MLB Preview Thursday 5/23/24

Welcome to today’s MLB DFS Preview. We have an exciting slate of games with intriguing pitching matchups that will impact your DFS decisions. Let’s dive into each game, focusing on the pitching duels and overall game dynamics.

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San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – 12:35 PM EDT – PNC Park

Pitching Matchup

• San Francisco Giants: Mason Black (RHP)
  • Stats: 14% K%, 12% BB%, 6.23 ERA, 5.84 SIERA
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skenes (RHP)
  • Stats: 35% K%, 10% BB%, 6.75 ERA, 2.81 SIERA

Game Insights

• Giants Offense: Averaging 3.81 runs per game. Struggles against RHP, with a .301 wOBA.
• Pirates Offense: Averaging 4.69 runs per game. Strong against RHP, with a .315 wOBA.
• Key Points:
  • Skenes’ high strikeout rate is a significant advantage for the Pirates.
  • Black’s high xERA and low strikeout rate make him vulnerable against the Pirates lineup.
  • Look for the Pirates to exploit Black’s weaknesses, especially in the later innings.

Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees – 12:35 PM EDT – Yankee Stadium

Pitching Matchup

• Seattle Mariners: Luis Castillo (RHP)
  • Stats: 28% K%, 7% BB%, 3.33 ERA, 3.56 SIERA
• New York Yankees: Luis Gil (RHP)
  • Stats: 27% K%, 15% BB%, 2.51 ERA, 4.32 SIERA

Game Insights

• Mariners Offense: Averaging 3.74 runs per game. Moderate against RHP, with a .299 wOBA.
• Yankees Offense: Averaging 4.26 runs per game. Strong against RHP, with a .343 wOBA.
• Key Points:
  • Castillo’s solid peripherals make him a reliable option, but he faces a potent Yankees lineup.
  • Gil’s high walk rate could lead to trouble against patient Mariners hitters.
  • Expect a strategic game with both teams trying to exploit the opposing pitchers’ weaknesses.

Texas Rangers vs. Philadelphia Phillies – 1:05 PM EDT – Citizens Bank Park

Pitching Matchup

• Texas Rangers: Andrew Heaney (LHP)
  • Stats: 23% K%, 9% BB%, 4.21 ERA, 4.25 SIERA
• Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler (RHP)
  • Stats: 28% K%, 6% BB%, 3.38 ERA, 3.41 SIERA

Game Insights

• Rangers Offense: Averaging 3.48 runs per game. Moderate against RHP, with a .325 wOBA.
• Phillies Offense: Averaging 5.02 runs per game. Strong against LHP, with a .332 wOBA.
• Key Points:
  • Wheeler’s elite control and strikeout ability favor the Phillies.
  • Heaney’s vulnerability to high-contact teams makes the Phillies a tough opponent.
  • Phillies are likely to capitalize on Heaney’s inconsistency, especially with their strong offensive metrics.

San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds – 1:10 PM EDT – Great American Ball Park

Pitching Matchup

• San Diego Padres: Matt Waldron (RHP)
  • Stats: 19% K%, 8% BB%, 4.91 ERA, 4.57 SIERA
• Cincinnati Reds: Frankie Montas (RHP)
  • Stats: 18% K%, 9% BB%, 4.02 ERA, 4.61 SIERA

Game Insights

• Padres Offense: Averaging 4.75 runs per game. Strong against RHP, with a .338 wOBA.
• Reds Offense: Averaging 4.75 runs per game. Moderate against RHP, with a .31 wOBA.
• Key Points:
  • Both pitchers have struggled, suggesting a high-scoring game.
  • Reds’ offense needs to exploit Waldron’s high xERA and lower strikeout rate.
  • Padres’ lineup depth could challenge Montas throughout the game.

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Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM EDT – Wrigley Field

Pitching Matchup

• Atlanta Braves: AJ Smith-Shawver (RHP)
  • Stats: 19% K%, 11% BB%, 5.25 ERA, 4.26 SIERA
• Chicago Cubs: Ben Brown (RHP)
  • Stats: 26% K%, 9% BB%, 3.73 ERA, 3.62 SIERA

Game Insights

• Braves Offense: Averaging 4.68 runs per game. Strong against RHP, with a .324 wOBA.
• Cubs Offense: Averaging 4.32 runs per game. Strong against RHP, with a .311 wOBA.
• Key Points:
  • Brown’s solid SIERA suggests he can handle the Braves’ powerful lineup.
  • Smith-Shawver’s high walk rate could be a concern against the Cubs’ disciplined hitters.
  • Expect a competitive game with both offenses looking to take advantage of the opposing pitchers’ weaknesses.

Colorado Rockies vs. Oakland Athletics – 3:37 PM EDT – Oakland Coliseum

Pitching Matchup

• Colorado Rockies: Ryan Feltner (RHP)
  • Stats: 20% K%, 10% BB%, 5.5 ERA, 4.68 SIERA
• Oakland Athletics: Joey Estes (RHP)
  • Stats: 19% K%, 3% BB%, 5.4 ERA, 4.8 SIERA

Game Insights

• Rockies Offense: Averaging 3.65 runs per game. Moderate against RHP, with a .313 wOBA.
• Athletics Offense: Averaging 3.85 runs per game. Moderate against RHP, with a .329 wOBA.
• Key Points:
  • Both pitchers have struggled, making this a potential high-scoring game.
  • Feltner’s high ERA and SIERA suggest the Athletics could find success offensively.
  • Estes’ control issues could be exploited by Rockies’ hitters, particularly those with good plate discipline.

By using this structured SWOT analysis approach, you can gain key insights into today’s MLB DFS slate, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of the pitching matchups. Stay tuned for our top hitters and stacks later today to complete your optimal DFS lineup!