DFS Alerts
Syndergaard has highest SwStr% (19.3) and lowest exit velocity (83.47) in majors
It’s Noah Syndergaard’s video game world and we’re just watching it. With the top SwStr% (19.3) and lowest average exit velocity (83.47 mph) in the majors, it seems unfair to give him on of the most advantageous matchups on the board too tonight. The Reds have just a 70 wRC+ vs RHP to begin with and are without one of their two LH power bats (Bruce) tonight. Syndergaard is the top pitcher and quite possibly the top value on the board tonight and the only rational play on this side of the matchup with the Reds projected for the lowest run total of the evening (2.9).
As reported by: Baseball Savant
Jay Bruce on paternity leave; out undisclosed time
The Reds have placed Bruce on paternity leave as he is attending to the birth of a child. He’ll be out at least tonight and probably through the team’s current series with the Mets. We’ll post the Reds updated starting lineup later tonight.
As reported by: Reds official Twitter feed
Xander Bogaerts is back and batting 3rd
Bogaerts is back and batting third for the Red Sox against the soft-throwing Scott Feldman. After getting hit by a pitch a couple of days ago, Bogaerts returns to play in a game with a modest Vegas projected run total of 4.18 runs.
As reported by: RotoGrinders and MLB Press Other tagged players: Scott Feldman
Matt Carpenter is back in the leadoff spot for the Cards
Carpenter had a pinch-hit RBI single yesterday, but he re-enters the lineup today to face Colin Rea. Rea was not terrible against LHB in 2015, holding LHBs to a wOBA of 0.289 and a HR/9 of 0.45.
As reported by: FanGraphs Other tagged players: Colin Rea Brandon Belt absent from the Giants lineup
Brandon Belt is not in the Giants lineup today and the Sunday-special of Giants today will be Trevor Brown. Brown only has 6 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers this year, but one of those did result in a home run.
As reported by: FanGraphs Other tagged players: Trevor Brown Brandon Drury batting second for the Diamondbacks
Drury has been solid over the last week, sporting a wRC+ of 205 for the Diamondbacks.
As reported by: FanGraphs and MLB Press Thole starting at catcher for the Jays
Russell Martin a late scratch due to a neck injury. Josh Thole will replace him for Sunday’s match-up with Oakland.
As reported by: Brendan Kennedy on Twitter Other tagged players: Josh Thole Do you like traps? Brandon Barnes leading off for the Rockies today...
Barnes posted an unimpressive wOBA of 0.237 in 2015 when facing left-handed pitchers. He just is not that good against LHP and I think his coaches even know that because he received 206 plate appearances versus RHP last year, compared to 75 versus LHP. Even with the added opportunity of the leadoff position, the opposing pitcher today is Alex Wood, so playing Barnes feels more like using hope as a strategy today.
As reported by: FanGraphs 3 Reasons to play Chris Davis today
Reason #1: He htis the ball to opposite field for power and should have the benefit of 20 mph hour wind.
Reason #2: Yordano Ventura had a 0.319 wOBA to left-handed batters in 2015.
Reason #3: Chris Davis has the second best wRC+ on the Orioles over the last seven days at 174
Kevin Roth's report highlights a few windy games
Kevin Roth highlights the high wind speeds in San Francisco (out to right-center), Kansas City (out to left), Chicago (in from right) and Colorado (cross winds). Check out his full report here: https://rotogrinders.com/weather/mlb
As reported by: MLB Forum Time ticking on the Mat Latos blowup? Fielder and Odor are smart unpopular plays for Sunday
DFS players may think playing May Latos at pitcher today is a good idea, and they could even be right when the clock strikes midnight. Still, the numbers point to a impending blowup with Latos putting up a ERA/xFIP pair of 3.25/3.65 in 2014, 4.95/3.69 in 2015, and 0.49/4.83 in 2016 so far. Spelled out more simply, he has had a higher xFIP so far this season than he had in 2014 and 2015, but somehow has an ERA of 0.49. It could be largely contributed to his nearly 92% LOB. For anyone who think the regression may begin today, start with Rougned Odor and Prince Fielder.
As reported by: FanGraphs Other tagged players: Rougned Odor, Mat Latos Do you like the smell of chalk? Odubel Herrera leading off for Philadelphia
Yesterday, Odubel Herrera had a couple of RBIs, a couple of stolen bases, a couple of walks, and four runs scored to go with a home run. Today he is leading off again and faces Wily Peralta.
As reported by: ESPN MLB Scores Interested in Déjà vu? The Mets stack up 5 batters who will bat let-handed versus an unknown Braves pitcher
Aaron Blair posted a solid .678 OPS in AA and AAA in 2015, so it will be interesting to see how his skills translate to the big leagues. The Mets run out Granderson, Cabrera, Conforto, Duda, and Walker to start the lineup. This Mets team has proven that it can mash, possessing the 4th best ISO in the young 2016 season at 0.201.
As reported by: FanGraphs and MLB Press Other tagged players: Asdrubal Cabrera, Michael Conforto, Lucas Duda, Neil Walker No Bryce Harper for the Nationals today
Bryce Harper is getting the day off on Sunday, so Tyler Duffey can breathe a big sigh of relief. It will be Matt den Dekker and Michael Taylor in the 1 and 2 spots, with Daniel Murphy sliding into the number 3 hole.
As reported by: MLB Press Other tagged players: Matt den Dekker, Michael A. Taylor, Tyler Duffey Carlos Santana is leading off for the tribe
In 64 plate appearances, Carlos Santana has one stolen base, so it appears the Indians manager’s decision to bat him leadoff is based on his 0.421 OBP versus righties. He faces Shane Greene who let left-handed batters reach base 41.4 percent of the time in 2015. Santana appears to be a high floor play at 1B today.
As reported by: FanGraphs and MLB Press Other tagged players: Shane Greene