Here we go another small Thursday main slate with only 5 games. Starts at 6:40 tonight.
Weather looks good for 4 of the 5 games. The only game that has some potential rain is the Jays and White Sox game, but it will play. It will warm in Cincinnati, Atlanta and Chicago close to 80 degrees with wind.
PITCHERS
Pitching is rough tonight, but here are the ones I think do the best.
Eric Lauer
Lauer is on the cheaper side and has put up a few solid starts this year. The main reason I like Lauer tonight is because the Pirates have been pretty bad vs LHP this year. They have been a bit better vs LHP over the last 14 days but have zero HRs and only 1 extra base hit while still striking out at a 22% clip.
Trevor Williams
William is on the other side of Lauer tonight. He usually goes 6-7 innings and throws over 100 pitches and faces a Padres team that has not hit RHP well this year (.236 average and 26%K rate). The Padres are loaded with RHH’s and Williams has held them in check with a .294 wOBA under 1 HR/9 and a low 30% HC rate. I don’t think he will come out of this game clean, but I do think he pitches well enough tonight.
Marcus Stroman
Stroman just faced the White Sox last time out and was pitching well early but over all allowed 8 hits and 3 runs. He gets another shot at them tonight and I can see him pitching well enough. He is an elite ground ball pitcher at close to 60% which should help him. The White Sox strike out at a 27% clip vs RHP, so I can see him picking up 6-7 Ks.
TEAM/S
Seattle Mariners
Mariners will be the team I have the most interest in . Then I will play a few one offs.
Mariners get an excellent matchup vs Pineda has been roughed up in just about every start. He has been getting smashed by right handed bats and has allowed 10 HRs so far this year. The Mariners have some power bats and should do some serious damage vs Pineda tonight.
Beckham, Santanta, Healy, Haniger , EE.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves face off against Wainwright tonight and he throws a curveball 40% of the time. Freeman, Acuna, Donaldson and Markakis all hit this pitch well. It will also be 80 degrees with some wind blowing out which will help these hitters.
Austin Riley is a value play and went yard in his first MLB game.
Blue Jays
Jays are in a good spot but I am not too fond of playing many of them. Smoak, Telez and or Guerrero.
BATS
Catcher
Jason Castro
Brian McCann
Curt Casals- value
First Base
Freddie Freeman
Encarnacion
C.J. Cron
Second Base
Jonathan Schoop
Daniel Descalo- value
Third Base
Eugene Suarez
Matt Carpenter
Value– Ryan Healy, Austin Riley
Shortstop
Tim Beckham- paying down and locking in Beckham vs Pineda who has been getting smashed by right handed bats. Just do it.
Jose Ingesias- value
Outfield
Domingo Santana/Haniger
Marcel Ozuna
Hunter Renfroe
Ronald Acuna
Nick Senzel
Value
Nick Delmonico- hits slider well and Stroman throws it 33% of the time.
Kyle Schwarber
