Fansided

FanDuel Lineup and Picks for Wednesday, May 16

By Adam Strangis

WASHINGTON, D.C. - OCTOBER 12: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches during Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - OCTOBER 12: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches during Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MAY 15: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after hitting a solo homer in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at SunTrust Park on May 15, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 15: Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after hitting a solo homer in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at SunTrust Park on May 15, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Cubs at Braves

Cubs Probable Starter – Tyler Chatwood, RHP

3.35 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 22.9 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .242 average, .339 wOBA, 27.1 fly ball rate and 34.6 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .151 average, .279 wOBA, 34.1 fly ball rate and 19.1 hard contact rate

Chatwood would actually likely be a pretty solid pitcher if it wasn’t for one Achilles heel – his walk rate. It’s over 19 percent, which is insanely high. Chatwood has walked at least five batters in five of his last six starts. Against the Atlanta offense, you don’t want to give them extra outs as they could really put it to Chatwood tonight. Ronald Acuna, Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis and Johan Carmago all have walk percentages over 10 percent this year. Chatwood is in a very poor spot and he’s going to struggle with this lineup.

Braves Hitters to Target

Elite Options – Ronald Acuna, Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, Johan Carmago, Freddie Freeman

Secondary Options – Ozzie Albies

Braves Probable Starter – Brandon McCarthy, RHP

5.58 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 16.5 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .239 average, .365 wOBA, 26.0 fly ball rate and 20.0 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .380 average, .414 wOBA, 17.9 fly ball rate and 32.2 hard contact rate

McCarthy hasn’t had a quality start since the beginning of April and there’s at least a chance he’s pitching for his job tonight. The Braves have young arms that could replace him. Pitching against the Chicago Cubs isn’t ideal and McCarthy is in a tough spot tonight. This game could feature the most runs of the evening as neither pitcher looks like they’ll succeed. I have plenty of interest in the Cubs offense tonight, depending on how many players I can fit in with a starting pitcher.

Cubs Hitters to Target

Elite Options – Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber

Secondary Options – Willson Contreras

Home Run Pick –  Javier Baez

ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 29: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros pitches in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers on Opening Day at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 29: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros pitches in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers on Opening Day at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Astros at Angels

Astros Probable Starter – Justin Verlander, RHP

1.21 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 34.5 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .116 average, .182 wOBA, 56.9 fly ball rate and 20.8 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .170 average, .229 wOBA, 57.1 fly ball rate and 27.3 hard contact rate

If you read this column yesterday, I was hesitant to play Verlander’s teammate Gerrit Cole in this matchup because the Angels have a low strikeout rate. They also hav a righty heavy lineup and that’s where Verlander is slightly worse. Granted, it’s not bad by any stretch. This spot is the same drill as last night. I won’t play Verlander and I’m not going to try to pick a one off player to hit a home run off of him. Stack up the Angels or just let this one go.

Angels Hitters to Target

Elite Options – None

Secondary Options – Mike Trout, Justin Upton

Angels Probable Starter – Garrett Richards, RHP

4.08 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 28.8 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .171 average, .273 wOBA, 25.5 fly ball rate and 25.5 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .269 average, .332 wOBA, 26.5 fly ball rate and 38.8 hard contact rate

Playing Richards is basically playing roulette over the past few starts. His last five starts have ended with 33, 55, -4, 54 and 19 points in order. What’s going to be the result tonight? I’m kind of tempted to just put the shrug emoji in here because I truly don’t know. I would lean towards the Astros being able to have their way with Richards tonight. Houston is top 10 against the fastball so far this season and Richards throws his fastball over 50 percent of the time. I still don’t think I’ll have a ton of exposure to this game in general.

Astros Hitters to Target

Elite Options – Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman

Secondary Options – Jose Altuve, George Springer

Home Run Pick – Carlos Correa