MLB Grind Down: Wednesday, June 3rd
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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Milwaukee at St. Louis – 1:45 PM EST
| Milwaukee | St. Louis | ||||||||
 | Jimmy Nelson |  | John Lackey | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| STL (-155) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.261 | 0.797 | 0.347 | 18.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.258 | 0.729 | 0.320 | 16.80% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.255 | 0.677 | 0.305 | 20.0% | SP vs. Right | 0.254 | 0.686 | 0.303 | 21.00% |
| Batter Splits | MIL BvP | MIL vs R | Batter Splits | STL BvP | STL vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Jimmy Nelson (FD: $6700, DK: $7200)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 62 — SIERA: 3.87 — K Rate: 21.7% — K/9: 7.94 — BB Rate: 9.1% — FB Rate: 31.4% — HR/FB: 15.1%
2014: IP: 69 — SIERA: 3.76 — K Rate: 18.3% — K/9: 7.40 — BB Rate: 6.1% — FB Rate: 31.8% — HR/FB: 8.5%
St. Louis Cardinals vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.322 (Rank: 6) — Strikeout Rate: 18.8% (Rank: 7) — wRC+: 104 (Rank: 7)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.75 (Rank: 21)
Analysis: We have five early games on the schedule today, which makes for a nice little early slate. Nelson will take the mound for the Brewers, as they take on the Cardinals in St. Louis. Nelson owns a 3.87 SIERA with a K/9 of 7.9. Those are respectable numbers, but unfortunately his matchup takes him out of consideration today. The Cardinals are ranked seventh or better in wOBA (.322), strikeout rate (18.8%), and wRC+ (104) against right-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating:55.1
John Lackey (FD: $8700, DK: $8300)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 63 — SIERA: 4.02 — K Rate: 17.9% — K/9: 6.64 — BB Rate: 6.5% — FB Rate: 32.3% — HR/FB: 4.8%
2014: IP: 198 — SIERA: 3.64 — K Rate: 19.7% — K/9: 7.45 — BB Rate: 5.6% — FB Rate: 33.9% — HR/FB: 11.7%
Milwaukee Brewers vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.295 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 21.8% (Rank: 25) — wRC+: 81 (Rank: 28)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.77 (Rank: 17)
Analysis: Lackey hasn’t given up more than three earned runs in any of his last seven starts. He doesn’t overpower hitters with his stuff, but he’s still a very effective pitcher at this point in his career. He owns a 4.02 SIERA with a K/9 of 6.6. The strikeout numbers aren’t great, but this is a good matchup for Lackey. The Brewers are ranked 23rd in wOBA (.295) and 25th in strikeout rate (21.8%) against right-handed pitching this season. Lackey is also a sizable favorite in a game that features a low run total.
Pitcher Rating:71.5
Batter Grind Down
Milwaukee
Adam Lind (FD: $2600, DK: $3900)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 182 — wOBA: 0.386 — ISO: 0.250 — wRC+: 143
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 318 — wOBA: 0.410 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 164
Analysis: Lind has been the one consistent source of production in this Brewers’ offense. While he has regressed in the last couple of weeks, he still has a .386 wOBA and a .250 ISO against right-handed pitching this season. He has had terrific success against John Lackey in his career, going 15-for-31 with six doubles against him.
Secondary Plays:
Jean Segura (FD: $2800, DK: $3800)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 143 — wOBA: 0.258 — ISO: 0.074 — wRC+: 57
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 557 — wOBA: 0.282 — ISO: 0.087 — wRC+: 74
St. Louis
Matt Carpenter (FD: $3700, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 202 — wOBA: 0.432 — ISO: 0.254 — wRC+: 178
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 709 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.104 — wRC+: 120
Analysis: Carpenter is the ultimate cash game play. He rarely has a bad fantasy outing, which gives him a higher floor than most players in daily fantasy baseball. He has improved his power numbers this season against right-handed pitching, posting a .432 wOBA and a .254 ISO. He draws a favorable matchup against Jimmy Nelson, who has given up a .347 wOBA to batters from the left side of the plate.
Secondary Plays:
Jhonny Peralta (FD: $3700, DK: $4100)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 205 — wOBA: 0.381 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 144
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 628 — wOBA: 0.332 — ISO: 0.172 — wRC+: 112
Kolten Wong (FD: $3200, DK: $4000)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 202 — wOBA: 0.379 — ISO: 0.185 — wRC+: 143
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 433 — wOBA: 0.289 — ISO: 0.137 — wRC+: 83
Minnesota at Boston – 1:45 PM EST
| Minnesota | Boston | ||||||||
 | Phil Hughes |  | Eduardo Rodriguez | ||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| BOS (-155) | 8.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.252 | 0.649 | 0.284 | 0.202 | SP vs. Left | ||||
| SP vs. Right | 0.29 | 0.767 | 0.333 | 0.202 | SP vs. Right | ||||
| Batter Splits | MIN BvP | Batter Splits | BOS BvP | ||||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Phil Hughes (FD: $7800, DK: $7600)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 64 — SIERA: 4.21 — K Rate: 15.1% — K/9: 5.71 — BB Rate: 2.2% — FB Rate: 41.6% — HR/FB: 13.0%
2014: IP: 209 — SIERA: 3.17 — K Rate: 21.8% — K/9: 7.98 — BB Rate: 1.9% — FB Rate: 40.2% — HR/FB: 6.2%
Boston Red Sox vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.308 (Rank: 16) — Strikeout Rate: 16.3% (Rank: 1) — wRC+: 93 (Rank: 18)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 4.01 (Rank: 1)
Analysis: After being one of the most-improved pitchers in baseball last season, Hughes is back up to his old tricks. He’s still not walking any batters, but he has a pedestrian SIERA of 4.21 with a below-average K/9 of 5.7. Until he can string together a few quality starts, he can be avoided in both cash games and tournaments. Maybe the Red Sox offense will finally be able to score some runs today.
Pitcher Rating:54.8
Eduardo Rodriguez (FD: $6900, DK: $5700)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 7 — SIERA: 3.11 — K Rate: 25.0% — K/9: 8.22 — BB Rate: 7.1% — FB Rate: 27.8% — HR/FB: 0.0%
Minnesota Twins vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.322 (Rank: 13) — Strikeout Rate: 18.2% (Rank: 8) — wRC+: 105 (Rank: 14)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.78 (Rank: 16)
Analysis: Rodriguez was magnificent in his major league debut, striking out seven batters in 7.2 scoreless innings of work against the Rangers. While he is an impressive young pitcher, he had the advantage of facing a big league team that had never seen him before. As more and more tape of him comes out, teams will try to change their approach against him. I like him as a tournament play today against the Twins though. The Twins have hit left-handed pitching well this season, but the Red Sox are sizable favorites and Rodriguez will want to put on a show in his first start in Fenway Park (I’ll be there this weekend!!).
Pitcher Rating:71.4
Batter Grind Down
Minnesota
Brian Dozier (FD: $4100, DK: $4900)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 212 — wOBA: 0.380 — ISO: 0.286 — wRC+: 146
2014 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 707 — wOBA: 0.351 — ISO: 0.203 — wRC+: 126
Analysis: Dozier hits left-handed pitching well and he has more power than your prototypical leadoff hitters. He has a .380 wOBA and a .286 ISO against southpaws this season. He gets to face a rookie pitcher making only his second career start, and he gets to face him in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
Secondary Plays:
Trevor Plouffe (FD: $3000, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 3B — DK: 3B
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 189 — wOBA: 0.392 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 154
2014 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 582 — wOBA: 0.343 — ISO: 0.152 — wRC+: 120
Boston
Dustin Pedroia (FD: $3100, DK: $4100)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 222 — wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.137 — wRC+: 127
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 609 — wOBA: 0.316 — ISO: 0.078 — wRC+: 98
Analysis: If I continue to recommend taking Red Sox hitters, eventually they will have a big day offensively, right? I’m hoping that’s the case today, as they take on Phil Hughes at home in the hitter-friendly Fenway Park. Pedroia has a .358 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and Hughes is a reverse-splits pitcher, that gives up a much higher wOBA to right-handed hitters than he does to left-handed hitters.
Secondary Plays:
Hanley Ramirez (FD: $3700, DK: $4600)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF/SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 191 — wOBA: 0.311 — ISO: 0.200 — wRC+: 95
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 512 — wOBA: 0.355 — ISO: 0.156 — wRC+: 131
Mookie Betts (FD: $3100, DK: $4200)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 220 — wOBA: 0.317 — ISO: 0.138 — wRC+: 99
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 213 — wOBA: 0.358 — ISO: 0.153 — wRC+: 127
David Ortiz (FD: $2600, DK: $3900)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 189 — wOBA: 0.377 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 140
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 602 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.248 — wRC+: 131
NY Yankees at Seattle – 3:40 PM EST
| NY Yankees | Seattle | ||||||||
 | Masahiro Tanaka |  | Taijuan Walker | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| NYY (-110) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.230 | 0.616 | 0.273 | 23.8% | SP vs. Left | 0.293 | 0.826 | 0.365 | 20.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.227 | 0.670 | 0.294 | 28.5% | SP vs. Right | 0.241 | 0.728 | 0.322 | 19.70% |
| Batter Splits | NYY BvP | NYY vs R | Batter Splits | SEA BvP | SEA vs R | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Masahiro Tanaka (FD: $8900, DK: $9600)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 22 — SIERA: 3.32 — K Rate: 26.7% — K/9: 9.67 — BB Rate: 7.8% — FB Rate: 43.1% — HR/FB: 8.0%
2014: IP: 136 — SIERA: 2.67 — K Rate: 26.0% — K/9: 9.31 — BB Rate: 3.9% — FB Rate: 29.0% — HR/FB: 14.0%
Seattle Mariners vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.295 (Rank: 23) — Strikeout Rate: 23.2% (Rank: 28) — wRC+: 90 (Rank: 20)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.88 (Rank: 7)
Analysis: Tanaka will make his first start since April 23rd, after injuring his forearm/wrist that landed him on the DL. It will be great to have him back in the rotation, as he is one of the more exciting pitchers to watch in baseball. He is only expected to throw around 80 pitches tonight though, and there could be some rust in his first start back. His upside is too limited to consider using him against the Mariners today, as he may only pitch five innings.
Pitcher Rating:70.1
Taijuan Walker (FD: $7100, DK: $7000)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 51 — SIERA: 4.30 — K Rate: 20.3% — K/9: 8.29 — BB Rate: 9.9% — FB Rate: 39.2% — HR/FB: 12.9%
2014: IP: 38 — SIERA: 3.97 — K Rate: 21.3% — K/9: 8.05 — BB Rate: 11.3% — FB Rate: 26.2% — HR/FB: 7.4%
New York Yankees vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.318 (Rank: 11) — Strikeout Rate: 19.5% (Rank: 11) — wRC+: 100 (Rank: 11)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.92 (Rank: 4)
Analysis: Walker has been a boom or bust fantasy option all season. His numbers on the season are more than respectable, with a 4.30 SIERA and a K/9 of 8.3. However, his game logs tell another story. He is a young pitcher that struggles with his command. He can safely be avoided today against the Yankees, who are ranked 11th or better in wOBA (.318), strikeout rate (19.5%), wRC+ (100), and pitches per plate appearance against right-handed pitching this season.
Pitcher Rating:52.1
Batter Grind Down
NY Yankees
Brett Gardner (FD: $3300, DK: $4400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 188 — wOBA: 0.362 — ISO: 0.142 — wRC+: 131
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 636 — wOBA: 0.340 — ISO: 0.197 — wRC+: 116
Analysis: Since the start of 2014, Taijuan Walker has given up a .365 wOBA to batters that hit from the left side of the plate. All of the left-handed hitters in the Yankees’ lineup are in play today. Gardner leads the way as the featured play, as he has both good numbers against right-handed pitching and he provides speed on the base paths.
Secondary Plays:
Mark Teixeira (FD: $3700, DK: $4200)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 193 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.328 — wRC+: 145
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 508 — wOBA: 0.320 — ISO: 0.199 — wRC+: 102
Brian McCann (FD: $3700, DK: $3900)
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: C
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 170 — wOBA: 0.372 — ISO: 0.259 — wRC+: 138
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 538 — wOBA: 0.282 — ISO: 0.151 — wRC+: 76
Seattle
NO RECOMMENDED PLAYS
Atlanta at Arizona – 3:40 PM EST
| Atlanta | Arizona | ||||||||
 | Mike Foltynewicz |  | Rubby De La Rosa | ||||||
| RIGHT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| ARI (-125) | 8.5 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.327 | 1.008 | 0.431 | 13.6% | SP vs. Left | 0.293 | 0.851 | 0.369 | 15.00% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.221 | 0.578 | 0.263 | 27.9% | SP vs. Right | 0.237 | 0.682 | 0.301 | 23.30% |
| Batter Splits | ATL BvP | ATL vs R | Batter Splits | ARI BvP | |||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Mike Foltynewicz (FD: $7400, DK: $6500)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 36 — SIERA: 3.73 — K Rate: 24.2% — K/9: 9.41 — BB Rate: 8.3% — FB Rate: 47.5% — HR/FB: 8.3%
2014: IP: 18 — SIERA: 4.38 — K Rate: 16.7% — K/9: 6.75 — BB Rate: 8.3% — FB Rate: 50.8% — HR/FB: 9.4%
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.316 (Rank: 12) — Strikeout Rate: 19.7% (Rank: 12) — wRC+: 95 (Rank: 13)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.64 (Rank: 30)
Analysis: Foltynewicz has actually pitched very well this season. If you ignore the name, you would take a 3.73 SIERA with a K/9 of 9.4 any day of the week. He is still very affordable on both FanDuel and DraftKings and he draws a mediocre matchup against the Diamondbacks, who are ranked right around the major league average in wOBA (.316), strikeout rate (19.7%), and wRC+ (95) against right-handed pitching this season. Foltynewicz isn’t my favorite pitcher in the early slate of games, but he’s a better pitcher than most people give him credit for.
Pitcher Rating:52.8
Rubby De La Rosa (FD: $7400, DK: $6700)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 64 — SIERA: 3.45 — K Rate: 22.5% — K/9: 8.30 — BB Rate: 6.1% — FB Rate: 32.6% — HR/FB: 16.9%
2014: IP: 101 — SIERA: 4.21 — K Rate: 16.8% — K/9: 6.55 — BB Rate: 7.9% — FB Rate: 32.1% — HR/FB: 11.5%
Atlanta Braves vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.310 (Rank: 15) — Strikeout Rate: 16.6% (Rank: 3) — wRC+: 95 (Rank: 13)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.76 (Rank: 19)
Analysis: Speaking of pitchers that don’t get the credit that they deserve, how about the numbers that De La Rosa has put up this season. He owns a 3.45 SIERA with a K/9 of 8.3. He has good command, walking only 6.1% of the batters that he has faced this season. De La Rosa is a small favorite today against the Braves, who are one of the toughest teams to strike out. The Braves have a 16.6% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season, which is the 3rd-lowest of any team in baseball. De La Rosa is still in play today, but his strikeout potential is limited.
Pitcher Rating:53.6
Batter Grind Down
Atlanta
Freddie Freeman (FD: $3500, DK: $4900)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 209 — wOBA: 0.370 — ISO: 0.190 — wRC+: 136
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 708 — wOBA: 0.388 — ISO: 0.188 — wRC+: 150
Analysis: Freeman is having himself a nice series in Chase Field. He’ll look to add to his offensive totals today, as he takes on Rubby De La Rosa, who has given up a .369 wOBA to left-handed hitters since the start of 2014. Meanwhile, Freeman has posted a .384 wOBA and a .188 ISO against right-handed pitching during that same time period.
Secondary Plays:
Jace Peterson (FD: $2800, DK: $3500)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B/3B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 175 — wOBA: 0.309 — ISO: 0.076 — wRC+: 94
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 58 — wOBA: 0.080 — ISO: 0.000 — wRC+: -56
Andrelton Simmons (FD: $2400, DK: $3700)
Position Eligibility: FD: SS — DK: SS
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 201 — wOBA: 0.328 — ISO: 0.145 — wRC+: 108
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 576 — wOBA: 0.267 — ISO: 0.077 — wRC+: 67
Arizona
Ender Inciarte (FD: $2900, DK: $3600)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 204 — wOBA: 0.323 — ISO: 0.125 — wRC+: 100
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 447 — wOBA: 0.307 — ISO: 0.097 — wRC+: 90
Analysis: Foltynewicz has been efficient against right-handed hitters this season, but the same can’t be said for when he faces left-handed hitters. He has given up a .431 wOBA to batters that hit from the left side of the plate. Inciarte fits that mold and should be batting leadoff today. He is cheap and has great speed on the base paths. He’s one of the best value plays on the board in the early slate of games. David Peralta (DTD) is also worth a look if he is in the lineup.
Secondary Plays:
Paul Goldschmidt (FD: $5500, DK: $5400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 1B — DK: 1B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 210 — wOBA: 0.460 — ISO: 0.312 — wRC+: 192
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 479 — wOBA: 0.386 — ISO: 0.249 — wRC+: 144
A.J. Pollock (FD: $4300, DK: $4500)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 193 — wOBA: 0.318 — ISO: 0.116 — wRC+: 96
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 287 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.163 — wRC+: 129
Pittsburgh at San Francisco – 3:45 PM EST
| Pittsburgh | San Francisco | ||||||||
 | Francisco Liriano |  | Tim Hudson | ||||||
| LEFT | RIGHT | ||||||||
| Vegas Moneyline | Vegas Over/Under | ||||||||
| PIT (-125) | 7.0 | ||||||||
| Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% | Stats | Avg | OPS | wOBA | K% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP vs. Left | 0.259 | 0.706 | 0.317 | 28.0% | SP vs. Left | 0.277 | 0.759 | 0.333 | 10.70% |
| SP vs. Right | 0.197 | 0.617 | 0.281 | 25.8% | SP vs. Right | 0.263 | 0.697 | 0.305 | 17.80% |
| Batter Splits | PIT BvP | PIT vs R | Batter Splits | SFG BvP | SF vs L | ||||
| Batter Split Links Above Open In Pop-Up Window | |||||||||
Pitcher Grind Down
Francisco Liriano (FD: $9300, DK: $10000)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 59 — SIERA: 3.00 — K Rate: 30.9% — K/9: 11.31 — BB Rate: 9.9% — FB Rate: 27.1% — HR/FB: 15.8%
2014: IP: 162 — SIERA: 3.61 — K Rate: 25.3% — K/9: 9.70 — BB Rate: 11.7% — FB Rate: 26.9% — HR/FB: 11.6%
San Francisco Giants vs. LH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.329 (Rank: 7) — Strikeout Rate: 20.0% (Rank: 14) — wRC+: 113 (Rank: 5)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.70 (Rank: 26)
Analysis: Liriano is having another outstanding season, posting a 3.00 SIERA with a K/9 of 11.3. The one knock on Liriano is that he throws a lot of pitches out of the zone, which can get him into trouble against teams that are patient at the plate. The Giants have good numbers against southpaws this season, but patience isn’t their strong suit. They average the 5th-least number of pitches per plate appearance and have only drawn walks 7.8% of the time against lefties. Liriano is the premier pitching option in the early slate of games.
Pitcher Rating:81.8
Tim Hudson (FD: $6500, DK: $6200)
Pitching Stats:
2015: IP: 62 — SIERA: 4.19 — K Rate: 11.5% — K/9: 4.33 — BB Rate: 5.8% — FB Rate: 21.7% — HR/FB: 17.8%
2014: IP: 189 — SIERA: 3.66 — K Rate: 15.2% — K/9: 5.70 — BB Rate: 4.3% — FB Rate: 25.9% — HR/FB: 9.3%
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. RH Pitching: (2015)
wOBA: 0.305 (Rank: 18) — Strikeout Rate: 19.8% (Rank: 14) — wRC+: 94 (Rank: 16)
Pitches per Plate Appearance: 3.80 (Rank: 14)
Analysis: Hudson is not a recommended fantasy option at this point in his career. He’s still an effective real-life pitcher, but he has one of the lowest strikeout rates in all of baseball, which doesn’t translate into being a productive pitcher in daily fantasy. He has a K/9 of 4.3 this season, which means he has to pitch a near perfect outing to pay off his salary. He can safely be avoided tonight against a surging Pirates’ offense.
Pitcher Rating:52.4
Batter Grind Down
Pittsburgh
Neil Walker (FD: $2800, DK: $3400)
Position Eligibility: FD: 2B — DK: 2B
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 196 — wOBA: 0.332 — ISO: 0.141 — wRC+: 112
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 571 — wOBA: 0.364 — ISO: 0.222 — wRC+: 135
Analysis: Walker has been my go-to play at second base in this series and so far, he has yet to let me down. He is 3-for-9 in the series with three RBI. He has a .332 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and he draws a favorable matchup against Tim Hudson, who has given up a .333 wOBA to left-handed hitters since the start of 2014.
Secondary Plays:
Andrew McCutchen (FD: $4700, DK: $4800)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 207 — wOBA: 0.365 — ISO: 0.211 — wRC+: 135
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 648 — wOBA: 0.415 — ISO: 0.225 — wRC+: 170
Gregory Polanco (FD: $3000, DK: $3400)
Position Eligibility: FD: OF — DK: OF
2015 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 184 — wOBA: 0.311 — ISO: 0.125 — wRC+: 98
2014 vs. RH Pitching: PA: 312 — wOBA: 0.326 — ISO: 0.123 — wRC+: 110
San Francisco
NO ELITE PLAYS
Secondary Plays:
Buster Posey (FD: $3800, DK: $3900)
Position Eligibility: FD: C — DK: 1B/C
2015 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 194 — wOBA: 0.346 — ISO: 0.179 — wRC+: 125
2014 vs. LH Pitching: PA: 605 — wOBA: 0.382 — ISO: 0.214 — wRC+: 151