Dumpster fire. Get used to seeing the term. You'll also find Wallmart, Stonehenge and veggie dogs in the mix. There will also be plenty of time for batter versus pitcher matchups for September 3rd. I'm just trying to diversify a bit and keep things interesting.

* NOTE: Just because a player is not listed does not mean that he is a bad or good play. The players listed below are mentioned merely because of the BVP data for the matchup.

DISH DIAMONDS – The Best Hitting Matchups of the Day
 
Michael Bourn has a .370 average and four steals when Justin Verlander is on the bump. He's accrued 32 plate appearances. Michael Brantley also hits the beleaguered righty with an impressive .354 average over 48 at-bats. He's also driven in eight runners and swiped four bags. 

Alberto Callaspo has hit .292 over 48 at-bats against Felix Hernandez

Matt Holliday is hitting everyone and everything right now. He's also hit .367 with two big flies against Edinson Volquez over 30 at-bats.

Ryan Howard has two homers and six RBIs against Ervin “Often Prone to Homers” Santana in just 12 at-bats. 

Austin Jackson has seven hits leading to a .389 batting average against Jon Lester

Stonehenge. Fascinating.

Russell Martin has two homers, four RBIs an a .385 batting average in 13 at-bats against Shelby Miller.   Pedro Alvarez has hit three solo shots in 20 at-bats. 

Joe Mauer en fuego against John Danks (many are). He's hit a robust .393 over 56 at-bats. 

David Ortiz meet scorching hot. Ortiz crushed it in August and he figures to keep on keeping on Wednesday against Hiroki Kuroda who he's hit .550 against in 20 at-bats. Daniel Nava has a .346/.452/.462 slash line over 27 plate appearances. 

Hanley Ramirez torches the difficult to hit Jordan Zimmermann. In 22 at-bats HanRam is batting .455 with a homer and six RBIs. He's also swiped two bases as well. 

DISH DISASTERS – Worst Hitting Matchups of the Day

Elvis Andrus has 10 hits against Jason Vargas, but unfortunately he's had 47 at-bats as well. Elvis' slash line is ugly: .213/.255/.255. 

Jose Bautista is a dumpster fire against Chris Archer. He has one hit in 16 at-bats. Edwin Encarnacion is likely to bring the marshmallows. He's got a mere two hits in 15 at-bats. 

Marlon Byrd is a dumpster fire against Ervin Santana. That's my new favorite term by the way. I'm going to try and use it at least once a day. Byrd has 12 strikeouts an a .167 batting average against Ervin over  36 at-bats. 

Robinson Cano has had many a battle with Jon Lester and he's often come out on the short end in the matchup. In 69 at-bats that all-world second sacker is batting .246 with 14 strikeouts and no homers. 

Josh Donaldson doesn't hit Felix Hernandez. He's sporting an unsightly .185 batting average over 27 at-bats. Josh Reddick wishes he was that good. He's hitting .152 in 33 at-bats. 

I know that if I'm looking for some adult fun I always check out Walmart.

Lucas Duda... say it with me... is a dumpster fire against Tom Koehler of all people. He's hitting .117 over 17 at-bats. Juan Lagares has three hits in 15 at-bats (.200).

Jason Kipnis equals a dumpster fire against Justin Verlander. He has a .103 batting average and 12 strikeouts in 29 at-bats. 

Yadier Molina, fresh off injury, might struggle for success Wednesday. He's produced four hits against Edinson Volquez leading to a .154 batting average. The four hits that Jon Jay has accrued give him a .200 batting average in the matchup. 

Drew Stubbs doesn't hit Ryan Vogelsong. He has five strikeouts an a .231 average in 12 at-bats. 

Kurt Suzuki has a .150 average over 20 at-bats against lefty John Danks


The most updated fantasy football rankings anywhere!! Over 600 players ranked with auction values, tiers and latest ADP data right there on the same page. It’s all a part of the 2014 Fantasy Football Draft Guide from Fantasy Alarm.


 

Bookmark the following four sources to check daily after you read this piece.

DFS PLAYBOOK

Fantasy Alarm Lineups

Batter Versus Pitcher

Daily Projections – For every single day of the season.

MOUND MAVENS – Starting Pitchers to Target

Andrew Cashner has allowed three runs over two starts since he returned from injury. He's got a 1.40 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in eight home starts. He takes on the D'backs.

Josh Collmenter has allowed two runs over his last two starts. One was against the Padres – he threw 8.1 innings of one runs ball with eight strikeouts. He takes on that club again in San Diego.

Jacob deGrom had a hiccup in his first start back from injury but he dominated in start number two (one run in seven innings). He's faced the Marlins twice with devastating results for the Fish: 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 1.05 WHIP & 15 strikeouts in 14 innings. 

Matt Garza will start after missing a month with a left oblique strain. He reportedly threw the ball very well in his rehab work. He's set to start on the road in Chicago, though he's obviously very familiar with that yard (2.74 ERA, 1.13 ERA in 29 starts there). He's lowered his ERA to 3.58 on the year and that 1.13 WHIP would be a career best as well. 

Miguel Gonzalez faces the Reds at home. Sneaky good he has been this year. Aware were you that over his last eight outings he's tossed seven quality starts? He's allowed four runs over his last three starts. 

Kyle Hendricks versus the Brewers at home. The righty has made nine starts and the last eight have all ended with him permitting two or fewer earned runs. He's also walked a total of nine batters in those eight starts. Simply not striking anyone out though with just 34 in 56.2 innings. 

Collin McHugh faces the Angels at home. In three outings against the Angels he's allowed just four earned runs leading to a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He's also, get this, allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last six outings. 

Danny Salazar pitches at home against the Tigers. In seven home starts he has a 3.52 ERA and 38 Ks in 38.1 innings. Over his last three starts he's walked five batters while allowed four runs (three earned). Always a chance he turns into a dumpster fire in this outing of course. 

Edinson Volquez has lowered his ERA to 3.45 as he's allowed two or fewer earned runs in five straight starts (six earned runs in that time). The last time he faced the Cardinals was July 10th and he allowed one run in a complete game victory. The game is in St. Louis. 

MOUND MESSES – Starting Pitchers to Avoid

John Danks has a 4.88 ERA and 1.47 WHIP this season. He has a 5.40 ERA and 1.61 WHIP on the road. He has a 5.35 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 26 outings against the Twins. The game will be played in Minnesota.

Trevor May is a dumpster fire extraordinaire. In 19 innings he's walked 14 batters leading to, hide the kids, a 10.42 ERA and 2.32 WHIP. He faces the White Sox at home. 

I know what I want for lunch – a veggie dog.

Shelby Miller has thrown back-to-back quality starts, but that's not enough to remove the stain of his down effort this season (4.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 1.49 K/BB). The last time he face the Pirates he walked four batters, struck one out and allowed four runs in five innings. In eight starts against the club he's the holder of a 4.98 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. 

Jason Vargas faces the Rangers at home. He's posted a solid 1.28 WHIP at home this season but he also is just 5-4 and has a 4.29 ERA there. He's also lost his last two outings while allowing seven runs and 22 hits in 12 innings. Given that one of those outings was against the Rangers...

Justin Verlander is still too risky to recommend. Yes he looked sharp last outing, but the two efforts before that he permitted nine runs in just 6.1 innings. He's also in possession of a 4.68 ERA on the year, and the mark is 4.86 on the road where he takes on the Indians, the club with the 5th best OPS against righties this year.  

Jered Weaver has a 4.75 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 13 road starts. He faces the Astros in Houston. He's also had games with three and one strikeout in his last three outings. 


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