Finally, opening day is here!. Let’s go. This article will focus on the 4pm slate which has 9 games. Listed will be my favorite pitchers and bats on the slate in additional to a value arm or dark horse and a few value bats.
Pitchers
Jose Berrios
The Indians will be without a few bats on opening day due to injuries. The one bat that he may have trouble with would be Jose Ramirez who posted elite stats vs RHp last year. Berrios should be able to handle the rest of the lineup with most of the batters with a 20% K rate or higher. This will help his K potential as he posted a 25% K rate late year. I am expecting 6-7 innings 2 ERa and 7 Ks.
Hyun–Jin Ryu
Ryu pitched well at home last year posting a 1.15 ERA over 54 innings and only allowing 3 HRs. He faces a Diamondback team tonight that will have 7 RHHs, which Ryu has done very well against. Last year Ryu limited RHH’s to a .254 wOBA , .9 HR/9 and posted a 10-K/9.
Value Arm
Brad Keller
Keller pitches well vs the White Sox in his last 2 starts going 12 innings and only giving up 2 runs and striking out 13 batters. This Sox team has a few changes, but most of the lineup is the same. Nice option for a 2nd pitcher on DK. Slight weather concerns here, so keep an eye on status of game.
Bats
Khris Davis
Davis already started off the season hitting a HR in the opening series played on Japan. Today, he faced Trevor Cahill who has not pitched well on the road posting a 6.41 ERA and a .279 batting average. Davis has massive power and most of it comes vs RHP with a .387 wOBA and .315 ISO(elite). Also consider Matt Chapman who crushed RHP as well (.353 wOBA & .258 ISO).
Corey Seager
Glad to see Seager back on the field. In his career Seager has hit 34 of his 54 HRs at home where he plays tonight vs Greinke. Solid stats vs Greinke with a .429 average and 2 HRs in 19 plate appearances.
Value Bats
Corey Dickerson– away vs RHP Dickerson has a 44% HC rate. He faces Castillo who has given up 2 HR/9 to LHHs along with a 42% HC rate and .374 wOBA. Adam Frazier is in a similar spot as well.
Justin Bour
Bour has moved teams and now bats 3rd right behind Trout. He has power upside vs RHP and he faces Fiers today who gives ups the long ball. Stack with Mike Trout.
Jesse Winker- .380 wOBA and 47% HC rate vs RHP. Leading off for the Reds today. 4-9 with a double and HR vs Taillon.
*Good Luck
