MLB Preview Thursday 7/4/24

Happy Fourth of July! We have an exciting MLB slate today, perfect for a full day of DFS action. In this article, we’ll break down each game, focusing on the pitching matchups and key insights for your DFS lineups. Let’s dive into today’s slate.

New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals – 11:05 AM EDT – Nationals Park

Pitching Matchup: Jose Quintana (LHP) vs. Jake Irvin (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Jose Quintana: Quintana has been inconsistent with a high xERA of 5.27 and a low K% of 18%. His struggles are notable against right-handed hitters (.317 wOBA).
• Jake Irvin: Irvin has been solid with a 3.71 xERA and a moderate K% of 20%. He has a strong ground ball rate (44%), which could limit the Mets’ power.

Expect a relatively high-scoring game given both pitchers’ vulnerabilities, especially with Quintana’s struggles against right-handed bats and Irvin’s moderate strikeout ability.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – 12:35 PM EDT – PNC Park

Pitching Matchup: Andre Pallante (RHP) vs. Martin Perez (LHP)

Game Insight:

• Andre Pallante: Pallante has a decent xERA of 3.81 but a low strikeout rate (16%). His 72% ground ball rate is elite, making him a ground ball machine.
• Martin Perez: Perez has a high xERA of 6.04 and a low K% of 16%. He struggles against right-handed hitters (.358 wOBA).

Pallante’s ground ball ability could limit damage, while Perez’s struggles against righties make the Cardinals’ lineup appealing.

Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Yankees – 1:05 PM EDT – Yankee Stadium

Pitching Matchup: Frankie Montas (RHP) vs. Marcus Stroman (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Frankie Montas: Montas has a 4.53 xERA and a moderate K% of 19%. His high walk rate (10%) could be an issue against the disciplined Yankees lineup.
• Marcus Stroman: Stroman has a 4.35 xERA and a solid ground ball rate (54%). His moderate strikeout ability (19%) could limit upside.

Stroman’s ground ball rate could keep the Yankees’ power in check, while Montas’s control issues could be problematic against the Yankees.

Houston Astros vs. Toronto Blue Jays – 1:07 PM EDT – Rogers Centre

Pitching Matchup: Framber Valdez (LHP) vs. Chris Bassitt (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Framber Valdez: Valdez has a solid xERA of 4.03 and a good ground ball rate (57%). His strikeout ability (23%) is also notable.
• Chris Bassitt: Bassitt has a 4.12 xERA and a moderate K% of 22%. He has been solid but faces a tough Astros lineup.

Both pitchers are solid, but Valdez’s ground ball rate and strikeout ability give him an edge.

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins – 1:10 PM EDT – Target Field

Pitching Matchup: Kenta Maeda (RHP) vs. Bailey Ober (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Kenta Maeda: Maeda has a high xERA of 4.78 and a decent K% of 24%. His inconsistency and high hard contact rate (31%) are concerns.
• Bailey Ober: Ober has a 3.63 xERA and a strong K% of 26%. His control (6% BB%) and strikeout ability make him a solid option.

Ober’s strikeout ability and control give him a significant edge over Maeda.

Boston Red Sox vs. Miami Marlins – 1:10 PM EDT – loanDepot park

Pitching Matchup: Nick Pivetta (RHP) vs. Kyle Tyler (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Nick Pivetta: Pivetta has a solid xERA of 3.92 and a high strikeout rate (30%). His only concern is his walk rate (8%).
• Kyle Tyler: Tyler has a 3.58 xERA but a low K% of 16%. His high ground ball rate (63%) could limit damage.

Pivetta’s strikeout ability makes him a strong play, while Tyler’s ground ball rate could limit the Red Sox’s offense.

Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians – 1:10 PM EDT – Progressive Field

Pitching Matchup: Jared Shuster (LHP) vs. Ben Lively (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Jared Shuster: Shuster has a high xERA of 4.94 and a low strikeout rate (14%). His struggles against righties (.328 wOBA) are notable.
• Ben Lively: Lively has a solid xERA of 3.65 and a decent K% of 21%. His control (7% BB%) and moderate strikeout ability make him a viable option.

Lively’s control and moderate strikeout ability give him an edge, while Shuster’s struggles make him a risky play.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs – 2:20 PM EDT – Wrigley Field

Pitching Matchup: Cristopher Sanchez (LHP) vs. Jameson Taillon (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Cristopher Sanchez: Sanchez has a low xERA of 3.33 and a strong ground ball rate (59%). His strikeout ability (23%) is solid.
• Jameson Taillon: Taillon has a 3.63 xERA and a decent K% of 21%. His moderate strikeout ability and control (6% BB%) are positive.

Sanchez’s ground ball rate and strikeout ability make him a strong option, while Taillon’s moderate strikeout ability provides stability.

San Diego Padres vs. Texas Rangers – 2:35 PM EDT – Globe Life Field

Pitching Matchup: Mike King (RHP) vs. Max Scherzer (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Mike King: King has a 3.84 xERA and a high K% of 28%. His control (8% BB%) and strikeout ability are notable.
• Max Scherzer: Scherzer has a low xERA of 2.12 and a high K% of 28%. His elite strikeout ability and control make him a top option.

Scherzer’s elite strikeout ability and control give him a significant edge, while King’s strikeout ability makes him a solid secondary option.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics – 4:07 PM EDT – Oakland Coliseum

Pitching Matchup: Roansy Contreras (RHP) vs. JP Sears (LHP)

Game Insight:

• Roansy Contreras: Contreras has a high xERA of 4.68 and a moderate K% of 19%. His control (11% BB%) is a concern.
• JP Sears: Sears has a 4.68 xERA and a moderate K% of 20%. His control (7% BB%) and strikeout ability are average.

Both pitchers have concerns, making this game a potential high-scoring affair.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Seattle Mariners – 4:10 PM EDT – T-Mobile Park

Pitching Matchup: Corbin Burnes (RHP) vs. Bryce Miller (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Corbin Burnes: Burnes has a low xERA of 2.96 and a high K% of 25%. His strikeout ability and control (8% BB%) make him a top option.
• Bryce Miller: Miller has a 4.20 xERA and a decent K% of 23%. His control (6% BB%) and moderate strikeout ability are positive.

Burnes’s elite strikeout ability and control make him a strong play, while Miller’s moderate strikeout ability provides stability.

San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves – 7:20 PM EDT – Truist Park

Pitching Matchup: Logan Webb (RHP) vs. Charlie Morton (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Logan Webb: Webb has a 4.14 xERA and a solid ground ball rate (61%). His control (4% BB%) and moderate strikeout ability (22%) are positive.
• Charlie Morton: Morton has a 4.17 xERA and a high K% of 25%. His control (11% BB%) and strikeout ability are notable.

Both pitchers have solid strikeout ability, but Morton’s control issues make Webb a slightly safer option.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals – 8:10 PM EDT – Kauffman Stadium

Pitching Matchup: Zach Eflin (RHP) vs. Alec Marsh (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Zach Eflin: Eflin has a 3.30 xERA and a high K% of 24%. His control (3% BB%) and ground ball rate (47%) make him a strong option.
• Alec Marsh: Marsh has a high xERA of 4.91 and a moderate K% of 23%. His control (9% BB%) and hard contact rate (36%) are concerns.

Eflin’s control and strikeout ability make him a strong play, while Marsh’s struggles make him a risky option.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Colorado Rockies – 8:10 PM EDT – Coors Field

Pitching Matchup: Tobias Myers (RHP) vs. Cal Quantrill (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Tobias Myers: Myers has a 4.06 xERA and a moderate K% of 22%. His control (8% BB%) and hard contact rate (26%) are positive.
• Cal Quantrill: Quantrill has a 4.23 xERA and a low K% of 15%. His control (8% BB%) and ground ball rate (44%) are average.

Myers’s strikeout ability makes him a viable option, while Quantrill’s low strikeout rate and hard contact rate are concerns.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – 9:10 PM EDT – Dodger Stadium

Pitching Matchup: Zac Gallen (RHP) vs. Landon Knack (RHP)

Game Insight:

• Zac Gallen: Gallen has a 3.73 xERA and a high K% of 26%. His control (6% BB%) and strikeout ability make him a top option.
• Landon Knack: Knack has a 3.53 xERA and a moderate K% of 21%. His control (7% BB%) and hard contact rate (37%) are concerns.

Gallen’s strikeout ability and control make him a strong play, while Knack’s moderate strikeout ability provides stability.

That’s our preview for today’s MLB DFS slate. Stay tuned for more insights on top hitters and stacks later today. Enjoy the games and best of luck with your DFS lineups!