P Marco Estrada, MIL vs. MIN First up is Estrada, a player we discussed in this week’s Keep an Eye On … article. We expect his 19.0 HR/FB rate to regress, and when it does, he should be a very good starter, as is evidenced by his 20/3 K/BB ratio in the rotation this year. His first homerless start could be today against the Twins, who are one of the worst teams in the majors at hitting balls out of the park. I like Estrada for 6-7 innings, 1-3 runs and a handful of Ks as his team picks up a win.
1B Paul Goldschmidt, ARI at KC Though he hasn’t shown it this season, Goldschmidt has a mutli-HR power upside every time he plays. With eight HRs in 156 at-bats last year, we would be forgiven for expecting more than two bombs in 108 at-bats so far. Goldschmidt and his .219 average took a step in the right direction Thursday, going 2-for-3 with two walks. He could have a similar game against Luis Mendoza, who has a 13/18 K/BB ratio this year.
2B Marco Scutaro, COL vs. SEA Kevin Millwood posted decent numbers across the board in 2011, but when he was at home, he posted a 6.95 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. Why am I bringing this up? Because that home was Coors Field, and Millwood returns to the scene of the crime on Friday. I expect a lot of runs from the Rockies and Scutaro, the team’s leadoff hitter and the owner of an 8/11 K/BB ratio, stands to benefit.
3B Wilson Betemit, BAL at WAS . On the surface, Betemit has a tough matchup against Edwin Jackson, who has a 38/9 K/BB ratio and a 1.01 WHIP this year. However, lefties are slugging over .500 against him this season, which benefits the switch-hitting Betemit, who performs better against righties anyway (.529 slugging and five HRs in 70 at-bats). Expect Betemit to hit his seventh HR of the year tonight.
SS Brian Dozier, MIN at MIL If you’re not buying Estrada tonight and rolling with a safer, more-expensive option (and I totally understand if you do), Dozier almost becomes a must-play. He’s hitting .298 with two HRs and three doubles in his 11 games with the club, with all that power production coming in his last six games. He’s settled into the two hole and has some nice run upside as well.
C Ryan Hanigan, CIN at NYY . Andy Pettitte was tagged for seven hits and two HRs in his debut (and that’s two HRs against the Mariners), also walking three guys in 6.1 innings. That fits well for Hanigan, whose OPS is about 100 points higher against lefties in his career anyway. He’s 11-for-31 in May, so a hit or two against Pettitte seems likely. You also have to like his odds at banging his first homer of the season.
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1B Paul Goldschmidt, ARI at KC Though he hasn’t shown it this season, Goldschmidt has a mutli-HR power upside every time he plays. With eight HRs in 156 at-bats last year, we would be forgiven for expecting more than two bombs in 108 at-bats so far. Goldschmidt and his .219 average took a step in the right direction Thursday, going 2-for-3 with two walks. He could have a similar game against Luis Mendoza, who has a 13/18 K/BB ratio this year.
2B Marco Scutaro, COL vs. SEA Kevin Millwood posted decent numbers across the board in 2011, but when he was at home, he posted a 6.95 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. Why am I bringing this up? Because that home was Coors Field, and Millwood returns to the scene of the crime on Friday. I expect a lot of runs from the Rockies and Scutaro, the team’s leadoff hitter and the owner of an 8/11 K/BB ratio, stands to benefit.
3B Wilson Betemit, BAL at WAS . On the surface, Betemit has a tough matchup against Edwin Jackson, who has a 38/9 K/BB ratio and a 1.01 WHIP this year. However, lefties are slugging over .500 against him this season, which benefits the switch-hitting Betemit, who performs better against righties anyway (.529 slugging and five HRs in 70 at-bats). Expect Betemit to hit his seventh HR of the year tonight.
SS Brian Dozier, MIN at MIL If you’re not buying Estrada tonight and rolling with a safer, more-expensive option (and I totally understand if you do), Dozier almost becomes a must-play. He’s hitting .298 with two HRs and three doubles in his 11 games with the club, with all that power production coming in his last six games. He’s settled into the two hole and has some nice run upside as well.
C Ryan Hanigan, CIN at NYY . Andy Pettitte was tagged for seven hits and two HRs in his debut (and that’s two HRs against the Mariners), also walking three guys in 6.1 innings. That fits well for Hanigan, whose OPS is about 100 points higher against lefties in his career anyway. He’s 11-for-31 in May, so a hit or two against Pettitte seems likely. You also have to like his odds at banging his first homer of the season.
Also like
lance lynn
Adam Laroche
Cano
Troy T
cuddyer