Rangers at Guardians

Lucas Giolito has had a rough go of it lately, especially when it comes to keeping the ball in the park. In his recent start against the Angels, he allowed three home runs, and with the Guardians, he’s repeated that feat. Across his multiple team stints, Giolito sports a concerning 5.03 ERA and surrenders nearly two home runs per nine innings. What’s more, right-handed batters have found success against him, hitting .260 since 2021.

For this stack, we lean towards right-handed hitters. Semien boasts a .278 batting average with 24 homers and 14 stolen bases. Despite being right-handed, he’s managed an impressive .494 slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers since 2021. Garver, while not playing as much, brings considerable power to the plate with 17 homers and a .533 slugging percentage in 73 games this year. Plus, he’s been on fire lately with an OPS of 1.145 over the last 21 days.

Keep an eye on Garver’s status due to a recent foot injury, but if he’s in the lineup, he could be a valuable addition. Lowe, with his .277 average, .376 OBP, and 16 homers, excels against righties with an .870 OPS in those matchups. Giolito’s recent struggles, including a whopping 19 home runs given up in his last 10 starts, make this a favorable matchup for this stack. Seager, in particular, should benefit, entering with a career-high 1.069 OPS.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins boast an impressive offense, and they showed their potential with a 10-run performance in their last game. In 2023, they rank fifth in wRC+ (109) against right-handed pitchers. Over the past 30 days, they’ve been even hotter, sitting at fifth in wRC+ (124) and tied for fifth in ISO (.207). While their road performance is more modest (15th in wRC+ at 97), they have a great opportunity against a struggling pitcher tonight.

Jesse Scholtens, with a 7.54 ERA and a 5.66 xFIP in his last five starts, doesn’t inspire much confidence. To make matters worse for Minnesota’s opponent, the Chicago bullpen has struggled, carrying the sixth-highest ERA this season. All signs point to the Twins having a strong offensive outing.

Houston Astros

The Astros bring a powerhouse offense to the table, ranking eighth in wRC+ (106) against right-handed pitchers this year. When playing away games, they’re second in wRC+ (119), and in the last 30 days, they top the charts with a wRC+ of 142 and are tied for second in ISO (.221).

Zack Greinke, their opponent, has been inconsistent, with a 5.06 ERA and 4.48 xFIP in his last four appearances. Even more concerning for Kansas City is their bullpen, which holds the third-highest ERA in the league. Greinke has been susceptible to home runs, surrendering 25 of them over 126.2 innings.

Astros hitters should feel confident stepping into the batter’s box, especially Alvarez, who boasts a .584 slugging percentage despite playing in just 99 games due to injuries.

Cubs at Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks haven’t had a stellar season, and their pitching staff, including Brandon Pfaadt, has played a significant role in their struggles. Pfaadt, with a 6.25 ERA overall and a dismal 7.30 ERA at home, has had a tough time against both lefties and righties, allowing both to hit .286 against him.

For this stack, consider left-handed hitters. Bellinger, with a .316 batting average, 25 homers, and 20 stolen bases, has been in excellent form. Happ, a switch hitter, has an .811 OPS against righties and performs well on the road with an .805 OPS. Suzuki is on fire with an OPS of 1.060 over the last 21 days and performs strongly on the road with an .892 OPS.

Rays at Orioles

Jack Flaherty’s move to Baltimore hasn’t panned out as expected. In his six starts with the Orioles, he’s posted a concerning 7.16 ERA, struggling with walks and facing left-handed hitters. In this stack, we recommend focusing on left-handed bats.

Brandon Lowe, with 19 home runs in 102 games, has a .474 slugging percentage against righties. Josh Lowe, while not a patient hitter, has been a standout for the Rays with a .282 average, 18 homers, and 29 stolen bases. He boasts an .854 OPS against righties and an .889 OPS on the road. Raley adds depth to this stack with 14 stolen bases and 19 homers. While he has a solid .827 OPS against righties, his .836 OPS on the road makes him a valuable asset.

Flaherty’s recent struggles, allowing 22 runs and 31 hits across his last five starts, suggest opportunities for the Rays’ lineup. Diaz and Paredes, with their impressive wOBA and wRC+ numbers, provide a solid foundation for this stack, while Arozarena adds power potential.