MLB Preview Sunday 6/9/24

Welcome to today’s MLB DFS Preview. We’ll dive into each game on today’s slate, focusing primarily on the pitching matchups and overall game dynamics. This will help you get a comprehensive understanding of the slate, setting the stage for our later discussion on top hitters and stacks.

Giants @ Rangers – 1:05pm (ET) – Globe Life Field

Pitching Matchup: Keaton Winn (R) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (R)

Key Insights:

• Keaton Winn has shown promise but struggles against right-handed hitters with a .351 xwOBA.
• Nathan Eovaldi has been solid, particularly against left-handed hitters with a .278 xwOBA.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Rangers’ lineup is potent against right-handed pitching, featuring hitters like Marcus Semien and Corey Seager who have high xwOBA and ISO.
• The Giants have a mixed bag against right-handed pitchers but have power threats like Michael Conforto and Matt Chapman.

Statistics:

• Winn vs. RHB: .351 xwOBA
• Eovaldi vs. LHB: .278 xwOBA

Twins @ Pirates – 1:35pm (ET) – PNC Park

Pitching Matchup: Bailey Ober (R) vs. Jared Jones (R)

Key Insights:

• Bailey Ober has been effective, especially against right-handed hitters with a .317 xwOBA.
• Jared Jones excels against left-handed hitters with a .281 xwOBA, making it an interesting matchup against the Twins’ lefty-heavy lineup.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Pirates’ hitters like Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski have decent power numbers and will look to exploit Ober’s minor weaknesses.
• The Twins have power threats such as Trevor Larnach and Max Kepler, who could challenge Jones.

Statistics:

• Ober vs. RHB: .317 xwOBA
• Jones vs. LHB: .281 xwOBA

Braves @ Nationals – 1:35pm (ET) – Nationals Park

Pitching Matchup: Hurston Waldrep (R) vs. DJ Herz (L)

Key Insights:

• Hurston Waldrep is making his debut, and the Nationals will look to capitalize on his inexperience.
• DJ Herz has limited major league experience, with a concerning .487 xwOBA in limited innings against left-handed hitters.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Nationals’ lineup has a mix of contact and power hitters who can exploit Waldrep’s inexperience.
• The Braves’ hitters like Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley have strong power numbers against lefties, making Herz’s day potentially challenging.

Statistics:

• Waldrep: Debut
• Herz vs. LHB: .487 xwOBA

Cubs @ Reds – 1:40pm (ET) – Great American Ball Park

Pitching Matchup: Shota Imanaga (L) vs. Frankie Montas (R)

Key Insights:

• Shota Imanaga has been effective against right-handed hitters, with a .271 xwOBA.
• Frankie Montas has struggled, especially against left-handed hitters with a .372 xwOBA.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Reds have a powerful lineup against left-handed pitchers, with Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson standing out.
• The Cubs’ left-handed hitters like Mike Tauchman and Cody Bellinger could take advantage of Montas’ struggles.

Statistics:

• Imanaga vs. RHB: .271 xwOBA
• Montas vs. LHB: .372 xwOBA

Orioles @ Rays – 1:40pm (ET) – Tropicana Field

Pitching Matchup: Grayson Rodriguez (R) vs. Zack Littell (R)

Key Insights:

• Grayson Rodriguez has solid strikeout numbers, especially against right-handed hitters with a .308 xwOBA.
• Zack Littell is consistent but has a higher xwOBA against left-handed hitters at .319.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Rays’ lineup features several power hitters like Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena who can challenge Rodriguez.
• The Orioles’ left-handed hitters like Gunnar Henderson could exploit Littell’s minor weaknesses.

Statistics:

• Rodriguez vs. RHB: .308 xwOBA
• Littell vs. LHB: .319 xwOBA

Guardians @ Marlins – 1:40pm (ET) – loanDepot Park

Pitching Matchup: Carlos Carrasco (R) vs. Trevor Rogers (L)

Key Insights:

• Carlos Carrasco has struggled against left-handed hitters with a .393 xwOBA.
• Trevor Rogers has been more effective but has some issues against right-handed hitters with a .361 xwOBA.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Marlins’ left-handed hitters like Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jesus Sanchez can take advantage of Carrasco’s struggles.
• The Guardians’ lineup has several switch-hitters and left-handed hitters like Steven Kwan who could challenge Rogers.

Statistics:

• Carrasco vs. LHB: .393 xwOBA
• Rogers vs. RHB: .361 xwOBA

Brewers @ Tigers – 1:40pm (ET) – Comerica Park

Pitching Matchup: Bryse Wilson (R) vs. Tarik Skubal (L)

Key Insights:

• Bryse Wilson has significant struggles against left-handed hitters with a .378 xwOBA.
• Tarik Skubal has been excellent against right-handed hitters with a .249 xwOBA.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Tigers’ left-handed hitters like Riley Greene can exploit Wilson’s weaknesses.
• The Brewers have power threats like William Contreras and Willy Adames who could challenge Skubal.

Statistics:

• Wilson vs. LHB: .378 xwOBA
• Skubal vs. RHB: .249 xwOBA

Mariners @ Royals – 2:10pm (ET) – Kauffman Stadium

Pitching Matchup: George Kirby (R) vs. Cole Ragans (L)

Key Insights:

• George Kirby has been solid, especially against right-handed hitters with a .303 xwOBA.
• Cole Ragans has excelled against right-handed hitters with a .276 xwOBA.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Royals’ lineup has some power hitters like Bobby Witt Jr. who could challenge Kirby.
• The Mariners’ right-handed hitters like Julio Rodriguez could be a tough matchup for Ragans.

Statistics:

• Kirby vs. RHB: .303 xwOBA
• Ragans vs. RHB: .276 xwOBA

Red Sox @ White Sox – 2:10pm (ET) – Guaranteed Rate Field

Pitching Matchup: Zack Kelly (R) vs. Chris Flexen (R)

Key Insights:

• Zack Kelly has struggled with control, having a high walk rate.
• Chris Flexen has issues with right-handed hitters, with a .384 xwOBA.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The White Sox have several power hitters like Luis Robert and Gavin Sheets who can exploit Kelly’s control issues.
• The Red Sox lineup, featuring Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran, could capitalize on Flexen’s struggles against right-handed hitters.

Statistics:

• Kelly: High BB%
• Flexen vs. RHB: .384 xwOBA

Rockies @ Cardinals – 2:15pm (ET) – Busch Stadium

Pitching Matchup: Ty Blach (L) vs. Andre Pallante (R)

Key Insights:

• Ty Blach has struggled, especially against right-handed hitters with a .407 xwOBA.
• Andre Pallante has moderate control issues but decent strikeout numbers.

Overall Game Matchup:

• The Cardinals have power threats like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado who can take advantage of Blach’s struggles.
• The Rockies’ hitters, including Ryan McMahon and Charlie Blackmon, could challenge Pallante.

Statistics:

• Blach vs. RHB: .407 xwOBA
• Pallante: Moderate control issues

This wraps up our pitching preview for today’s MLB DFS slate. Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis on top hitters and stacks later today. Happy DFS planning!