Days: PA: 83 — wOBA: 0.507 — ISO: 0.380 — wRC+: 232
Secondary Plays:
Josh Donaldson : FD: $6,000 — DK: $5,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 951 — wOBA: 0.354 — ISO: 0.201 — wRC+: 128
Last 30 Days: PA: 115 — wOBA: 0.488 — ISO: 0.406 — wRC+: 218
Jose Bautista : FD: $5,200 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 937 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.260 — wRC+: 148
Last 30 Days: PA: 110 — wOBA: 0.377 — ISO: 0.327 — wRC+: 141
Troy Tulowitzki : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 631 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.181 — wRC+: 117
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.308 — ISO: 0.134 — wRC+: 94
Texas
With a ton of attention being paid to the Blue Jays and Tigers this afternoon, the Rangers’ offense may fly under the radar a bit. They draw a favorable matchup at home against Marco Estrada, who is a fly-ball pitcher. Left and right-handed hitters are in play here and the best part is that most of these hitters can be taken at a discount today on FanDuel.
Elite Plays:
Adrian Beltre : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 756 — wOBA: 0.337 — ISO: 0.149 — wRC+: 110
Last 30 Days: PA: 114 — wOBA: 0.349 — ISO: 0.189 — wRC+: 118
Mitch Moreland : FD: $2,800 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 424 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.195 — wRC+: 119
Last 30 Days: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.339 — ISO: 0.122 — wRC+: 111
Secondary Plays:
Prince Fielder : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 435 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.130 — wRC+: 132
Last 30 Days: PA: 108 — wOBA: 0.276 — ISO: 0.101 — wRC+: 67
Shin-Soo Choo : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 674 — wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.172 — wRC+: 118
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.412 — ISO: 0.195 — wRC+: 162
Baltimore at Kansas City – 2:10 PM EST
| Baltimore | Kansas City | ||||||||
 | Chris Tillman |  | Yordano Ventura | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| KC (-135) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.248 | 0.665 | 0.297 | 17.3% | SP vs. Left | 0.243 | 0.696 | 0.307 | 19.80% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.235 | 0.728 | 0.318 | 16.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.245 | 0.690 | 0.307 | 20.80% |
| Batter Splits | BAL BvP | BAL vs R | Batter Splits | KCR BvP | KC vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chris Tillman : FD: $6,600 — DK: $7,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 337.0 — SIERA: 4.39 — ERA: 3.79 — K%: 17.0% — BB%: 8.0% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 24.2 — SIERA: 4.38 — ERA: 3.65 — K%: 13.4% — BB%: 5.2% — HR/9: 1.5
Kansas City Royals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.322 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 15.5% (Rank: 1)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 12.5% (Rank: 1)
Pitches per PA: 3.69 (Rank: 30)
Analysis: Tillman is a pitcher that rarely finds himself onto any of my DFS rosters. He just doesn’t have the strikeout potential that I usually look for in a pitcher. Over the last month of play, Tillman has a 4.38 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 13.8%. Add in a matchup against the Royals and he becomes an easy pitcher to avoid in the early slate. The Royals are by far the toughest team to strikeout in all of baseball.
Pitcher Rating: 42.7
Yordano Ventura : FD: $8,200 — DK: $9,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 297.1 — SIERA: 3.89 — ERA: 3.75 — K%: 20.2% — BB%: 8.5% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 38.0 — SIERA: 4.12 — ERA: 3.55 — K%: 19.6% — BB%: 8.2% — HR/9: 1.2
Baltimore Orioles Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.318 (Rank: 9) — Strikeout Rate: 22.2% (Rank: 28)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.312 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 20.8% (Rank: 14)
Pitches per PA: 3.82 (Rank: 14)
Analysis: Ventura has pitched better since coming back from injury, posting a 3.55 ERA (4.12 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of 19.6% over the last month of play. His command and temper are always a concern, but he draws a plus-matchup in terms of potential strikeouts today against the Orioles. On the season, Baltimore has the third-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. While I wouldn’t use him in cash games, he does have some tournament appeal in the early slate.
Pitcher Rating: 70.7
Batter Grind Down
Baltimore
The Orioles are in a boom or bust type of matchup today against Yordano Ventura. While they do have one of the lowest team totals on the board, Ventura will give up a big outing every now and then. Chris Davis and Manny Machado are both sneaky tournament plays against the young right-hander.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Chris Davis : FD: $4,100 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 724 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.244 — wRC+: 116
Last 30 Days: PA: 118 — wOBA: 0.442 — ISO: 0.386 — wRC+: 187
Manny Machado : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 673 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.202 — wRC+: 137
Last 30 Days: PA: 130 — wOBA: 0.334 — ISO: 0.148 — wRC+: 111
Kansas City
The Royals are sizable favorites at home against Chris Tillman, although the total for the game is only set at 7.0 runs. There is still hope for fantasy production though, as the Royals love to put the ball in play and manufacture runs whenever possible. Eric Hosmer is a borderline elite play, while Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas are better secondary options.
Elite Plays:
Eric Hosmer : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 692 — wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 130
Last 30 Days: PA: 123 — wOBA: 0.404 — ISO: 0.198 — wRC+: 162
Secondary Plays:
Lorenzo Cain : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 665 — wOBA: 0.327 — ISO: 0.122 — wRC+: 108
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.344 — ISO: 0.136 — wRC+: 119
Mike Moustakas : FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 686 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.152 — wRC+: 100
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.309 — ISO: 0.207 — wRC+: 95
Chicago Cubs at San Francisco – 3:45 PM EST
| Chicago Cubs | San Francisco | ||||||||
 | Dan Haren |  | Madison Bumgarner | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SF (-180) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.248 | 0.750 | 0.324 | 20.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.223 | 0.560 | 0.249 | 31.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.246 | 0.713 | 0.308 | 15.5% | SP vs. Right | 0.235 | 0.664 | 0.291 | 24.30% |
| Batter Splits | CHC BvP | CHC vs L | Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Dan Haren : FD: $6,600 — DK: $8,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 334.1 — SIERA: 4.00 — ERA: 3.90 — K%: 17.9% — BB%: 4.6% — HR/9: 1.5
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.1 — SIERA: 4.18 — ERA: 4.97 — K%: 17.9% — BB%: 4.5% — HR/9: 2.8
San Francisco Giants Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.321 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 18.5% (Rank: 5)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.297 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 21.9% (Rank: 20)
Pitches per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 25)
Analysis: Haren has not been on my radar very often this season and that’s not going to change anytime soon. He has a mediocre SIERA with a below-average strikeout rate. He draws a difficult matchup today against the Giants, who are ranked sixth in team wOBA and fifth in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. He is a large underdog on the road that should be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating: 52.9
Madison Bumgarner : FD: $12,600 — DK: $12,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 387.0 — SIERA: 2.97 — ERA: 3.00 — K%: 25.7% — BB%: 4.6% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 38.2 — SIERA: 1.95 — ERA: 2.56 — K%: 33.3% — BB%: 1.4% — HR/9: 0.5
Chicago Cubs Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.307 (Rank: 17) — Strikeout Rate: 24.4% (Rank: 30)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.379 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 24.9% (Rank: 29)
Pitches per PA: 3.99 (Rank: 1)
Analysis: Bumgarner has been tremendous in his recent outings, posting a 1.95 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 33.3% and a walk rate of 1.4% over the last month of play. While the Cubs take a lot of pitches, they also strikeout at the highest rate of any team in baseball. Bumgarner throws a ton of strikes, which should help him in this matchup. He is right there with Zack Greinke as the top pitching option on the board today. If I had to choose, I’d give a small edge to Bumgarner since he is pitching at home.
Pitcher Rating: 97.4
Batter Grind Down
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs should not be on your radar today. They draw one of the worst matchups in all of baseball, as they have to face Madison Bumgarner in the pitcher-friendly AT&T Park.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
San Francisco
The Giants may not have the highest team total on the board, but they do draw a favorable matchup against Dan Haren, who has given up a ton of home runs over the last few seasons. Haren doesn’t fare well against left or right-handed hitters, so batters from both sides of the plate are in play here.
Elite Plays:
Brandon Belt : FD: $3,400 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 519 — wOBA: 0.357 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 135
Last 30 Days: PA: 112 — wOBA: 0.361 — ISO: 0.245 — wRC+: 137
Secondary Plays:
Buster Posey : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B/C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 798 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.162 — wRC+: 144
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.284 — ISO: 0.102 — wRC+: 84
Nori Aoki : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 667 — wOBA: 0.309 — ISO: 0.088 — wRC+: 98
Last 30 Days: PA: 70 — wOBA: 0.276 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 79