MLB Cash Game Picks : 7-30-15

Pitcher

There is no doubt about it, Chris Sale is the top arm going in tonight's slate, although Jake Arrieta gets a honorable mention as well. Both pitchers will actually face a dwindled lineup today. Sale has the second best swinging strike rate on the season (15.4%), right behind Clayton Kershaw. The Sox are without Mookie Betts, and Dustin Pedroia, leading to a truly awful lineup that we saw last night. Unlike Jose Quintana, we should see plenty of strikeouts from the Chicago strikeout king. If the weather is an issue later in the day, Arrieta is an easy pivot.

Looking for a cheap SP2 on DraftKings is a little risky, but I love the odds of a nice start from Phil Hughes. He is a good favorite, and the Mariners offense is not a tough opponent. Seattle rank just outside the top half of the league in offense against right-handed pitching, including a 21.7% strikeout rate. Hughes has faired well at home this season, compared to on the road. I know the numbers have been far from sexy, but down here in the price range you won't find better numbers. To get some bats, Hughes is a nice option.

Catcher

Kyle Schwarber has been a force from the left-side of the plate, and has shown very little signs of not being able to handle major league pitching. Jimmy Nelson has struggled tremendously against left-handed bats this season, allowing a .372 wOBA. Schwarber is at a great price, in a weaker position, and hitting in Milwaukee is a nice boost in park factor. Easily the top play behind the dish.

First Base

There are only a few hitters that are as hot as Eric Hosmer right now. He is hitting over .500 with a couple of homers in the last ten games. Hosmer will also enjoy a 117 park factor that the Rogers Centre has held for left-handed homers in the last three season. Hosmer has a .400 wOBA off right-handed bats this season, with a .200 ISO. Estrada has a poor groundball rate against left-handed bats (32.4%), and a 4.48 xFIP.

Second Base

Alfredo Simon has begun his second-half slip early this season, posting an ERA over seven in July, and an ERA over five in June. Simon has allowed a .388 wOBA to left-handed bats this season, with a 25% line drive rate. Jimmy Paredes is a nice value play today, and you will need a few. Second base is rather light, and I have no problem paying down here. Paredes has a .347 wOBA off right-handed pitching this season.

Third Base

Aramis Ramirez took a bit of a hit moving to that big ballpark in Pittsburgh, but facing a lefty in Great American Ballpark is golden for Ramirez. He has not come close to the numbers above against lefties this season, but he is hitting the ball solid after a dreadful start to the season. David Holmberg has not been in the bigs for a lengthy time, but has allowed a .359 wOBA to right-handed bats, with a 6.94 FIP. The Pirates are one of the top offenses in today's slate.

Shortstop

Whether you played the narrative card or not last night, Troy Tulowtizki had a monster game in his debut. Now in his second game he will get the lefty Danny Duffy, at a very soft price tag. Duffy has allowed a career .334 wOBA to right-handed bats, with a 4.50 FIP. Tulo is one of the top lefty-mashers in the game, and is a top play in cash games tonight.

Outfield

Starling Marte has been excellent against left-handed bats in his career, and has really made a name for himself in that department this season. Marte is hitting .354 since the break, and has a .409 wOBA off lefties this season. Marte is also a threat to steal a base, with 19 on the season. You can also aim for his teammate Andrew McCutchen, but he is a bit more pricey.

Now one of those bats who rival Hosmer for being red-hot, Aaron Hicks has nine hits in the last four games, and has been hitting lefties well all season. He has a .408 wOBA, and will likely be sitting in the two-spot in a big team total for the Twins. He has a big 27% line drive rate off lefties, and J.A. Happ has a 4.30 FIP against right-handed bats. I love his price today, and fits in nicely with Sale lineups.

The White Sox are absolutely on a tear, and this guy is a big reason, Melky Cabrera has 21 hits since the break, and is hitting .374 in July. Steven Wright presents another opportunity for a White Sox type of night. Their prices have adjusted, so not all are as cheap as they were earlier in the week. You can also toss in his teammate Adam Eaton into the mix at a similar price.