This article is part of our Umpire Analysis series.
Last Week's Picks
Tuesday
Game: PHI at NYY
Umpire: Jeff Kellogg
Recommendation:Brian McCann, C: 1-for-4
McCann's lone single was a disappointment in a game that yielded 17 runs, but DFS players who stacked this game likely saw their share of the six home runs that were given up between CC Sabathia and Sean O' Sullivan. Kellogg has become one of the league's top umpires for offense, as he has seen 3.4 BB/9 and a 4.22 ERA in 260.3 innings.
Game: LAD at CHC
Umpire: Paul Emmel
Recommendation: None
Predictably, this game turned into a pitcher's duel, with the only run coming in the bottom of the 10th inning. Emmel has seen just six runs in his last two outings, and while his ERA is no longer the worst in the league, his mark of 4.44 with a 3.2 BB/9 rate through 235 frames could mean crooked numbers are ahead.
Wednesday
Game: KC at SEA
Umpire: Greg Gibson
Recommendation:Nelson Cruz, OF: N/A
Cruz was in the lineup Wednesday, but we can't count this game as a DYD recommendation because our umpire wasn't behind the plate. It turns out that Jim Joyce, who was the umpire at first base for the game Monday, tore his calf during the game and was replaced Tuesday by Pat Hoberg, who manned second base while Gibson stepped in to call balls and strikes. This was likely a bucket of cold water for those who planned on picking around Gibson, but the event itself was pretty fluky, so I wouldn't worry about having to plan for something like this.
Game: HOU at LAA
Umpire: John Hirschbeck
Recommendation:Lance McCullers, RHP: 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K
McCullers is still having trouble with the free pass, as he's allowed 12 in his last four starts, but he was able to limit the damage and turn in a solid performance Wednesday. Hirschbeck's walk rate is holding steady at 2.8/9 through 274.7 innings, which could make him worth a look when thinking about pitchers who have a tendency to lose the zone.
Thursday
Game: LAD at CHC
Umpire: Andy Fletcher
Recommendation:Kris Bryant, 3B: 0-For-1
The baseball gods were once again uncooperative, as Bryant left the contest in the third inning with an illness. Opposing starter Carlos Frias was able to dance through the raindrops, as he allowed seven hits and three walks, but kept the Cubs off the board for five innings. While it's not exactly the result we hoped for, Fletcher issued nine free passes in the game, and now carries a walk rate to 4.2/9 over 256 innings this season.
This Week's Picks
Tuesday
Game: NYY at LAA
Umpire: Paul Schreiber
Recommendation:Andrew Heaney, LHP
The Yankees have been pretty good against pitchers from both sides of the platoon this season, but haven't quite found the magic outside of their home turf, as they hold a wRC+ of 89 on the road. Heaney's ERA at Triple-A Salt Lake was a bit higher than one might like for a top prospect, but he struck out 74 batters in 78.1 innings. He could get his share of punchouts with Schreiber calling the action, as Schreiber has a 3.1:1 K:BB ratio in 230 innings.
Game: KC at HOU
Umpire: Jordan Baker
Recommendation:Carlos Correa, SS
We talked last week about Kansas City starter Danny Duffy's penchant for walking batters, and while he didn't allow a free pass in 4.2 innings in his return from the disabled list Wednesday, he may have a slightly tougher time finding the zone with Baker behind the plate, as he has issued 3.3 BB/9 over 243 innings.
Wednesday
Game: LAD at ARI
Umpire: Mike Muchlinski
Recommendation:Robbie Ray, LHP
As intimidating as the Dodgers can be offensively, they are a below average against lefties with a strikeout rate higher than 20 percent. Ray hasn't quite shown the strikeout prowess he had in the minor leagues yet, but Muchlinski could help him find a spark, as his 3.6:1 K:BB ratio is tied for the third highest among umpires with at least 100 innings.
Game: TEX at BAL
Umpire: John Tumpane
Recommendation:Adam Jones, OF
Opposing starter Nick Martinez has a K:BB ratio of 1:1 or worse in three of his last four starts. Tumpane has 3.2 BB/9 over 246.3 frames this season while keeping a 4.31 ERA, which could spell trouble for Martinez if he has trouble finding the zone.
Thursday
Game: TEX at BAL
Umpire:James Hoye
Recommendation:Chris Davis, 1B
Gallardo has tallied a tidy 2.72 ERA in his 16 starts this season, but has struck out just 6.5 batters per nine innings. Hoye's 2.1:1 K:BB ratio is tied for the seventh-lowest mark among qualified umpires, which could make for some traffic on the basepaths before the day is over. Those who would like to venture into the unknown could also try stacking against Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman, who is making his return after spending almost two months on the disabled list because of shoulder tendonitis.
Game: CLE at TB
Umpire: Bill Miller
Recommendation(s):Corey Kluber, Matt Moore
Miller's 2.7 BB/9 rate should help both hurlers keep runs to a minimum, but those who don't want to pay a premium for Kluber could take a shot on Moore in his first start of the season. Moore threw the ball well during his rehab assignment, tallying a 2.95 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 21.1 innings between High-A Charlotte and Triple-A Durham, and while he threw 96 pitches in an outing Saturday, there is no word as to whether he will be on a pitch count after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April.
