MLB Grind Down: Wednesday, August 12th - Page Three
Texas at Minnesota – 8:10 PM EST
| Texas | Minnesota | ||||||||
 | Nick Martinez |  | Mike Pelfrey | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| MIN (-113) | 9 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.758 | 0.334 | 0.128 | SP vs. Left | 0.263 | 0.746 | 0.334 | 0.112 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.28 | 0.816 | 0.354 | 0.132 | SP vs. Right | 0.318 | 0.812 | 0.356 | 0.1 |
| Batter Splits | TEX BvP | TEX vs R | Batter Splits | MIN BvP | MIN vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Nick Martinez : FD: $6,200 — DK: $5,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 257.2 — SIERA: 5.07 — ERA: 4.26 — K%: 13.0% — BB%: 8.8% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 20.1 — SIERA: 5.34 — ERA: 6.20 — K%: 12.9% — BB%: 10.8% — HR/9: 1.3
Minnesota Twins Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.300 (Rank: 25) — Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 23)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.288 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 23.8% (Rank: 28)
Pitchers per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 18)
Analysis: This game should be a fun one to watch, unless of course you like pitcher’s duels. With Nick Martinez and Mike Pelfrey on the mound, there are bound to be some runs scored tonight. Martinez has a 5.07 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 13.0% over the last two seasons. He can be avoided in all league formats tonight.
Pitcher Rating: 33.1
Mike Pelfrey : FD: $5,500 — DK: $4,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 145.2 — SIERA: 4.94 — ERA: 4.70 — K%: 10.6% — BB%: 8.5% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 23.0 — SIERA: 4.75 — ERA: 4.30 — K%: 8.9% — BB%: 5.0% — HR/9: 0.4
Texas Rangers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 19.4% (Rank: 11)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.344 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 18.6% (Rank: 8)
Pitchers per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 15)
Analysis: Pelfrey is one of my favorite pitchers to pick on. Since the start of the 2014 season, he has a 4.94 SIERA with a strikeout rate (10.6%) that is almost as low as high walk rate (8.5%). The Rangers offense should have a field day tonight against Pelfrey.
Pitcher Rating: 29.7
Batter Grind Down
Texas
As mentioned above, there should be plenty of runs scored by both teams in this one. Mike Pelfrey has given up a .334+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. Load up on the Rangers in both cash games and tournaments tonight.
Elite Plays:
Prince Fielder : FD: $3,900 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 289 — wOBA: 0.403 — ISO: 0.161 — wRC+: 156
Last 30 Days: PA: 101 — wOBA: 0.319 — ISO: 0.146 — wRC+: 97
Adrian Beltre : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 261 — wOBA: 0.293 — ISO: 0.130 — wRC+: 79
Last 30 Days: PA: 101 — wOBA: 0.341 — ISO: 0.143 — wRC+: 113
Secondary Plays:
Rougned Odor : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 185 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 123
Last 30 Days: PA: 98 — wOBA: 0.424 — ISO: 0.261 — wRC+: 170
Shin-Soo Choo : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 270 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.212 — wRC+: 128
Last 30 Days: PA: 72 — wOBA: 0.417 — ISO: 0.279 — wRC+: 165
Mitch Moreland : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 238 — wOBA: 0.392 — ISO: 0.257 — wRC+: 148
Last 30 Days: PA: 73 — wOBA: 0.337 — ISO: 0.063 — wRC+: 110
Delino Deshields Jr. : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 188 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.108 — wRC+: 100
Last 30 Days: PA: 97 — wOBA: 0.316 — ISO: 0.095 — wRC+: 95
Minnesota
The Twins are also in a great spot tonight, as they face Nick Martinez, who has given up a .334+ wOBA to both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons. Basically, every player that is hitting in the top six or seven spots tonight is in play.
Elite Plays:
Brian Dozier : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 337 — wOBA: 0.338 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 115
Last 30 Days: PA: 96 — wOBA: 0.290 — ISO: 0.205 — wRC+: 82
Miguel Sano : FD: $2,800 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 88 — wOBA: 0.436 — ISO: 0.306 — wRC+: 183
Last 30 Days: PA: 87 — wOBA: 0.332 — ISO: 0.233 — wRC+: 111
Secondary Plays:
Torii Hunter : FD: $3,000 — DK: $4,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 279 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 105
Last 30 Days: PA: 77 — wOBA: 0.282 — ISO: 0.186 — wRC+: 76
Aaron Hicks : FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 155 — wOBA: 0.280 — ISO: 0.093 — wRC+: 75
Last 30 Days: PA: 94 — wOBA: 0.365 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 134
Eddie Rosario : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 205 — wOBA: 0.331 — ISO: 0.192 — wRC+: 110
Last 30 Days: PA: 85 — wOBA: 0.347 — ISO: 0.289 — wRC+: 121
Joe Mauer : FD: $2,300 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 306 — wOBA: 0.303 — ISO: 0.103 — wRC+: 91
Last 30 Days: PA: 89 — wOBA: 0.268 — ISO: 0.085 — wRC+: 66
Detroit at Kansas City – 8:10 PM EST
| Detroit | Kansas City | ||||||||
 | Daniel Norris |  | Edinson Volquez | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| KCR (-172) | 8 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.273 | 0.87 | 0.376 | 0.184 | SP vs. Left | 0.222 | 0.677 | 0.3 | 0.18 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.254 | 0.744 | 0.327 | 0.163 | SP vs. Right | 0.237 | 0.658 | 0.296 | 0.168 |
| Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | Batter Splits | KCR BvP | KC vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Daniel Norris : FD: $6,000 — DK: $5,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 40.2 — SIERA: 4.81 — ERA: 4.43 — K%: 16.9% — BB%: 10.1% — HR/9: 1.3
Last 30 Days: IP: 10.2 — SIERA: 3.72 — ERA: 5.06 — K%: 17.8% — BB%: 2.2% — HR/9: 1.7
Kansas City Royals Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.312 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 14.9% (Rank: 1)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.286 (Rank: 27) — Strikeout Rate: 15.1% (Rank: 2)
Pitchers per PA: 3.66 (Rank: 30)
Analysis: There are some high hopes for Norris, but until we start seeing something positive from him, he can continue to be avoided in daily fantasy. He has a 4.81 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 16.9% in his short stint in the majors. To make matters worse, he has to face a Royals’ offense that is ranked 11th in team wOBA and first in team strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating: 39.5
Edinson Volquez : FD: $8,500 — DK: $7,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 331.2 — SIERA: 4.28 — ERA: 3.07 — K%: 17.4% — BB%: 8.8% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 38.1 — SIERA: 4.82 — ERA: 2.35 — K%: 15.0% — BB%: 10.0% — HR/9: 0.5
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.326 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 13)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 16) — Strikeout Rate: 21.2% (Rank: 19)
Pitchers per PA: 3.86 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Volquez may have a 2.35 ERA over the last month of play, but his SIERA of 4.82 tells another story. He does get the benefit of playing at home with a great defense behind him, but he is a risky fantasy option tonight. The Tigers are ranked sixth in team wOBA against right-handed pitching this season. There are pitchers with more upside tonight at this price point.
Pitcher Rating: 53.3
Batter Grind Down
Detroit
The Tigers are one of the better offenses in baseball against right-handed pitching, but they draw a mediocre matchup against Edinson Volquez in the pitcher-friendly Kaufmann Stadium. The Martinez’s are in play here, but both are secondary plays at their respective positions.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
J.D. Martinez : FD: $3,700 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 353 — wOBA: 0.394 — ISO: 0.286 — wRC+: 153
Last 30 Days: PA: 99 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.247 — wRC+: 145
Victor Martinez : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 254 — wOBA: 0.269 — ISO: 0.139 — wRC+: 66
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.251 — ISO: 0.143 — wRC+: 53
Kansas City
The Royals draw a favorable matchup tonight against Daniel Norris, who has had very little success at the major league level in his career. The Royals hit left-handed pitching well as a team and hitters from both sides of the plate are in play tonight.
Elite Plays:
Lorenzo Cain : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 144 — wOBA: 0.435 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 183
Last 30 Days: PA: 100 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.226 — wRC+: 140
Secondary Plays:
Ben Zobrist : FD: $3,800 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 2B/OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.405 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 165
Last 30 Days: PA: 83 — wOBA: 0.419 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 174
Eric Hosmer : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 178 — wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.110 — wRC+: 109
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.458 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 199
Alcides Escobar : FD: $2,300 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 139 — wOBA: 0.303 — ISO: 0.048 — wRC+: 91
Last 30 Days: PA: 118 — wOBA: 0.243 — ISO: 0.009 — wRC+: 49
LA Angels at Chicago White Sox – 8:10 PM EST
| LA Angels | Chicago White Sox | ||||||||
 | Andrew Heaney |  | John Danks | ||||||
| LEFT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAA (-128) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.225 | 0.559 | 0.248 | 0.226 | SP vs. Left | 0.228 | 0.664 | 0.296 | 0.124 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.257 | 0.767 | 0.334 | 0.144 | SP vs. Right | 0.284 | 0.835 | 0.363 | 0.168 |
| Batter Splits | LAA BvP | ANA vs L | Batter Splits | CHW BvP | CWS vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Andrew Heaney : FD: $7,100 — DK: $8,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 80.2 — SIERA: 3.98 — ERA: 3.68 — K%: 17.1% — BB%: 4.6% — HR/9: 1.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.0 — SIERA: 4.34 — ERA: 2.90 — K%: 15.1% — BB%: 4.0% — HR/9: 0.9
Chicago White Sox Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.275 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 21.7% (Rank: 19)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.361 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 20.3% (Rank: 14)
Pitchers per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 20)
Analysis: After a terrific stretch there, Heaney has come back down to Earth a bit. Over the last month of play, he has a 4.34 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 15.1%. On paper, he draws a favorable matchup against the White Sox, but unfortunately, he is catching them at the worst possible time. Chicago has the highest team wOBA in baseball over the last two weeks of play. With Clayton Kershaw and Jacob deGrom on the mound tonight, Heaney is an easy fade.
Pitcher Rating: 53.9
John Danks : FD: $6,500 — DK: $5,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 314.0 — SIERA: 4.57 — ERA: 4.76 — K%: 15.8% — BB%: 8.0% — HR/9: 1.2
Last 30 Days: IP: 28.2 — SIERA: 4.45 — ERA: 3.14 — K%: 20.3% — BB%: 9.8% — HR/9: 0.3
LA Angels of Anaheim Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.298 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 18.7% (Rank: 4)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.262 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 19.8% (Rank: 10)
Pitchers per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 19)
Analysis: Danks is another one of my favorite pitchers to pick on. Much like CC Sabathia, he can’t seem to get right-handed hitters out for the life of him. Since the start of the 2014 season, Danks has a 4.57 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 15.8%. Is that enough to persuade you to target him against the Angels? Of course not!
Pitcher Rating: 40.7
Batter Grind Down
LA Angels
The Angels let us down in a big way last night against Carlos Rodon, but they draw an even better matchup tonight against John Danks, who has given up a .363 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
Mike Trout : FD: $5,000 — DK: $5,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 107 — wOBA: 0.427 — ISO: 0.312 — wRC+: 183
Last 30 Days: PA: 93 — wOBA: 0.411 — ISO: 0.309 — wRC+: 172
Albert Pujols : FD: $4,000 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 103 — wOBA: 0.283 — ISO: 0.211 — wRC+: 83
Last 30 Days: PA: 98 — wOBA: 0.308 — ISO: 0.161 — wRC+: 100
Secondary Plays:
C.J. Cron : FD: $2,600 — DK: $2,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 68 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.141 — wRC+: 111
Last 30 Days: PA: 67 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.167 — wRC+: 120
Erick Aybar : FD: $2,200 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 103 — wOBA: 0.297 — ISO: 0.050 — wRC+: 93
Last 30 Days: PA: 97 — wOBA: 0.268 — ISO: 0.057 — wRC+: 73
Shane Victorino : FD: $2,200 — DK: $2,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.361 — ISO: 0.128 — wRC+: 130
Last 30 Days: PA: 42 — wOBA: 0.228 — ISO: 0.050 — wRC+: 39
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox draw an intriguing matchup against Andrew Heaney, who has not been as sharp in his last few starts. The right-handed hitters have the edge in this matchup, as Heaney has given up a .334 wOBA to hitters from the right side of the plate over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
Jose Abreu : FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 93 — wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 109
Last 30 Days: PA: 104 — wOBA: 0.400 — ISO: 0.283 — wRC+: 158
Secondary Plays:
Melky Cabrera : FD: $4,100 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 112 — wOBA: 0.272 — ISO: 0.114 — wRC+: 69
Last 30 Days: PA: 107 — wOBA: 0.415 — ISO: 0.253 — wRC+: 168
Pittsburgh at St. Louis – 8:15 PM EST
| Pittsburgh | St. Louis | ||||||||
 | Gerrit Cole |  | Michael Wacha | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| STL (-119) | 6.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.238 | 0.66 | 0.296 | 0.243 | SP vs. Left | 0.208 | 0.582 | 0.263 | 0.201 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.657 | 0.29 | 0.247 | SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.656 | 0.289 | 0.216 |
| Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs R | Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Gerrit Cole : FD: $10,400 — DK: $10,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 281.1 — SIERA: 3.13 — ERA: 3.01 — K%: 24.5% — BB%: 6.3% — HR/9: 0.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 26.0 — SIERA: 2.88 — ERA: 2.77 — K%: 26.2% — BB%: 3.9% — HR/9: 0.4
St. Louis Cardinals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.314 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 19.0% (Rank: 10)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.297 (Rank: 22) — Strikeout Rate: 20.2% (Rank: 12)
Pitchers per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 17)
Analysis: This game should be a polar opposite of the Rangers/Twins game. We have two aces on the mound in Gerrit Cole and Michael Wacha. Cole comes into this game in great form, posting a 2.88 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 26.2%. He is not the best play at this price point, given his matchup against the Cardinals, but this is a rare opportunity to target him on a night where his ownership level will be low. Avoid him in cash games, but fire him up as a contrarian tournament option.
Pitcher Rating: 73.3
Michael Wacha : FD: $9,100 — DK: $10,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 239.1 — SIERA: 3.69 — ERA: 3.05 — K%: 20.9% — BB%: 6.6% — HR/9: 0.6
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.0 — SIERA: 3.42 — ERA: 2.88 — K%: 26.0% — BB%: 8.0% — HR/9: 1.1
Pittsburgh Pirates Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.309 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 20.4% (Rank: 19)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.354 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 18.4% (Rank: 7)
Pitchers per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 16)
Analysis: Wacha also comes into tonight’s game in good form, posting a 3.42 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 26.0% over the last month of play. He draws a nice matchup against the Pirates, although their offense has been on fire over the last two weeks of play. I have Gerrit Cole and Wacha ranked very close tonight, but given the fact that the Cardinals are favored, Wacha may be the better play of the two.
Pitcher Rating: 68.5
Batter Grind Down
Pittsburgh / St. Louis
This game is expected to be a pitcher’s duel. The total is set at only 6.5 runs and both pitchers are dominant against hitters from both the left and right sides of the plate. All hitters in this game can safely be avoided tonight.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Washington at LA Dodgers – 10:10 PM EST
| Washington | LA Dodgers | ||||||||
 | Jordan Zimmermann |  | Clayton Kershaw | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAD (-215) | 6 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.268 | 0.696 | 0.305 | 0.194 | SP vs. Left | 0.207 | 0.542 | 0.24 | 0.335 |
| SP vs. Right | 0.236 | 0.602 | 0.267 | 0.222 | SP vs. Right | 0.197 | 0.539 | 0.24 | 0.320 |
| Batter Splits | WAS BvP | WAS vs L | Batter Splits | LAD BvP | LA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jordan Zimmermann : FD: $8,200 — DK: $8,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 341.0 — SIERA: 3.47 — ERA: 2.98 — K%: 20.7% — BB%: 3.9% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.2 — SIERA: 3.66 — ERA: 4.25 — K%: 19.8% — BB%: 4.1% — HR/9: 1.2
Los Angeles Dodgers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.331 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 20.3% (Rank: 17)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.346 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 21.9% (Rank: 23)
Pitchers per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 6)
Analysis: Zimmermann hasn’t been as sharp this season, but he has been dealing with plantar fasciitis, which can be extremely painful (that’s what I hear anyway). He draws an awfully tough matchup tonight against the Dodgers and he comes in as the largest underdog on the board thanks to the fact that Clayton Kershaw is pitching opposite him. There is very little fantasy appeal for Zimmermann tonight.
Pitcher Rating: 52.8
Clayton Kershaw : FD: $13,000 — DK: $14,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 352.1 — SIERA: 2.14 — ERA: 2.09 — K%: 32.3% — BB%: 4.5% — HR/9: 0.5
Last 30 Days: IP: 31.0 — SIERA: 1.90 — ERA: 1.16 — K%: 33.6% — BB%: 2.7% — HR/9: 0.3
Washington Nationals Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 21.0% (Rank: 14)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.312 (Rank: 20) — Strikeout Rate: 20.3% (Rank: 14)
Pitchers per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 22)
Analysis: As crazy as this is going to sound, Kershaw is the top pitching option on the board tonight. Did you fall off of your chair after that amazing revelation? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Kershaw has been incredible over the last month of play, posting a 1.90 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 33.6% and a K:BB ratio over 10:1. There is no reason to think that he won’t light it up again tonight against the Nationals, even though their lineup does look a lot better these days.
Pitcher Rating: 99.0
Batter Grind Down
Washington
Who are the Nationals facing again tonight? Oh yes, that’s right, Clayton Kershaw. You know the drill.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
LA Dodgers
The Dodgers draw a mediocre matchup tonight against Jordan Zimmermann, who has held left and right-handed hitters under a .310 wOBA over the last two seasons. Adrian Gonzalez and Yasmani Grandal are both secondary plays tonight.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Adrian Gonzalez : FD: $3,600 — DK: $3,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 352 — wOBA: 0.393 — ISO: 0.252 — wRC+: 156
Last 30 Days: PA: 94 — wOBA: 0.435 — ISO: 0.232 — wRC+: 185
Yasmani Grandal : FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 278 — wOBA: 0.391 — ISO: 0.240 — wRC+: 155
Last 30 Days: PA: 66 — wOBA: 0.330 — ISO: 0.083 — wRC+: 113