MLB Grind Down: Thursday, May 14th
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: 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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St. Louis at Cleveland – 12:10 PM EST
| St. Louis | Cleveland | ||||||||
 | Michael Wacha |  | Trevor Bauer | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CLE (-104) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.197 | 0.589 | 0.273 | 14.7% | SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.733 | 0.336 | 18.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.226 | 0.560 | 0.246 | 9.4% | SP vs. Right | 0.224 | 0.666 | 0.293 | 27.80% |
| Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs R | Batter Splits | CLE BvP | CLE vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Michael Wacha (FanDuel: $8100, DraftKings: $9000)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.26 — K Rate: 11.9% — K/9: 4.42 — BB Rate: 5.0% — GB Rate: 54.8%
2014: SIERA: 3.74 — K Rate: 21.0% — K/9: 7.91 — BB Rate: 7.4% — GB Rate: 41.6%
Cleveland Indians vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.313 (Rank: 14)
Strikeout Rate: 17.1% (Rank: 5)
Analysis: Wacha has not been the same pitcher that we have seen over the last two seasons. His strikeout rate has taken a huge hit this season. If we delve into the numbers, it looks like his velocity is about the same, but he is producing a much lower swinging strike rate this season (7%). The low strikeout numbers could be from a number of factors, but the sample size this season is too small to make any conclusions. At this point, sites have yet to adjust his salary, which leaves him terribly overpriced. He can be avoided today against the Indians, who are ranked 14th in wOBA (.313) and 5th in strikeout rate (17.1%) against right-handed pitching.
Pitcher Rating:60.1
Trevor Bauer (FD: $8100, DK: $7500)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.10 — K Rate: 23.1% — K/9: 8.91 — BB Rate: 10.9% — GB Rate: 39.4%
2014: SIERA: 3.95 — K Rate: 21.6% — K/9: 8.41 — BB Rate: 9.1% — GB Rate: 35.3%
St. Louis Cardinals vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.327 (Rank: 5)
Strikeout Rate: 18.1% (Rank: 7)
Analysis: After looking sharp in his first three starts of the season, Bauer has given up a combined 14 earned runs in his last three outings. During that stretch, he has struck out only eight batters. He still offers good strikeout potential, but those will be hard to come by today against a Cardinals’ offense that has the 7th-lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. Bauer often struggles with his command, which could come into play today against the Cardinals, who are a very patient team at the plate.
Pitcher Rating:58.1
Batter Grind Down
St. Louis
Matt Carpenter (FD: $4300, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.467 — ISO: 0.351 — OBP: 0.425
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.104 — OBP: 0.381
Analysis: Trevor Bauer is thought of as a reverse-splits pitcher, but his splits given up to left and right-handed hitters are nearly identical. Since the start of 2014, Bauer has given up a .326 wOBA to batters that hit from the left side of the plate. Carpenter has been terrific against right-handed pitching this season, posting a .467 wOBA with a .351 ISO.
Secondary Plays:
Kolten Wong (FD: $3300, DK: $4200)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.198 — OBP: 0.371
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.289 — ISO: 0.137 — OBP: 0.285
Matt Adams (FD: $2400, DK: $3700)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.333 — ISO: 0.165 — OBP: 0.321
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.367 — ISO: 0.187 — OBP: 0.349
Cleveland
Michael Brantley (FD: $4400, DK: $5200)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.369 — ISO: 0.133 — OBP: 0.385
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.401 — ISO: 0.197 — OBP: 0.388
Analysis: Even though Michael Wacha is very efficient against left-handed hitters, we don’t have much of a choice with the Indians, as their lineup consists primarily of lefties. Brantley gets the nod as the top fantasy option on Cleveland today, as he has been swinging a hot bat with 12 hits over his last 10 games. On the season, he is sporting a .369 wOBA with a .133 ISO against right-handed pitching.
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Santana (FD: $3400, DK: $4200)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/C
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.372 — ISO: 0.226 — OBP: 0.388
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.195 — OBP: 0.351
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia – 1:05 PM EST
| Pittsburgh | Philadelphia | ||||||||
 | Vance Worley |  | Aaron Harang | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| PIT (-120) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.275 | 0.797 | 0.338 | 13.8% | SP vs. Left | 0.256 | 0.656 | 0.292 | 12.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.303 | 0.819 | 0.357 | 15.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.185 | 0.518 | 0.228 | 21.90% |
| Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs R | Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Vance Worley (FD: $6600, DK: $6600)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.69 — K Rate: 15.0% — K/9: 5.91 — BB Rate: 8.5% — GB Rate: 44.3%
2014: SIERA: 3.68 — K Rate: 17.3% — K/9: 6.42 — BB Rate: 4.8% — GB Rate: 49.4%
Philadelphia Phillies vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.258 (Rank: 30)
Strikeout Rate: 20.1% (Rank: 16)
Analysis: Worley is off to a slow start this season, but you know what usually cures the pitching blues? A matchup with the Phillies. As a team, the Phillies are ranked dead last in wOBA (.258) against right-handed pitching this season. Worley may own a 4.69 SIERA and a low K/9 of 5.9, but the favorable matchup puts him in play in the early slate of games. Worley is cheap and he is a small favorite. He may be a little too risky to use on single pitcher sites, but he’s certainly worth a look as an SP2 on multi-pitcher sites.
Pitcher Rating:61.0
Aaron Harang (FD: $7600, DK: $6900)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.33 — K Rate: 17.3% — K/9: 6.15 — BB Rate: 5.0% — GB Rate: 31.1%
2014: SIERA: 4.18 — K Rate: 18.4% — K/9: 7.09 — BB Rate: 8.1% — GB Rate: 39.4%
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.289 (Rank: 27)
Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 11)
Analysis: The Harangatang takes the mound for the Phillies today, as they host the visiting Pirates. Harang has been a serviceable starter this season, posting a 4.33 SIERA with a K/9 of 6.2. Harang doesn’t have overwhelming stuff and unfortunately he’s facing the Pirates’ offense at the wrong time. McCutchen and Co. are finally starting to hit, even though they are still ranked near the bottom of the league in wOBA. Of the two pitching options in this game, I’ll give the edge to Vance Worley.
Pitcher Rating:52.8
Batter Grind Down
Pittsburgh
Gregory Polanco (FD: $3200, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.327 — ISO: 0.129 — OBP: 0.342
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.123 — OBP: 0.342
Analysis: Since the start of 2014, Aaron Harang has given up a .324 wOBA to left-handed hitters. Polanco hasn’t exactly torn the cover off the ball this season, but he has a respectable .327 wOBA against right-handed pitching. He has that unique combination of both speed and power and he’ll likely be batting leadoff today.
Secondary Plays:
Starling Marte (FD: $4100, DK: $4900)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.301 — ISO: 0.153 — OBP: 0.296
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.361 — ISO: 0.170 — OBP: 0.356
Neil Walker (FD: $3000, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.158 — OBP: 0.383
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.222 — OBP: 0.339
Pedro Alvarez (FD: $2800, DK: $4200)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.221 — OBP: 0.320
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.195 — OBP: 0.330
Philadelphia
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Freddy Galvis (FD: $2300, DK: $3200)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: 3B/SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.069 — OBP: 0.351
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.260 — ISO: 0.147 — OBP: 0.253
Minnesota at Detroit – 1:08 PM EST
| Minnesota | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Mike Pelfrey |  | Anibal Sanchez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| DET (-155) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.192 | 0.576 | 0.276 | 11.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.236 | 0.720 | 0.317 | 22.80% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.283 | 0.741 | 0.332 | 10.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.268 | 0.769 | 0.327 | 16.90% |
| Batter Splits | MIN BvP | MIN vs R | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Mike Pelfrey (FD: $6400, DK: $4900)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.76 — K Rate: 11.0% — K/9: 4.19 — BB Rate: 9.0% — GB Rate: 58.3%
2014: SIERA: 6.45 — K Rate: 8.4% — K/9: 3.80 — BB Rate: 15.1% — GB Rate: 43.7%
Detroit Tigers vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.320 (Rank: 11)
Strikeout Rate: 19.1% (Rank: 10)
Analysis: Even if Victor Martinez (illness) and J.D. Martinez (back) are out of the lineup, Pelfrey will not be a recommended fantasy option. He’s pitched better than last season, but that’s not saying a whole lot. He has a 4.76 SIERA with a very low K/9 of 4.2. The Tigers hit right-handed pitching well as a team, especially at home. Pelfrey is a large underdog in this game for a reason.
Pitcher Rating:23.4
Anibal Sanchez (FD: $8800, DK: $9200)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.99 — K Rate: 20.1% — K/9: 7.74 — BB Rate: 6.5% — GB Rate: 34.6%
2014: SIERA: 3.64 — K Rate: 19.8% — K/9: 7.29 — BB Rate: 5.8% — GB Rate: 45.7%
Minnesota Twins vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.293 (Rank: 25)
Strikeout Rate: 23.6% (Rank: 28)
Analysis: Sanchez is quietly having a nice season for the Tigers. He currently owns a 3.99 SIERA with a K/9 of 7.7. He typically has great command, which allows him to keep his walks down and pitch deep into games. He draws a favorable matchup today against the Twins, who are ranked 25th in wOBA (.293) and 28th in strikeout rate (23.6%) against right-handed pitching. Sanchez should also have plenty of run support to help his cause. He’s easily the top pitching option in the early slate of games.
Pitcher Rating:77.5
Batter Grind Down
Minnesota
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Trevor Plouffe (FD: $2800, DK: $4100)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.375 — ISO: 0.206 — OBP: 0.366
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.171 — OBP: 0.318
Detroit
Miguel Cabrera (FD: $4500, DK: $5100)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.410 — ISO: 0.227 — OBP: 0.412
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.385 — ISO: 0.203 — OBP: 0.374
Analysis: Cabrera seems to have a knack of letting us down when he is in favorable matchups. It’s hard to avoid him today though, as he draws arguably the best matchup on the board in Mike Pelfrey. Pelfrey has given up a .437 wOBA to right-handed hitters since the start of 2013. During that stretch, Cabrera has mashed right-handed pitching to the tune of a .389 wOBA. Don’t be afraid to pair him up with the other Tigers’ hitters in the early slate.
Secondary Plays:
Ian Kinsler (FD: $3500, DK: $4600)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.380 — ISO: 0.089 — OBP: 0.423
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.144 — OBP: 0.305
Anthony Gose (FD: $3200, DK: $4200)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.377 — ISO: 0.143 — OBP: 0.378
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.295 — ISO: 0.074 — OBP: 0.329
Nick Castellanos (FD: $2200, DK: $3700)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.261 — ISO: 0.156 — OBP: 0.247
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.308 — ISO: 0.135 — OBP: 0.301
Kansas City at Texas – 2:05 PM EST
| Kansas City | Texas | ||||||||
 | Jeremy Guthrie |  | Ross Detwiler | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| KCR (-114) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.301 | 0.918 | 0.397 | 11.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.190 | 0.499 | 0.231 | 34.80% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.306 | 0.804 | 0.348 | 6.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.347 | 1.081 | 0.458 | 9.70% |
| Batter Splits | KC BvP | KC vs L | Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jeremy Guthrie (FD: $6500, DK: $5800)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 5.40 — K Rate: 8.9% — K/9: 3.47 — BB Rate: 7.0% — GB Rate: 37.2%
2014: SIERA: 4.34 — K Rate: 14.4% — K/9: 5.51 — BB Rate: 5.7% — GB Rate: 43.6%
Texas Rangers vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.291 (Rank: 26)
Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 22)
Analysis: Guthrie’s numbers are all trending in the wrong direction this season. His SIERA and walk rate are both up, while his strikeout and ground-ball rates are both down. It would take a few quality outings in a row from Guthrie for me to even start to consider him in daily fantasy. Even in a favorable matchup against the Rangers, he should be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating:52.0
Ross Detwiler (FD: $5400, DK: $5400)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 5.23 — K Rate: 13.9% — K/9: 5.97 — BB Rate: 10.2% — GB Rate: 36.3%
2014: SIERA: 4.13 — K Rate: 14.2% — K/9: 5.57 — BB Rate: 7.7% — GB Rate: 46.3%
Kansas City Royals vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.352 (Rank: 2)
Strikeout Rate: 12.1% (Rank: 1)
Analysis: Detwiler pitched a gem against the Astros two starts ago, but that was an aberration more than anything. He has given up five or more runs in four of his first six starts this season. He has a 5.23 SIERA with a low K/9 of 6.0. He draws the worth pitching matchup in all of baseball, as he has to face a Royals’ offense that is ranked 2nd in wOBA (.352) and 1st in strikeout rate (12.1%) against left-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating:41.8
Batter Grind Down
Kansas City
Lorenzo Cain (FD: $3200, DK: $4400)
Editor’s Note: Cain is not in the lineup today.
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.462 — ISO: 0.229 — OBP: 0.463
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.362 — ISO: 0.157 — OBP: 0.357
Analysis: At $3,200, Cain is going to be a staple in my early lineups on FanDuel. He’ll likely be in my DraftKings’ lineups as well. He has been terrific against left-handed pitching this season, posting a .462 wOBA with a .229 ISO. He draws a favorable matchup against Ross Detwiler, who gave up a .358 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season. The Royals are my favorite offense to target in the early slate of games.
Secondary Plays:
Eric Hosmer (FD: $4200, DK: $5100)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.125 — OBP: 0.344
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.296 — ISO: 0.115 — OBP: 0.297
Alcides Escobar (FD: $2700, DK: $4500)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.280 — ISO: 0.067 — OBP: 0.303
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.129 — OBP: 0.342
Kendrys Morales (FD: $2700, DK: $4100)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.331 — ISO: 0.103 — OBP: 0.350
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.291 — ISO: 0.142 — OBP: 0.281
Editor’s Note: Perez is not in the lineup today.
Salvador Perez (FD: $2400, DK: $3900)
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.167 — OBP: 0.310
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.277 — ISO: 0.120 — OBP: 0.286
Texas
Prince Fielder (FD: $3100, DK: $4500)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.403 — ISO: 0.101 — OBP: 0.437
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.301 — ISO: 0.078 — OBP: 0.398
Analysis: Jeremy Guthrie doesn’t fare well against batters that hit from the left side of the plate. It has plagued him throughout his career. Since the start of 2014, Guthrie has given up a .404 wOBA to left-handed hitters. Prince Fielder has always had good power against right-handed pitching and he’s finally having some success in a Rangers’ uniform. He’s also priced at a very playable $3,100 on FanDuel.
Secondary Plays:
Shin-Soo Choo (FD: $3100, DK: $4200)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.290 — ISO: 0.197 — OBP: 0.276
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.140 — OBP: 0.348
Carlos Peguero (FD: $2800, DK: $3400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.320 — OBP: 0.355
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.318 — ISO: 0.125 — OBP: 0.333
NY Mets at Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM EST
| NY Mets | Chicago Cubs | ||||||||
 | Jonathon Niese |  | Travis Wood | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHC (-122) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | SP vs. Left | 0.194 | 0.598 | 0.265 | 23.50% | ||||
| SP vs. Right | SP vs. Right | 0.255 | 0.762 | 0.329 | 24.80% | ||||
| Batter Splits | NYM BvP | NYM vs L | Batter Splits | CHC vs L | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jon Niese (FD: $8400, DK: $7900)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.67 — K Rate: 15.0% — K/9: 6.08 — BB Rate: 6.6% — GB Rate: 60.2%
2014: SIERA: 3.78 — K Rate: 17.6% — K/9: 6.62 — BB Rate: 5.7% — GB Rate: 47.7%
Chicago Cubs vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.339 (Rank: 3)
Strikeout Rate: 27.5% (Rank: 29)
Analysis: Niese is coming off of a strong start against the Phillies, striking out six batters in seven innings of work. He has typically been much better at home than he has been on the road, but that doesn’t mean that we have to automatically avoid him in his road starts. His matchup against the Cubs today is an interesting one. The wind is blowing in at Wrigley and the Cubs have the 2nd-highest strikeout rate of any team against left-handed pitching. The problem is that the Cubs are also ranked 3rd in wOBA against southpaws, so when they make contact, their hits are going for extra bases. Niese seems a bit overpriced for a road matchup against a scary Cubs’ offense.
Pitcher Rating:61.2
Travis Wood (FD: $7000, DK: $7100)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.46 — K Rate: 24.5% — K/9: 9.37 — BB Rate: 6.5% — GB Rate: 33.0%
2014: SIERA: 4.41 — K Rate: 18.7% — K/9: 7.57 — BB Rate: 9.7% — GB Rate: 34.4%
New York Mets vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.310 (Rank: 19)
Strikeout Rate: 20.9% (Rank: 17)
Analysis: My hope is that most people will look at Wood’s 5.03 ERA from last season and his 4.96 ERA from this season and automatically rule him out. He’s actually pitched much better than that though, especially this season. He owns a 3.46 ERA with a K/9 of 9.4. He may not be able to hold that strikeout rate over the course of the season, but he should still average over seven per nine innings this season. He draws a favorable matchup against the Mets, whose offense has been absent for weeks now. Dollar for dollar, he’s my favorite pitcher in the early slate of games. In terms of the overall pitcher rankings, I have him right behind Anibal Sanchez.
Pitcher Rating:62.6
Batter Grind Down
NY Mets
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Michael Cuddyer (FD: $2500, DK: $4500)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B/OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.115 — OBP: 0.387
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.547 — ISO: 0.392 — OBP: 0.483
Chicago Cubs
Starlin Castro (FD: $3100, DK: $3800)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.395 — ISO: 0.000 — OBP: 0.444
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.122 — OBP: 0.362
Analysis: I really wanted to feature Kris Bryant as the top play on the Cubs today, but his price has come way up and so far his numbers against left-handed pitching haven’t been great. I know that it’s only a matter of time before they come up though, which is why I still have him listed as a secondary play. Castro gets the nod as the top play on the Cubs, as he has a .395 wOBA against southpaws this season. He is also very affordable on both FanDuel and DraftKings.
Secondary Plays:
Kris Bryant (FD: $4000, DK: $4600)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.246 — ISO: 0.063 — OBP: 0.278
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