his 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.
13 Game Slate starting at 7:05
*Utilize this article along with The Donger’s Club & Cycle articles by Steve Renner and Chris Rose
PITCHERS
Zach Wheeler
Wheeler just pitched against the Phillies last start and went 7 innings allowing 5 hits and striking out 5. Unfortunately he allowed 2 HRs and 3 runs in Philadelphia. Tonight he pitches at home which should help him a bit more. The Mets let him throw over 100 pitches if needed and hit 109 and 111 in his last 2 starts. He keeps HC under 30% and limits HRs especially to RHHs. I expect 7 innings, 7Ks and 2 ERs tonight.
Trevor Williams
Williams has pitched well so far this year limiting HC, HRs and walks and has pitched better at home. He has pitched 6 innings or more in all 4 of his starts this year and gets a solid matchup vs the Diamondbacks who K at a 24% clip vs RHP. I expect 6 innings 5 Ks and 1 ER.
VALUE ARM/DARK HORSE
Homer Bailey
Bailey looks like a different pitcher this year doubling his K rate from around 15% to 29.5% this year. This is mainly due to him throwing the splitter more often (4% last year to 28% this year). Using this pitch he as picked up a 50% whiff rate along with a 70% GB rate. Most of the Rays bats struggle against the splitter and whiff at close to a 50% clip on this pitch. This is a nice ballpark to help Bailey out and I can see him going 6 innings with 7ks and 1-2 ERs tonight.
Lance Lynn
Lynn limits contact, HRs and wOBA vs RHHs and he also strikes them out at a 10/9 clip. The As are loaded with RHH’s and he is a good spot in a good park for pitchers. I expect 6 innings 6ks and 1 ER.
TEAM/S
Cardinals
Cardinals have hit well vs Davies and have hit well this year vs RHP with a .356 wOBA and .202 team ISO. Carpenter, Goldschmidt, DeJong and hot hitting Ozuna are in play. Molina in play at the C spot.
White Sox
This game has the best weather on the slate with high 70s and wind blowing out at 10 MPH. I actually have interest on both sides, but more on the White Sox due to the matchup and the Os bullpen. Yoan Moncada, Yonder Alonso, Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson are my favorites with Nicky Delmonico coming in next.
BATS
Yoan Moncada
Nice hitting conditions tonight for the White Sox in an excellent hitters park. Moncada is having a nice start to the season batting over .300 with 6 HRs. He has reduced his K rate and is making more contact this year. Hits much better from the left side of the plate. Nice spot vs Cashner and the Os pen.
Justin Smoak
Smoak has been hitting the ball well as of late with and increase in all his battered ball stats (+45ft total of 269, +19 HC total of 54%, and a 61% FB rate) over the past 2 weeks. This includes 3 HRs in his last 4 games. He faces Jeff Samardzija who struggles last year vs LHHs a .384 wOBA, 2HRs/9 and a 55% FB rate.
Andrew Benintendi
The Red Sox are back home tonight and go against the Detriot Tigers. This game will be the 2nd of a double header and the Sox face off against Spencer Turnbull in the 2nd game. In limiting innings Turnbull has been hit at a 40% HC rate with a 35% flyball rate and over a 90 average EV vs LHHs. Benintendi has been hitting the ball well as of late with an increase of HC 0f +9%, +20 feet and a fly-ball rate of 47%. This game gets started off with a lead of HR by Benintendi. I also like Mitch Moreland who has been swinging a hot bat so far this season. Betts and JD Martinez are starting to hit the ball as well and crush fastballs.
Nelson Cruz
Crushes LHP and gets a good matchup vs Miley tonight.
VALUE BATS
Kole Calhoun
Hunter Renfroe- Boom!
Jake Marisnick-If he cracks the lineup vs a RHP at home.
Tyler White
Chris Taylor
Michael Chavis- kid has some power upside.
