This article is part of our Umpire Analysis series.
Last Week's Picks
Tuesday
Game: ARI at SEA
Umpire: Quinn Wolcott
Recommendation: Zach Godley, RHP: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Godley was fortunate to notch the quality start in this one, as a lack of command forced him to face eight batters over the minimum in six innings. The 12 runs were the most Wolcott has seen in a game since April 26. He holds a 3.35 ERA this season after seeing eight runs when the Dodgers faced the Angels on Sunday.
Game: NYY at TEX
Umpire: Andy Fletcher
Recommendation:Brian McCann, C: N/A
McCann sat due to the lefty/lefty matchup, but most of the other southpaws in the lineup seemed to get along just fine, as the team hammered Texas starter Martin Perez for eight runs in one inning en route to a 21-run outburst. Fletcher saw a season high in runs (26) and walks (16), and now holds a 1.97:1 K:BB ratio, good for the second-lowest mark in the league among umpires who have called at least 100 frames.
Wednesday
Game: KAN at CLE
Umpire: Tom Woodring
Recommendation:Michael Brantley, OF: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R
It looked like this pick would bust until the sixth inning when Brantley hit one of three home runs for the Indians in the frame to hang a six-spot on Kansas City hurler Jeremy Guthrie. Woodring saw 13 runs and heads into his next outing sporting an appetizing 3.4 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 over 96 innings.
Game: CIN at STL
Umpire: Mike Muchlinski
Recommendation:John Lackey, RHP: 8 IP, 2 H, ER, BB, 8 K
A Jay Bruce wall-scraper in the second inning kept Lackey from getting us the win Wednesday, but there is certainly no reason to complain, as the eight strikeouts are Lackey's most since May 29. Muchlinski now holds just a 2.2 BB/9 rate and an 8.5 K/9 rate over 18 games, making him one of the better targets when looking for pitcher-friendly umpires in 2015.
Thursday
Game: CHW at BOS
Umpire: Bill Miller
Recommendation:Chris Sale, LHP: 5 IP, 12 H, 7 ER, BB 7, K
It goes without saying that Sale didn't have it on this night, as he hit two batters and threw a wild pitch, while allowing season-high marks in both runs and hits. Despite the high run output, Miller issued more than 20 strikeouts for the third consecutive outing, totaling an 8.2 K/9 rate in 19 games.
This Week's Picks
Tuesday
Game: NYM at MIA
Umpire: Angel Hernandez
Recommendation:Jon Niese, LHP
Niese will get to show off his career-high 54.6 percent groundball rate at spacious Marlins Park on Tuesday and could make quick work of the Marlins with Hernandez calling the action, as he has notched a walk rate of just 2.5/9 in 333.3 innings this season. While I like to be careful about putting too much emphasis on the opposing starter, Brad Hand will come in from the bullpen to take the hill for Miami, which could help the Mets get some runs on the board, increasing the chances of a win for our hurler.
Game: SD at MIL
Umpire: Larry Vanover
Recommendation:Adam Lind, 1B
San Diego starter Andrew Cashner has dominated right-handers this season, but he has had trouble with southpaws, allowing 4.7 BB/9 in 51.2 innings. Vanover could exacerbate Cashner's control problems, as he has seen 3.2 BB/9 in his 313 innings behind the catcher this season.
Wednesday
Game: MIN at TOR
Umpire: Tom Woodring
Recommendation:Trevor Plouffe, 3B
We will keep Woodring in our sights for at least one more week after he showed us results with Brantley and the Indians in his last outing. Toronto starter Drew Hutchison has allowed 19 earned runs in his last 24.2 innings (five starts) and could run into trouble again if Woodring's tight zone causes him to fall behind hitters, as Plouffe has notched a .206 ISO against right-handed pitching this season.
Game: ARI at WSH
Umpire: Gabe Morales
Recommendation:Gio Gonzalez, LHP
Morales is a name we love to see on the schedule when we are looking for pitchers, as his 8.7 K/9 rate is the highest of any umpire in at least 100 innings, while his 3.74:1 K:BB ratio ranks fourth. It's been something of an underwhelming season for Gonzalez, as his 20.7 percent strikeout rate is his lowest since 2010, but he may be on the uptick with 26 strikeouts in his last 28.2 innings.
Thursday
Game: SD at MIL
Umpire: Adam Hamari
Recommendation: None
Matt Garza versus Odrisamer Despaigne in a hitter's haven will never be a place to find pitching, but it is worth pointing out that Hamari has logged just a 2.1 BB/9 rate with an 8.0 K/9 rate over 402.7 innings. Keep this game in mind, as it will be interesting to see how much sway Hamari can have in an environment that lends itself to offense.
