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MLB DFS: Bulletproof Bashers-Sat. July 27 Evening Slates

By Juan Carlos Blanco

ATLANTA, GA JULY 19: Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a game-winning walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on July 19th, 2019 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA JULY 19: Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a game-winning walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on July 19th, 2019 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MLB DFS: Bulletproof Bashers- Sat., July 27 Evening Slates- C, 1B, 2B

CATCHER:

Jason Castro, MIN:

Opposing Starting Pitcher: RH Ivan Nova (CWS)

Castro finds himself in a good spot all the way around against right-hander Ivan Nova and the White Sox bullpen Saturday. To begin with, Castro owns a career .364/.500/.364 line across 11 career plate appearances versus Nova. Then, Nova checks in allowing a .343 average and .408 wOBA to left-handed hitters in his home park of Guaranteed Rate Field. And, Castro sports a .279 average and has hit all 10 of his homers versus righties, and he blasts them for a .406 wOBA, .288 ISO and 46.0 percent hard-contact rate when facing them on the road.

But that’s only part of the story. Nova utilizes a fastball sinker as his primary pitch against lefty bats, and he allows a .376 wOBA and .362 CXwOBA when utilizing it. In turn, Castro owns a massive .421 wOBA and .465 CXwOBA versus that offering. And the matchup is similarly enticing when Nova deploys his second-most common pitch against lefty bats, the changeup. Castro has blasted that pitch for a .381 wOBA/.432 CXwOBA.

Finally, the White Sox bullpen could keep the good times rolling for Castro when Nova exits, as they’ve yielded a .342 wOBA thus far in the second half of the season.

ALSO CONSIDER: Willson Contreras, CHC

FIRST BASE

Daniel Murphy, COL:

Opposing Starting Pitcher: RH Anthony DeSclafani (CIN)

Murphy walks into Saturday’s matchup against Anthony DeSclafani with plenty of confidence, considering he sports a .467/.438/.867 line with four extra-base hits and zero strikeouts over 16 career plate appearances against him. Part of the reason for Murphy’s success is excellent synergy with some of the right-hander’s pitch splits. Murphy crushes the mid-90s fastball that’s DeSclafani’s favorite pitch against left-handed hitters, as evidenced by his .425 wOBA and minuscule 7.9 percent strikeout rate when facing it.

Murphy isn’t bad against DeSclafani’s second-most used pitch versus lefty bats, the knuckle-curve, either. He boasts a .346 wOBA/.420 CXwOBA versus that pitch, which the Red starter yields a .444 CXwOBA and bloated 52.2 percent hard-contact rate on. And whenever DeSclafani and his .402 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters exits the game, the getting remains potentially good for Murphy — the Reds bullpen has allowed a 5.40 ERA and .351 wOBA since play resumed following the All-Star break.

ALSO CONSIDER: Joey Votto, CIN

SECOND BASE

Danny Santana, TEX (also OF eligible)

Opposing Starting Pitcher: RH Homer Bailey (OAK)

Santana is just a couple of games removed from a six-RBI explosion Thursday night, the latest chapter in his career season. The switch-hitting slugger is bashing both handedness of pitcher, and he’ll face a vulnerable one in Athletics right-hander Homer Bailey on Saturday. Bailey has allowed a respectable. 323 wOBA to left-handed hitters, but that’s been accompanied by a 44.4 percent hard-contact rate. And, Santana checks in with a .389 wOBA, .236 ISO, 28.9 percent line-drive rate and matching 44.4 percent hard-contact rate against righties.

Santana matches up nicely with Bailey’s pitch-split profile against left-handed bats. The low 90s fastball that serves as Bailey’s top pitch against lefty bats is one that Santana owns a .455 wOBA , .396 CXwOBA and jaw-dropping 54.6 percent hard-contact rate against. Even the fastball splitter, which is Bailey’s second-favorite pitch against left-handed hitters, is on that Santana has seen over a very small sample, but that he’s generated a .393 CXwOBA against.

The Athletics bullpen could also be a target for Santana, considering it’s allowed 11 extra-base hits (five doubles, one triple, five home runs) in the second half of the season thus far, helping lead to a 4.35 ERA and 5.82 xFIP in that stretch.