MLB Grind Down: Wednesday, June 19th - DET @ PIT
Detroit at Pittsburgh – 7:05 PM ET
Zimmermann struggled in his first six starts of the season before hitting the IL with an elbow injury. He has the worst of both worlds, as he lacks upside and will likely be on a pitch count. It doesn’t matter that he sees a positive park shift and that he gets to face the opposing pitcher in the lineup. He can be avoided in all formats.
Quick Breakdown: Given his form this season and the fact that he should be on a pitch count, Zimmermann is an easy fade.
Williams is also set to return from the IL after missing the last month with a strained right side. The combination of a likely pitch count and a lack of upside makes Williams an easy fade in all formats. We can typically target righties against the Tigers given their right-handed heavy lineup, but Williams has reverse-splits so he can’t really take advantage of the matchup.
Quick Breakdown: Avoid Williams in all formats.
Batter Grind Down
We have two pitchers returning from injury that are squaring off in warm and humid weather. It’s no surprise that the total for this game has already moved up a full run. On the season, Trevor Williams has allowed a .334 xwOBA and a 41% hard contact rate to right-handed hitters. This bodes well for a right-handed heavy Tigers’ offense. While I don’t consider any of them priority plays, Nick Castellanos, Miguel Cabrera, and Brandon Dixon are all intriguing tournament targets that should garner little to no ownership.
Elite Plays – None
Secondary Plays -Nick Castellanos (GPP), Miguel Cabrera (GPP), Christin Stewart (GPP), Brandon Dixon (GPP)
Stackability – YELLOW
I rarely stack the Pirates in this ballpark, but I might have to make an exception this evening. We have good hitting conditions and they draw an exploitable matchup against Jordan Zimmermann. If we date the numbers back to the start of last season, Zimmermann has allowed a .200+ ISO and a 1.80+ HR/9 to both left and right-handed hitters. Josh Bell continues to tear the cover off the ball and is one of the top overall plays at any position. Additionally, Corey Dickerson is expected back from injury, which is a nice boost to this lineup as a whole.
Elite Plays – Josh Bell, Kevin Newman (GPP), Corey Dickerson (GPP), Starling Marte (GPP), Colin Moran (GPP)
Secondary Plays – Kevin Newman (Cash), Corey Dickerson (Cash), Starling Marte (Cash), Colin Moran (Cash), Elias Diaz (DK)
Stackability – GREEN
Comments