DFS MLB Pitching Coach: August 24

Wednesday is here and that means another split slate for you to “enjoy.” We’ve got five games on the early slate and frankly, the pitching options are fairly limited. In fact, there’s not a whole lot that I like and I’ll probably just stick to a small handful of cash games. The 10 games on the main slate, for me, seem to be a better playground to have some fun in the GPPs. Here’s a look at how the data and match-ups look:

Early

Masahiro Tanaka, NYY – The Mariners’ bats were coming to life before yesterday’s game and while they still might be a little dangerous, Tanaka should be able to hold them in check. You usually tend to worry about the lefty bats in the Seattle lineup, but Tanaka is limiting left-handed hitting to just a .267 wOBA on the year. On top of that, Seattle has been pounding the ball into the dirt lately with a near-50 percent ground ball rate. That should continue to tilt the scales in Tanaka’s favor.

Kyle Hendricks, CHC – He’s coming off four-straight quality starts and he’s thrown at least seven innings in three of them. You always have the concern that Joe Maddon is going to yank him after five, but he’s looked incredibly efficient as of late. The Padres are sitting on a .295 wOBA with a 27.8-percent strikeout rate over the last seven days and they still rank dead last with a .292 wOBA against righties this year.

Trevor Bauer, CLE – While the A’s put a hurting on Danny Salazar yesterday, it’s clear that the pitcher isn’t fully healthy. Bauer should not have any difficulty with this lineup. Oakland is sitting on a .304 wOBA against righties this year and have looked less than comfortable at the plate usually, as evidenced by a 25.7-percent K-rate over the past week.

Late

Jose Fernandez, MIA – He had a tough outing against the Reds his last time out, but shouldn’t have nearly as much trouble against a Royals team that is not just unfamiliar with him, but is also ranked 27^th in the league with a .300 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year. On top of that, they’ve posted a well below-average .126 ISO against them and that also comes with a strikeout rate just north of 20-percent.

Zack Greinke, ARI – After taking a beating from the Red Sox, Greinke rebounded nicely with an easy start against the Padres. Now you get to double down on him here with a start against the Braves who own a 29^th-ranked .298 wOBA against righties and have been striking out at a 22.4-percent rate over the past week.

Rick Porcello, BOS – Never a favorite of mine, but when he’s got a strong match-up, he tends to deliver. The Rays have posted just a .298 wOBA over the past week and are striking out at a ridiculous 28-percent clip. He’s posted a 2.24 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 20 innings (three starts) against them this year and should have an easy time neutralizing the lefty bats in the lineup which should keep them from breaking open an inning should he allow a few hits.

Marco Estrada, TOR – The home start always makes me nervous using Jays pitchers, but Estrada should have little trouble with the Angels who have posted a .273 wOBA over the last seven days. They don’t strike out too often, but they’re also not even remotely hitting for power. Their .066 ISO over the last week is borderline disgraceful.

Matt Boyd, DET – How about a nice little dart here in Boyd. I’m not a fan of his, but I am a fan of using almost anyone when they’re facing a team that is posting a .257 wOBA over the past week. On top of that, they’re striking out at a 21-percent clip and that .101 ISO certainly isn’t going to help them either.

Dillon Gee, KC – If you want to try getting a decent return but are willing to concede the win, Gee might be a nice option against the Marlins. Fernandez is likely to limit the Royals bats, but Gee just might do the same as the Fish are pretty cold at the plate right now. We’re talking a 28^th-ranked .278 wOBA with a 20.4-percent K-rate and just a .115 ISO. As a second starter, he could be a nice option which will allow you to get some bigger bats in there.