MLB Slate Preview Monday 5/13/24

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox – 7:10 PM EDT at Fenway Park

• Pitching Matchup: Zach Eflin (Rays) vs. Kutter Crawford (Red Sox)
  • Zach Eflin shows solid control with a low BB% and a decent K%, favoring ground ball outs which could be crucial at Fenway.
  • Kutter Crawford offers a slightly higher ERA but better xwOBA against right-handers, potentially challenging the Rays’ lineup.
• Game Insights:
  • Both teams have effective offenses, but Eflin’s groundball tendencies might help suppress the Red Sox’s home run potential at Fenway.
  • Crawford’s vulnerability against lefties might be a point of exploitation for the Rays’ left-handed hitters.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets – 7:10 PM EDT at Citi Field

• Pitching Matchup: Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies) vs. Sean Manaea (Mets)
  • Cristopher Sanchez is effective against lefties with a high groundball rate, which could play well in Citi Field’s pitcher-friendly environment.
  • Sean Manaea struggles with higher xwOBA and ERA, indicating potential for the Phillies to capitalize on his inconsistency.
• Game Insights:
  • Manaea’s difficulties this season make the Phillies a more appealing offensive option.
  • Sanchez’s ability to induce groundballs may limit the Mets’ scoring, particularly their power hitters.

Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves – 7:20 PM EDT at Truist Park

• Pitching Matchup: Shota Imanaga (Cubs) vs. Reynaldo Lopez (Braves)
  • Shota Imanaga boasts impressive stats with low ERA and high K%, indicating a strong start to his MLB career.
  • Reynaldo Lopez counters with high strikeout potential but also a tendency to allow runs, which could be risky against the Cubs’ lineup.
• Game Insights:
  • Imanaga’s performance will be critical as he faces a potent Braves lineup; his strikeout ability will be key.
  • Lopez’s high K% could help curb the Cubs but his high HC% and SS% suggest possible volatility.

Washington Nationals vs. Chicago White Sox – 7:40 PM EDT at Guaranteed Rate Field

• Pitching Matchup: Trevor Williams (Nationals) vs. Chris Flexen (White Sox)
  • Trevor Williams offers a mix of moderate strikeout rates and high groundball percentages, which could be effective against the White Sox.
  • Chris Flexen has struggled significantly with the highest ERA and xwOBA on the slate, making him a potential target for DFS players.
• Game Insights:
  • Williams’ stable approach may not yield high strikeouts but should provide consistency against a challenging White Sox offense.
  • Flexen’s struggles provide a strong opportunity for Nationals hitters to produce high DFS scores.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers – 7:40 PM EDT at American Family Field

• Pitching Matchup: Mitch Keller (Pirates) vs. Colin Rea (Brewers)
  • Mitch Keller has shown improvement with a respectable K% and ERA, potentially challenging the Brewers’ hitters.
  • Colin Rea exhibits higher ERA and xwOBA, which might be exploitable by the Pirates’ lineup.
• Game Insights:
  • Keller’s recent form suggests he could be a sleeper pick in DFS, particularly with his enhanced strikeout ability.
  • Rea’s susceptibility to giving up hits and runs makes the Pirates an intriguing underdog stack.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Texas Rangers – 8:05 PM EDT at Globe Life Field

• Pitching Matchup: Tanner Bibee (Guardians) vs. Michael Lorenzen (Rangers)
  • Tanner Bibee presents a balanced profile with a solid K% and reasonable control, poised to handle the Rangers’ lineup.
  • Michael Lorenzen has similar metrics but struggles more significantly with maintaining run control.
• Game Insights:
  • Bibee’s ability to manage games could be key in a ballpark that favors hitters.
  • Lorenzen’s inconsistencies make him a potential liability, suggesting the Guardians might have the upper hand in scoring.

Oakland Athletics vs. Houston Astros – 8:10 PM EDT at Minute Maid Park

• Pitching Matchup: Ross Stripling (Athletics) vs. Spencer Arrighetti (Astros)
  • Ross Stripling has shown moderate effectiveness but faces a tough Astros lineup that excels against right-hand pitching.
  • Spencer Arrighetti struggles with high ERA and walk rates, potentially offering the Athletics some scoring opportunities.
• Game Insights:
  • Stripling needs to leverage his experience against a powerful Astros offense.
  • Arrighetti’s high ERA and walk rate make him a risky DFS play, possibly favoring Athletics’ hitters for value picks.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Angels – 9:38 PM EDT at Angel Stadium

• Pitching Matchup: Matthew Liberatore (Cardinals) vs. Jose Soriano (Angels)
  • Matthew Liberatore shows a propensity for allowing hits but could benefit from the Angels’ less aggressive batting approach.
  • Jose Soriano has a high strikeout rate but struggles with control, presenting a double-edged sword for DFS considerations.
• Game Insights:
  • Liberatore’s ability to manage contact will be crucial in limiting the Angels’ scoring.
  • Soriano’s high K% offers upside, but his control issues could lead to high-scoring opportunities for the Cardinals.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks – 9:40 PM EDT at Chase Field

• Pitching Matchup: Graham Ashcraft (Reds) vs. Jordan Montgomery (Diamondbacks)
  • Graham Ashcraft and Jordan Montgomery both present middle-of-the-road statistics with moderate vulnerabilities that could be exploited by opposing hitters.
• Game Insights:
  • Both pitchers face lineups that have shown variability in their offensive output, suggesting a potentially high-scoring game.

Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres – 9:40 PM EDT at Petco Park

• Pitching Matchup: Dakota Hudson (Rockies) vs. Randy Vasquez (Padres)
  • Dakota Hudson is known for inducing ground balls, which might help in Petco Park, known for suppressing home runs.
  • Randy Vasquez has shown some susceptibility but also possesses the ability to manage games effectively.
• Game Insights:
  • Hudson’s groundball strategy will be essential in controlling the Padres’ power hitters.
  • Vasquez’s mixed results this season suggest the Rockies could have opportunities if they manage to elevate the ball.

Kansas City Royals vs. Seattle Mariners – 9:40 PM EDT at T-Mobile Park

• Pitching Matchup: Brady Singer (Royals) vs. George Kirby (Mariners)
  • Brady Singer offers a solid groundball rate but faces a Mariners lineup that can capitalize on mistakes.
  • George Kirby exhibits better control and efficiency, making him a strong candidate for a quality start.
• Game Insights:
  • Singer’s approach will need to be spot-on to navigate through the Mariners’ lineup.
  • Kirby’s low walk rate and effective pitching mechanics make him a safer DFS option.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants – 9:45 PM EDT at Oracle Park

• Pitching Matchup: Gavin Stone (Dodgers) vs. Jordan Hicks (Giants)
  • Gavin Stone shows promise but faces a challenging Giants lineup that can be quite resilient at home.
  • Jordan Hicks is effective against left-handers, which will be key against a Dodgers lineup featuring several potent lefties.
• Game Insights:
  • Stone’s ability to handle pressure will be tested against the experienced Giants.
  • Hicks’ matchup against Dodgers’ left-handers will be critical in determining his DFS value.

This comprehensive preview provides a deeper look into the pitching duels set for today’s games, highlighting the strategic elements that could define the DFS landscape. As you finalize your lineups, consider these insights to enhance your decision-making process.