MLB Grind Down: Wednesday, August 26th
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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Houston at NY Yankees – 1:05 PM EST
| Houston | NY Yankees | ||||||||
 | Collin McHugh |  | Michael Pineda | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYY (-135) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.218 | 0.610 | 0.271 | 21.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.234 | 0.653 | 0.282 | 21.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.253 | 0.702 | 0.309 | 23.3% | SP vs. Right | 0.254 | 0.672 | 0.291 | 24.10% |
| Batter Splits | HOU BvP | HOU vs R | Batter Splits | NYY BvP | NYY vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Collin McHugh : FD: $8,700 — DK: $9,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 313.2 — SIERA: 3.56 — ERA: 3.36 — K%: 22.1% — BB%: 6.4% — HR/9: 0.8
Last 30 Days: IP: 32.0 — SIERA: 4.07 — ERA: 2.81 — K%: 21.3% — BB%: 8.8% — HR/9: 0.3
New York Yankees Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.321 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 19.5% (Rank: 11)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.303 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 22.7% (Rank: 24)
Pitches per PA: 3.89 (Rank: 4)
Analysis: McHugh has pitched well recently, posting a 2.81 ERA (4.07 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of 21.3% over the last month of play. He draws a difficult matchup against the Yankees though, and he has to face them in the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. On the season, New York is ranked sixth in team wOBA and 11th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. McHugh is an easy pitcher to avoid in the all day slate of games.
Pitcher Rating: 57.9
Michael Pineda : FD: $9,600 — DK: $10,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 194.1 — SIERA: 3.12 — ERA: 3.15 — K%: 22.6% — BB%: 2.8% — HR/9: 0.8
Houston Astros Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.315 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 24.2% (Rank: 30)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.272 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 27.4% (Rank: 30)
Pitches per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 7)
Analysis: Pineda is making his first start coming back from a forearm injury. He has made a couple of rehab starts, but he didn’t throw many pitches in either of those starts, so a pitch count could be an issue today against the Astros. He draws a favorable strikeout matchup, but I’m not willing to go all-in on a pitcher making his first start back from injury. Give Pineda a start or two before targeting him in your daily fantasy baseball contests.
Pitcher Rating: 71.1
Batter Grind Down
Houston
The Astros draw a mediocre matchup against Michael Pineda today. While Pineda has been tough on both left and right-handed hitters over the last two seasons, he could be rusty in his first start back. Carlos Correa and Colby Rasmus are both in play, but they are secondary options at their respective positions.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Carlos Correa : FD: $3,900 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 195 — wOBA: 0.360 — ISO: 0.227 — wRC+: 131
Last 30 Days: PA: 114 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.242 — wRC+: 147
Colby Rasmus : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 542 — wOBA: 0.319 — ISO: 0.229 — wRC+: 102
Last 30 Days: PA: 88 — wOBA: 0.298 — ISO: 0.192 — wRC+: 88
NY Yankees
The Yankees are small favorites tonight at home, but the total for the game is set at only 7.5 runs. In terms of team totals, the Yankees are right around the average for today. They draw a fairly difficult matchup against Collin McHugh, who has held both left and right-handed hitters under a .310 wOBA over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Jacoby Ellsbury : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 665 — wOBA: 0.316 — ISO: 0.127 — wRC+: 100
Last 30 Days: PA: 122 — wOBA: 0.279 — ISO: 0.134 — wRC+: 74
Brett Gardner : FD: $3,100 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 810 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 119
Last 30 Days: PA: 118 — wOBA: 0.297 — ISO: 0.082 — wRC+: 86
Oakland at Seattle – 3:40 PM EST
| Oakland | Seattle | ||||||||
 | Chris Bassitt |  | Felix Hernandez | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| SEA (-160) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.234 | 0.677 | 0.305 | 18.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.219 | 0.602 | 0.268 | 22.60% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.235 | 0.624 | 0.280 | 18.2% | SP vs. Right | 0.219 | 0.609 | 0.270 | 28.90% |
| Batter Splits | OAK BvP | OAK vs R | Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chris Bassitt : FD: $7,100 — DK: $8,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 98.2 — SIERA: 4.23 — ERA: 2.92 — K%: 18.1% — BB%: 7.8% — HR/9: 0.5
Last 30 Days: IP: 35.1 — SIERA: 3.25 — ERA: 2.04 — K%: 24.1% — BB%: 6.0% — HR/9: 0.8
Seattle Mariners Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.306 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 21.8% (Rank: 26)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.330 (Rank: 8) — Strikeout Rate: 26.0% (Rank: 29)
Pitches per PA: 3.87 (Rank: 8)
Analysis: Bassitt has been terrific in his recent starts, posting a 3.25 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 24.1% over the last month of play. He draws an intriguing matchup against the Mariners, who are ranked 21st in team wOBA and 26th in strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season. I was hoping that his price would still be low, but sites are starting to raise his salary. I won’t have any exposure to him in cash games, but he is worth a look in tournaments.
Pitcher Rating: 48.8
Felix Hernandez : FD: $11,200 — DK: $10,800
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 395.0 — SIERA: 2.82 — ERA: 2.78 — K%: 25.4% — BB%: 5.7% — HR/9: 0.7
Last 30 Days: IP: 28.2 — SIERA: 3.37 — ERA: 8.48 — K%: 19.4% — BB%: 3.6% — HR/9: 1.6
Oakland Athletics Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.306 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 17.9% (Rank: 4)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.308 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 19.1% (Rank: 8)
Pitches per PA: 3.85 (Rank: 9)
Analysis: There has been talk that Hernandez may be pitching injured. While that’s certainly just a rumor at this point, we can all agree that something doesn’t look right. Hernandez has an 8.48 ERA over the last month of play and his strikeout rate is down considerably. He could certainly bounce back at any point, but I never like targeting pitchers that are in bad form, especially when they are priced over $10,000. The Chris’s (Sale and Archer) are both better plays at similar price points.
Pitcher Rating: 80.6
Batter Grind Down
Oakland
Even though Felix Hernandez has struggled over the last month of play, we shouldn’t be actively trying to target hitters against him. He is still the King and he has held both left and right-handed hitters under a .270 wOBA over the last two seasons. Stephen Vogt and Josh Reddick are secondary options.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Stephen Vogt : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B/C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 566 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 128
Last 30 Days: PA: 81 — wOBA: 0.288 — ISO: 0.181 — wRC+: 85
Josh Reddick : FD: $2,600 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 624 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.213 — wRC+: 137
Last 30 Days: PA: 88 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.207 — wRC+: 121
Seattle
If you haven’t been paying close attention lately, you would see a matchup against Chris Bassitt and immediately think to target a bunch of hitters against him. However, Bassitt has been tremendous for the A’s this season and he has been tough on hitters from both sides of the plate. The Mariners should be considered secondary options.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Nelson Cruz : FD: $4,900 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 889 — wOBA: 0.374 — ISO: 0.260 — wRC+: 142
Last 30 Days: PA: 119 — wOBA: 0.493 — ISO: 0.430 — wRC+: 228
Robinson Cano : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 752 — wOBA: 0.363 — ISO: 0.171 — wRC+: 138
Last 30 Days: PA: 107 — wOBA: 0.378 — ISO: 0.173 — wRC+: 148
NY Mets at Philadelphia – 7:05 PM EST
| NY Mets | Philadelphia | ||||||||
 | Bartolo Colon |  | Jerad Eickhoff | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYM (-160) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.278 | 0.731 | 0.316 | 16.4% | SP vs. Left | 0.500 | 1.306 | 0.547 | 11.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.273 | 0.757 | 0.328 | 18.7% | SP vs. Right | 0.071 | 0.214 | 0.090 | 28.60% |
| Batter Splits | NYM BvP | NYM vs R | Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Bartolo Colon : FD: $7,200 — DK: $6,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 347.1 — SIERA: 3.85 — ERA: 4.43 — K%: 17.5% — BB%: 3.3% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 27.2 — SIERA: 4.75 — ERA: 6.18 — K%: 11.3% — BB%: 3.2% — HR/9: 2.3
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.297 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 19.6% (Rank: 14)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.328 (Rank: 10) — Strikeout Rate: 20.0% (Rank: 12)
Pitches per PA: 3.71 (Rank: 29)
Analysis: Colon has not been sharp in his recent outings, posting a 4.75 SIERA with a low strikeout rate of 11.3%. He draws a favorable matchup on paper against the Phillies, but if they can get to Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, just imagine what they are going to do to Colon. He is a risky fantasy option at this point of the season and I will have zero shares of him tonight, even though he is a sizable favorite here.
Pitcher Rating: 57.1
Jerad Eickhoff : FD: $5,000 — DK: $4,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 6.0 — SIERA: 4.00 — ERA: 0.00 — K%: 21.7% — BB%: 4.4% — HR/9: 0.0
New York Mets Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.302 (Rank: 24) — Strikeout Rate: 20.7% (Rank: 21)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.380 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 21.7% (Rank: 19)
Pitches per PA: 3.88 (Rank: 6)
Analysis: Eickhoff pitched well in his major league debut, striking out five batters in six scoreless innings of work against the Marlins. He is still unproven at the major league level though, and he draws a tough matchup against the red-hot Mets. Over the last two weeks of play, the Mets have the second-highest team wOBA (.380) of any team in baseball. At this point, we should not be targeting any pitchers against the Mets.
Pitcher Rating: 50.9
Batter Grind Down
NY Mets
As mentioned above, the Mets have been spitting HOT FIYA recently at the plate. They now have enough pieces that they can throw out quality lineups against both left and right-handed pitchers. Their offensive outburst should continue tonight against Jerad Eickhoff, who is only making his second career start tonight.
Elite Plays:
David Wright : FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 481 — wOBA: 0.282 — ISO: 0.089 — wRC+: 81
Last 30 Days: PA: 6 — wOBA: 0.607 — ISO: 0.600 — wRC+: 302
Curtis Granderson : FD: $3,300 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 895 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.196 — wRC+: 128
Last 30 Days: PA: 118 — wOBA: 0.403 — ISO: 0.314 — wRC+: 163
Kelly Johnson : FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 3B/OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 485 — wOBA: 0.304 — ISO: 0.158 — wRC+: 92
Last 30 Days: PA: 60 — wOBA: 0.252 — ISO: 0.125 — wRC+: 60
Secondary Plays:
Daniel Murphy : FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 784 — wOBA: 0.333 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 116
Last 30 Days: PA: 108 — wOBA: 0.381 — ISO: 0.240 — wRC+: 148
Yoenis Cespedes : FD: $4,200 — DK: $5,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 890 — wOBA: 0.357 — ISO: 0.207 — wRC+: 130
Last 30 Days: PA: 119 — wOBA: 0.414 — ISO: 0.292 — wRC+: 170
Travis d’Arnaud : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,800
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 435 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.190 — wRC+: 109
Last 30 Days: PA: 73 — wOBA: 0.365 — ISO: 0.277 — wRC+: 137
Philadelphia
The Phillies draw a favorable matchup against Bartolo Colon, who has been his hittable self recently. This series has been won on the offensive end and I expect that trend to continue tonight. The left-handed bats of Ryan Howard, Odubel Herrera, and Andres Blanco are all in play.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Ryan Howard : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 797 — wOBA: 0.316 — ISO: 0.178 — wRC+: 99
Last 30 Days: PA: 92 — wOBA: 0.362 — ISO: 0.198 — wRC+: 130
Odubel Herrera : FD: $3,100 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: 2B/OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 306 — wOBA: 0.336 — ISO: 0.139 — wRC+: 113
Last 30 Days: PA: 102 — wOBA: 0.360 — ISO: 0.106 — wRC+: 129
Andres Blanco : FD: $2,900 — DK: $2,300
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B/SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 112 — wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.242 — wRC+: 121
Last 30 Days: PA: 54 — wOBA: 0.458 — ISO: 0.286 — wRC+: 196
San Diego at Washington – 7:05 PM EST
| San Diego | Washington | ||||||||
 | Tyson Ross |  | Gio Gonzalez | ||||||
| RIGHT | LEFT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| WAS (-150) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.241 | 0.675 | 0.305 | 24.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.242 | 0.652 | 0.288 | 22.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.229 | 0.623 | 0.280 | 24.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.252 | 0.706 | 0.312 | 23.10% |
| Batter Splits | SDP BvP | SD vs L | Batter Splits | WAS BvP | WAS vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Tyson Ross : FD: $8,700 — DK: $8,900
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 347.1 — SIERA: 3.29 — ERA: 3.03 — K%: 24.4% — BB%: 9.8% — HR/9: 0.5
Last 30 Days: IP: 29.0 — SIERA: 3.58 — ERA: 2.79 — K%: 23.3% — BB%: 10.8% — HR/9: 0.6
Washington Nationals Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.313 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 21.5% (Rank: 24)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.317 (Rank: 14) — Strikeout Rate: 25.1% (Rank: 28)
Pitches per PA: 3.77 (Rank: 22)
Analysis: Ross has been sharp in his recent outings, posting a 3.58 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 23.3% over the last month of play. The issue with Ross is that he walks a lot of batters and that he throws a lot of pitches in the dirt. Sure, this helps him rack up the strikeouts, but it also leads to a high pitch count and he rarely makes pitches more than six innings. Given his matchup against the Nationals, I will be avoiding him tonight.
Pitcher Rating: 67.7
Gio Gonzalez : FD: $9,300 — DK: $7,500
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 289.2 — SIERA: 3.62 — ERA: 3.76 — K%: 22.8% — BB%: 8.6% — HR/9: 0.5
Last 30 Days: IP: 25.1 — SIERA: 3.97 — ERA: 4.62 — K%: 21.4% — BB%: 8.6% — HR/9: 0.4
San Diego Padres Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.290 (Rank: 26) — Strikeout Rate: 23.8% (Rank: 28)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.365 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 17.7% (Rank: 4)
Pitches per PA: 3.83 (Rank: 12)
Analysis: Gonzalez has been in unexceptional form recently, posting a 3.97 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 21.4% over the last month of play. The good news is that he gets to face the Padres and he gets to face them at home in the pitcher-friendly confines of Nationals Park. On the season, San Diego is ranked 26th in team wOBA and 28th in strikeout rate against left-handed pitching. Gonzalez is cheap on DraftKings, making him an excellent SP2 in a plus-matchup against the Padres.
Pitcher Rating: 76.8
Batter Grind Down
San Diego
Gio Gonzalez hasn’t been in great form, but Padres’ offense isn’t doing much of anything recently either. They have one of the lowest team totals on the board tonight and they can safely be avoided in all league formats.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
NONE
Washington
The Nationals are also in a mediocre matchup tonight. The total for the game is set at only 7.0 runs, so both of these offenses are easily avoidable. Tyson Ross has held both left and right-handed hitters under a .305 wOBA over the last two seasons.
Elite Plays:
NONE
Secondary Plays:
Bryce Harper : FD: $4,900 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 633 — wOBA: 0.412 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 166
Last 30 Days: PA: 114 — wOBA: 0.407 — ISO: 0.189 — wRC+: 161
Anthony Rendon : FD: $3,500 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 655 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.184 — wRC+: 123
Last 30 Days: PA: 99 — wOBA: 0.320 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 102
LA Angels at Detroit – 7:08 PM EST
| LA Angels | Detroit | ||||||||
 | Hector Santiago |  | Justin Verlander | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| DET (-137) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.227 | 0.597 | 0.269 | 19.5% | SP vs. Left | 0.231 | 0.672 | 0.296 | 19.10% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.234 | 0.713 | 0.313 | 21.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.302 | 0.814 | 0.356 | 17.30% |
| Batter Splits | LAA BvP | ANA vs R | Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Hector Santiago : FD: $7,800 — DK: $7,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 272.2 — SIERA: 4.22 — ERA: 3.30 — K%: 21.0% — BB%: 8.7% — HR/9: 1.1
Last 30 Days: IP: 27.0 — SIERA: 4.58 — ERA: 5.00 — K%: 19.5% — BB%: 8.5% — HR/9: 1.7
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.347 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 21.8% (Rank: 20)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 22.7% (Rank: 24)
Pitches per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: After a nice little stretch of starts, Santiago has come back down to Earth over the last month of play. During that stretch, he has a 4.58 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 19.5%. He draws one of the worst matchups in all of baseball, as the Tigers are ranked second in team wOBA against left-handed pitching this season. There is no fantasy appeal here.
Pitcher Rating: 48.2
Justin Verlander : FD: $8,000 — DK: $8,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 283.0 — SIERA: 4.14 — ERA: 4.36 — K%: 18.3% — BB%: 6.9% — HR/9: 0.9
Last 30 Days: IP: 35.0 — SIERA: 3.11 — ERA: 1.80 — K%: 27.6% — BB%: 4.5% — HR/9: 0.5
LA Angels of Anaheim Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.307 (Rank: 19) — Strikeout Rate: 19.5% (Rank: 11)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.281 (Rank: 29) — Strikeout Rate: 18.7% (Rank: 6)
Pitches per PA: 3.78 (Rank: 20)
Analysis: After a rough start to the season, Verlander has looked more like the old (well, technically young) Verlander in his recent starts. Over the last month of play, he has a 1.80 ERA (3.11 SIERA) with a strikeout rate of 27.6%. Am I buying in on Verlander in cash games? The answer to that rhymes with TELL BO! That said, he does have some intrigue as a tournament option tonight against the Angels, who are ranked 29th in team wOBA over the last two weeks of play.
Pitcher Rating: 65.2
Batter Grind Down
LA Angels
Even though I like Justin Verlander as a tournament play tonight, I could easily see him reverting back to his early season form. Verlander is a reverse-splits pitcher, which puts Mike Trout into play, especially at a price of only $4,600 on both FanDuel and DraftKings. Albert Pujols is a better tournament target.
Elite Plays:
Mike Trout : FD: $4,600 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 917 — wOBA: 0.407 — ISO: 0.286 — wRC+: 170
Last 30 Days: PA: 106 — wOBA: 0.371 — ISO: 0.225 — wRC+: 144
Secondary Plays:
Albert Pujols : FD: $3,500 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 902 — wOBA: 0.352 — ISO: 0.225 — wRC+: 132
Last 30 Days: PA: 105 — wOBA: 0.262 — ISO: 0.131 — wRC+: 68
Detroit
The Tigers are one of my favorite offenses to target tonight. They are one of the best hitting teams in baseball against left-handed pitching and they are facing a fly-ball pitcher that has struggled with right-handed hitters. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Tigers’ offense could reach this game’s run total on their own.
Elite Plays:
Miguel Cabrera : FD: $5,300 — DK: $5,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 261 — wOBA: 0.410 — ISO: 0.239 — wRC+: 166
Last 30 Days: PA: 47 — wOBA: 0.560 — ISO: 0.282 — wRC+: 270
J.D. Martinez : FD: $3,600 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 243 — wOBA: 0.397 — ISO: 0.284 — wRC+: 156
Last 30 Days: PA: 111 — wOBA: 0.387 — ISO: 0.263 — wRC+: 149
Secondary Plays:
Ian Kinsler : FD: $4,200 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 303 — wOBA: 0.339 — ISO: 0.147 — wRC+: 115
Last 30 Days: PA: 120 — wOBA: 0.417 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 170
Victor Martinez : FD: $2,700 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 245 — wOBA: 0.441 — ISO: 0.252 — wRC+: 187
Last 30 Days: PA: 103 — wOBA: 0.250 — ISO: 0.135 — wRC+: 53
Rajai Davis : FD: $2,300 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 284 — wOBA: 0.359 — ISO: 0.192 — wRC+: 130
Last 30 Days: PA: 60 — wOBA: 0.262 — ISO: 0.211 — wRC+: 61