Did you know a barium enema involves x-raying your colon after it has been filled with a contrasting liquid? We have no such procedure for fantasy baseball when a player like Jaime Barria posts excellent numbers with questionable supporting stats, like a low BABIP and high FB%. Do we use him on Draft.com tonight? We’ll have to find our own way to look under the hood, so to speak.
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Aaron Nola, SP: Early. Rockies+Road=Bad. They’re a bottom five offense in baseball on the road, with a wRC+ of 80 (100 is average). Nola has been one of baseball’s most consistent pitchers. He’s got everything working with a career-high 11.5 SwStr%.
Mike Foltynewicz, SP: Middle. The fact that I can spell his last name without looking it up should tell you what kind of season Folty’s having. High strikeouts and low runs makes for an excellent fantasy commodity at pitcher. He has surged to 10.7 K/9 and a 2.31 ERA this season.
Jaime Barria, SP: Late. The rookie has quietly shuttled between the minors and Angels roster while putting together a 2.48 ERA. His peripherals point to that being unlikely to continue. Where do we draw the line and say his value isn’t worth the risk? I could be wrong, but I don’t think it’s tonight. The Mariners put a good amount of balls in play, which could feed into the success he’s found mixing sliders to righties and change-ups to lefties. Safeco provides some added security, as well.
J.D. Martinez, IF: Early. Batter vs pitcher isn’t all that predictive, but two home runs in two at-bats tends to catch your eye. One of the best power hitters going right now.
Jose Ramirez, IF: Middle. Getting dialed in again. His 15-day statcast numbers are all spiking. The most interesting one to me is an increase of 36 feet in average batted ball distance. He’s going to find the outfield bleachers with that kind of power surge.
Greg Bird, IF: Late. Giancarlo Stanton seems to have a good scouting report on Tanner Roark from his time with the Marlins. I’d expect their lineup to be well prepared for Roark, who’s good for the occasional tire fire. The Birdman of New York hasn’t quite gotten going since returning. I’ve got a feeling that changes tonight.
Tommy Pham, OF: Early. Pham’s aggressive approach could thrive on a bullpen game. His splits are a tick better against LHP, but he gets it done vs RHP (.403/.369 wOBA). The Padres are starting lefty Matt Strahm, so he’ll get an at-bat or two from his better split.
Kyle Schwarber, OF: Middle. Miller Park is lefty heaven. There’s no way Schwarbs is leaving Milwaukee without a dong. He took the night off last night (0/3), presumably to continue his pilates or whatever it is that has kept his figure so trim. Tonight he feasts.
Matt Kemp, OF: Late. Kemp’s hard contact is through the roof lately with a 47 HH%. Against Bartolo Colon, that should play.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
Rather quiet on the rain front tonight. The only notable weather pattern is a chance of a thunderstorm in Atlanta. There’s a bit of a cross wind in Yankee Stadium, blowing from right to left.
Doing Lines in Vegas
Give me the over (9.5) on the Cubs-Brewers. Tyler Chatwood and Chase Anderson have been trainwrecks on the mound lately.
