RADIO
With ten games today, August 6th, there are plenty of matchups to be uncovered. Luckily for you, I have already done the research. I'm going to touch on each game and reveal the best matchups. At the end of the article, I will compile all the players that should be started today into a list for your convenience. I know some of the players I advised are expensive but my goal is also to include cheap players that will allow you to grab those expensive players…*cough* Greinke *cough* Excuse me. Now onto the article and to win you some money.
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Cardinals @ Reds
First of all the Cardinals are facing Michael Lorenzen at Great American Park in Cincinnati, a LHB favorable stadium. Lorenzen has just been absolutely horrid this season and especially his last three games. His 11.77 ERA during that span should excite Cardinals players and fans alike. Unfortunately for Lorenzen he also gets picked apart by LHB.
That includes Matt Carpenter, who has caught fire recently and is going into this game with a .370 BA and four homers in the past week. When Carpenter faces RHP he destroys them to the tune of a 145 wRC+ and .486 SLG %. Another Cardinal to consider is Kolten Wong who, similar to Carpenter, has a .464 SLG% and 126 wRC+ when facing RHP this season. While Lorenzen is not nearly as terrible when facing RHB, he should still be avoided while Carpenter and Wong should be started with confidence.
Dodgers @ Phillies
The first thing to address about this game is David Buchanan and his 2.89 K/9 and 6.5 K% when facing LHB. The Phillies also happen to play in a LHB favorable park. Yasmani Grandal should be an immediate play as he has been the top LHB for the Dodgers this season and especially over the past week. Grandal and his .407 BA / 1 HR / 5 RBI during that span looks especially enticing alongside his 160 wRC+ and .529 SLG% when facing RHP as a LHB this season. Dare I say this matchup is the one that cannot be missed for today.
Unfortunately for Buchanan, Grandal is not the only LHB who has been impressive against RHP, just the best of the Dodgers. Adrian Gonzalez is close behind with 156 wRC+ and actually tops Grandal with his .548 SLG%. Andre Ethier and Joc Pederson are the other Dodgers with wRC+ ratings of 145 and 134 respectively. Stack the Dodgers today against Buchanan, and that is an order. Oh yeah, this guy Zack Greinke is pretty good too. His sub-2.00 ERA against both RHB (1.65) and LHB (1.12) is just unreal and is near impossible to pass up. He is the most expensive player today for a reason so plan accordingly.
Royals @ Tigers
I had a whole write up for this game but I came to the conclusion that I will only advise one player in this game. J.D. Martinez with his 150 wRC+ and .389 wOBA should put up a very solid game. Both pitchers are mediocre and while Anibal Sanchez has no problem striking out LHB this season it is still not a matchup I feel confident advising.
Padres @ Brewers
Miller Park is not favored toward a side of the plate which should allow for a game that should result in plenty of hits on both sides. Odrisamer Despaigne has struggled with RHB this season while Matt Garza has trouble with LHB which leaves a promising opportunity for Yangervis Solarte to produce. Solarte and his impressive .400 BA with one homer and four RBI in the past week combined with his above average 120 wRC+ makes him a great cheap option for today.
For the Brewers, Despaigne has suffered a horrid 3.75 K/9 rating and 10.3 K% against LHB this season. His rating do not get much better against RHB with a 5.96 K/9 and 4.64 ERA. Jonathan Lucroy should take advantage of this matchup due to his impressive performances over the past week with one homer, three RBI, and a stolen base. He is also another cheap option that should not be skipped over. Despaigne and his struggle also sets up LHB Adam Lind for a solid game to add to his already impressive .383 wOBA and 142 wRC+ when facing RHP this season.
Diamondbacks @ Nationals
Luckily for Joe Ross, his struggles this season will be helped by Nationals Park and its unfavorable tendencies towards LHB. He will still have to find a way to handle the red-hot Welington Castillo and his .417 BA and five homers over the past week. He has knocked in eight runs during that time and that should continue today. Castillo is also very cheap for his potential today. Castillo also leads the Diamondbacks when facing RHP with his 176 wRC+ and .633 SLG%.
Diamondbacks pitcher Jeremy Hellickson has been shaky this season but has still managed to maintain a promising 21.9K% when facing RHB. Against LHB, he is not nearly as successful giving up a 5.68 ERA and 16.2 K%. This is an ideal game for Bryce Harper and although he is a little pricey, should not be passed up. His 210 wRC+ and .690 SLG % is impossible to pass up and inserting Castillo should free up space to grab Harper.
Red Sox @ Yankees
C.C. Sabathia and Eduardo Rodriguez are very similar as they both absolutely crush LHB but struggle immensely with RHB. To this fact, only RHB will be advised due to the highest amount of potential coming from RHB. Sabathia is one of the top pitchers today and I will advise inserting him into the lineup but he has a possibility of being overcome by Xander Bogaerts and Mike Napoli, both whom own LHP this season. Bogaerts and his 163 wRC+ and .515 SLG % is atop the Red Sox with Napoli close behind with 135 wRC+ and a .516 SLG %.
For the Yankees, Chris Young is holding his own against LHP with an incredible 210 wRC+ and .695 SLG%. Young is extremely cheap and has so much potential that there is no way he can be passed up when the matchup is this favorable. Look for Young and Alex Rodriguez, another very favorable option for today, with his 192 wRC+ and +.600 SLG% to continue to add to their already impressive resumes when facing LHP this season. Other than those players, either pitcher should perform well, especially Sabathia as he faces plenty of LHB to which he has a 30.5 K% against.
Twins @ Blue Jays
This park is a made to destroy pitchers statistics which is perfect for the Twins to capitalize. Mark Buehrle is near the bottom of the pack today when it comes to starting pitchers. His 12.8 K% against RHB and 10.3 K% against LHB should give the Twins confidence to just obliterate the 15 year veteran. Gibson is a solid pitcher with very average numbers so I will focus on the Twins and their potential to own Buehrle. My main pick for this matchup is Aaron Hicks. Although he only 70 PA when facing LHP, he is still atop the Twins roster in wRC+, wOBA, and SLG % with 189 / .432 / .578 respectively. Miguel Sano has been hot recently and is a little more pricey but still has had a great week producing two homers and four RBI which should not go unnoticed.
Marlins @ Braves
This is a risky pick but due to Turner Field being a pitcher friendly park, Matt Wisler should get the start in any lineup. A very cheap pitcher facing a weak Marlins team. The Marlins have been slumping and Wisler is a solid pitcher who does struggle against LHB but does not necessarily face any dangerous LHB today. His 7.27 K/9 and 19.6 K% is impressive and should shut down the Marlins. His 4.50 ERA when facing RHB should be ignored and that number should drop after a solid performance today.
The Braves offensively are not very threatening today either but Jose Urena is horrible and his low K/9 and K% against both RHB and LHB should be exposed. Urena is posting a 4.88 K/9 / 12.6K% against RHB and 3.09 K/9 / 8.3 K% against LHB is just downright terrible. With a .464 BA, one homer, and three RBI week should allow A.J. Pierzynski to control Urena today.
Giants @ Cubs
This game is in a hitter favorable Wrigley Field but features two of the top pitchers for today. Chris Heston fairs well against RHB but not LHB where his 14.8 K% is below average. This should allow Kyle Schwarber to continue his dominance in the league. He has been on a tear lately, crushing five homers since his bringing up to the majors. Schwarber also has a 206 wRC+ and .655 SLG% to help support why you need him in your lineup today. His price is not too high for his potential and should free up space to grab some big name players. The Giants are going up against Jason Hammel who has been very dominant against both right and left handed batters this year. With a 27 K% against RHB and 2.13 ERA when facing LHB, Hammel is my top pitcher that is not named Zack Greinke.
Astros @ Athletics
Due to the lack of experience from Aaron Brooks, it is hard to judge exactly how well the Astros will fare against the RHP. This is also a pitcher favorable park which hurts the Athletics chances to own Scott Feldman who has been struggling all over the stat sheet. A 4.17 ERA and 14.0 K% is below average and only one Athletic sticks out enough to use as a confident pick. That would be Josh Reddick and his .509 SLG% and his impressive 145 wRC+ puts him as the only promising player in this matchup. Reddick missed last game due to a back injury but should be back today.
Pitchers to Target for DraftKings
Zack Greinke, SP, LAD - $13,500
C.C. Sabathia, SP, NYY - $7,300
Jason Hammel, SP, CHC - $10,300
Infielders to Target for DraftKings
Matt Carpenter, STL - $4,800
Kolten Wong, STL - $4,200
Yasmani Grandal, LAD - $4,200
Mike Napoli, BOS - $3,600
Yangervis Solarte, SD - $3,400
Welington Castillo, ARI - $3,200
Kyle Schwarber, CHC - $3,700
A.J. Pierzynski, ATL - $3,900
Outfielders to Target for DraftKings
Bryce Harper, WAS - $5,500
Chris Young, NYY - $3,300
Josh Reddick, OAK - $4,100
Aaron Hicks, MIN - $3,700
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