With the Pitching Coach gone on Sunday, I have found a new home on Wednesday. If you really look at today’s slate, it is rather odd. You either have studs or duds. For real. It seems like we have an abundance of top of the rotation starters facing fill-ins or bottom-feeders. This tells me this is the day to spend up on SP. Even better? The Coors Field game is on the early slate, making it all that easier to pay. With so many top SP’s going, you really have no choice.
So with a cat trying to talk to me (really, he does), and the sound of the refrigerator running, I bring you today’s Pitching Coach article.
Possible weather concerns
For the most part it is going to be a fine day across MLB with few weather concerns.
The Cardinals-Rockies game has some minor rain concerns today, but, nothing to really worry about at this time.
The Tigers-Twins game is a completely different matter. We have rain and thunderstorms moving in around 1 p.m., and, well, not leaving. For me right now, this is a complete fade, and I will be keeping an eye on it. It may be called way before game time.
Keep in mind, it is 4 a.m., and weather has a funny way of changing.
Want MLB weather dates? Tune into the Fantasy Alarm Show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 4-to-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, hosted by Jeff Mans and Ted Schuster. Also follow our weather updates on Twitter @MLBDailyWeather.
Early Slate
I cannot imagine on what planet anyone would play German Marquez, while Aaron Sanchez and Felix Hernandez both have horrible matchups while also looking pretty bad themselves lately. That does not leave much.
Collin McHugh, Houston Astros (Cash, GPP)
McHugh today gets the A’s who are striking out 20.4 percent of the time with a low .306 wOBA versus RHP on the season. Over his last two starts, McHugh is 2-0, with a 0.75 ERA, while striking out 12 batters over 12 innings, versus the Cubs, and Mariners. He gets a great park shift today in Oakland and his price is low, which certainly allows you to load up them Coors Field bats. The current Astros lineup is batting .259 (28-for-108) with two HR (Marcus Semien and Danny Valencia), eight RBI, and 30 strikeouts versus McHugh.
Daniel Mengden, Oakland Athletics (SP2, GPP)
Honestly, this game is the best place to go on this early slate. On a two-pitcher site I have no problem pairing Mengden with McHugh today. The Astros are batting .227 over the last seven days with a wRC+ of 73 while striking out 22.8 percent of the time. Mengden in his last two starts versus the Mariners at home, and Royals on the road, has a 1.50 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 12 innings. His xFIP (4.58) is over a run lower than his ERA (5.68) which certainly translates in pitcher’s parks. Outside of McHugh, he really is the best option. The current Astros lineup is batting .297 (11-for-37) with one HR (Carlos Correa), eight RBI, and 11 strikeouts versus Mengden.
On DK today for the price, Luke Weaver is rather appealing, even in Coors Field. You would be putting him in hoping he strikes out enough batters to get you decent fantasy production, despite giving up some runs. Could be worth a look today.
| vs L | vs R | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Tm | Hand | Opp | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | BAA | SwStr% | ERA | xFIP | WHIP | BABIP | GB% | FB% | GB/FB | wOBA | wOBA | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Felix Hernandez | SEA | R | TOR | 137.2 | 7.33 | 3.92 | 1.18 | .234 | 10.3% | 3.79 | 4.42 | 1.32 | .265 | 52.5% | 26.3% | 2.00 | 0.324 | 0.314 | $9500 | $7200 | $6800 |
| Aaron Sanchez | TOR | R | SEA | 173.0 | 7.28 | 2.86 | 0.73 | .230 | 8.8% | 3.17 | 3.81 | 1.19 | .270 | 57.4% | 22.8% | 2.52 | 0.305 | 0.260 | $8100 | $7800 | $6700 |
| Collin McHugh | HOU | R | OAK | 164.1 | 8.82 | 2.57 | 1.31 | .292 | 11.5% | 4.66 | 3.82 | 1.45 | .346 | 44.4% | 35.0% | 1.27 | 0.349 | 0.353 | $7800 | $7300 | $6600 |
| Luke Weaver | STL | R | COL | 33.2 | 11.49 | 2.67 | 1.34 | .269 | 10.7% | 3.21 | 2.99 | 1.34 | .341 | 41.2% | 28.2% | 1.46 | 0.394 | 0.280 | $7000 | $5700 | $6150 |
| Daniel Mengden | OAK | R | HOU | 63.1 | 8.96 | 4.26 | 0.99 | .269 | 10.1% | 5.68 | 4.58 | 1.55 | .326 | 41.1% | 35.8% | 1.15 | 0.338 | 0.341 | $6500 | $7400 | $6350 |
| German Marquez | COL | R | STL | 5.1 | 5.07 | 6.75 | 0.00 | .286 | 5.9% | 5.06 | 5.19 | 1.88 | .316 | 73.7% | 10.5% | 7.00 | 0.252 | 0.447 | $5000 | $4000 | $5400 |
Evening Slate
Studs and scrubs tonight. To put it into perspective, half the slate is awesome. So good in fact, Max Scherzer did not make this article. With so many good SP in good matchups, I found it hard to pay for Max who has a shaky history this season versus Miami.
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Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox (Cash)
Sale gets a great park shift pitching tonight at Citizens Bank Park facing a Phillies team that is striking out 25.4 percent of the time over the last seven days, with a low .280 wOBA (29th) versus LHP. Sale over his last two starts both versus the Royals, who are the A.L. Phillies, has a 2.65 ERA, with 22 strikeouts, over 17 innings. At his price point I prefer him on FD over DK, and Aces, but certainly could not blame anyone for using him there. He may even be a bit sneaky today on DK at $14K with so many options tonight. We have the minimal of BVP here, but does it matter?
Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians (Cash)
The Klub-bot! That is all I can think of when I think of Kluber. I watch a lot of Quick Pitch.
Kluber is home tonight, and is a heavy favorite facing the Kansas City Royals who are 30th in MLB versus RHP with a .297 wOBA. On the road they come in dead last as well with a .291 wOBA, and have a low wRC+ of 84 over the last seven days. Kluber is 1-1 versus Kansas City this season with a 2.50 ERA, and 21 strikeouts, over 18 innings. I find him a great value on both DK, and Aces today, and believe he will be the lower owned cash game play on FD compared to Sale. The current Royals roster is batting .236 (78-for-331) with seven HR (Alex Gordon (2), Eric Hosmer (3), Mike Moustakas-out, and Salvador Perez), 35 RBI, and 94 strikeouts versus Kluber.
Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees (FD cash)
On FD for $9300 I find Tanaka rather interesting today. He is just expensive enough with other options as enticing for less money available, to also fall under the radar a bit. The Rays are striking out 22.6 percent of the time with a low .311 wOBA versus RHP on the season. This game has a low expected run total of 7.0 for one simple reason, Tanaka owns the Rays. He is 3-0 with 29 strikeouts over 28 2/3 innings versus Tampa Bay this season and I see no way that does not continue today. 4-0 anyone? The current Rays roster is batting .170 (23-for-135) with five HR (Brad Miller (2), Desmond Jennings, Kevin Kiermaier, and Bobby Wilson), nine RBI, and 35 strikeouts versus Tanaka.
All of the players below are great SP2’s and GPP plays tonight.
Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks (DK & Aces value, SP2, GPP)
I have no love for Greinke tonight on FD, at his price I would rather save a few bucks and go Tanaka. But, on both DK, and Aces, I find him way underpriced. He gets a great park shift in San Diego facing a Padres team that is striking out 27.4 percent of the time while batting .212 with a wRC+ of 67 over the last seven days. Greinke has a 2.51 ERA this season at Petco Park with 13 strikeouts over 14 1/3 innings, and has only allowed four earned runs over his last two starts. That $8300 price tag on DK is way too tough to pass up. In a GPP I think you could pair Greinke with one of the cheaper options below and really attack the bats. The current Padres roster is batting .227 (37-for-163) with one HR (Austin Hedges), seven RBI, and 32 strikeouts versus the “Zack Attack”.
Matt Moore, San Francisco Giants (SP2, GPP, Multi-site value play)
Here we are again, the Dodgers and the Giants. This time, we have the lead, they are struggling. The bad part? Matt Moore is a LHP. The Dodgers are 30th in MLB versus LHP this season with a .278 wOBA, while striking out 22.2 percent of the time. The reality is the Dodgers throw out a lineup full of crap when a LHP takes the mound, to make the point clear, Yasiel Puig, and Howie Kendrick, will be the big guns tonight. The last time Moore faced the Dodgers he pitched an 8 2/3 innings shutout, striking out seven batters. In a great park, facing a Dodgers team with a wRC+ of 68 over the last seven days? I am all in here. The current Dodgers roster is batting .182 (16-for-88) with two HR (Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson), seven RBI, and 21 strikeouts versus Moore.
Alex Cobb, Tampa Bay Rays (SP2, GPP, Aces value)
Even though I like Tanaka a lot today, I am also streaming Alex Cobb in seasonal leagues wherever I was lucky enough to find him available. Although he does not strikeout a ton of batters as of late (6.11 K/9), he does get a great matchup at home facing the Yankees. I think a lot of people are going to be off of him after his last start at Yankee stadium where he got beat up a little allowing three earned runs over six innings while only striking out one batter. The Yankees are 25th in MLB in road wOBA at .304, and have a .317 wOBA versus RHP on the season, neither which are very scary. Minus Gary Sanchez, they are pretty banged up right now, and I believe Cobb will show them a different game in this matchup full of scrubs. The current Yankees roster is batting .244 (32-for-131) with six HR (Dustin Ackley, Jacoby Ellsbury (day-to-day), Brett Gardner, Brian McCann (2), and Mark Teixeira), 15 RBI, and 21 strikeouts versus Cobb.
Just to further set the example of how close the slate is for SP, Jerad Eickhoff (GPP), Tom Koehler (GPP-often good at home), Ian Kennedy (GPP-who strikes out a ton of batters, often), Ryan Weber (GPP-who looked really good in his last start), Bartolo Colon (SP2, GPP-who loves cheeseburgers as much as I do), and of course Kenta Maeda (Cash, SP2, GPP, Go Dodgers!) all just missed this article today. I can’t play everyone, but all of these guys are viable.
| vs L | vs R | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Player | Tm | Hand | Opp | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | BAA | SwStr% | ERA | xFIP | WHIP | BABIP | GB% | FB% | GB/FB | wOBA | wOBA | $FD | $DK | $Aces |
| Max Scherzer | WSH | R | MIA | 210.2 | 11.06 | 2.09 | 1.11 | .192 | 16.6% | 2.78 | 3.03 | 0.93 | .246 | 35.9% | 44.9% | 0.80 | 0.313 | 0.202 | $11100 | $13300 | $7800 |
| Chris Sale | CWS | L | PHI | 210.2 | 9.19 | 1.79 | 0.98 | .221 | 12.2% | 3.03 | 3.42 | 1.02 | .272 | 43.2% | 34.4% | 1.25 | 0.250 | 0.280 | $11000 | $14000 | $8000 |
| Corey Kluber | CLE | R | KC | 204.2 | 9.45 | 2.33 | 0.92 | .213 | 13.5% | 3.12 | 3.30 | 1.04 | .264 | 47.4% | 32.9% | 1.44 | 0.287 | 0.265 | $10900 | $11900 | $7500 |
| Zack Greinke | ARI | R | SD | 152.2 | 7.49 | 2.06 | 1.30 | .267 | 11.4% | 4.42 | 3.83 | 1.28 | .297 | 48.2% | 29.9% | 1.61 | 0.328 | 0.323 | $9700 | $8300 | $6700 |
| Masahiro Tanaka | NYY | R | TB | 193.2 | 7.43 | 1.58 | 0.84 | .234 | 11.7% | 2.97 | 3.57 | 1.06 | .272 | 50.3% | 28.1% | 1.79 | 0.273 | 0.276 | $9300 | $11200 | $7200 |
| John Lackey | CHI | R | CIN | 176.1 | 8.83 | 2.45 | 1.17 | .217 | 12.9% | 3.42 | 3.72 | 1.05 | .249 | 42.1% | 33.3% | 1.27 | 0.305 | 0.269 | $9200 | $8800 | $7100 |
| Kenta Maeda | LA | R | SF | 164.0 | 9.05 | 2.20 | 0.99 | .223 | 12.6% | 3.24 | 3.50 | 1.10 | .273 | 46.4% | 31.2% | 1.49 | 0.301 | 0.255 | $9000 | $9300 | $7600 |
| Ian Kennedy | KC | R | CLE | 177.1 | 8.73 | 2.99 | 1.57 | .232 | 11.0% | 3.60 | 4.19 | 1.20 | .262 | 35.9% | 45.4% | 0.79 | 0.294 | 0.331 | $8500 | $7400 | $6800 |
| Matt Moore | SF | L | LA | 181.2 | 7.54 | 3.37 | 1.19 | .251 | 11.2% | 4.09 | 4.36 | 2.66 | .280 | 40.3% | 40.5% | 1.00 | 0.311 | 0.309 | $8200 | $7900 | $6550 |
| Alex Cobb | TB | R | NYY | 17.2 | 6.11 | 2.04 | 1.02 | .231 | 9.4% | 3.06 | 3.72 | 1.08 | .241 | 58.5% | 24.5% | 2.38 | 0.350 | 0.234 | $8200 | $7000 | $6000 |
| Jerad Eickhoff | PHI | R | CWS | 180.1 | 7.39 | 1.90 | 1.30 | .257 | 9.9% | 3.74 | 4.09 | 1.20 | .279 | 42.2% | 36.3% | 1.16 | 0.350 | 0.288 | $7900 | $8100 | $6300 |
| Bartolo Colon | NYM | R | ATL | 177.2 | 5.88 | 1.52 | 1.06 | .264 | 6.4% | 3.14 | 4.24 | 1.20 | .284 | 45.6% | 31.1% | 1.46 | 0.330 | 0.290 | $7800 | $7800 | $6900 |
| Tom Koehler | MIA | R | WSH | 166.0 | 7.48 | 3.52 | 1.03 | .260 | 10.5% | 3.96 | 4.52 | 1.42 | .297 | 45.7% | 31.1% | 1.47 | 0.330 | 0.323 | $7100 | $6800 | $6500 |
| Chad Kuhl | PIT | R | MIL | 56.2 | 6.19 | 2.54 | 0.95 | .245 | 9.1% | 3.97 | 4.36 | 1.20 | .269 | 48.8% | 29.7% | 1.65 | 0.351 | 0.285 | $7000 | $6200 | $6250 |
| Derek Holland | TEX | L | LAA | 100.1 | 5.74 | 2.78 | 1.26 | .277 | 8.3% | 4.93 | 4.98 | 1.42 | .296 | 38.1% | 39.6% | 0.96 | 0.263 | 0.353 | $6700 | $4300 | $6000 |
| Luis Perdomo | SD | R | ARI | 134.2 | 6.75 | 2.54 | 1.20 | .314 | 9.2% | 5.68 | 4.15 | 1.63 | .351 | 60.4% | 18.6% | 3.25 | 0.362 | 0.365 | $6600 | $6300 | $5700 |
| Ubaldo Jimenez | BAL | R | BOS | 130.1 | 7.73 | 4.42 | 1.10 | .278 | 9.1% | 5.94 | 4.54 | 1.61 | .326 | 50.5% | 30.4% | 1.66 | 0.391 | 0.321 | $6500 | $5600 | $6100 |
| Jered Weaver | LAA | R | TEX | 167.0 | 5.07 | 2.48 | 1.94 | .304 | 8.7% | 5.17 | 5.45 | 1.50 | .302 | 29.2% | 45.5% | 0.64 | 0.373 | 0.380 | $6400 | $4800 | $6000 |
| Jimmy Nelson | MIL | R | PIT | 169.0 | 7.03 | 4.15 | 1.17 | .270 | 8.8% | 4.42 | 4.78 | 1.52 | .300 | 52.9% | 28.9% | 1.83 | 0.350 | 0.346 | $6300 | $6000 | $5950 |
| Clay Buchholz | BOS | R | BAL | 126.1 | 5.91 | 3.56 | 1.50 | .263 | 10.1% | 5.20 | 5.02 | 1.40 | .272 | 42.2% | 41.7% | 1.01 | 0.369 | 0.312 | $6100 | $5000 | $5900 |
| Robert Stephenson | CIN | R | CHI | 25.1 | 7.46 | 3.91 | 2.13 | .250 | 9.9% | 4.97 | 5.17 | 1.38 | .261 | 33.3% | 42.7% | 0.78 | 0.350 | 0.391 | $6100 | $6700 | $5600 |
| Jose Berrios | MIN | R | DET | 48.2 | 8.51 | 5.73 | 2.22 | .324 | 9.2% | 8.88 | 5.36 | 1.99 | .365 | 39.5% | 38.9% | 1.02 | 0.402 | 0.451 | $5500 | $4600 | $5750 |
| Ryan Weber | ATL | R | NYM | 31.1 | 5.74 | 0.29 | 1.44 | .321 | 6.4% | 5.46 | 4.08 | 1.44 | .346 | 51.8% | 25.5% | 2.04 | 0.392 | 0.358 | $5400 | $4000 | $5850 |
| Buck Farmer | DET | R | MIN | 24.1 | 9.24 | 5.55 | 1.11 | .231 | 12.1% | 4.07 | 4.51 | 1.52 | .286 | 50.8% | 32.3% | 1.57 | 0.393 | 0.269 | $4500 | $4000 | $5250 |
See you Saturday, good luck.
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