MLB Cash Game Picks : 8-8-15

Pitcher

There are two clear-cut pitching options tonight, and one is Tyson Ross. He takes on the Phillies at home, who have suddenly found some offense of late. This matchup actually suits Ross a lot, his notable downside has been his walk rate. Philadelphia has the lowest walk rate against right-handed pitching this season. Ross has a lot of impressive stats to his name, ranking top five in ground-ball rate, and 16th in strikeout rate. He is a nice favorite tonight, and the Padres should give him some run support against the lefty.

Garrett Richards is the next clear-cut arm on the bump this evening. He is coming off his most impressive “strikeout" start of the season, striking out 11 Indians, and working into the eighth, but allowing four earned. Despite the solid stats above, and an 11% swinging strike rate, his cash game appearances have been frustrating to watch at times. However, he gets a great matchup against the free-swinging Baltimore Orioles, who have a 22.1% strikeout rate. Richards has been better at home this season, posting a 2.36 ERA, which is nearly doubled when he is on the road.

Catcher

Ah, Derek Norris against a lefty, it has been a while. He was in the midst of a massive slump heading into the all-star break, but has hit .270 coming out of it. Norris has a great track record against left-handed pitching, and will face a gas can tonight. Adam Morgan has allowed a .383 wOBA to right-handed bats this season. We also see Norris slide up in the lineup when lefties are on the bump, which adds to his value. There are really no other options I am considering other than Norris. He is dirt cheap, and provides a nice salary relief without truly “punting."

First Base

Alfredo Simon is going through his second half regression, and even started a little earlier than usual. He is coming off a 7.26 ERA in July, and not much has improved since. Simon has allowed a .388 wOBA to left-handed bats this season, with a 1.49 HR/9. David Ortiz is the headlining bat for Boston, with a .394 wOBA off right-handed pitching. He also has seven homers since the break. Boston creates plenty of value bats to pick and choose from as well, but I am not on board with them as a whole.

Second Base

After a rest day for Anthony Rendon, he will get to face a terrible right-hander. Eddie Butler has a career ERA of 5.70, and he's imploded numerous times. Butler has allowed a .357 wOBA to right-handed bats over 199 total batters faced. Rendon has been solid against right-handed pitching, when healthy, and it seems he finally is. Rendon has a .324 wOBA off right-handed pitching this year, and comes into tonight at a very cheap price.

Third Base

Todd Frazier is a guy I am trying to squeeze into almost all of my lineups tonight. The Todd Father has been somewhat slumping since the break, and maybe you can blame it on the derby, but he has faced tough pitching in this stretch. He will face a lefty in the desert tonight, and Robbie Ray has been hit hard. He has allowed a 42.3% hard hit ball rate, and a very poor ground-ball rate (37.7%). Frazier owns a .408 wOBA off lefties this season with a whopping .398 ISO.

Shortstop

Heading back to Washington, where there are quite a few value bats against a bad right-hander. Eddie Butler has allowed a career .357 wOBA to right-handed bats. Yunel Escobar has some cheap value at a weak position this evening. Escobar has a .354 wOBA off righties, he just does not hit for a ton of power. I am looking for some cheap points via getting on base and guys driving him in. There isn't a lot to work with at shortstop. On FanDuel, he is not shortstop eligible. Instead, I am looking to grab either of the Cleveland shortstops, or taking a risk on Ian Desmond.

Outfield

A top outfield bat goes to J.D. Martinez, who crushes left-handed pitching. He owns a .358 wOBA against lefties in 2015, with a .220 ISO. His batted ball stats are ridiculous, with a 52.9% hard hit ball rate and a 29.4% line drive rate. Wade Miley has allowed a .343 wOBA to right-handed bats this season and has a 4.49 FIP. Rajai Davis is your cheaper option who also has the platoon advantage.

Someone has stepped up in the absence of Giancarlo Stanton, and that man is Christian Yelich. He is hitting .291 since the break, and is starting to run a little more when he gets on. After a horrible start to the season, Yelich has a .330 wOBA off right-handed pitching, which is now at a respectable number compared to before. Mike Foltynewicz has allowed .422 wOBA to lefties, and he's just looking completely lost.

Marlon Byrd is a nice mid-range target to get some power exposure in your lineups. Byrd has a .384 wOBA off lefties this season with a .246 ISO. Chase Field creates runs and extra base hits from the right side. Ray has been hit hard, and with that poor ground-ball rate, we should see some homers fly from the Reds.