In the following MLB weekly preview, we have a game breakdown for all 30 teams, pitching rankings and latest IL info to dominate Fantasy Baseball…
In memory of John Cannella Sr.
They say the third go-around is usually when one hits their stride. You know, they. Them. The people who know. Now entering my third season of providing the MLB Weekly Preview, I have never felt more confident in my data collection systems and resulting analysis. All of which are extremely time-consuming, but I could give a rat’s ass when I see our subscribers posting league-winning celebrations. Never was I more proud than what we accomplished together in the pandemic shortened season of 2020. With a tear in my eye…
While I had a disappointing fourth-place finish in my Roto OC, every other league was first or second. The league which ground my gears the most was my championship loss in Fantrax Dynasty, a league I’ve now belonged to for well over 11 years (aka my old ass can’t remember when I joined) and haven’t won. However, I learned something crucial that will benefit me this season: using bulk relievers with elite ratios whose value is non-contingent upon role.
That’s what this game is, a constant learning curve, and I don’t mean Jesús Luzardo’s turkey sub! Am I the greatest fantasy baseball player who has ever walked God’s green earth? No, I am not. But I outwork my opponents, and this work ethic is what got me to where I am today. Some of you reading this may be more successful, and I applaud you for that, although I’ve been crushing fantasy baseball since 1997. So, I got veteran experience going for me, which is nice. But this doesn’t mean we don’t learn from each other to be the very best at what we do. I subscribe to symbiotic relationships. With this in mind, let’s go crush it!!!
In the following weekly preview, you will find a game breakdown for all 30 MLB teams (including Interleague play), two-start and overall pitching rankings and the latest IL information to help you dominate this week’s matchup and through the entirety of your seasonal league. Plus, new this season: Stolen Base Targets!
Scroll right to the part of the MLB Weekly Preview you need in just one click!
Below, you will find an interactive table of contents. Simply click on the section of the article you wanna read and boom.. presto… alakazam.
Has Vlad Jr. Become the Best Hitter in MLB?
As of 5/26, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads a highly-contested race for most home runs in Major League Baseball after delivering his 16th roughly a third of the way through the season. On pace for 55 bombs, the question will be can he keep it up through the dog days of summer and into the fall. With the Jays moving back to Sahlen Field in Buffalo before the heat rises in Florida, the climate shift will do him some favors. However, getting his last licks down in Dunedin, Florida, does raise some legit questions if the hitter-friendly confines have contributed to his success. Sahlen Field is nice, but Dunedin has been heaven (No. 1 in home run park factors – 1.317; 12th in runs – 1.031).
Young Vlad is regularly hitting the ball to the opposite field, which he’ll need to continue to maintain his success. His 16th was an opposite-field shot at Yankee Stadium with an exit velocity of 114.7 mph! “When he hit that ball to right field, everybody just goes, ‘Wow,’” said manager Charlie Montoyo. “That’s not all that easy to do. He hit that hard. He’s been amazing. He’s one of the best hitters in baseball. To be that young and be that good, it’s been fun for me to watch. I love the game, and I know what he’s doing isn’t easy to do.”
The linked article talks about the excellent shape Guerrero came into the season with, both body and mind, and how he is exceeding expectations, but we knew all that. Author Keegan Matheson goes on to point out something very key. “Entering play on Tuesday, (Guerrero is) valued at 3.0 WAR (Fangraphs). That’s the best in baseball, and if he continues this pace, there are MVP votes in his future.” As of 5/26, the WAR is 3.2… still tops in MLB (No. 2 – Nick Castellanos, 2.8). Even in Matheson’s praise of Vlad, notice he still states, “if he continues this pace.”
I don’t know about y’all, but when I wanna figure out a player, there is only one place to go – Sarah Langs, the mistress of baseball analytics!
We talked about exit velocity. Let’s go back there. Baseball Savant has Vlad in the 99th percentile in both average exit velocity (94.9) and max exit velocity (117.4). That’ll play in any park. The lovely Miss Langs takes this issue even further while making her case why we can believe in Guerrero’s breakout. Always able to hit the ball hard, his issues have been lifting the ball more to untap the power. Langs points out he’s lifting the ball more with a lower ground-ball rate, higher average launch angle and higher sweet-spot rate. His 16.1% barrel rate is 1.3% shy of twice his career-best, but even with regression, 8.7-10% is well above average. The 16.1% barrels per batted ball event (BBE) is seventh in baseball for 2021. Furthermore, Vlad is seeing 11.2% barrels per PA, the sixth-best.
The likelihood of maintaining this elite level, when all things are considered, is quite high. Guerrero is crushing the ball and hitting more fly balls. But wait, there’s more. Sarah singles out another key stat: +29 swing/take runs (six more than anyone else in MLB). “Whatcha talkin’ bout Willis?” I know a lot of stats, but this one is above my radar.
However, it is here where Langs states Vlad’s game has gone to another level, and it all has to do with plate discipline. In simple terms, he’s cut down the frequency of swings while making the hacks matter more. Specifically, the stat “assigns run values to each pitch based on outcomes and can quantify a player’s value in different parts of the zone.” With his value, it shows how he is laying off balls out of the zone and destroying those who fall victim in the zone. In fact, he has “21 swing/take runs in the ‘heart’ of the zone,” which Sarah points out is the most in baseball. Also, Fangraphs’ data support this argument. His O-Swing% is a miniscule 19.0% (25.6% career), and the Z-Swing% is 67.4%, which is right in line with his career performance to date.
So, has Vladimir Guerrero Jr. become the best hitter in baseball? And does he have a shot at MVP?? The trajectory is there.
As always, if there are any requests for information I can provide or a player/team you would like me to cover in this section of the MLB Weekly Preview, drop a line in our VIP Chat Room or hit me up on Twitter, @Rob_Povia.
MLB GAME BREAKDOWN GRID
NOTES: Games Galore this week! With 16 teams playing more than six games, be sure to inspect your roster for those players with the busiest schedules. White Sox play eight with a Memorial Day doubleheader at Cleveland and followed by another four-game set with Detroit. Furthermore, the pitching matchups are more good than bad, as well. Stock up on your Chicago hitters despite only six regulation nine-inning games. The Blue Jays draw the short end of the stick as the lone team with five games. They are all home games, but remember, the team returns to playing at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, which is a less hitter-friendly venue than Dunedin. You’re not benching Toronto’s studs, but consider using alternatives for their fringe hitter options.
*UPDATE: Dbacks now see two lefties and five righties (deGrom; see below). Padres shift to two lefties and five righties, as well. Plus, they’ll now see old friend, Joey Lucchesi.
A Few Areas to Target
Do I Write-up the Reds Every Week? Oh Well, Doing It Again!
Cincinnati kicks the week off with three at Great American Small Park. Through 25 games, the ballpark has surrendered the second-highest park factor for runs (1.106) and is number one for home runs (1.347). The Red Legs play a four-game set on the road in St. Louis to conclude a seven-game week, so our Reds hitters will be looking to feast!
Beantown vs. The Bronx, Part Ⅰ
Boston will be away from hitter-friendly Fenway Park all this week, but they will do just fine with the positive park shift to Minute Maid Park for four and Yankee Stadium’s short porch to wrap the seven-game week. They’ll also face some middle-of-the-road pitching matchups. They miss Gerrit Cole, who pitches the day prior vs. TB, and Red Sox hitters are scheduled to face Michael King, Jameson Taillon and Domingo Germán. Ding, Ding…
AL West Invasion of Coors
Texas and Oakland get the rare treat of visiting MLB’s premier hitting destination, Coors Field. Ranger power hitters get a boost, but keep in mind, the second half of the week is a tough draw. They host Tampa Bay and are scheduled to face white-hot starters Rich Hill and Tyler Glasnow. But Adolis García and Joey Gallo may hit 10 home runs in Coors, so fuck it, let’s go! The A’s visit Seattle for three games before they arrive in Denver. They’re scheduled to face a pair of lefties (Austin Gomber, Kyle Freeland) in the series. In daily leagues, stream Chad Pinder against Gomber and Freeland. Pinder has 16 bombs with a .263/.330/.457 slash line in 370 plate appearances against lefties since 2018! Texas and Oakland won’t have the DH, so make sure Pinder is in there. We’ll talk about this more in Interleague Outlook.
Let us not forget Rockies hitters will enjoy the thin air all week long for six games. Plus, the pitchers they’ll face are average to above-average at best. Play your Rockies!
WEEKLY INTERLEAGUE OUTLOOK
With the lack of a universal DH in 2021, American League teams will once again lose their designated hitter when traveling to National League parks. We just touched upon this in the Rangers/Rockies & Athletics/Rockies series, so let’s bridge for the full picture. For Oakland, Moreland won’t be able to join the fun in high altitudes unless relieving Matt Olson at first base (doubtful). Pinder has one less option but is a swiss army knife. If manager Bob Melvin is wise, he’ll find him playing time against the lefties (see above). As a result, Seth Brown or Elvis Andrus could see the bench. Texas’ Jason Martin, who has been platooning in left field, will assuredly see the bench as Calhoun slides to the outfield. Less ABs for Khris Davis and Charlie Culberson, too. Sorry, fellas. There’s always the Mile High Club!
It will be a reunion at American Family Field when Miggy’s Tigers visit his protege Avisaíl García’s Brew Crew. Cabrera could rest for a game or occupy first at the cost of Schoop. Cooper of the Marlins and Difo of the Pirates are the best candidates for the extra ABs. Cooper can slide right into the DH role (one start there this year, 21 in his career). And I can see Difo playing the outfield, while Polanco hits DH.
Ohtani, this week, is the most interesting case we’ve had in the Interleague Outlook this season. The Angels play six games, and these two games remove the DH, cutting down Ohtani’s full hitting potential to four. He has played 5.1 innings spread across four appearances in the outfield this year, but according to reports by Rhett Bollinger, this is not the plan for LA. If your weekly-lock league only has him as a hitter, I still say you play him given how incredible he’s hitting, but if he’s dual eligible as an SP in your league, this is a great week to start him as a pitcher (SEA). As for daily leagues, it’s mostly business as usual, but be on alert for the San Fran games. With Mike Trout out, rest assured manager Joe Maddon will get creative to find him the most at-bats possible.
*Rivalry Series: None, unless you count Florida vs. Florida North
TOP TWO-START PITCHERS
IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE
- Jacob deGrom1 (@ARI, @SD) ← Due to 5/30 PPD, Mets rotation shifts a day. Sucks if you were depending on him in Week 9 as the hammer, but your parting gift is a two-week start for Week 10.
- Shane Bieber3 (CHW,
@BAL) ← Cal Quantrill scheduled for another spot start 6/6 if not used out of BP first… FML! - Tyler Glasnow4 (@NYY,
@TEX) ← Second starts dropping like flies and may become a trend from here on out to manage workloads, as is the case with Glasnow, who has been pushed to 6/8. - Trevor Bauer5 (STL, @ATL)
- Corbin Burnes6 (DET, ARI) ← YES!
- Jack Flaherty12 (@LAD, CIN)
- José Berríos18 (@BAL, @KC)
- Joe Musgrove19 (
@CHC, NYM) ← Used in relief on 5/30 - Sonny Gray22 (PHI, @STL)
- Pablo López28 (@TOR,
@PIT) ← Sandy Alcantara24 (@TOR, @PIT) Due to 5/30 PPD - Charlie Morton32 (WSH, LAD)
- Germán Márquez34 (TEX, OAK)
- Carlos Rodón39 (@CLE, DET)
- Marcus Stroman40 (@ARI, @SD) ← Mets change rotation again and move Stroman up a day to reclaim two-start week; Peterson pushed back another day. Makes for best lined-up rotation when facing SD #smart
- Kyle Hendricks44 (SD, @SF)
- Eduardo Rodriguez46 (@HOU, @NYY) ← Due to 5/30 PPD
- Chris Paddack47 (@CHC, NYM)
- Jameson Taillon53 (TB, BOS)
Other Options: Michael Pineda56 (@BAL, @KC), *Nick Pivetta61 (@HOU, @NYY), Mike Minor70 (PIT, MIN), Domingo Germán71 (TB, BOS), Johnny Cueto73 (LAA, CHC), Dane Dunning88 (@COL, TB), *Rich Hill102 (@NYY, @TEX), Logan Gilbert109 (OAK, @LAA), David Peterson115 (@ARI, @SD), James Kaprielian118 (@SEA, @COL), Luis Garcia119 (BOS, @TOR)
*I can hear it now. “Pov, you lost your damn mind with Pivetta here.” It’s definitely a possibility. For an explanation, see Pitcher Spotlight. As for Hill, TB plans on a spot start/BP game for 5/30, which puts him on track to start 5/31 and get two starts.
Danger Zone: Garrett Richards126 (@HOU, @NYY), *Triston McKenzie127 (CHW, @BAL), José Urquidy129 (BOS, @TOR), Joe Ross130 (@ATL, @PHI), Vince Velasquez138 (@CIN, WSH), Wade Miley139 (PHI, @STL), John Gant144 (@LAD, CIN), Drew Smyly147 (WSH, LAD), Trevor Williams150 (SD, @SF), Wil CroweNR (@KC, MIA)
*If recalled as assumed. Not guaranteed for two-starts (see Bieber), which makes the play even more dangerous in weekly leagues. UPDATE: Holy Appendectomy, Batman! WTF is going on this week. This is by far the most updates in the article’s first six hours of publication. And that includes a wild 2020. Williams had emergency surgery and will have his first start skipped. He is still penciled in for 6/5 start @SF, but unclear if he’ll make it.
For a detailed breakdown of two-start pitchers who may be available on your waiver wire, check out Vlad’s FAAB Values!
STARTING PITCHER RANKINGS FOR MAY 31 – JUNE 6
Pitcher Spotlight: Nick Pivetta
There’s no denying it. Nick Pivetta is having a remarkable season so far. Even after allowing four runs on seven hits in six innings against a formidable Braves offense in Fenway, the 28-year-old pitcher improved to 6-0 on the season thanks to a season-high nine strikeouts. The run support from an equally potent Boston offense helps, as well. He was shaky early but settled in quite nicely as the game wore on to remain unblemished. If not for a ridiculously long rain delay, Pivetta may have pitched even longer. He was at 102 pitches on the night but was coming back for the seventh when mother nature interfered. All said and done, Pivetta finished his evening with a 3.86 ERA for 2021 and may have turned me into a believer.
To be honest, I have been skeptical of Pivetta’s success early on, and you know I’m a positive dude. I’ve been reluctant to put him in rankings based on the type of pitcher I know him to be. Or even if I was willing to put personal biases aside, the matchup was no bueno (recently saw Toronto in Dunedin, Mike Trout-led Angels and the aforementioned Braves). For years, I saw him get blasted in Philadelphia as either a visiting Mets fan (5.36 career ERA vs. NYM) or a speculative fantasy owner in the “right” matchup. Far too often, the four-seam fastball would lie flat in the zone on a tee, and the now-abandoned sinker would dive into the heat zone and then launch into orbit.
Are Pivetta’s surface numbers attractive? Yes.
Along with the improved ERA, he’s carrying a 1.27 WHIP and a 26.3% strikeout rate. But upon further review, his predictive stats were not as attractive. I’m talking “iceberg” levels. You know, small on top but much bigger down below? His xERA and xFIP were in the fives, mostly due to his elevated walk rate. Despite a solid 9.89 K/9, the K/BB lies at 2.27, and his 27.2% CSW is passable while below league-average (28.2%). However, the walk rate has “improved” to a season-low 11.6% (still awful). And as a result, the xERA (3.84) and XFIP (4.31) have steadily declined despite the tough matchups listed above. Furthermore, his current rate of run-prevention is embodied by his 3.41 FIP and 4.27 SIERA. His great K rate and passable CSW aid in both of these departments.
The 53.2 innings pitched sample size provides a solid base for analyzation, but let’s all not go six-to-midnight quite yet. Taking an even deeper dive, let’s look at Pivetta’s ABA this season. With 71 TBA and 26 walks, his 1.82 mark makes him a “solid major leaguer worthy of counting on in fantasy.” Also, if his BB rate positively regresses towards his career 9.0%, his ABA will obviously improve. He does need to cut down the walks if he wants to take the next step. Otherwise, his 0.67 HR/9 is well below his career 1.51 mark, and his 6.9% HR/FB is remarkably low (career 16.8%). Could be some regression here, but we’ll discuss different pitching philosophies in a second that say differently. For now, we’ll just say the .284 BABIP will creep towards his career .320 mark.
Has Pivetta been the benefactor of good luck? Maybe it’s just the luck of the Irish in Beantown?? Since being acquired by Boston last season, Pivetta is 8-0 in 12 starts, joining Matt Clement in 2005 and Mike Nagy in 1969 as the only Red Sox pitchers to go unbeaten in their first 11-plus starts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. More than just luck has been involved. After all, his 71.0% left on base percentage (LOB%) is close to his career 68.7%. Batters have been hitting the ball harder against Pivetta with a 38.4% hard-hit rate (career 35.7%). Furthermore, his 36.0% ground-ball rate is well below his career 43.2%, and the 42.6% fly-ball rate is almost as equally above his career 35.9%. So, it’s all not peaches and cream here. All told, he has a .341 wOBA with a .318 xwOBA.
The former Philadelphia Phillie is loving life in Boston. Pivetta never felt comfortable with the coaching methods of then pitching coach Chris Young. Not that Chris Young… this Chris Young. You know, the current bullpen coach for the Chicago Cubs. Sometimes, you need a different pitching coach in your ear or perhaps a more qualified one, such as Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush. “I’ve learned how to pitch up (in the zone) better, to be honest with you,” Pivetta said. “It’s taken me a couple of years in a sense in that now I have more command of the strike zone up there. It’s not something I was just able to do overnight, and obviously, I needed the proper guidance to learn how to do that.” BAZINGA!
In a weird twist of fate, Pivetta’s transformation reminds me of current Phillie, Zack Wheeler. New Phillies pitching coach Bryan Price took an asset Philadelphia acquired in the 2019 offseason and turned him into a gem. Don’t get it twisted; Wheeler had a good year in his last for the Metropolitans. Good enough to get a padded contract. However, his focus was often on blowing people away and getting the strikeout, which often left him leaving early in games. With a new pitching philosophy under Price, Wheeler has increased his slider and sinker usage. The results have been a higher ground-ball percentage and quicker innings, allowing Wheeler to go deeper in games. Albeit, Pivetta is learning to climb the ladder, while Wheeler is working down in the zone. So, the comparison ends there, but the moral remains the same. A shift in philosophy can drastically improve a pitcher’s outlook.
And with umpires increasingly calling the high strike, it makes sense Pivetta’s new guidance is working with impeccable timing.
I am indeed now a believer in Pivetta ::gulp:: But how am I supposed to add him to my rankings with an evil start this week – @HOU? Guess what, I did!
It seems odd to now add Pivetta to the rankings. But based on the evidence above, it’s not that odd. You may wind up taking this week on the chin if you don’t have better options, but he might surprise you. And he could be here to stay.
MLB WEEKLY PREVIEW | INJURED LIST REPORT
Besides names that may already be listed, here is the latest injury news on a few of your fantasy studs. I will update you early in the week.
First, some good news. Kyle Gibson (groin) is due to come off the injured list following the three-game series in Denver (fortunate). If he does indeed return after missing the minimum, he can slot right back into the rotation against Tampa Bay at home.
Trevor Story (elbow) – The Rockies placed Story on the 10-day IL due to right elbow inflammation before the doubleheader against the Pirates this weekend. He will have more tests done on 5/31 or 6/1 (depending on availability with Memorial Day) to give the inflammation a chance to settle, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. Additional reports state the elbow issue, while similar to the problem he had in 2018, isn’t as serious. No timetable until he can work out later this week. Brendan Rodgers will get reps at shortstop along with regular playing time. Yipee!!!
Remarkably, Kevin Pillar (broken face) ran sprints, hit in an indoor cage, and tracked down fly balls just 12 days after taking a 94-mph fastball off his face. He is expected to be activated this week according to Buster Olney. #Warrior
Max Kepler (hamstring) aggravated a lingering issue while busting down to first base on 5/29. Diagnosed with a mild left hamstring strain, he hits the IL the very next day. The hamstring has been barking for most of May, and he will now have time to fully recover from the ailment. Manager Rocco Baldelli is hopeful the minimum of 10 days will serve as enough time to get 100%.
Back to some (somewhat) good news. Jesús Luzardo has been activated from the IL from the fractured left video game hand. However, the A’s rotation is crowded at the moment (really no such thing in 2021). Plus, Luzardo still needs to complete his rehab and build up to a full starter’s workload. Oakland will opt to do this at the major league level. Reports state he will rejoin the rotation “before too long,” but what if he kills it as a reliever. My head just exploded.
Lastly, Houston placed Michael Brantley (right hamstring tightness) on the 10-day, retro to 5/25 after missing a few ball games. Expect to see Chas McCormick, who has a hit in three straight games, including a long home run, and Aledmys Díaz get additional playing time in left field.
POV SPECIAL – SP STREAM OF THE WEEK
→ Merrill Kelly128, RH ARI (NYM, @MIL; 46% owned) – Did you cringe when you read the name, Merrill Kelly? If you think that was bad, imagine how I felt when writing it? Thankfully, I had some anti-nausea medicine on hand to take the edge off. You’ll find this section to be a basis for guys who are readily available and can help in the short term only. That is Kelly to a T. He’s not a good pitcher, but my Pov Special every week is designed to highlight off-the-radar guys and not necessarily the best or top stream for a given week. For those guys, hit Vlad’s link below. Similar to contrarian GPP plays, you play these guys for their potential ceiling and worry less about the floor. Boom or bust, it’s all about the matchups. Sometimes we flop, but most of the time, the picks have been spot-on.
Starting with my Mets, it’s simple: Triple-A lineup. New York did blow up for 13 runs on 5/29, but that is the exception to the rule these days. Mets have been dialing it back to yesteryear and winning with pitching and defense. Pete Alonso may be back as soon as 5/31 with J.D. Davis not far behind, but when it comes to the Mets’ health, nothing is a given. Shit, any team really this season. Just ask Joe Girardi. Oh wait, you can’t cause he won’t say anything. I digress. Kelly will face off against lefty David Peterson, who has been ace-like at times and blows up with baserunners abound during others. Wait, I thought they traded Matz? In summation, I like the matchup and Kelly’s odds for a win. *UPDATE: Start is now against deGrom… damn! Less confident for win but could be classic 3-1 deGrom loss.
As for Milwaukee, they are ahead of only Colorado in wRC+ against righties (78) and dead last in wOBA (.282). Christian Yelich is just starting to get going from a lengthy IL stay but does have four hits in his last 15 at-bats with a triple and a homer. Also, Little Miggy – aka Avisaíl García from his Tiger days – has been making his pseudo pappa proud with three bombs and six hits in 22 at-bats this past week. However, more of that damage has come against lefties. Kelly will match up decently otherwise versus a lineup that lacks punch against righties.
Honorable Mention: James Kaprielian118, RH OAK (@SEA, @COL; 55-60% owned) – Seattle’s offense is performing terribly right now outside of Mitch Haniger. This developing crew is striking out a ton as I’ve previously documented. Last time out, Kaprielian got the same Mariners, who he threw seven scoreless innings against with four strikeouts. Recency could rear its ugly head and give the advantage to the Seattle hitters, but I’m a fan of Kap’s stuff. He has a mid-90’s fastball with rising action from using the four seams and a tumbling change of pace that is 8-10 mph slower and registers a 38.9% Whiff rate so far this year. Coupled with a slider, curveball and an occasional two-seam sinker, Kaprielian has a nice repertoire of strikeout stuff. Coors is always scary, which is why he makes honorable mention as well as listed in other two-start options above.
For more streaming options on the mound AND at the plate, visit Vlad’s FAAB Values!
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Sunday, June 6, 2021
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Cal Quantrill (RHP, CLE) | 0-1 | 2.08 | 3.98 | 4.07 | 4.67 | 19.8% | 8.7% | 35.2% | 25.0% | ||||||||
| Jorge López (RHP, BAL) | 1-6 | 5.29 | 4.02 | 4.21 | 4.61 | 23.1% | 9.8% | 40.8% | 28.1% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Sandy Alcantara (RHP, MIA) | 2-5 | 3.68 | 3.61 | 3.76 | 2.92 | 23.8% | 7.0% | 39.5% | 30.1% | ||||||||
| Chad Kuhl (RHP, PIT) | 0-2 | 6.41 | 5.87 | 5.75 | 4.89 | 20.0% | 16.8% | 31.6% | 35.7% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Austin Voth* (RHP, WSH) | 2-0 | 2.93 | 3.89 | 3.72 | 5.40 | 24.5% | 9.1% | 41.7% | 34.3% | ||||||||
| Vince Velasquez (RHP, PHI) | 2-1 | 4.08 | 4.32 | 4.44 | 5.02 | 28.2% | 14.7% | 48.5% | 40.2% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Luis Garcia (RHP, HOU) | 4-3 | 2.89 | 4.14 | 3.65 | 3.25 | 28.2% | 8.0% | 39.1% | 49.2% | ||||||||
| Steven Matz (LHP, TOR) | 6-2 | 4.22 | 3.43 | 3.56 | 3.64 | 25.2% | 5.9% | 39.8% | 30.0% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Trevor Bauer (RHP, LAD) | 6-3 | 2.24 | 3.56 | 3.19 | 2.88 | 32.7% | 7.8% | 43.6% | 49.1% | ||||||||
| Max Fried (LHP, ATL) | 2-3 | 5.35 | 4.10 | 4.22 | 4.30 | 23.2% | 9.0% | 34.5% | 30.4% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Bailey Ober (RHP, MIN) | 0-0 | 9.00 | 5.68 | 4.37 | 7.74 | 20.0% | 5.0% | 50.0% | 50.0% | ||||||||
| Brady Singer (RHP, KC) | 3-4 | 5.06 | 4.20 | 4.09 | 3.52 | 22.9% | 8.3% | 34.0% | 32.1% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| José Ureña (RHP, DET) | 2-4 | 4.14 | 4.53 | 4.89 | 5.43 | 15.0% | 9.4% | 47.7% | 25.1% | ||||||||
| Dylan Cease (RHP, CHW) | 3-2 | 3.79 | 4.20 | 4.02 | 3.44 | 28.6% | 11.3% | 33.6% | 43.2% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Caleb Smith (LHP, ARI) | 2-1 | 3.32 | 4.65 | 4.06 | 4.33 | 25.5% | 10.3% | 35.9% | 47.5% | ||||||||
| Corbin Burnes (RHP, MIL) | 2-4 | 2.24 | 1.83 | 1.91 | 1.44 | 40.9% | 3.5% | 26.4% | 33.0% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Wade Miley (LHP, CIN) | 5-4 | 3.26 | 3.42 | 3.83 | 3.77 | 19.4% | 6.8% | 30.9% | 20.0% | ||||||||
| John Gant (RHP, STL) | 4-3 | 1.60 | 5.03 | 5.66 | 5.12 | 17.4% | 15.2% | 36.9% | 26.4% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Michael Wacha* (RHP, TB) | 1-1 | 4.63 | 4.10 | 4.13 | 6.71 | 20.6% | 5.7% | 48.1% | 37.5% | ||||||||
| Dane Dunning (RHP, TEX) | 2-4 | 4.67 | 3.27 | 3.60 | 4.16 | 24.4% | 7.6% | 45.1% | 25.0% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| James Kaprielian (RHP, OAK) | 2-0 | 2.95 | 5.31 | 4.61 | 4.25 | 24.4% | 10.0% | 47.4% | 57.9% | ||||||||
| Germán Márquez (RHP, COL) | 3-5 | 4.13 | 3.74 | 4.28 | 4.02 | 24.6% | 11.8% | 36.5% | 26.2% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Kyle Hendricks (RHP, CHC) | 6-4 | 4.62 | 4.10 | 4.17 | 4.86 | 18.6% | 4.0% | 38.8% | 33.3% | ||||||||
| Johnny Cueto (RHP, SF) | 4-1 | 3.45 | 3.74 | 4.01 | 4.16 | 20.0% | 3.3% | 36.8% | 32.8% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Logan Gilbert (RHP, SEA) | 0-2 | 5.94 | 4.72 | 4.22 | 6.06 | 21.9% | 4.1% | 53.8% | 48.1% | ||||||||
| Patrick Sandoval (LHP, LAA) | 0-1 | 3.80 | 4.62 | 4.65 | 5.83 | 18.5% | 10.9% | 47.6% | 27.0% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Marcus Stroman (RHP, NYM) | 4-4 | 2.66 | 3.41 | 3.76 | 3.96 | 20.0% | 5.0% | 43.5% | 23.5% | ||||||||
| Chris Paddack (RHP, SD) | 2-4 | 4.24 | 4.04 | 4.11 | 4.13 | 21.5% | 6.2% | 37.6% | 37.4% |
| W/L | ERA | xFIP | SIERA | xERA | K% | BB% | HH% | FB% | |||||||||
| Garrett Richards (RHP, BOS) | 4-4 | 3.75 | 4.52 | 4.84 | 4.76 | 20.2% | 11.6% | 49.1% | 31.0% | ||||||||
| Domingo Germán (RHP, NYY) | 4-3 | 3.27 | 4.03 | 3.74 | 3.75 | 23.5% | 4.5% | 36.1% | 43.7% |
And finally, the more things change, the more they stay the same…
STOLEN BASE TARGETS
If you have been paying attention to the new rule changes for minor league baseball, you can see the commissioner’s office desires a return of a long-lost element to the game… the stolen base. Let’s get ahead of the curve while also maximizing on the few pilferers of the dirt in 2021. Jack Kitchen (@JAXvicious), a long-time sub, reached out this offseason, asking if I could add a section on stolen base targets. As I have said from Day One of this column, your wish is my command!
So, I have imported one of the many fine tools we offer on our sister site, Elite Fantasy. Along with stolen base targets, our DFS MLB package offers daily articles and livestreams, a 24/7 chat, ownership projections and Fantasy Cruncher optimizer, BvP data, batter splits, park factors, umpire factors, weather reports and cheat sheets. The data alone is worth well over $1200! These weapons of mass destruction aid fantasy success in all formats, DFS and seasonal. JOIN TODAY!
