This article will give you an early look at the top pitchers and hitters on the slate geared for cash and single entry contests.
Listed will be my favorite pitchers, bats and team/s to target on the slate in additional to a value arm or dark horse and a few value bats.
10 game slate
*Utilize this article along with The Donger’s Club & Cycle articles by Steve Renner and Chris Rose.
PITCHERS
Jacob deGrom
deGrom was elite over his first 2 starts going 13 innings striking out 24 batters and zero runs. He faces a Twins teams tonight who have struck out close to 25% vs RHP.
Joey Lucchesi
Lucchesi also pitched very well over his first 2 starts throwing 10.1 innings allowing 7 hits and 0 runs while striking out 13 batters. Facing a Giants teams that has shown limited power vs LHP and strikes out at a 24% clip as well.
DARK HORSE
Derek Holland
Holland has posted a 30% K rate over his first 2 starts and allowed 7 hits in 9 innings. He also allowed a HR in each of those games. His first two games were on the road and he gets to pitch tonight at home which favors pitchers. The Padres lineups has mostly right handed bats and Holland posted a 10 K/9 vs RHH’s last year. This is a risky spot vs the Padres with some power bats vs LHP, but I think he gets through 5 innings, possible 6 with 7Ks and 2 runs.
TEAM/S
Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers face off against Matt Harvey tonight who struggled in 2018 vs LHHs allowing a .352 wOBA , 2 HRs/9 and a 44%. This puts Travis Shaw, Christian Yelicich, Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas in play tonight. All 4 of these batters posted over a .200 ISO vs RHP in 2018.
Oakland As
Can go right back to them tonight. Mark Canha, Davis, Semien, Pinder and Chapman.
BATS
Mark Canha
Canha went yard last night vs a RHP last night. He hits much better vs LHP with a .390 wOBA, .322 ISO and 42% HC in 2018. The As face John Means tonight who has pitched well out of the bullpen, but I don’t trust him in a starting role. Canha, Pinder, Piscotty & Khris Davis would be my favorites. Marcus Semien should lead off and has hit well vs LHP.
Katel Marte
Marte hits very well vs LHP with close to a .400 wOBA ,.300 ISO and 42% HC rate. The Diamondbacks play at home(nice park for hitters) and face Mike Minor who posted close to a 50% FB rate and a 40% HC rate with lower K rate to RHHs in 2018. Christian Walker would be the other bat I would be interested in.
Franmil Reyes
Reyes blasted his first HR of the season last night in San Francisco last night. This is just the start of his HRs with many more to come this season. Facing Derrick Holland who allowed a 40+ HC rate and 1.5 HRs/9. Reyes has some serious power upside and gets a good matchup tonight. Also consider Hunter Renfroe who is on fire right now.
Whit Merrifield
Merrifield has hit in every game so far this season with multiple hits in 3 of his last 4 games. He hits much better vs LHP with some power and always has the speed upside.
VALUE
Tyler Austin- crushes LHP
JD Davis
Andrelton Simmons
Austin Hedges- Punt catcher. HR tonight
