Let’s do this.
Pitchers
Stephen Strasburg, WSH
The Twins have actually fared well against right-handed pitching so far this season, but everything seemingly aligns for Strasburg in today’s slate. Not only are his 11.1 SO/9 the highest among pitchers, but his 10 Pro Trends are also tied atop his position. Vegas also favors him, as shown by a moneyline of -203. He’s the easiest roster in cash games for a reason.
Drew Smyly, TB
The Yankees don’t strikeout at an incredibly high rate vs. left-handed pitching, but they’ve produced an Isolated Power (ISO) of only .080 against said handedness this season. Given Smyly’s 10.8 SO/9, he’s strictly a tournament option with high Upside. Ben May, who our models show benefits pitchers with a Plus/Minus of +1.5, is also set to be behind the plate.
Jerad Eickhoff, PHI
What Eickoff lacks in strikeout potential, he makes up for in surrounding peripherals. His batted ball distance (176 feet), for instance, is second only to Alex Wood’s (168) while his exit velocity trails only that of Mat Latos. With the Brewers striking out at an absurd rate of 25.1 percent vs. RHP, Eickhoff is a value at FanDuel where he has an 88 percent Bargain Rating.
Pitchers to Exploit
Yordano Ventura, KC
Our models admittedly show Ventura with 10 Pro Trends, but there couldn’t be any worse spot for him to take the mound. Baltimore has a projected Weighted On-Base Average (wOBA) of .348. And if that weren’t enough, the wind at Kauffman Stadium is currently blowing out to left field at 21 miles per hour. That spells trouble for Ventura, especially since the first three batters for the Orioles — Joey Rickard, Manny Machado, and Adam Jones — all bat right-handed.
Alfredo Simon, CIN
Even a 90 percent Bargain Rating at DraftKings can’t make Simon an option today. His batted ball distance of 282 feet over his last two starts is 48 feet further than any other pitcher. Additionally note his exit velocity of 99 MPH, which is six MPH higher than the next pitcher. Jason Heyward, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo, unfortunately for Simon, all have positive Differentials vs. RHP.
Henry Owens, BOS
Houston has a top-six strikeout percentage vs. LHP this season, but the first three hitters in the Astros lineup have positive wOBA Differentials against said handedness. They’re also projected to score 4.8 runs against Owens, who will be making his first start of the year.
C
Stephen Vogt, OAK
Despite the horrid Weather Rating in this matchup, Vogt is a solid option. His batted ball distance is second-highest among catchers with at least 10 starts. With Oakland set to oppose a righty, Vogt, sporting a .083 ISO Differential, should be fifth in the Athletics batting order yet again.
Evan Gattis, HOU
There’s a better than average chance that Gattis doesn’t start. And even if he were to start, there’s a better than average chance that he will be abysmal (as he has been since getting called up). Still, he warrants consideration in tournaments, with his 93 percent Bargain Rating at FanDuel and .424 slugging percentage vs. LHP just last year.
1B
Chris Davis, BAL
Name a stat and Davis is likely bunched into the top five of it: wOBA, ISO, ISO Differential, slugging percentage, and batted ball distance. As was the case yesterday, he’s once again an elite cash option in today’s player pool.
Tyler White, HOU
White’s ISO Differential actually surpasses Chris Davis’ by an average of .058. He’s also slugging a ridiculous .909 vs. LHP. With a Bargain Rating of 94 percent at FanDuel, White is a steal — if he’s in Houston’s lineup today.
2B
Jose Altuve, HOU
Altuve’s exit velocity is the highest of his position. Possessing a top-three wOBA vs. LHP, Altuve is clearly the cog of an Astros stack (if your leaning in that direction).
3B
Brandon Drury, ARI
Arizona has slowly configured a platoon at third base, having Drury bat second when facing lefties. (Jake Lamb takes his spot against rights.) Francisco Liriano is allowing only .795 HR/9 over the last 12 months, but Drury’s otherworldly wOBA and ISO Differentials (.178/.237) make him an intriguing option, especially since he still costs only $2,500 at DraftKings.
Josh Donaldson, TOR
It’s painfully obvious, sure, but the “Josh Donaldson vs. LHP” alarm has officially sounded. Note Eric Surkamp’s HR/9 of 1.62 over the past year.
SS
Brad Miller, TB
Miller is basically hitting the ball harder than any other shortstop — exit velocity of 97 MPH — but he still has only one homerun on the year. Given his ISO Differential of .130, now’s as good of a time as any for that total to regress.
OF
George Springer, HOU
Expected to bat only one spot behind Altuve, Springer is another strong piece of a Houston stack. He has a top-10 slugging percentage vs. LHP out of the slate’s outfielders.
Ryan Raburn, COL
A demigod vs. LHP, Raburn is an elite cash option as long as he’s starting for Colorado. Note his wOBA and ISO Differentials of .122/.132 versus said handedness.
Mookie Betts, BOS
Betts’ batted ball distance qualifies as top-four among outfielders with at least 10 starts. Slugging .511 vs. RHP, Betts additionally offers value via his .130 stolen bases per game.
Weather Watch
For the second day in a row, have no fear.
Good luck!
