This article is part of our Umpire Analysis series.
Last Week's Picks
Game: NYY at LAA
Umpire: Paul Schreiber
Recommendation:Andrew Heaney, LHP: 7 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Mark Teixeira's solo home run in the second inning was the lone damage against Heaney, who cruised to his first victory of the season. Schreiber saw just three runs and has a 3.44 ERA to go with a 3.1:1 K:BB ratio in 264 innings.
Game: KC at HOU
Umpire: Jordan Baker
Recommendation:Carlos Correa, SS: 0-for 4
The Astros managed to pick up four runs against Duffy, but the two walks he registered were the only free passes Baker saw in the contest. Baker had been stingy with the walk in his previous three games, seeing just 10 over that span, but maintains a 3.2 BB/9 rate after calling ball four nine times when the Tigers faced the Blue Jays on Sunday.
Wednesday
Game: LAD at ARI
Umpire: Mike Muchlinski
Recommendation:Robbie Ray, LHP: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
The six strikeouts represent Ray's second-highest total in a start this season, but he labored through most of the outing, throwing 100 pitches in his six frames. Muchlinski continues to boast one of the best K:BB ratios in the league, which makes him a nice play.
Game: TEX at BAL
Umpire: John Tumpane
Recommendation:Adam Jones, OF: 2-For-4, 2B
Although Jones had two hits, opposing starter Nick Martinez did not exactly follow the script, as he struck out
Last Week's Picks
Game: NYY at LAA
Umpire: Paul Schreiber
Recommendation:Andrew Heaney, LHP: 7 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 7 K
Mark Teixeira's solo home run in the second inning was the lone damage against Heaney, who cruised to his first victory of the season. Schreiber saw just three runs and has a 3.44 ERA to go with a 3.1:1 K:BB ratio in 264 innings.
Game: KC at HOU
Umpire: Jordan Baker
Recommendation:Carlos Correa, SS: 0-for 4
The Astros managed to pick up four runs against Duffy, but the two walks he registered were the only free passes Baker saw in the contest. Baker had been stingy with the walk in his previous three games, seeing just 10 over that span, but maintains a 3.2 BB/9 rate after calling ball four nine times when the Tigers faced the Blue Jays on Sunday.
Wednesday
Game: LAD at ARI
Umpire: Mike Muchlinski
Recommendation:Robbie Ray, LHP: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
The six strikeouts represent Ray's second-highest total in a start this season, but he labored through most of the outing, throwing 100 pitches in his six frames. Muchlinski continues to boast one of the best K:BB ratios in the league, which makes him a nice play.
Game: TEX at BAL
Umpire: John Tumpane
Recommendation:Adam Jones, OF: 2-For-4, 2B
Although Jones had two hits, opposing starter Nick Martinez did not exactly follow the script, as he struck out five while walking just one through 6.2 innings. Tumpane has issued just nine walks in his last three outings but has kept his strikeout rate low enough (7.4/9) to inspire some contact, which could help to explain his 4.16 ERA over 281.3 innings.
Thursday
Game: TEX at BAL
Umpire: James Hoye
Recommendation:Chris Davis, 1B: 0-For-3, BB
Texas starter Yovani Gallardo handed out more walks than strikeouts (3:2) for the second time this season, but the Baltimore offense was unable to capitalize, losing 2-0. The two runs marked Hoye's lowest total this season, but his tight zone (3.4 BB/9) could lend itself to more high-scoring affairs.
Game: CLE at TB
Umpire: Bill Miller
Recommendation(s):
Corey Kluber, RHP: 8 IP, 7 H, 4 R (3 ER), BB 14, K
Matt Moore, LHP: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
It looked like Moore would get the better of Kluber, as he began his outing with three hitless innings, but the 2014 AL CY Young Award winner stormed back after two runs crossed the plate in the first. Miller rang up 28 strikeouts in the contest against just four walks, and could be worth a look for owners looking to keep the walks down, as he has called more than five bases on balls just once in his last five games.
This Week's Picks
Tuesday
Game: LAD at PHI
Umpire: Ben May
Recommendation:Brett Anderson, LHP
May is slightly under our 100-inning threshold, having seen just 75 frames this season, but he has shown some stronger pitcher-friendly tendencies, including a 4.2:1 K:BB ratio and 1.20 ERA. Those numbers are probably unsustainable, but being in Dodger Stadium could certainly help keep them down for at least one more outing. Anderson has shown a penchant for strikeouts lately, notching 17 in his past two starts.
Game: HOU at CLE
Umpire: Dana DeMuth
Recommendation:Vincent Velasquez, RHP
Velasquez has had a hard time keeping his command at times this season, but DeMuth could help the young man find some stability, as he has called just 2.2 BB/9 in his 249.3 innings, while holding an 8.1 K/9 rate.
Wednesday
Game: BAL at MIN
Umpire:Jeff Nelson
Recommendation:Adam Jones, OF
Opposing starter Tommy Milone has a 3.02 ERA in 10 starts this season but features mediocre walk and strikeout rates. Nelson has kept a 4.58 ERA over 279.3 innings, while notching a 2.4:1 K:BB ratio.
Game: ATL at MIL
Umpire: Lance Barksdale
Recommendation:Scooter Gennett, 2B
Atlanta starter Julio Teheran had a nice outing against the Phillies last week, but has not performed well overall this season, notching a 3.2 BB/9 rate and a 4.60 ERA over 101.2 innings. Barksdale's 2.1:1 K:BB rate is fourth-lowest among umpires who have logged at least 100 innings, which could make for an especially tough game for Teheran in the hitter-friendly confines of Miller Park.
Thursday
Game: HOU at CLE
Umpire: Ed Hickox
Recommendation:Evan Gattis, C
Cody Anderson has been phenomenal in his first three major league starts, allowing just two runs over 23.2 innings, but it's a bit hard to see him being that good for much longer, as he has struck out just 10 batters wiht a .181 BABIP. Hickox could make it tough for Anderson to avoid contact, as he has just 6.4 K/9 in 13 starts.
