DFS Alerts

3 reasons to play Adam Eaton

Firstly, Ervin Santana has a 4.35 xFIP against lefties this year and is yet to give up a homerun to a LHB. Secondly, Eaton is leading off with an opposing Twins team that will most likely have Kurt Suzuki behind the plate who has a career caught stealing percentage of 24.5% (this is 0.06% better than A.J. Pierzynski). Thirdly and most importantly (sarcasm), in 8 at-bats, Eaton is slugging 0.875 with a 0.375 batting average.

Adeiny Hechavarria batting second for the Marlins today

Adeiny Hechavarria is batting second and facing off against Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson finished 2015 with an xFIP of 4.47 and 3.94 against left-handed batters and right-handed batters, respectively. However, he still managed to give up a a higher HR/9 to RHBs (1.48/9 innings). So far this year the xFIP gap is even larger with an xFIP of 5.21 vs. lefties and 2.88 vs. righties, and again the RHB have been doing the damage with the longball (2.45 HR/9). Hechavarria, Stanton, and Ozuna should all be considered in most formats.

Hernan Perez batting second against Brandon Finnegan for the Brewers

Hernan Perez has had 9 at-bats in the last seven days. We wanted to make that clear before sharing the next statistic. Hernan Perez has had a wRC+ of 308 over the last seven days and faces Brandon Finnegan who has allowed 1.75 HR/9 to RHB as a full-time starter this year. As previously mentioned, these stats are more icing on the cake for a third base value-play batting second than they are legitimate statistics driven by large sample sizes.

The one-sideness of Shelby Miller's season is an illusion. Start A.J. Pierzynski if you need value.

Shelby Miller was worse last year against left-handed batters (4.48 xFIP), but this year 5 of his 6 HRs allowed have come against right-handed batters. Don’t be deceived by these results, considering Miller has a 7.97 xFIP against left-handed batters so far in 2016. If you need a value today at catcher, start A.J. Pierzynski who will be batting cleanup today against Miller.

3 Reasons to play Carlos Correa, batting 3rd behind Marwin Gonzalez

Firstly, Carlos Correa has been hot this week, sporting a wRC+ of 259 over the last seven days. Secondly, he crushes righties, possessing a wRC+ of 139 versus RHP since the beginning of last year. Thirdly, Correa faces a right-handed pitcher which may help to suppress his ownership some tonight. Lucky for him, that righty is Nate Karns who finished 2015 with a 4.09 xFIP and a 1.73 HR/9 allowed to right-handed batters.

The latest RG weather report shows only a few showers are expected in Detroit after 2pm and the chances of a postponement are unlikely. Check out the full report here: https://rotogrinders.com/threads/some-weather-concerns-around-the-great-lakes-1295967

Ian Kennedy has shown some vulnerability against right-handed batters this year

Last year Kennedy was fairly equal opportunity, giving up a wOBA over 0.330 to both lefties and righties. In a small sample size this year, Kennedy has been more effective against left-handed batters. This trend has been exaggerated on the road, considering his wOBA vs. RHB jumps from 0.275 at home to 0.358 away from Kauffman Stadium. Mike Napoli’s wRC+ is a modest 108 against RHP, but the Indian’s cleanup hitter does have an ISO of 0.250 against righties, with 3 of his 4 homers happening at Progressive Field (Cleveland).

Zobrist the Cubs top hitter versus LHP

Ben Zobrist and his RC+ against lefties of 187 make him a great play today, though he may be popular after his big day yesterday . Perhaps the weather becoming warmer will change that and it will be 60 degrees in Chicago today.

Blue Jays top 10 versus LHP, Kershaw 11th best versus RHB

The Blue Jays are rolling out 7 batters who will be batting from the right side to face a pitcher who so far this year has an xFIP of 2.45 against right-handed batters. Targeting Kershaw or Blue Jays batters with great conviction today may be a difficult task. In situations like this, it is sometimes prudent to look to Vegas for advice and the line currently sits at 3.48 runs.

Piscotty has been great against lefties in 2016, facing Jeff Locke

Jeff Locke has an xFIP of 4.66 so far in this young 2016 season and gets to face Stephen Piscotty today. Piscotty has a 216 RC+ against lefties this year with a ridiculous 0.280 ISO. As a bonus side note, Randal Grichuk is on the other side of the spectrum sporting a RC+ OF 51 versus lefties (an RC+ of 100 is the baseline).

David warns that the games in Detroit and Cleveland are both likely to experience delays with a certain degree of risk for postponement. Read his full post here: https://rotogrinders.com/threads/some-weather-concerns-around-the-great-lakes-1295967

Mike Wright has shown he can give up the long ball to both sides of the plate

Through the beginning of last year and 69 innings , Mike Wright has a HR/9 of 1.97 vs. LHB and 1.22 vs. RHB. This susceptibility to allowing power is accompanied by strikeout rates of 14-15% against batters on both sides of the plate. This good news for all the A’s who will be enjoying a park upgrade today, batting in Oriole Park in Camden Yards instead of the spacious Oakland Coliseum. Khris Davis being a righty should keep his ownership down while he gets the opportunity to swing against Mike Wright in the 3rd best power-hitting environment for right-handed batters.

3 Reasons to play Rougned Odor

Firstly, Mike Pelfrey has not been good so far this season, continuing his trend from 2015 of giving up a wOBA over 0.300 to both sides of the plate. Through 25 innings this year, Pelfrey is striking out lefties less than 9% of the time. Secondly, Jarrod Saltalamacchia is catching today, giving Roughned Odor a great opportunity to swipe a bag if he isn’t jogging around the bases. Thirdly, Odor is leading off on the road, upping the chances that Rougy gets an extra at-bat in the top of the 9th.

Nathan Eovaldi pitching at home today, making LHB Red Sox viable

In 2015, Nathan Eovaldi’s worst split L/R and Home/Away was at home against lefties. This makes sense seeing that Yankee Stadium is the 9th best environment for left-handed batters, and the trend has continued this year. His home vs LHB wOBA has been 0.479 so far this year. Even if one thinks his numbers will regress to last year’s average, we would be referencing regressing towards a wOBA of 0.331. Against RHP, David Ortiz is the most obvious left-handed batter to target, but the much less heralded Travis Shaw and Jackie Bradley Jr. are also worth consideration, possessing a wRC+ of 132 and 115, respectively.

Conforto and Walker sit tonight against LHP Pomeranz (30.5K%)

Drew Pomeranz has some legit strikeout stuff (30.5K%), but has struggled with walks this season (11BB%). If he can limit the walks tonight, he should be in for a very solid outing. Keep in mind though that he will be opposed by Noah Syndergaard, greatly diminishing his chances at a win. The Mets will rest Michael Conforto and Neil Walker tonight, so make sure not to roster either player tonight. The Mets are only projected by Vegas to score 3.50 runs, making them relatively unappealing options this evening. There are much better matchups to exploit on this slate than the one the Mets find themselves in tonight.