Scott Kazmir Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Scott Kazmir may be a potential fade candidate with projected ownership above 30% on DraftKings (Rotogrinders Projected Ownership Page) and a $9K price tag on FanDuel because although the Phillies are the worst offense in baseball both at home (69 wRC+) and vs LHP (72 wRC+), they have an impressive 19.4 HR/FB and 11.8 BB% over the last week and those are two categories where he’s struggled this season with six HRs over his last six starts, while walking seven of his last 48 batters. Additionally, the Phillies are now able to run out a couple of lefty mashers in the middle of that lineup. Cameron Rupp, who is one of those mashers, is OUT, but Carlos Ruiz still has a 149 wRC+ and .185 ISO vs LHP since last season, while Maikel Franco (119 wRC+, .234 ISO vs LHP career) and Tommy Joseph (114 wRC+, .221 ISO vs LHP) have both flashed significant power against southpaws. Contrarian minded players could add Cesar Hernandez (109 wRC+ vs RHP since last season), who has a 201 wRC+ over the last week as part of a sneaky stack.

While Scott Kazmir has been inconsistent, he gets to face a Phillies team that is one of the worst in the league against LHP (30th in wOBA, 29th in ISO). Vegas has given the Phillies a run total of barely over three and made the Dodgers substantial favorites (-206). All that adds up to Kazmir being the top SP option of the early slate and one of the top for the all day slate as well. Kazmir is vulnerable to the long ball, especially against RH bats (29 HR allowed to them in last two seasons) so you can use the likes of Aaron Altherr, Maikel Franco, and Tommy Joseph as one offs or as part of a contrarian team stack. The Dodgers face Jeremy Hellickson who has allowed a .339 wOBA and 31.5% hard hit rate to LH bats over the past two seasons. The Dodgers top six all swing from that side of the plate and are viable options today with Corey Seager, Josh Reddick, and Adrian Gonzalez the preferred options of those six.

Scott Kazmir has been incredibly erratic in the three true outcomes (HRs, Ks, and BBs) to be trusted against an offense with a 115 wRC+ and 16.7 HR/FB vs LHP. He's basically been Cole Hamels without the high strand rate, but this lineup has been Dusty Baker'd with four LH bats in the top six. It's understandable that a Catcher has to rest, but tonight is bad night to do so, though Kazmir hasn't shown much of a split with LHBs and RHBs having a wOBA just above .300 against him since last season (though RHBs have been a bit better this season). It's more of a question of the benched guys and Werth (186 wRC+, .259 ISO vs LHP this year) hitting LHP better than the guys in their spots. Danny Espinosa (135 wRC+, .333 ISO vs LHP this season) gets a slight bump with a $2.4K cost on FanDuel moving up a spot. Trea Turner in the leadoff spot at a low cost on either site may have some appeal as well in the middle infield.

Scott Kazmir has had starts of five and seven walks in his last five starts with an ERA and estimators above four. He has missed bats at an above average rate though with games of one run with 12 Ks and no runs with seven Ks sandwiched in between those high walk ones. He's high risk, but on a short slate against an offense with a 26.2 K% on the road, he must be considered. Something players might not know though, is the Brewers have an 11.8 BB% vs LHP this year. If not playing Kazmir, players can look into Ryan Braun (183 wRC+, .291 ISO vs LHP this season) for just $4K or less.

Scott Kazmir walked seven Padres two starts back and followed up by striking out 12 Reds in his most recent start. Now he faces a real offense and the Cubs have a 13.1 BB% vs LHP. Unfortunately, walks don't really drive up the daily fantasy score, so it might be tougher to find real value in a high priced lineup. Ben Zobrist, in the 5th spot, might be in the best position to provide such value though. He has a 182 wRC+ and .209 ISO vs LHP this year, along with a 217 wRC+ and 47.1 Hard% over the last week and if the walk rate does hold true, he should be in a position to drive in some runs tonight. Alternately, Dexter Fowler (121 wRC+ vs LHP this year) could be on base to score some of those runs and may get an extra opportunity in the leadoff spot. Kris Bryant (112 wRC+, .259 ISO vs LHP this season) has been the only other above average bat vs LHP in today's lineup.

The Cincinnati Reds might be the best matchup on the board tonight as they can't seem to muster any offense outside the cozy confines of their home park (63 wRC+, 6.0 HR/FB, 16.3 K-BB%). They have a 38 wRC+ and 20.2 K-BB% over the last week. Scott Kazmir may have scared investors off when he muffed another easy one against the Padres last week with seven walks and two HRs. In fact, he's allowed 12 HRs on the year now (20.7 HR/FB), but still has an above average strikeout rate (21.1 K%, 9.8 SwStr%) and has never had a HR problem before (9.7 career HR/FB). He has now walked at least four in three starts, but no more than one in any of his other six starts. Kazmir may be a forgotten man in a great spot at a reasonable cost on a night where there is no top pitcher. Kazmir doesn't have much of a platoon split career and has allowed LHBs (.332 wOBA) more offense than RHBs (.299 wOBA) since last season. If not using Kazmir, just two Reds hold interest. Zack Cozart (139 wRC+, .238 ISO vs LHPs since 2015) is the only hot bat in the lineup (150 wRC+, 43.5 Hard% last seven days). Joey Votto has just a 42 wRC+ vs LHP this year, but still a 151 wRC+ since last season and has traditionally hit lefties well. While he has scuffled along with the rest of the Reds, he has hit the ball hard (58.8%) over the last week and costs just $3.5K tonight.

Scott Kazmir has improved his K and SwStr rates above average over the last month and though he's allowed 10 HRs this year, his 22.1 Hard% is a career low and he's never really had a HR problem before with other numbers beginning to look more in line with a league average pitcher. He costs a bit more than that tonight (especially on DraftKings - $9.5K). The Padres have been awful at home (65 wRC+) and over the last week (46 wRC+) with a 91 wRC+ and 25.9 K% vs LHP making Kazmir a solid play on FanDuel with a good chance for the Win and still a reasonable option on DraftKings. There's no interest in the ice cold San Diego bats.

Stephen Piscotty is taking against a competent pitcher today, facing off against Scott Kazmir in Dodger Stadium. While Kazmir has been better in recent starts, his 0.360 wOBA against right-handed batters is further backed up by his xFIP of 4.76 to RHBs. Since the beginning of last year, Piscotty has established an impressive ISO of 0.244 against LHPs. Dodger Stadium is spacious, but an ISO of 0.244 points towards Piscotty being a viable play today against Kazmir.

Michael Conforto takes a seat against the lefty tonight. Scott Kazmir is showing signs of recovery from a thumb injury that may have plagued him to start the season. He's struck out 15 of his last 55 and faces an offense with a 23.7 K% vs LHP. If you're loading up on Coors bats and need to go a bit cheaper on the mound, this is a good place to look for potential punchouts for $8.2K on either site. The top Met bats are the most expensive one. David Wright (183 wRC+, .236 ISO vs LHP since 2015) has been pounding the baseball (245 wRC+, 70.0 Hard% last seven days) and Yoenis Cespedes (118 wRC+, .243 ISO vs RHP) has been better vs same handed pitching, but retains his power vs lefties. He has a 214 wRC+ over the last week. Flores and Lagares are both above average hitters vs LHP, but aren't enough of a discount further down in the order to really be of value in a pitcher's park here against a pitcher who has looked better in his last two outings.

Scott Kazmir finally pitched well in his last start after a string of bad outings and it's encouraging to see his velocity back up to last year's levels and his SwStr above 9% over his last two starts. His 84 mph exit velocity is 7th in baseball (30 batted min.) and best on tonight's slate. However, he's fairly costly against one of the better offenses against LHP (112 wRC+, 35.4 Hard%). The top three in particular have torched lefties since last season. Logan Forsythe (179 wRC+, .314 ISO vs LHP) has been on fire (331 wRC+ over the last week) and is a decent value even in the upper price range for 2B with a 94 mph exit velocity this season. Brandon Guyer (142 wRC+ vs LHP) is a low priced OF alternative. Evan Longoria (159 wRC+, .234 ISO vs LHP) hasn't been the player he once was, but still offers a big bat against southpaws.