MLB Grind Down: Thursday, August 6th
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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St. Louis at Cincinnati – 12:35 PM EST
| St. Louis | Cincinnati | ||||||||
 | Michael Wacha |  | Michael Lorenzen | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| STL (-153) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.209 | 0.582 | 0.263 | 20.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.323 | 1.033 | 0.438 | 16.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.244 | 0.667 | 0.293 | 21.5% | SP vs. Right | 0.227 | 0.737 | 0.317 | 15.50% |
| Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs R | Batter Splits | CIN BvP | CIN vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Michael Wacha : FD: $8,900 — DK: $10,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 232.1 — SIERA: 3.68 — ERA: 3.14 — K%: 20.8% — BB%: 6.6% — HR/9: 0.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 24.0 — SIERA: 3.20 — ERA: 4.88 — K%: 26.5% — BB%: 7.1% — HR/9: 1.1
Cincinnati Reds Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.314 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 18.7% (Rank: 6)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.337 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 20.3% (Rank: 15)
Pitchers per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 24)
Analysis: Wacha may have a 4.88 ERA over the last month of play, but his indicators are positive. During that stretch, he has a 3.20 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 26.5%. He draws a fairly tough matchup today against the Reds, who have the sixth-lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Wacha is a sizable favorite though, and he offers good value at a price of $8,900 on FanDuel. He is in play in the early slate, but I have him ranked behind both Zack Greinke and Joe Ross.
Pitcher Rating:82.0
Michael Lorenzen : FD: $4,800 — DK: $4,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 84.1 — SIERA: 5.17 — ERA: 4.80 — K%: 15.7% — BB%: 12.5% — HR/9: 1.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 19.0 — SIERA: 4.93 — ERA: 9.00 — K%: 18.3% — BB%: 12.9% — HR/9: 1.4
St. Louis Cardinals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 18.8% (Rank: 8)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.308 (Rank: 17) — Strikeout Rate: 17.7% (Rank: 7)
Pitchers per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 18)
Analysis: Lorenzen hasn’t had a great rookie season for the Reds. He owns a 5.17 SIERA with a 15.7% strikeout rate and a 12.5% walk rate. Those are below-average numbers for a starter. He draws a difficult matchup today against the Cardinals, who are ranked 11th in team wOBA and eighth in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Lorenzen is a large underdog at home and can safely be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating:34.0
Batter Grind Down
St. Louis
The Cardinals find themselves in a favorable matchup today against Michael Lorenzen in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. On the season, Lorenzen has given up a .317+ wOBA to hitters from both sides of the plate.
Elite Plays:
Matt Carpenter : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 787 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 129
Last 14 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.447 — ISO: 0.417 — wRC+: 193
Secondary Plays:
Jason Heyward : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 775 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.144 — wRC+: 125
Last 14 Days: PA: 49 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 110
Kolten Wong : FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 663 — wOBA: 0.319 — ISO: 0.157 — wRC+: 104
Last 14 Days: PA: 56 — wOBA: 0.294 — ISO: 0.094 — wRC+: 87
Cincinnati
The Reds were able to get to Carlos Martinez last night, but have an equally difficult matchup in today’s game. Since the start of the 2014 season, Michael Wacha has held left and right-handed hitters under a .295 wOBA. Joey Votto is the only fantasy option from the Reds that is on my radar.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Joey Votto : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 524 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.187 — wRC+: 147
Last 14 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.608 — ISO: 0.333 — wRC+: 299
LA Dodgers at Philadelphia – 1:05 PM EST
| LA Dodgers | Philadelphia | ||||||||
 | Zack Greinke |  | David Buchanan | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAD (-230) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.222 | 0.581 | 0.259 | 22.7% | SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.698 | 0.312 | 10.90% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.220 | 0.603 | 0.266 | 26.0% | SP vs. Right | 0.285 | 0.000 | 0.353 | 15.50% |
| Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LA vs R | Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Zack Greinke : FD: $12,600 — DK: $13,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 348.2 — SIERA: 2.99 — ERA: 2.17 — K%: 24.4% — BB%: 5.0% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.0 — SIERA: 2.58 — ERA: 1.16 — K%: 27.3% — BB%: 4.6% — HR/9: 0.0
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.293 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 19.0% (Rank: 10)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.357 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 19.2% (Rank: 11)
Pitchers per PA: 3.70 (Rank: 29)
Analysis: It should come as no surprise to anyone that Greinke is the top-rated pitcher on the board today. He has been terrific over the last month of play, posting a 1.16 ERA (2.58 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of 27.3%. While the Phillies aren’t the same team that we could pick on every night like we did earlier in the season, they are still ranked 29th in team wOBA against right-handed pitching. The Phillies also average the second-fewest pitches per plate appearance. Greinke should pitch deep into this game and quite possibly complete the game himself.
Pitcher Rating:98.2
David Buchanan : FD: $5,300 — DK: $4,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 161.0 — SIERA: 4.44 — ERA: 4.47 — K%: 13.4% — BB%: 7.1% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 18.2 — SIERA: 4.03 — ERA: 3.38 — K%: 13.8% — BB%: 3.8% — HR/9: 0.5
Los Angeles Dodgers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.328 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 20.4% (Rank: 17)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.314 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 24.1% (Rank: 28)
Pitchers per PA: 3.87 (Rank: 6)
Analysis: Buchanan is the largest underdog on the schedule today, as he squares off against a Dodgers’ offense that is ranked fifth in team wOBA against right-handed pitching. Buchanan has an average SIERA with a low strikeout rate. He should be avoided in all league formats today.
Pitcher Rating:38.0
Batter Grind Down
LA Dodgers
The Dodgers’ offense hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations over the last two nights, but they are in another good matchup today against David Buchanan. Buchanan is a reverse-splits pitcher, but he hasn’t been very effective against left-handed hitters either. With only five games in the early slate, don’t be afraid to load up on Dodgers’ hitters.
Elite Plays:
Adrian Gonzalez : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 816 — wOBA: 0.387 — ISO: 0.245 — wRC+: 152
Last 14 Days: PA: 42 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.086 — wRC+: 128
Howie Kendrick : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 843 — wOBA: 0.318 — ISO: 0.107 — wRC+: 107
Last 14 Days: PA: 45 — wOBA: 0.284 — ISO: 0.167 — wRC+: 81
Secondary Plays:
Yasmani Grandal : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 611 — wOBA: 0.367 — ISO: 0.227 — wRC+: 140
Last 14 Days: PA: 40 — wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.105 — wRC+: 149
Andre Ethier : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 610 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.168 — wRC+: 122
Last 14 Days: PA: 30 — wOBA: 0.315 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 103
Jimmy Rollins : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 769 — wOBA: 0.298 — ISO: 0.152 — wRC+: 89
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.452 — ISO: 0.341 — wRC+: 197
Philadelphia
The Phillies draw one of the worst matchups in all of baseball. Since the start of the 2014 season, Zack Greinke has held left and right-handed hitters under a .270 wOBA. If you like scoring fantasy points, stay far away from the Phillies.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Kansas City at Detroit – 1:08 PM EST
| Kansas City | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Yordano Ventura |  | Anibal Sanchez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| KCR (-121) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.238 | 0.675 | 0.300 | 19.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.216 | 0.611 | 0.270 | 22.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.253 | 0.713 | 0.317 | 20.9% | SP vs. Right | 0.262 | 0.000 | 0.333 | 18.60% |
| Batter Splits | KCR BvP | KC vs R | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Yordano Ventura : FD: $8,000 — DK: $7,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 273.1 — SIERA: 3.87 — ERA: 3.79 — K%: 19.9% — BB%: 8.3% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 23.0 — SIERA: 4.03 — ERA: 5.87 — K%: 17.7% — BB%: 5.9% — HR/9: 0.8
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 19.5% (Rank: 13)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.299 (Rank: 20) — Strikeout Rate: 21.5% (Rank: 18)
Pitchers per PA: 3.85 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Ventura has not been sharp recently, posting a 5.87 ERA (4.03 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of only 17.7%. He draws a tough matchup today against the Tigers, who are ranked sixth in team wOBA against right-handed pitching. Ventura has all the talent in the world, but he hasn’t been able to piece it together this season. Until he can string together a few quality starts in a row, I will continue to avoid him in daily fantasy.
Pitcher Rating:66.8
Anibal Sanchez : FD: $8,200 — DK: $8,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 269.1 — SIERA: 3.77 — ERA: 4.14 — K%: 20.5% — BB%: 6.6% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.0 — SIERA: 4.31 — ERA: 5.23 — K%: 18.6% — BB%: 7.9% — HR/9: 1.7
Kansas City Royals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 15.9% (Rank: 1)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.278 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 15.1% (Rank: 1)
Pitchers per PA: 3.65 (Rank: 30)
Analysis: Sanchez has also been in bad form coming into today’s start. Over the last month of play, he has a 5.23 ERA (4.31 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of 18.6%. The Royals continue to be the worst pitching matchup in baseball, as they are the toughest team to strikeout. The Royals are also ranked tenth in team wOBA against right-handed pitching. Sanchez is overpriced for his matchup and he provides very little upside today.
Pitcher Rating:61.8
Batter Grind Down
Kansas City
The Royals draw a favorable matchup today against Anibal Sanchez in Comerica Park. Sanchez is a reverse-splits pitcher, but I don’t mind targeting the left-handed hitters in this lineup. Eric Hosmer has been as hot as anyone over the last two weeks, posting a .532 wOBA and a .304 ISO.
Elite Plays:
Eric Hosmer : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 654 — wOBA: 0.352 — ISO: 0.157 — wRC+: 126
Last 14 Days: PA: 50 — wOBA: 0.532 — ISO: 0.304 — wRC+: 251
Secondary Plays:
Lorenzo Cain : FD: $3,900 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 621 — wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.121 — wRC+: 107
Last 14 Days: PA: 46 — wOBA: 0.339 — ISO: 0.190 — wRC+: 116
Alcides Escobar : FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 771 — wOBA: 0.290 — ISO: 0.077 — wRC+: 83
Last 14 Days: PA: 58 — wOBA: 0.158 — ISO: 0.018 — wRC+: -10
Detroit
The Tigers’ offense seems like a different animal without Miguel Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes in the lineup. They are ranked 20th in team wOBA over the last two weeks of play. They draw a decent matchup today against Yordano Ventura at home. Victor Martinez is the cheapest that I can remember him being all season, while the upside of J.D. Martinez makes him a nice tournament play.
Elite Plays:
Victor Martinez : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 718 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.168 — wRC+: 121
Last 14 Days: PA: 57 — wOBA: 0.192 — ISO: 0.019 — wRC+: 12
Secondary Plays:
J.D. Martinez : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 689 — wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.244 — wRC+: 147
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.213 — wRC+: 126
Anthony Gose : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,200
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 501 — wOBA: 0.305 — ISO: 0.095 — wRC+: 92
Last 14 Days: PA: 34 — wOBA: 0.133 — ISO: 0.032 — wRC+: -29
San Diego at Milwaukee – 2:10 PM EST
| San Diego | Milwaukee | ||||||||
 | Odrisamer Despaigne |  | Matt Garza | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIL (-114) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.245 | 0.708 | 0.314 | 10.9% | SP vs. Left | 0.260 | 0.744 | 0.328 | 16.40% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.242 | 0.662 | 0.292 | 17.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.249 | 0.698 | 0.306 | 18.10% |
| Batter Splits | SDP BvP | SD vs R | Batter Splits | MIL BvP | MIL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Odrisamer Despaigne : FD: $5,400 — DK: $5,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 198.2 — SIERA: 4.20 — ERA: 4.08 — K%: 14.5% — BB%: 6.5% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 19.0 — SIERA: 3.97 — ERA: 4.74 — K%: 12.8% — BB%: 6.4% — HR/9: 1.0
Milwaukee Brewers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.307 (Rank: 17) — Strikeout Rate: 20.5% (Rank: 19)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.269 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 22.2% (Rank: 21)
Pitchers per PA: 3.72 (Rank: 26)
Analysis: Despaigne has had a season to forget. He has one of the lowest strikeout rates of any qualified starts, which really limits his fantasy appeal. While his matchup against the Brewers is intriguing, I have a hard time using Despaigne at home, let alone on the road in the hitter-friendly Miller Park. I’m going to side with the Brewers in this matchup.
Pitcher Rating:50.1
Matt Garza : FD: $6,200 — DK: $5,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 280.0 — SIERA: 4.22 — ERA: 4.28 — K%: 17.3% — BB%: 7.7% — HR/9: 1.0
Last 30 Days: IP: 17.2 — SIERA: 4.75 — ERA: 3.06 — K%: 18.4% — BB%: 11.8% — HR/9: 0.5
San Diego Padres Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.296 (Rank: 26) — Strikeout Rate: 21.8% (Rank: 26)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.307 (Rank: 18) — Strikeout Rate: 22.2% (Rank: 21)
Pitchers per PA: 3.83 (Rank: 13)
Analysis: Garza may have a 3.06 ERA over the last month of play, but don’t let that fool you. He has been the same pitcher that he has been all season, as he has a 4.75 SIERA during that stretch. He does draw a plus-matchup today against the Padres, though. On the season, San Diego is ranked 26th in both team wOBA and team strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. The upside is there for Garza, but we should temper our expectations. He is a better target for tournaments than he is for cash games.
Pitcher Rating:56.5
Batter Grind Down
San Diego
The Padres draw a favorable matchup against Matt Garza in the hitter-friendly Miller Park, but there is one problem. They are still the Padres. The left-handed bats of Alexi Amarista and Yonder Alonso are in play, but they are both secondary options at their respective positions.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Alexi Amarista : FD: $2,700 — DK: $2,700
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 587 — wOBA: 0.274 — ISO: 0.102 — wRC+: 76
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.244 — ISO: 0.225 — wRC+: 55
Yonder Alonso : FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 475 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 106
Last 14 Days: PA: 52 — wOBA: 0.300 — ISO: 0.174 — wRC+: 94
Milwaukee
The Brew Crew could use another big offensive outing. They had a big game last night and I’m expecting another one today. They draw a favorable matchup against Odrisamer Despaigne, who isn’t particularly effective against hitters from either side of the plate. This Brewers’ lineup is loaded with value, as their recent cold stretch has lowered their salaries.
Elite Plays:
Scooter Gennett : FD: $2,300 — DK: $2,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 639 — wOBA: 0.333 — ISO: 0.154 — wRC+: 107
Last 14 Days: PA: 50 — wOBA: 0.270 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 64
Secondary Plays:
Ryan Braun : FD: $4,200 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 753 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 113
Last 14 Days: PA: 44 — wOBA: 0.436 — ISO: 0.333 — wRC+: 179
Adam Lind : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 601 — wOBA: 0.396 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 153
Last 14 Days: PA: 46 — wOBA: 0.288 — ISO: 0.114 — wRC+: 77
Shane Peterson : FD: $2,300 — DK: $2,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.297 — ISO: 0.061 — wRC+: 83
Last 14 Days: PA: 33 — wOBA: 0.333 — ISO: 0.077 — wRC+: 108
Arizona at Washington – 4:05 PM EST
| Arizona | Washington | ||||||||
 | Jeremy Hellickson |  | Joe Ross | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| WAS (-150) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.257 | 0.735 | 0.320 | 18.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.295 | 0.877 | 0.378 | 20.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.279 | 0.818 | 0.354 | 20.1% | SP vs. Right | 0.163 | 0.349 | 0.158 | 30.70% |
| Batter Splits | ARI vs R | Batter Splits | WAS BvP | WAS vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jeremy Hellickson : FD: $7,000 — DK: $6,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 174.2 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 4.79 — K%: 19.4% — BB%: 6.9% — HR/9: 1.3
Last 30 Days: IP: 20.1 — SIERA: 3.67 — ERA: 4.43 — K%: 19.6% — BB%: 7.6% — HR/9: 1.8
Washington Nationals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.309 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 21.3% (Rank: 24)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.295 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 23.7% (Rank: 26)
Pitchers per PA: 3.75 (Rank: 23)
Analysis: Hellickson is one of those pitchers that always has better peripheral stats than he does real-life stats. His SIERA is always well below his ERA (CC Sabathia is the same way), but it’s hard to ever use him in daily fantasy because he continues to give up a lot of runs. He draws a decent matchup against the Nationals, but he’s a sizable underdog on the road. There are better pitching options in the early slate of games.
Pitcher Rating:57.5
Joe Ross : FD: $7,000 — DK: $8,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 39.0 — SIERA: 2.55 — ERA: 3.00 — K%: 26.1% — BB%: 2.6% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 18.2 — SIERA: 2.94 — ERA: 3.38 — K%: 23.3% — BB%: 2.7% — HR/9: 1.5
Arizona Diamondbacks Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 21.1% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.318 (Rank: 14) — Strikeout Rate: 25.9% (Rank: 30)
Pitchers per PA: 3.71 (Rank: 28)
Analysis: Ross is the best value on the board in the early slate of games. He has been terrific this season with a 2.55 SIERA and a strikeout rate of 26.1%. Unlike his older brother (Tyson), he rarely walks anyone, which helps keep his pitch count down. His matchup against the Diamondbacks may seem scary, but Arizona actually has the eighth-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Ross is cheap, he’s a large favorite at home, and he has good strikeout potential. Sign me up!
Pitcher Rating:90.3
Batter Grind Down
Arizona
The Diamondbacks draw a tough matchup against Joe Ross, but he has struggled with left-handed hitters in his short time in the majors. On the season, Ross has allowed a .378 wOBA to hitters from the left side of the plate. David Peralta and Ender Inciarte are both secondary options here.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
David Peralta : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 542 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.213 — wRC+: 133
Last 14 Days: PA: 39 — wOBA: 0.384 — ISO: 0.167 — wRC+: 143
Ender Inciarte : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 553 — wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.110 — wRC+: 100
Last 14 Days: PA: 59 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 106
Washington
The Nationals are sizable favorites today at home against Jeremy Hellickson, who has given up a .320+ wOBA to hitters from both sides of the plate over the last two seasons. Bryce Harper is an excellent option if you can afford him, while Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman are both good value plays at their respective positions.
Elite Plays:
Bryce Harper : FD: $4,400 — DK: $5,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 585 — wOBA: 0.407 — ISO: 0.247 — wRC+: 164
Last 14 Days: PA: 55 — wOBA: 0.398 — ISO: 0.204 — wRC+: 157
Secondary Plays:
Anthony Rendon : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 610 — wOBA: 0.353 — ISO: 0.184 — wRC+: 126
Last 14 Days: PA: 41 — wOBA: 0.309 — ISO: 0.139 — wRC+: 96
Ryan Zimmerman : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 390 — wOBA: 0.305 — ISO: 0.161 — wRC+: 93
Last 14 Days: PA: 33 — wOBA: 0.366 — ISO: 0.276 — wRC+: 135