MLB Grind Down: Thursday, May 21 - Page Two
LA Dodgers at San Francisco – 3:45 PM EST
| LA Dodgers | San Francisco | ||||||||
 | Clayton Kershaw |  | Madison Bumgarner | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAD (-125) | 6 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.203 | 0.527 | 0.235 | 0.314 | SP vs. Left | 0.219 | 0.55 | 0.246 | 0.307 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.207 | 0.565 | 0.252 | 0.318 | SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.679 | 0.299 | 0.23 |
| Batter Splits | LA BvP | LA vs L | Batter Splits | SF BvP | SF vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Clayton Kershaw (FD: $11200, DK: $12400)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 2.46 — K Rate: 31.1% — K/9: 11.65 — BB Rate: 6.6% — FB Rate: 21.3% — HR/FB: 18.5%
2014: SIERA: 2.09 — K Rate: 31.9% — K/9: 10.85 — BB Rate: 4.1% — FB Rate: 29.2% — HR/FB: 6.6%
San Francisco Giants vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.307 (Rank: 23)
Strikeout Rate: 20.2% (Rank: 15)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.75 (Rank: 20)
Analysis: This will be the third meeting between Kershaw and Bumgarner this season, which is crazy that the rotations have lined up perfectly for this to happen. Bumgarner has gotten the best of Kershaw in their first two meetings, but this is still the 2014 NL MVP that we are talking about. Kershaw has been dominant this season with a 2.46 SIERA and a K/9 of 11.7. He doesn’t walk many batters and he doesn’t give up many fly balls. He basically checks every criteria that we look for in a pitcher. He is the top pitching option in the early slate, as he faces a Giants’ offense that is ranked 23rd in wOBA against left-handed pitching.
Pitcher Rating:95.6
Madison Bumgarner (FD: $10100, DK: $10500)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.42 — K Rate: 21.9% — K/9: 8.17 — BB Rate: 3.8% — FB Rate: 38.4% — HR/FB: 10.3%
2014: SIERA: 2.98 — K Rate: 25.1% — K/9: 9.07 — BB Rate: 4.9% — FB Rate: 35.8% — HR/FB: 10.0%
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.310 (Rank: 22)
Strikeout Rate: 19.7% (Rank: 13)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.89 (Rank: 6)
Analysis: Two of Bumgarner’s best starts this season have come against the Dodgers. In those two meetings, he has pitched 14.1 innings, given up 3 earned runs, and has struck out 15 batters. Last season was a bit of an anomaly, but he has pitched well at home throughout his career. He draws a favorable matchup against the Dodgers, who are ranked 22nd in wOBA against left-handed pitching this season. The masses will be on Kershaw today, making Bumgarner an excellent tournament option.
Pitcher Rating:81.3
Batter Grind Down
LA Dodgers
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
NONE
San Francisco
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
NONE
LA Angels at Toronto – 7:07 PM EST
| LA Angels | Toronto | ||||||||
 | Matt Shoemaker |  | R.A. Dickey | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TOR (-110) | 9 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.25 | 0.731 | 0.319 | 0.209 | SP vs. Left | 0.222 | 0.691 | 0.309 | 0.155 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.231 | 0.664 | 0.291 | 0.256 | SP vs. Right | 0.246 | 0.75 | 0.328 | 0.189 |
| Batter Splits | ANA BvP | ANA vs R | Batter Splits | TOR BvP | TOR vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Matt Shoemaker (FD: $8300, DK: $7600)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.48 — K Rate: 24.10% — K/9: 8.92 — BB Rate: 4.40% — FB Rate: 49.10% — HR/FB: 20.40%
2014: SIERA: 3.19 — K Rate: 22.80% — K/9: 8.21 — BB Rate: 4.40% — FB Rate: 39.10% — HR/FB: 9.40%
Toronto Blue Jays vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.318 (Rank: 10)
Strikeout Rate: 21.20% (Rank: 21)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.82 (Rank: 13)
Analysis: Shoemaker’s 5.63 ERA just tells you how unlucky he has been this season. His indicators all look great, as he has a 3.48 SIERA on the season. The biggest reason for his high ERA is his unsustainably high HR/FB rate of 20.4%. Expect that to come down to closer to the major league average of 10% as the season progresses. Even though his indicators look good, he draws a tough matchup against the Blue Jays in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. We may have to wait at least one more start before targeting him.
Pitcher Rating:59.2
R.A. Dickey (FD: $7600, DK: $6200)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 5.34 — K Rate: 10.70% — K/9: 4.14 — BB Rate: 8.80% — FB Rate: 34.90% — HR/FB: 15.30%
2014: SIERA: 4.08 — K Rate: 18.90% — K/9: 7.22 — BB Rate: 8.10% — FB Rate: 37.60% — HR/FB: 10.70%
LA Angels of Anaheim vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.27 (Rank: 30)
Strikeout Rate: 20.10% (Rank: 16)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.75 (Rank: 21)
Analysis: Dickey has always relied on the strikeout to dominate his opponents, but unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case this season. He is only averaging 4.1 strikeouts nine innings this season with a walk rate that is nearly as high as his strikeout rate. Even though the Angels are ranked dead last in wOBA against right-handed pitching, I will have zero shares of Dickey tonight in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre.
Pitcher Rating:42.4
Batter Grind Down
LA Angels
Mike Trout (FD: $5000, DK: $5300)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.381 — ISO: 0.259 — wRC+: 151
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.404 — ISO: 0.283 — wRC+: 168
Analysis: Trout, Calhoun, and Aybar are all elite plays tonight, but Trout gets featured as he is coming off of a big game last night. He has a .381 wOBA and a .259 ISO against right-handed pitching this season and he’s facing R.A. Dickey, who has given up a ton of home runs (1.6 per nine innings this season).
Secondary Plays:
Kole Calhoun (FD: $3100, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.337 — ISO: 0.158 — wRC+: 121
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.19 — wRC+: 129
Erick Aybar (FD: $2400, DK: $3600)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.271 — ISO: 0.026 — wRC+: 75
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.32 — ISO: 0.103 — wRC+: 110
Toronto
NO ELITE PLAYS – Feels weird not recommending any Blue Jays bats at home, but I see Toronto’s bats as secondary options tonight against Matt Shoemaker.
Secondary Plays:
Jose Bautista (FD: $4800, DK: $4700)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.368 — ISO: 0.244 — wRC+: 134
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.387 — ISO: 0.227 — wRC+: 148
Ezequiel Carrera (FD: $2200, DK: $3200)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.107 — wRC+: 118
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.253 — ISO: 0.091 — wRC+: 56
Oakland at Tampa Bay – 7:10 PM EST
| Oakland | Tampa Bay | ||||||||
 | Jesse Chavez |  | Alex Colome | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TB (-115) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.24 | 0.646 | 0.291 | 0.189 | SP vs. Left | 0.261 | 0.734 | 0.323 | 0.158 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.247 | 0.695 | 0.308 | 0.259 | SP vs. Right | 0.257 | 0.679 | 0.299 | 0.167 |
| Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | Batter Splits | TB BvP | TB vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jesse Chavez (FD: $7600, DK: $7200)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.69 — K Rate: 22.70% — K/9: 8.36 — BB Rate: 7.80% — FB Rate: 39.20% — HR/FB: 2.50%
2014: SIERA: 3.64 — K Rate: 21.90% — K/9: 8.38 — BB Rate: 7.90% — FB Rate: 35.40% — HR/FB: 11.20%
Tampa Bay Rays vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.303 (Rank: 19)
Strikeout Rate: 20.50% (Rank: 18)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.91 (Rank: 5)
Analysis: Chavez has switched back and forth between coming out of the bullpen and being a starter, but he’s pitched well enough to earn himself a spot in the rotation. On the season, he has a 3.69 SIERA with a K/9 of 8.4. He draws a decent matchup tonight against the Rays in the pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. The Rays are currently ranked 19th in wOBA and 18th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching.
Pitcher Rating:61.1
Alex Colome (FD: $6400, DK: $5500)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.45 — K Rate: 19.50% — K/9: 7.45 — BB Rate: 2.40% — FB Rate: 28.60% — HR/FB: 22.20%
2014: SIERA: 5.05 — K Rate: 13.40% — K/9: 4.94 — BB Rate: 10.30% — FB Rate: 40.50% — HR/FB: 3.30%
Oakland Athletics vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.329 (Rank: 3)
Strikeout Rate: 16.90% (Rank: 4)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.88 (Rank: 7)
Analysis: Colome has given up 13 earned runs in his last three starts, while only striking out 10 batters during that stretch. It’s never a good sign when you have more earned runs than strikeouts. He draws a tough matchup tonight against the A’s, who are ranked 7th or better in wOBA, strikeout rate, and pitches per plate appearance against right-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating:51.8
Batter Grind Down
Oakland
Josh Reddick (FD: $3700, DK: $4300)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.452 — ISO: 0.273 — wRC+: 198
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.367 — ISO: 0.239 — wRC+: 140
Analysis: Reddick continues to have one of the highest wOBA’s against right-handed pitching, yet he’s much cheaper than some of the other options that have similar upside. Reddick has a .452 wOBA and a .273 ISO against righties this season and he draws a nice matchup against Alex Colome, who has been lit up in his last few starts.
Secondary Plays:
Stephen Vogt (FD: $3600, DK: $3700)
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B/C
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.444 — ISO: 0.319 — wRC+: 192
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.337 — ISO: 0.148 — wRC+: 119
Tampa Bay
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Kevin Kiermaier (FD: $2700, DK: $3700)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 110
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.362 — ISO: 0.218 — wRC+: 139
James Loney (FD: $2500, DK: $3500)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.321 — ISO: 0.100 — wRC+: 109
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.337 — ISO: 0.103 — wRC+: 122
Texas at Boston – 7:10 PM EST
| Texas | Boston | ||||||||
 | Wandy Rodriguez |  | Clay Buchholz | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BOS (-165) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.326 | 0 | 0.4 | 0.106 | SP vs. Left | 0.273 | 0.765 | 0.338 | 0.186 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.256 | 0.841 | 0.362 | 0.197 | SP vs. Right | 0.267 | 0.719 | 0.319 | 0.214 |
| Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs R | Batter Splits | BOS BvP | BOS vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Wandy Rodriguez (FD: $6400, DK: $5700)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.23 — K Rate: 20.00% — K/9: 7.71 — BB Rate: 9.20% — FB Rate: 37.80% — HR/FB: 6.50%
2014: SIERA: 4.29 — K Rate: 16.00% — K/9: 6.75 — BB Rate: 6.40% — FB Rate: 42.40% — HR/FB: 25.60%
Boston Red Sox vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.279 (Rank: 27)
Strikeout Rate: 17.70% (Rank: 8)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.99 (Rank: 2)
Analysis: Rodriguez is one of my favorite pitchers to target hitters against. He has pitched better than I expected him to, but I’m still not buying in on the southpaw. He has a 4.23 SIERA with a walk rate of 9.2%. Tonight he travels to Boston to take on a tough Red Sox offense that takes a lot of pitches and doesn’t strike out often. He’s one of the biggest underdogs on the board and he can safely be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating:40.4
Clay Buchholz (FD: $7900, DK: $7900)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 3.00 — K Rate: 27.00% — K/9: 10.64 — BB Rate: 6.50% — FB Rate: 30.80% — HR/FB: 10.00%
2014: SIERA: 4.02 — K Rate: 17.90% — K/9: 6.97 — BB Rate: 7.30% — FB Rate: 34.30% — HR/FB: 9.20%
Texas Rangers vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.293 (Rank: 26)
Strikeout Rate: 20.90% (Rank: 19)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.82 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: It seems like I recommend Buchholz as a tournament play every time he takes the mound. He has given up a lot of earned runs, but the indicators all look great. On the season, he has a 3.00 SIERA with an impressive K/9 of 10.6. He’s a huge favorite tonight at home against a Rangers’ offense that is currently ranked 26th in wOBA and 19th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. I’m a little hesitant to say this, but Buchholz is actually in play for cash games and tournaments tonight.
Pitcher Rating:72.2
Batter Grind Down
Texas
Shin-Soo Choo (FD: $3300, DK: $4000)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.267 — wRC+: 137
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.14 — wRC+: 105
Analysis: Choo has really come on after a slow start to the season. He’s batting .321 in the month of May with 15 extra-base hits. That has brought his wOBA against right-handed pitching up to .376 on the season. He draws a decent matchup against Clay Buchholz and he gets to face him in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
Secondary Plays:
Prince Fielder (FD: $3400, DK: $4600)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.406 — ISO: 0.11 — wRC+: 157
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.301 — ISO: 0.078 — wRC+: 86
Boston
Hanley Ramirez (FD: $3600, DK: $4800)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF/SS
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.491 — ISO: 0.400 — wRC+: 218
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.383 — ISO: 0.194 — wRC+: 150
Analysis: Ramirez is far and away my favorite play at shortstop tonight on DraftKings. He’s also one of the top outfield options on FanDuel. He has a .491 wOBA and a .400 ISO against southpaws this season and he draws one of the best matchups on the board. Since the start of 2014, Wandy Rodriguez has given up a .362 wOBA to right-handed hitters.
Secondary Plays:
Mike Napoli (FD: $2600, DK: $4000)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 104
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.407 — ISO: 0.173 — wRC+: 162
Dustin Pedroia (FD: $2800, DK: $4100)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.2 — wRC+: 98
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.322 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 102
Mookie Betts (FD: $3100, DK: $4300)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.233 — ISO: 0.158 — wRC+: 40
2014 vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.37 — ISO: 0.155 — wRC+: 136
Milwaukee at Atlanta – 7:10 PM EST
| Milwaukee | Atlanta | ||||||||
 | Matt Garza |  | Julio Teheran | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| ATL (-125) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.228 | 0.677 | 0.303 | 0.178 | SP vs. Left | 0.257 | 0.752 | 0.33 | 0.187 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.247 | 0.689 | 0.305 | 0.185 | SP vs. Right | 0.222 | 0.62 | 0.275 | 0.229 |
| Batter Splits | MIL BvP | MIL vs R | Batter Splits | ATL BvP | ATL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Matt Garza (FD: $6700, DK: $7000)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.60 — K Rate: 17.00% — K/9: 6.90 — BB Rate: 10.70% — FB Rate: 26.90% — HR/FB: 20.50%
2014: SIERA: 4.02 — K Rate: 18.50% — K/9: 6.94 — BB Rate: 7.40% — FB Rate: 36.00% — HR/FB: 7.00%
Atlanta Braves vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 12)
Strikeout Rate: 15.80% (Rank: 2)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.74 (Rank: 23)
Analysis: Garza has struggled a bit this season, posting a 4.60 SIERA with a K/9 of 6.9. He has a high walk rate of 10.7%, which is a concern against a Braves’ offense that doesn’t strike out often. The Braves have been good against right-handed pitching this season and are one of the worst strikeout matchups on the board.
Pitcher Rating:46.8
Julio Teheran (FD: $8200, DK: $8800)
Pitching Stats:
2015: SIERA: 4.20 — K Rate: 19.80% — K/9: 8.04 — BB Rate: 9.10% — FB Rate: 30.80% — HR/FB: 22.00%
2014: SIERA: 3.68 — K Rate: 21.00% — K/9: 7.57 — BB Rate: 5.80% — FB Rate: 43.80% — HR/FB: 8.10%
Milwaukee Brewers vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.299 (Rank: 23)
Strikeout Rate: 22.00% (Rank: 26)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.72 (Rank: 25)
Analysis: Teheran is a pitcher that you always want to target when he is at home. His home splits throughout his career are much better than they are on the road. On the season, he owns a 4.20 SIERA with a K/9 of 8.0. The Brewers’ offense isn’t quite as favorable of a matchup as they were earlier in the season, but they are still ranked 23rd in wOBA and 26th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. Teheran deserves consideration in both cash games and tournaments.
Pitcher Rating:69.9
Batter Grind Down
Milwaukee
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Ryan Braun (FD: $4200, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.372 — ISO: 0.271 — wRC+: 132
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.335 — ISO: 0.169 — wRC+: 110
Adam Lind (FD: $3000, DK: $3800)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.418 — ISO: 0.28 — wRC+: 162
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.41 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 164
Atlanta
Freddie Freeman (FD: $3300, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.381 — ISO: 0.194 — wRC+: 141
2014 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 150
Analysis: Freeman is a very safe play in cash games tonight. He is one of the few players in baseball that will almost always give you some type of production. Everyone’s floor is zero in daily fantasy baseball, but Freeman consistently produces on a nightly basis. He draws a favorable matchup tonight against Matt Garza at home.
Secondary Plays:
Jace Peterson (FD: $2800, DK: $3300)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.307 — ISO: 0.07 — wRC+: 92
Todd Cunningham (FD: $2200, DK: $2700)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.672 — ISO: 0.154 — wRC+: 335