MLB Cash Game Picks: 9-3-15

Pitcher

Jordan Zimmermann is the top option tonight, and really the lone option on such a short slate for cash games. He has the heaviest favorite, and the easiest matchup, outside of Mat Latos. The Braves rank 28th in offense against right-handed pitching. (.298 wOBA, 86 wrC+, 17.8 K%) Zimmermann upped his strikeout rate in August, to 25.2%, which is a big increase from where we was at during the first half. The Washington right-hander has been notably better in Washington, with a 2.58 ERA. Everything is in favor for Zimmermann tonight, and he still allows you to grab some Coors bats.

On such a short slate involving a Coors game, which features two horrendous pitchers, Mat Latos can be used on both sites for cash games. The Dodgers are nice favorites for a win tonight, and Latos gets the luxury of facing the Padres in Petco. San Diego has a 21.4% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching this season, and only have an 89 wRC+ to go with. Latos has not been great this season, but he should have better numbers than advertised, given his BABIP is 20 points higher than his career norm, and he has a 3.52 FIP. With Latos tonight we are looking for a quality start with a win, and then we let the bats do the rest.

Catcher

I will be paying up behind the plate tonight, or using Buster Posey as a first baseman on DraftKings. He has the top matchup on the slate, facing a lefty in Coors. Chris Rusin has allowed a .372 wOBA to right-handed bats in his career, making the Giants an obvious choice for one of the top offenses on the night. Posey has elite numbers against southpaws, and although just a .347 wOBA off lefties this season, he has batted ball stats among baseball's best. Giants have a 5.5 run total, which is no surprise there, and this game is a main focus in tonight's small slate.

First Base

Coors Field offers more of a GPP play with Brandon Belt and his lefty-lefty matchup, but Ben Paulsen is a nice option on both sites. I am going to get away from Coors for this one, and go to the Royals, who just pounded lefty Randy Wolf last night. Kendrys Morales does hit better from the left side, but he is not all that bad against lefties. His price is somewhat of a relief compared to other first baseman tonight. Matt Boyd has allowed 11 homers in starts this season, and is allowing a .391 wOBA to right-handed bats in his short time in the majors. If you want to target an offense outside of Coors, the Royals are the team to go with.

Second Base

Anthony Rendon has been on a big time hot streak, and the price has yet to catch up with him. He is hitting .340 in the last ten games, and has averaged a run per game. Matt Wisler really struggles with lefties, but the Nationals don't have much to work with outside of Bryce Harper, who may be out tonight. Despite allowing a .299 wOBA to right-handed bats, Wisler has allowed a 35.8% hardball rate, and a 23% line drive rate. Rendon helps balance out a roster from an all-out Coors stack, and he is still at a cheap price tag.

Third Base

It has been a while since we have seen a monster game from Matt Duffy, and he should breakout of that tonight. Duffy has hit over .300 in each month of the season, and has a .333 wOBA in the second half, comparable to his .344 wOBA in the first. We haven't really seen a drop off, as some might of expected. Duffy can hit southpaws, just has a low BABIP, but has a higher hardball rate, and a lower strikeout rate. Rusin is not a threat anyway, and he is a must play on FanDuel at that price.

Shortstop

No Troy Tulowitzki anymore in Coors, and most likely no Brandon Crawford for the Giants. Jimmy Rollins has actually been a decent value play at times, in the last two weeks or so. Now that he is hitting leadoff, he has greater value. Hitters are teeing off on Rea, but is not amounted to major success yet from the left side. Lefties have a 25% line drive rate, with a 36% hardball rate. Look to spend down here, and pay up at other positions.

Outfield

Carlos Gonzalez is coming off of a monster night, racking up seven RBI on two homers. He will be incredibly high owned tonight, especially on DraftKings where is price is ridiculously cheap. Both him and Charlie Blackmon are excellent plays, and have a safe floor against Ryan Vogelsong. I will be looking to fit both in the lineup if possible, but may be tough to do. Vogelsong has allowed a .374 wOBA to left-handed bats this season, and struggles more so on the road.

My top Giants outfielder is Marlon Byrd, but we need economical picks at times. Angel Pagan leading off in this game, at this price, is a steal for us tonight. He allows salary relief, while still getting exposure to the Coors game. Pagan has an OBP 60 points higher against lefties, than he does hitting against right-handed pitching. He also hits the ball harder. If you are average against right-handed pitching, Rusin will make you an above average hitter.

Carl Crawford is my punt play of the night. With so many top priced options, we will need one bare-minimum play to insert in our lineups. Rea has been hit hard against lefties, and Crawford will be in the lineup tonight with injuries in the Dodgers' outfield. Crawford has not been healthy this season, or has been in the lineup to really get any sorta rhythm. The only positive stats note, is he has a 27.4% line drive rate off right-handed pitching. With the price factored in, he won't have to do much to hit value.