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.
9 game slate
*Utilize this article along with The Donger’s Club & Cycle articles by Steve Renner and Chris Rose
PITCHERS
Noah Syndergaard
Last night deGrom gave up 6 Runs with 3 HRs over 4 innings vs the Twins. Going to right back at this team with Thor tonight who pitched well in his last game only allowing 1 hit, which was a HR and striking out 6 batters over 6 innings. He allows little HC, under 1 HR/9 and a K rate close to 10 per 9 innings. Add in that he keeps the ball on the ground 50% of the time and that the Twins K at a 24_% clip.
Collin McHugh
McHugh pitched well in his first 2 starts- 11 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs and striking out 13 batters. He faces a Yankees team tonight that has a K rate of 28% vs RHP. So far this year McHugh has posted a 30% K rate and he also pitches much better at home.
Dark Horse-Risk/Reward
Jordan Lyles
Heavy winds blowing in at Wrigley Field with colder temperatures tonight. He had a ground ball rate around 50% this along eight the wind should help keep the ball in the park. In 2017 he limited LHHs to a .170 average over 42 innings and struck them out at a 22%clip. Lyles has a bit of trouble with RHH’s allowing 1.5 HRs/9 and .295 average but his K rate was a bit higher at 24%. The wind & colder weather along with his 50% GB rate should help him out tonight. Definitely a risk here vs the Cubs RH power bats. I expect his ownership to come in under 5% going 5-6 innings 6ks and 2 ERs. Worth a look as a SP2 in a secondary lineup.
TEAM/S
Oakland As
The As get another good matchup at Camden Yards tonight as they face off against Dan Straily who got smashed in his first game this year. Once they get through Straily it only get better as the Os bullpen has a 7.87 ERA and has allowed just shy of 3 HRs/9. Khris Davis, Matt Chapman, Stephen Piscotty, Mark Canha would by my favorites with Josh Phegley a nice option at C. He has been smoking the ball as of late:
Seattle Mariners
The Mariner RHHs are in an excellent spot tonight against Fillymer as he allowed 1.95 HR/9, 45% HC rate and a 20% HR/FB ratio. Haniger, Santana and Encarnacion all hit well vs RHP. Add in Jay Bruce and Dan Vogelbach who have been crushing the ball as of late. Santana is not playing today, so I would bump up Vogelbach and add Ryan Healy.
BATS
Whit Merrifield
Merrifield continues his hit streak this year going 2-5 with a triple and run yesterday. He hits very well vs LHP posting a .357 average, .402 wOBA and a 40% HC rate. Hit streak continues tonight with another solid game. Mondesi hits a bit better from the right side of the plate and Merrifield/Mondesi make a nice one-two punch tonight.
Khris Davis & Matt Chapman
It happens tonight! HRs from Davis and Chapman. The As face off against Dan Straily who got smashed in his first game allowing 5 runs, 2HRs and only lasted 1.1 innings. In 2018 Straily allowed 1.5 HRs/9 to both RH and LH hitters with a 47% HC rate. Davis and Chapman both crush the ball vs RHPs with ISO over .250 and HC rate over 44%.
David Peralta
The roof is scheduled to be open tonight at Chase Field and the ball flies a bit more with it open. The Diamondbacks face off against Lance Lynn tonight who pitches well vs RHH’s but struggles vs LHHs hitters putting Peralta in play. Peralta posted a 50% HC rate and a .250 ISO vs RHP.
VALUE BATS
Brandon Nimmo– Favorite value bat. Starting to hit the ball well over the past few games. Power upside vs RHP- .248 ISO.
Colin Moran
Paul DeJong
Shin-Soo Choo
Daniel Descalo
