JV is pitching like Varsity! Okay, bad line, but Justin Verlander continues to scorch right now. He’s coming off a nine strikeout game in six innings against the Mets and posted 11 K’s in a complete game the start prior. Continuing to go back, he’s posting a 1.85 ERA since July 2nd which is seven starts. He’s striking out a whopping 57 in those 48.2 IP including 9+ in four of his last five games. Now he faces the Mariners who have slipped to a below average offense in the last 30 days while striking out at the 6th highest rate. Verlander will certainly benefit from the large dimensions at Safeco Field tonight.
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If you’re willing to take on the risk, there is potentail upside reward in Robbie Ray tonight. Despite an ugly 4.94 ERA over his last four starts, Ray has struck out 37 batters in those 23.2 IP. His whopping 14.07 K/9 is by far the best on this slate in the last thirty days. Ray has been hit hard in his last three, surrendering five runs to Washington, five runs in Milwaukee and five runs in Cincinnatti. You could argue that the recent stretch was in two very hitter friendly parks and then against a formiddable offense in the Nats. Tonight he will travel to a much better park in Citi Field and faces a Mets team that ranks 24th in wOBA this month and 23rd since acquiring Jay Bruce at the deadline.
Jeff Samardzija has been a roller coaster ride for his owners this season and he’s currently in the midst of an epic low. “The Shark” has a 6.99 ERA over his last eight starts, allowing at least four earned runs in seven of those outings. He’s striking out a pathetic 5.32 batters per nine in his last month and is serving up nearly 2.5 homers per nine in the same span. Now he has to battle the Marlins who are cruising. They own the 8th best wOBA this week and the 9th best in the last thirty days. Only two teams have scored more runs in that 30-day window and they are striking out at the 4th lowest rate. That’s a killer combination for today!
That’s all folks! Be sure to follow me on Twitter for more player analysis and news as starting lineups are released! Commentary based on DraftKings & Fanduel strategy and scoring.