MLB Grind Down: Wednesday, June 24th
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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Toronto at Tampa Bay – 12:10 PM EST
| Toronto | Tampa Bay | ||||||||
 | Marco Estrada |  | Nate Karns | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| TBR (-117) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.226 | 0.696 | 0.307 | 19.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.231 | 0.643 | 0.295 | 28.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.762 | 0.333 | 21.2% | SP vs. Right | 0.200 | 0.681 | 0.296 | 15.90% |
| Batter Splits | TOR BvP | TOR vs R | Batter Splits | TBR BvP | TB vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Marco Estrada : FD: $7,500 — DK: $6,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 215.0 — SIERA: 3.97 — K%: 20.1% — BB%: 7.5% — FB Rate: 47.7% — HR/FB: 12.2%
Last 30 Days: IP: 39.0 — SIERA: 4.43 — K%: 15.3% — BB%: 5.8% — FB Rate: 42.3% — HR/FB: 5.8%
Tampa Bay Rays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.303 (Rank: 20) — Strikeout Rate: 21.1% (Rank: 24)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.325 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 21.2% (Rank: 21)
Pitchers per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 10)
Analysis: Estrada’s numbers are down a bit over the last month of play with a 4.43 SIERA and a low strikeout rate of 15.3%. He is an extreme fly-ball pitcher (47.7%) with an above-average HR/FB rate (12.2%). When he is not striking batters out, that means more and more fly-balls are put into play against him, which results in more home runs. The price point is appealing, but I don’t love his current form. If I have any exposure to him in the early slate of games, it will be in tournaments.
Pitcher Rating:55.4
Nate Karns : FD: $6,600 — DK: $6,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 91.0 — SIERA: 3.85 — K%: 22.3% — BB%: 9.2% — FB Rate: 34.5% — HR/FB: 13.6%
Last 30 Days: IP: 33.2 — SIERA: 3.98 — K%: 19.7% — BB%: 7.4% — FB Rate: 28.8% — HR/FB: 10.0%
Toronto Blue Jays Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.335 (Rank: 2) — Strikeout Rate: 19.7% (Rank: 15)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.360 (Rank: 3) — Strikeout Rate: 18.9% (Rank: 12)
Pitchers per PA: 3.80 (Rank: 14)
Analysis: Karns is a pitcher that often gets overlooked in daily fantasy baseball, but he has actually pitched pretty well. Since the start of the 2014 season, he has a 3.85 SIERA with a respectable strikeout rate of 22.3%. The big issue with Karns today is his matchup. The Blue Jays are ranked 2nd in wOBA (.335) against right-handed pitching and 3rd in wOBA (.360) over the last 14 days of play. If I had to choose a pitcher in this matchup, I’d give a small edge to Karns, but I don’t feel super confident in either pitcher as a fantasy option.
Pitcher Rating:62.6
Batter Grind Down
Toronto
Nate Karns has pitched well this season and he has been effective against hitters from both sides of the plate. The Blue Jays are a bit overpriced for their matchup today, which is why they better secondary options than elite plays.
Jose Bautista
Salaries: FD: $5,400 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 751 — wOBA: 0.386 — ISO: 0.238 — wRC+: 148
Jose Reyes
Salaries: FD: $3,700 — DK: $4,300
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 612 — wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.115 — wRC+: 106
Dioner Navarro
Salaries: FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,300
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 432 — wOBA: 0.302 — ISO: 0.112 — wRC+: 89
Tampa Bay
Joey Butler : FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 99 — wOBA: 0.376 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 149
Last 14 Days: PA: 55 — wOBA: 0.404 — ISO: 0.176 — wRC+: 168
Analysis: Butler has not played like a rookie. He just continues to rack up hits. He has a .376 wOBA with a .185 ISO against right-handed pitching and he has been swinging a hot bat over the last two weeks with a .404 wOBA. He draws a favorable matchup against home run-prone Marco Estrada, who has given up a .333 wOBA to right-handed hitters over the past two seasons.
Evan Longoria
Salaries: FD: $2,900 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 722 — wOBA: 0.308 — ISO: 0.145 — wRC+: 101
Kevin Kiermaier
Salaries: FD: $2,800 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 464 — wOBA: 0.350 — ISO: 0.208 — wRC+: 131
Detroit at Cleveland – 12:10 PM EST
| Detroit | Cleveland | ||||||||
 | Buck Farmer |  | Carlos Carrasco | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CLE (-160) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.387 | 1.238 | 0.527 | 24.2% | SP vs. Left | 0.204 | 0.562 | 0.252 | 26.30% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.290 | 0.000 | 0.433 | 10.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.250 | 0.665 | 0.290 | 26.80% |
| Batter Splits | DET BvP | DET vs R | Batter Splits | CLE vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Buck Farmer : FD: $5,400 — DK: $4,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 14.1 — SIERA: 4.39 — K%: 17.1% — BB%: 8.6% — FB Rate: 44.7% — HR/FB: 19.0%
Last 30 Days: IP: 5.0 — SIERA: 5.48 — K%: 4.2% — BB%: 4.2% — FB Rate: 35.0% — HR/FB: 28.6%
Cleveland Indians Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.311 (Rank: 16) — Strikeout Rate: 18.4% (Rank: 6)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.278 (Rank: 26) — Strikeout Rate: 19.4% (Rank: 13)
Pitchers per PA: 3.93 (Rank: 3)
Analysis: Farmer will be making his fourth major league start today against the Indians. In his first three starts, he has a 4.39 SIERA with a strikeout rate of 17.1%. The sample size of three starts is too small to judge though, so let’s take a look at his numbers in the minor leagues. In 12 starts at the Triple-A level this season, Farmer posted a 3.08 FIP with a strikeout rate of 20.6%. He is a pitcher to keep your eye on moving forward, but he draws a very difficult matchup against the Indians, who take a ton of pitches and have one of the lowest strikeout rates of any team in baseball.
Pitcher Rating:40.5
Carlos Carrasco : FD: $8,900 — DK: $9,100
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 214.2 — SIERA: 2.71 — K%: 26.6% — BB%: 5.4% — FB Rate: 29.6% — HR/FB: 8.8%
Last 30 Days: IP: 37.1 — SIERA: 3.04 — K%: 26.8% — BB%: 6.3% — FB Rate: 35.9% — HR/FB: 10.8%
Detroit Tigers Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.324 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 18.9% (Rank: 10)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.340 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 20.3% (Rank: 18)
Pitchers per PA: 3.84 (Rank: 9)
Analysis: Carrasco has been terrific over the last two seasons, posting a 2.71 SIERA with an elite strikeout rate of 26.6%. He would typically be an easy avoid thanks to his matchup against the Tigers, but with a lack of pitching options in the early slate, he deserves consideration on multi-pitcher sites. The strikeout potential is still there for Carrasco and he is a large favorite in a game that features a total of 8.0 runs. Run support shouldn’t be an issue for Carrasco, as the Indians square off against the inexperienced Buck Farmer.
Pitcher Rating:82.4
Batter Grind Down
Detroit
Editor’s Note: Cabrera is not in the lineup this afternoon.
Miguel Cabrera : FD: $5,300 — DK: $5,000
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 739 — wOBA: 0.397 — ISO: 0.213 — wRC+: 157
Last 14 Days: PA: 50 — wOBA: 0.577 — ISO: 0.275 — wRC+: 281
Analysis: Cabrera is now 26-for-42 with 5 home runs, 16 RBI, and 12 runs against the Indians this season. He also has a .577 wOBA and a .275 ISO over the last 14 days. While the matchup against Carlos Carrasco isn’t ideal, it’s not a terrible one either. Carrasco is a reverse-splits pitcher that Cabrera has had some success off of in the past (9-for-24).
Victor Martinez
Salaries: FD: $3,300 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 589 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.165 — wRC+: 124
Cleveland
Michael Brantley : FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 589 — wOBA: 0.389 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 155
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.282 — ISO: 0.082 — wRC+: 81
Analysis: Brantley has been struggling at the plate, but the combination of a depressed price and a favorable matchup make him a terrific play today. Brantley has always hit right-handed pitching well, as evidenced by his .389 wOBA and his .185 ISO over the last two seasons. He draws a favorable matchup against the right-hander, Buck Farmer, who is still unproven at the major league level.
Jason Kipnis
Salaries: FD: $4,500 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 558 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 138
Carlos Santana
Salaries: FD: $3,200 — DK: $3,800
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B/3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 615 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.208 — wRC+: 125
David Murphy
Salaries: FD: $2,400 — DK: $2,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 515 — wOBA: 0.329 — ISO: 0.133 — wRC+: 114
Philadelphia at NY Yankees – 1:05 PM EST
| Philadelphia | NY Yankees | ||||||||
 | Cole Hamels |  | Ivan Nova | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYY (-132) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.184 | 0.563 | 0.264 | 21.8% | SP vs. Left | 0.333 | 0.764 | 0.339 | 13.80% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.235 | 0.655 | 0.289 | 25.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.412 | 0.000 | 0.608 | 10.50% |
| Batter Splits | PHI BvP | PHI vs R | Batter Splits | NYY BvP | NYY vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Cole Hamels : FD: $10,000 — DK: $10,300
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 299.0 — SIERA: 3.26 — K%: 24.8% — BB%: 7.4% — FB Rate: 31.2% — HR/FB: 10.1%
Last 30 Days: IP: 36.0 — SIERA: 2.71 — K%: 28.3% — BB%: 5.5% — FB Rate: 27.7% — HR/FB: 11.5%
New York Yankees Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.323 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 18.5% (Rank: 6)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.366 (Rank: 1) — Strikeout Rate: 17.3% (Rank: 6)
Pitchers per PA: 3.89 (Rank: 4)
Analysis: Hamels will be back on the mound today for the Phillies, after missing a start with a hamstring injury. The injury is a bit concerning, as are the trade rumors that continue to surround him. He has always been a pitcher that has been able to step up regardless of the situation, but you have to wonder where he is mentally with a potential trade looming. Throw in a matchup against the red-hot Yankees and he is an easy pitcher to avoid today. The Yankees are ranked 6th in wOBA (.323) against left-handed pitching and 1st in wOBA (.366) over the last 14 days of play.
Pitcher Rating:69.4
Ivan Nova : FD: $6,700 — DK: $7,000
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 20.2 — SIERA: 4.42 — K%: 12.5% — BB%: 6.3% — FB Rate: 30.7% — HR/FB: 26.1%
Philadelphia Phillies Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.278 (Rank: 30) — Strikeout Rate: 19.1% (Rank: 11)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.290 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 17.4% (Rank: 7)
Pitchers per PA: 3.73 (Rank: 26)
Analysis: Nova will be making his first start of the season today, after missing more than a year after having Tommy John surgery. He finished his 2014 campaign with a 4.42 SIERA and a low strikeout rate of 12.5%. We should keep our expectations low for now, especially since he will be on a pitch count in his first few starts. Given the way the Phillies have treated the Yankees’ pitching staff in this series, there is no reason to take a chance on Nova today.
Pitcher Rating:45.8
Batter Grind Down
Philadelphia
Maikel Franco : FD: $3,500 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 133 — wOBA: 0.342 — ISO: 0.203 — wRC+: 117
Last 14 Days: PA: 55 — wOBA: 0.451 — ISO: 0.240 — wRC+: 191
Analysis: Franco had yet another big fantasy outing in last night’s win over the Yankees. He has been on fire over the last two weeks with a .451 wOBA and a .240 ISO. His price does not reflect his recent level of production and for whatever reason, he continues to have a very low ownership level in daily fantasy. He makes a terrific play today against Ivan Nova, who will likely be rusty in his first start back after Tommy John surgery.
Ben Revere
Salaries: FD: $3,200 — DK: $4,200
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 652 — wOBA: 0.299 — ISO: 0.061 — wRC+: 88
NY Yankees
Even though the Yankees have been red-hot offensively, they are secondary options at best today against Cole Hamels. Since the start of 2014, Hamels has held both left and right-handed hitters under a .290 wOBA.
Brett Gardner
Salaries: FD: $4,300 — DK: $4,700
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 261 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.123 — wRC+: 100
Carlos Beltran
Salaries: FD: $3,000 — DK: $3,900
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 211 — wOBA: 0.265 — ISO: 0.144 — wRC+: 63
Chase Headley
Salaries: FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,500
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2014-15 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 218 — wOBA: 0.298 — ISO: 0.136 — wRC+: 89
Chicago White Sox at Minnesota – 1:10 PM EST
| Chicago White Sox | Minnesota | ||||||||
 | Chris Sale |  | Phil Hughes | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| CHW (-134) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.175 | 0.430 | 0.202 | 36.9% | SP vs. Left | 0.254 | 0.668 | 0.291 | 19.80% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.206 | 0.592 | 0.264 | 30.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.289 | 0.752 | 0.327 | 19.20% |
| Batter Splits | CHW BvP | CWS vs R | Batter Splits | MIN BvP | MIN vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Chris Sale : FD: $11,600 — DK: $12,600
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 262.2 — SIERA: 2.46 — K%: 31.7% — BB%: 5.7% — FB Rate: 40.2% — HR/FB: 8.0%
Last 30 Days: IP: 45.1 — SIERA: 1.43 — K%: 43.3% — BB%: 5.0% — FB Rate: 39.8% — HR/FB: 9.1%
Minnesota Twins Offense (2015)
vs. LH Pitching: wOBA: 0.312 (Rank: 14) — Strikeout Rate: 18.8% (Rank: 7)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.302 (Rank: 18) — Strikeout Rate: 18.0% (Rank: 10)
Pitchers per PA: 3.79 (Rank: 15)
Analysis: If you are playing any type of cash game in the early slate, Sale should be on your roster. He has five straight starts with at least 12 strikeouts, posting a 1.43 SIERA during that stretch. Outside of Max Scherzer, there may not be a better pitcher in baseball right now. Sale also has a little added motivation in this one, as the Twins have knocked him around for 14 runs in their first three meetings this season. Revenge is sweet and I fully expect Sale to dominate this Twins’ lineup en route to another monster fantasy outing.
Pitcher Rating:98.7
Phil Hughes : FD: $7,300 — DK: $7,200
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 300.1 — SIERA: 3.48 — K%: 19.6% — BB%: 2.0% — FB Rate: 40.2% — HR/FB: 8.4%
Last 30 Days: IP: 39.2 — SIERA: 4.57 — K%: 11.7% — BB%: 2.9% — FB Rate: 37.3% — HR/FB: 12.0%
Chicago White Sox Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.294 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 19.2% (Rank: 12)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.275 (Rank: 28) — Strikeout Rate: 21.2% (Rank: 21)
Pitchers per PA: 3.73 (Rank: 24)
Analysis: Hughes is not trending in the right direction. His SIERA and his HR/FB rate are both up, while his strikeouts are way down this season. A matchup against the White Sox could be what he needs to get going, but I’m not taking that chance, especially given the fact that Chris Sale is pitching opposite him. Hughes should be avoided in all league formats until he can discover some form that resembles that of the 2014 season.
Pitcher Rating:61.7
Batter Grind Down
Chicago White Sox
Jose Abreu : FD: $3,400 — DK: $4,600
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 677 — wOBA: 0.387 — ISO: 0.238 — wRC+: 148
Last 14 Days: PA: 53 — wOBA: 0.409 — ISO: 0.216 — wRC+: 163
Analysis: Let’s go through the checklist real quick. Does Abreu hit right-handed pitching well? Yes! Is Abreu’s price tag affordable? Yep! Does Phil Hughes struggle against right-handed hitters? Yessir! Does Phil Hughes give up a lot of home runs? Yippity Doo Da! It looks like everything checks out here. Abreu is the top fantasy option at first base in the early slate.
Adam LaRoche
Salaries: FD: $2,500 — DK: $3,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 629 — wOBA: 0.373 — ISO: 0.210 — wRC+: 139
Adam Eaton
Salaries: FD: $2,400 — DK: $3,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 589 — wOBA: 0.338 — ISO: 0.122 — wRC+: 114
Minnesota
Chris Sale has five straight starts with at least 12 strikeouts. Unless the fantasy site that you are playing on rewards points for strikeouts, you should avoid the Twins today. Sale has held left and right-handed hitters under a .265 wOBA over the past two seasons.
Houston at LA Angels – 3:35 PM EST
| Houston | LA Angels | ||||||||
 | Lance McCullers |  | Matt Shoemaker | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| LAA (-115) | 7.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.152 | 0.424 | 0.198 | 30.2% | SP vs. Left | 0.249 | 0.729 | 0.318 | 19.90% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.232 | 0.669 | 0.296 | 25.6% | SP vs. Right | 0.236 | 0.669 | 0.292 | 25.10% |
| Batter Splits | HOU BvP | HOU vs R | Batter Splits | ANA vs R | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Lance McCullers : FD: $6,700 — DK: $7,700
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 40.1 — SIERA: 3.05 — K%: 28.1% — BB%: 7.9% — FB Rate: 33.3% — HR/FB: 2.9%
Last 30 Days: IP: 35.2 — SIERA: 2.77 — K%: 28.9% — BB%: 5.8% — FB Rate: 34.4% — HR/FB: 3.2%
LA Angels of Anaheim Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.301 (Rank: 21) — Strikeout Rate: 19.4% (Rank: 14)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 17.1% (Rank: 5)
Pitchers per PA: 3.76 (Rank: 20)
Analysis: McCullers hasn’t made it out of the sixth inning in either of his last two starts, but he has performed admirably in his first season in the majors. He owns a 3.05 SIERA with an impressive strikeout rate of 28.1%. He draws a decent matchup against the Angels, who are ranked 21st in wOBA (.301) and 14th in strikeout rate (19.4%) against right-handed pitching this season. The strikeout potential is intriguing, but he is a better tournament play than a cash game target. At his price point, he could offer some value as an SP2 on multi-pitcher sites as well.
Pitcher Rating:72.8
Editor’s Note: Shoemaker has been scratched from his start today. Andrew Heaney will start in his place.
Matt Shoemaker : FD: $7,900 — DK: $7,400
Pitching Stats:
2014 – 2015: IP: 208.2 — SIERA: 3.35 — K%: 22.4% — BB%: 4.7% — FB Rate: 41.2% — HR/FB: 11.7%
Last 30 Days: IP: 28.1 — SIERA: 3.81 — K%: 20.5% — BB%: 6.3% — FB Rate: 41.4% — HR/FB: 5.6%
Houston Astros Offense (2015)
vs. RH Pitching: wOBA: 0.321 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 26.0% (Rank: 30)
Last 14 Days: wOBA: 0.356 (Rank: 5) — Strikeout Rate: 24.8% (Rank: 28)
Pitchers per PA: 3.82 (Rank: 11)
Analysis: Shoemaker hasn’t been able to find that 2014 form, but he has pitched well over the last month with a 3.81 SIERA and a strikeout rate of 20.5%. He draws a favorable strikeout matchup against the Astros, who have the highest strikeout rate (26.0%) of any team against right-handed pitching this season. The Astros have a lot of power in their lineup as well though, which makes Shoemaker more of a boom or bust tournament option in the early slate of games.
Pitcher Rating:73.6
Batter Grind Down
Houston
Carlos Correa : FD: $3,600 — DK: $3,600
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 28 — wOBA: 0.348 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 125
Last 14 Days: PA: 58 — wOBA: 0.368 — ISO: 0.236 — wRC+: 138
Analysis: Correa had three hits, three runs, and three RBI in last night’s win. He has lived up to the hype so far and as long as he is priced under $4,000 on FanDuel and DraftKings, he will remain one of the top fantasy options at shortstop. He can hit for average, he can hit for power, and he has great speed.
George Springer
Salaries: FD: $4,200 — DK: $4,500
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 432 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.220 — wRC+: 129
LA Angels
Mike Trout : FD: $5,000 — DK: $5,400
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 764 — wOBA: 0.405 — ISO: 0.286 — wRC+: 169
Last 14 Days: PA: 58 — wOBA: 0.448 — ISO: 0.255 — wRC+: 198
Analysis: Trout has quietly put up a .448 wOBA and a .255 ISO over the last two weeks. He is the best hitter in baseball and I’m sure he would love to welcome Lance McCullers to the big leagues in his own way. Trout has always hit right-handed pitching well, as evidenced by his .405 wOBA and .286 ISO over the past two seasons.
Albert Pujols
Salaries: FD: $4,800 — DK: $5,100
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2014-15 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 748 — wOBA: 0.361 — ISO: 0.228 — wRC+: 139