MLB Grind Down: Tuesday, June 16th
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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Minnesota at St. Louis – 1:45 PM EST
| Minnesota | St. Louis | ||||||||
 | Kyle Gibson |  | Michael Wacha | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| STL (-180) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.691 | 0.308 | 10.1% | SP vs. Left | 0.212 | 0.593 | 0.269 | 19.50% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.250 | 0.687 | 0.305 | 18.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.240 | 0.654 | 0.289 | 20.00% |
| Batter Splits | MIN BvP | MIN vs R | Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Kyle Gibson : FD: $6,400 — DK: $6,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 254.1 — SIERA: 4.20 — K%: 14.2% — BB%: 7.5% — FB Rate: 26.5% — HR/FB: 9.7%
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.2 — SIERA: 3.19 — K%: 21.4% — BB%: 6.1% — FB Rate: 25.0% — HR/FB: 26.1%
St. Louis Cardinals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.321 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 19.1% (Rank: 8)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.283 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 23.5% (Rank: 26)
Pitchers per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 21)
Analysis: Gibson has pitched well over the last month of play with a 3.19 SIERA and a strikeout rate of 21.4%. His ERA is a lot higher during that stretch, but that’s solely due his HR/FB rate of 26.1%. That rate is unsustainable. While Gibson does catch the Cardinals at the right time (25th in wOBA over the last two weeks), they are still a formidable opponent. The Twins are huge underdogs in this game, making Gibson an easy fade in both cash games and tournaments.
Pitcher Rating:47.1
Michael Wacha : FD: $8,700 — DK: $9,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 184.0 — SIERA: 3.82 — K%: 19.7% — BB%: 6.7% — FB Rate: 34.5% — HR/FB: 6.5%
Last 30 Days: IP: 33.1 — SIERA: 3.51 — K%: 22.8% — BB%: 5.9% — FB Rate: 36.8% — HR/FB: 8.6%
Minnesota Twins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 21.1% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.270 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 18.6% (Rank: 8)
Pitchers per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 14)
Analysis: Wacha’s strikeouts were down early in the season, but they are back now. Over the last 30 days, Wacha owns a 3.51 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 5.9%. He throws a lot of strikes and he gives up very few home runs. He draws a favorable matchup today against the Twins, who are ranked 27th in wOBA (.292) and 23rd in strikeout rate (21.1%) against right-handed pitching. The Cardinals are sizable favorites, making Wacha close to a must play in the early slate of games.
Pitcher Rating:83.5
Batter Grind Down
Minnesota
NONE – Since the start of 2014, Michael Wacha has held left and right-handed hitters under a .290 wOBA. Add in the fact that the Twins are ranked 27th in wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and we have ourselves an easy fade.
St. Louis
Matt Carpenter : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 670 — wOBA: 0.361 — ISO: 0.135 — wRC+: 132
Last 14 Days: PA: 50 — wOBA: 0.242 — ISO: 0.024 — wRC+: 50
Analysis: Carpenter is in the middle of a prolonged slump, but his price has come down across the industry. This is a good matchup to buy low on Carpenter, as he faces Kyle Gibson, who is a low strikeout pitcher. It’s only a matter of time before the hits start falling for Carpenter. Over the last two seasons, he has a .361 wOBA and a .135 ISO against right-handed pitching.
Kolten Wong
Salaries: FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 541 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.156 — wRC+: 102
Mark Reynolds
Salaries: FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 441 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.194 — wRC+: 99
Colorado at Houston – 2:10 PM EST
| Colorado | Houston | ||||||||
 | Chris Rusin |  | Vincent Velasquez | ||||||
| LEFT | Right | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| HOU (-165) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.220 | 0.584 | 0.259 | 17.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.200 | 0.633 | 0.294 | 16.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.304 | 0.888 | 0.384 | 13.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.167 | 0.542 | 0.282 | 37.50% |
| Batter Splits | COL vs R | Batter Splits | HOU BvP | HOU vs L | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chris Rusin : FD: $5,600 — DK: $4,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 36.2 — SIERA: 4.24 — K%: 14.5% — BB%: 8.4% — FB Rate: 25.6% — HR/FB: 9.4%
Last 30 Days: IP: 24.0 — SIERA: 4.18 — K%: 14.8% — BB%: 8.3% — FB Rate: 21.0% — HR/FB: 11.8%
Houston Astros Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.313 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 23.3% (Rank: 25)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.313 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 25.8% (Rank: 30)
Pitchers per PA: 3.81 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Rusin has one of the lowest strikeout rates of any qualified starter. Over the last two seasons, he has a 4.24 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 14.5%. He draws a very difficult matchup against the Astros, who lead the majors in home runs. The Astros may strike out often, but they are ranked 12th in wOBA against left-handed pitching. Rusin should be avoided in all league formats, while the Astros’ offense should be heavily targeted.
Pitcher Rating:41.6
Vincent Velasquez : FD: $8,000 — DK: $5,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 5.0 — SIERA: 5.39 — K%: 25.0% — BB%: 20.0% — FB Rate: 54.5% — HR/FB: 0.0%
Last 30 Days: IP: 5.0 — SIERA: 5.39 — K%: 25.0% — BB%: 20.0% — FB Rate: 54.5% — HR/FB: 0.0%
Colorado Rockies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.333 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 19.9% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.330 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 21.5% (Rank: 18)
Pitchers per PA: 3.74 (Rank: 22)
Analysis: Velasquez is making his second career start today. In his first outing, he struck out five batters over five scoreless innings of work. His command was a problem, but we’ll give him a pass in his first major league start. He is one of the Astros’ top pitching prospects and he has averaged at least ten strikeouts per nine innings in each of his last three seasons in the minors. His price is only going to go up from here. I plan on taking full advantage of the discounted price on DraftKings ($5,500), as the Rockies are a much different offense on the road.
Pitcher Rating:70.5
Batter Grind Down
Colorado
The Rockies are a much different offense away from Coors Field. While it’s always difficult to predict how young pitchers are going to perform in their first few major league starts, Vincent Velasquez is a top prospect. The Rockies’ offense could very well get going today, but I see them as secondary options against the talented rookie.
Troy Tulowitzki
Salaries: FD: $4,300 — DK: $5,700
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 442 — wOBA: 0.372 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 122
Charlie Blackmon
Salaries: FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 678 — wOBA: 0.356 — ISO: 0.158 — wRC+: 110
Houston
George Springer : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 181 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.210 — wRC+: 142
Last 14 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.413 — ISO: 0.140 — wRC+: 172
Analysis: Don’t you hate when you swap a player out at the last minute and it ends up being a terrible move? I usually don’t like to tinker with my lineups, but with the weather last night, I was forced to make some changes. One of which was swapping out George Springer, who hit two home runs. This happens to all of us and it’s a part of the game. I won’t be making the same mistake today though. Springer has terrific numbers against left-handed pitching and he draws a favorable matchup against Chris Rusin, who has given up a .384 wOBA to right-handed hitters. An Astros’ stack may be in order today.
Evan Gattis
Salaries: FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 158 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.220 — wRC+: 106
Carlos Correa
Salaries: FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 14 — wOBA: 0.566 — ISO: 0.538 — wRC+: 279
Chris Carter
Salaries: FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 251 — wOBA: 0.357 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 131
Oakland at San Diego – 3:40 PM EST
| Oakland | San Diego | ||||||||
 | Scott Kazmir |  | Andrew Cashner | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SD (-110) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.257 | 0.666 | 0.298 | 20.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.255 | 0.769 | 0.333 | 19.50% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.222 | 0.644 | 0.287 | 21.9% | SP vs. Right | 0.250 | 0.640 | 0.282 | 19.90% |
| Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | Batter Splits | SDP BvP | SD vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Scott Kazmir : FD: $9,000 — DK: $9,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 261.1 — SIERA: 3.68 — K%: 21.6% — BB%: 7.3% — FB Rate: 36.7% — HR/FB: 8.1%
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.2 — SIERA: 4.11 — K%: 21.2% — BB%: 10.6% — FB Rate: 30.1% — HR/FB: 4.5%
San Diego Padres Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.303 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 23.5% (Rank: 26)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.293 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 24.4% (Rank: 28)
Pitchers per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 12)
Analysis: Kazmir is coming off of a very strong start against the Rangers. He is one of those pitchers that pitches in streaks. Hopefully his last start was the beginning of a hot streak. He is a high-strikeout pitcher (21.6% K-rate) with a favorable matchup against the Padres, who are ranked 21st in wOBA (.303) and 26th in strikeout rate (23.5%) against left-handed pitching. Kazmir also gets to face them in Petco Park, which is the best pitcher’s venue in all of baseball.
Pitcher Rating:75.3
Andrew Cashner : FD: $7,700 — DK: $8,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 203.1 — SIERA: 3.68 — K%: 19.7% — BB%: 6.2% — FB Rate: 32.2% — HR/FB: 9.6%
Last 30 Days: IP: 36.0 — SIERA: 4.09 — K%: 18.6% — BB%: 8.1% — FB Rate: 31.0% — HR/FB: 11.4%
Oakland Athletics Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.319 (Rank: 9) — Strikeout Rate: 17.5% (Rank: 5)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.303 (Rank: 18) — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 10)
Pitchers per PA: 3.89 (Rank: 6)
Analysis: Yesterday was a great example of why we don’t target pitchers against the A’s. They are an extremely patient team at the plate, they make opposing pitchers work, and they eventually wear them down. The A’s are ranked 9th in wOBA (.319) and 5th in strikeout rate (17.5%) against right-handed pitching this season. Even though this game will take place in Petco, Ian Kennedy is a tournament play at best. I’d much rather target the guy pitching opposite him (Scott Kazmir).
Pitcher Rating:66.4
Batter Grind Down
Oakland
The A’s are one of the best offenses against right-handed pitching, but they are facing a very competent pitcher in the best pitcher’s park in all of baseball. The total for the game is set at only 6.5 runs, which leaves the A’s as secondary options in the early slate.
Josh Reddick
Salaries: FD: $3,500 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 460 — wOBA: 0.401 — ISO: 0.249 — wRC+: 165
Billy Burns
Salaries: FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 113 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.103 — wRC+: 123
San Diego
The Padres hit left-handed pitching better than they do right-handed pitching, but they are still ranked 21st in team wOBA. They draw a fairly difficult matchup against Scott Kazmir, who has held left and right-handed hitters under a .300 wOBA over the last two seasons. The Padres are secondary fantasy options at best.
Derek Norris
Salaries: FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 218 — wOBA: 0.384 — ISO: 0.156 — wRC+: 152
Matt Kemp
Salaries: FD: $2,700 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 212 — wOBA: 0.324 — ISO: 0.172 — wRC+: 109
Seattle at San Francisco – 3:45 PM EST
| Seattle | San Francisco | ||||||||
 | J.A. Happ |  | Tim Lincecum | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SF (-120) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.275 | 0.830 | 0.362 | 23.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.229 | 0.682 | 0.304 | 16.20% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.259 | 0.733 | 0.321 | 18.1% | SP vs. Right | 0.265 | 0.803 | 0.352 | 22.70% |
| Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs R | Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
J.A. Happ : FD: $6,800 — DK: $7,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 225.2 — SIERA: 3.95 — K%: 19.3% — BB%: 7.0% — FB Rate: 38.1% — HR/FB: 10.5%
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.1 — SIERA: 4.51 — K%: 15.6% — BB%: 6.3% — FB Rate: 41.4% — HR/FB: 4.9%
San Francisco Giants Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.313 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 20.2% (Rank: 13)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.308 (Rank: 16) — Strikeout Rate: 15.6% (Rank: 1)
Pitchers per PA: 3.70 (Rank: 28)
Analysis: Happ comes into today’s game in less than stellar form. Over the last 30 days, he has a 4.51 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 15.6%. He now has to face one of the hottest offenses in baseball. The Giants hit left and right-handed pitching well and they don’t strike out often. There are enough red flags here that Happ can safely be avoided in all league formats.
Pitcher Rating:59.4
Tim Lincecum : FD: $8,100 — DK: $7,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 223.1 — SIERA: 4.11 — K%: 19.6% — BB%: 9.8% — FB Rate: 31.4% — HR/FB: 12.1%
Last 30 Days: IP: 27.0 — SIERA: 4.56 — K%: 18.6% — BB%: 10.2% — FB Rate: 44.0% — HR/FB: 13.5%
Seattle Mariners Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.292 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 23.1% (Rank: 28)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.275 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 24.9% (Rank: 29)
Pitchers per PA: 3.87 (Rank: 7)
Analysis: Lincecum will show flashes of brilliance for an inning or two, but he is typically unable to string together six or seven quality innings. Since the start of 2014, he has a 4.11 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 19.6%. Command is always an issue with Lincecum, as he walks around 10% of the batters that he faces. He draws a favorable matchup today against the Mariners, but there are better pitching options to target in the early slate of games.
Pitcher Rating:65.2
Batter Grind Down
Seattle
Nelson Cruz : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 722 — wOBA: 0.360 — ISO: 0.242 — wRC+: 132
Last 14 Days: PA: 46 — wOBA: 0.299 — ISO: 0.024 — wRC+: 94
Analysis: Tim Lincecum is a reverse-splits pitcher. Over the last two seasons, he has given up a .352 wOBA to right-handed hitters. While Nelson Cruz has been swinging a cold bat, his price has come way down on both FanDuel and DraftKings. This could be a great opportunity to buy low on Cruz, as he has the power to hit home runs anywhere, regardless of ballpark factors.
Kyle Seager
Salaries: FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 608 — wOBA: 0.360 — ISO: 0.206 — wRC+: 136
Logan Morrison
Salaries: FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 451 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 114
San Francisco
Buster Posey : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B/C
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 233 — wOBA: 0.367 — ISO: 0.200 — wRC+: 141
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.354 — ISO: 0.170 — wRC+: 131
Analysis: Posey is always a popular catching target when there is a left-handed pitcher on the mound. Over the last two seasons, he has a .367 wOBA with a .200 ISO against southpaws. He draws a favorable matchup at home against J.A. Happ, who has given up a .321 wOBA to right-handed hitters. Happ also comes into today’s game after struggling in his last few starts.
Nori Aoki
Salaries: FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 211 — wOBA: 0.384 — ISO: 0.059 — wRC+: 149
Angel Pagan
Salaries: FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 213 — wOBA: 0.300 — ISO: 0.080 — wRC+: 95
Atlanta at Boston – 4:05 PM EST
| Atlanta | Boston | ||||||||
 | Julio Teheran |  | Wade Miley | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BOS (-160) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.741 | 0.324 | 18.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.247 | 0.686 | 0.307 | 18.30% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.221 | 0.626 | 0.278 | 22.4% | SP vs. Right | 0.271 | 0.772 | 0.338 | 19.90% |
| Batter Splits | ATL BvP | ATL vs L | Batter Splits | BOS BvP | BOS vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Julio Teheran : FD: $7,900 — DK: $8,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 296.1 — SIERA: 3.83 — K%: 20.5% — BB%: 6.6% — FB Rate: 41.2% — HR/FB: 10.1%
Last 30 Days: IP: 37.1 — SIERA: 4.23 — K%: 17.8% — BB%: 7.9% — FB Rate: 33.9% — HR/FB: 13.5%
Boston Red Sox Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.311 (Rank: 16) — Strikeout Rate: 16.7% (Rank: 1)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 18.0% (Rank: 4)
Pitchers per PA: 3.99 (Rank: 2)
Analysis: Teheran is an easy pitcher to break down. You want to target him when he is pitching at home in a favorable matchup and avoid him elsewhere. He has a decent strikeout rate, but the Red Sox have the lowest strikeout rate of any team against right-handed pitching this season. The Red Sox hit right-handed pitching fairly well and Teheran will have to deal with a quality American League lineup in an American League ballpark. This could be a great spot for the Red Sox offense.
Pitcher Rating:53.7
Wade Miley : FD: $7,100 — DK: $6,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 267.0 — SIERA: 3.88 — K%: 19.6% — BB%: 8.3% — FB Rate: 30.2% — HR/FB: 12.3%
Last 30 Days: IP: 30.1 — SIERA: 3.97 — K%: 15.4% — BB%: 3.9% — FB Rate: 33.3% — HR/FB: 11.8%
Atlanta Braves Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.276 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 22.4% (Rank: 20)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.344 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 17.3% (Rank: 3)
Pitchers per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 17)
Analysis: Even though he deserved to get pulled, Miley was furious in his last start. We’ll see if he can channel that anger into another quality start at home. The Braves are often thought of as a team to avoid pitchers against and while that may be true for right-handed pitchers, it’s not for left-handed pitchers. The Braves are ranked 28th in wOBA (.276) and 20th in strikeout rate (22.4%) against southpaws this season. I’m not going to target Miley today, but I could see him pitching well in this one.
Pitcher Rating:63.8
Batter Grind Down
Atlanta
Cameron Maybin : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 137 — wOBA: 0.282 — ISO: 0.136 — wRC+: 80
Last 14 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.020 — wRC+: 137
Analysis: Maybin has been a great addition to the Braves’ offense this season. He has a .373 wOBA over the last two weeks and a good track record against left-handed pitching throughout his career. He draws a favorable matchup against Wade Miley and he gets to face him in Fenway Park, which is a much more hitter-friendly ballpark than Turner Field.
Freddie Freeman
Salaries: FD: $3,900 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 279 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 117
Andrelton Simmons
Salaries: FD: $2,300 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 149 — wOBA: 0.270 — ISO: 0.100 — wRC+: 69
Jonny Gomes
Salaries: FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 244 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.100 — wRC+: 117
Boston
Brock Holt : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 432 — wOBA: 0.313 — ISO: 0.087 — wRC+: 96
Last 14 Days: PA: 42 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.086 — wRC+: 139
Analysis: Ortiz has been the plug as the Red Sox featured play lately, but FanDuel has finally adjusted his price. He’s now $3,000, so he’s no longer a must play. Holt is a viable punt option at third base today. He has been swinging a hot bat with a .373 wOBA over the last two weeks and he should be hitting high in the Red Sox lineup. He draws a favorable matchup against Julio Teheran, who has given up a .324 wOBA to left-handed hitters in the last two seasons.
David Ortiz
Salaries: FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 569 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.246 — wRC+: 136
Xander Bogaerts
Salaries: FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 588 — wOBA: 0.287 — ISO: 0.104 — wRC+: 78