MLB Grind Down: Friday, July 12th - SEA @ LAA

Derek Farnsworth (Notorious)

Created 6 months ago, Last Updated 6 months ago

Seattle at LA Angels – 10:07 PM ET

Leake has been in better form recently, but he doesn’t fit the mold of what we are looking for in a pitcher. He throws a lot of strikes, but has a low strikeout rate and a high SIERA. He hasn’t been particularly effective against batters from either side of the plate, and he draws one of the worst matchups of the slate. The Angels have power, and they rarely strike out against right-handed pitching.

Quick Breakdown: Avoid Leake in all formats.

Cole will serve as the primary opener tonight with Felix Pena pitching the bulk of the innings. Pena has decent strikeout upside, but has struggled with lefties throughout his career. He allows more power and gets fewer strikeouts when facing a batter from the left side of the plate. He’s an easy fade against the Mariners, who have six lefties in their projected lineup tonight.

Quick Breakdown: Avoid both Cole and Pena.

Batter Grind Down

The Mariners aren’t an offense that I am prioritizing tonight, but they have a good matchup for their lineup. They are expected to roll out six lefties tonight against Felix Pena, who has struggled with left-handed hitters in each of the last two seasons. J.P. Crawford (.229 ISO), Daniel Vogelbach (.322 ISO), Omar Narvaez (.192 ISO), and Kyle Seager (.329 xwOBA) all bat from the left side and have good numbers against right-handed pitching.

Elite Plays – J.P. Crawford (GPP), Daniel Vogelbach (GPP)

Secondary Plays – Mallex Smith, Omar Narvaez (DK), Kyle Seager (GPP)

Stackability – ORANGE

The Angels have a more hitter-friendly ballpark this season, they have one of the most talented offenses in baseball, and they could fly under the radar tonight. On the season, Mike Leake has allowed a .335+ xwOBA and a .205+ ISO to batters from both sides of the plate. Kole Calhoun (.342 xwOBA), Mike Trout (.499 xwOBA), Shohei Ohtani (.403 xwOBA), Justin Upton (.436 xwOBA), and Justin Bour (.241 ISO) all have good power against right-handed pitching.

Elite Plays – Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton (DK), Justin Bour (GPP)

Secondary Plays – Justin Upton (FD), Justin Bour (Cash), Kole Calhoun

Stackability – GREEN