DFS Baseball 101: Team Batting Stats Report Update

DFS Baseball 101: Team Batting Stats Report Update

This article is part of our DFS Baseball 101 series.

Last June, I wrote an article about how to use team batting stats in daily fantasy baseball. Given the positive response, I will be doing monthly reports this year.

Team batting with regard to daily fantasy baseball is important for a couple reasons. It allows you to identify a lower-priced starting pitcher who has an optimal matchup based on handedness rankings, and also lets you know what teams to avoid with that starting pitcher based on the same information.

For each team, I have a recap of each category rank for vs. RHP, vs. LHP, Home/Away and April/May/June.

Angels

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL11826272622
MAY21527798
JUNE12821231819

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME11926221419
ROAD119219912

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP1202014910
vs. RHP12025161212

The Angels have not changed much this season. You do not want to target them because of their lowest strikeout rate in baseball.

Astros

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL3076121211
MAY26312191413
JUNE22112546

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME2926191816
ROAD22313101011

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP25314222120
vs. RHP27311101111

The Astros are starting to heat up, especially against right-handed pitching and on the road.

A's

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL62918252123
MAY52923222224
JUNE22120161313

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME53025282827
ROAD32020151515

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP2306161511
vs. RHP42627272626

The A's are a much better team on the road against left-handed pitching. You can target them with right-handed pitching at home. Hitters like Danny Valencia, Khris Davis and Marcus Semien are great stacking options against lefties on the road.

Blue Jays

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL26611141313
MAY16138161311
JUNE822221

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME2245686
ROAD122311114

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP851210126
vs. RHP1923888

This is the Jays offense we saw in 2015. They are firing on all cylinders and you do not want to use any starting pitching against them now.

Braves

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL211630303029
MAY71930292828
JUNE92629282728

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME172330292929
ROAD92130303028

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP132830292929
vs. RHP111430303030

The Braves are nearly last in all offensive categories and splits. You can target starting pitching against the Braves in any scenario. Take note, their K rate has gone down considerably over the last two months.

Brewers

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL29217222420
MAY291151069
JUNE291223242526

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME28515122118
ROAD30428242425

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP27126242624
vs. RHP30522172121

The Brewers have consistently been one of the highest strikeout teams in baseball all season. You can target your aces against them. They are better at home, so it's better to target them on the road.

Cardinals

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL1692323
MAY13107533
JUNE11911212214

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME111314131313
ROAD1052111

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP141522262321
vs. RHP872322

While not the juggernaut it was in April/May, this lineup is still potent on the road against right-handed pitching. The interesting play is left-handed pitching against Cardinals at home where they rank just 21st overall.

Cubs

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL517462
MAY20216446
JUNE2744898

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME2111110107
ROAD2016333

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP1024432
vs. RHP25110655

The Cubs rank in the top 8 in all splits, but take note, they really feast on bad pitching, and elite starting pitching has been able to shut them down.

Diamondbacks

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL12233847
MAY171819111115
JUNE302418131923

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME272610142324
ROAD1613147710

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP16103343
vs. RHP262814151717

It's strange in that the Diamondbacks struggle at home in one of the best hitters' parks in baseball. They still destroy left-handed pitching, though – especially on the road.

Dodgers

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL141027181417
MAY151122252323
JUNE161013262418

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME151420251921
ROAD13623212117

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP111125282823
vs. RHP14818211616

Too many injuries to this lineup have made them average, though Justin Turner and Trayce Thompson are great tournament plays against left-handed pitching.

Giants

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL2413975
MAY1628211914
JUNE572712810

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME262918710
ROAD271914149

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP51323191414
vs. RHP24261377

Even with all of the injuries, this team doesn't strike out often. I would only target pitchers against the Giants at home with low totals (seven or less).

Indians

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL252116162325
MAY9414954
JUNE6223767

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME1077312
ROAD192611252523

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP182327252228
vs. RHP15126999

Even without having Michael Brantley, the Indians offense has now put together two strong months and is on fire. Players like Lonnie Chisenhall, Rajai Davis, and Tyler Naquin have been the catalysts.

Mariners

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL105813159
MAY6163222
JUNE122719201520

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME14163934
ROAD7179886

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP12259181618
vs. RHP997544

The bottom fell out on the Mariners' lineup in June. While overall they still look strong, they have probably overachieved and are coming back to earth.

Marlins

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL131719101012
MAY102224171720
JUNE101830222322

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME132227242626
ROAD61626448

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP212224202027
vs. RHP62228121313

The Marlins are a strange team in that they have five players hitting .300 or higher, but outside of Marcell Ozuna they don't do a lot of damage. They are a better hitting team on the road against right-handed pitching. You can target left-handed pitchers against them in Miami.

Mets

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL20114798
MAY301210272726
JUNE201626292929

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME241012211217
ROAD25148171716

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP301617211822
vs. RHP23118181414

Too many injuries have decimated the Mets' lineup to where you can target them with almost all starting pitching, especially at Citi Field.

Nationals

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL17815201914
MAY14561275
JUNE766652

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME931616169
ROAD148512127

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP781221
vs. RHP13615191818

When it comes to the best offenses in baseball, the Nationals usually don't come to mind, but they are one of the deepest lineups especially with Wilson Ramos having a career year and Danny Espinosa coming alive in June. All of this has come without Bryce Harper for much of the last two months, too. Because they are predominantly right-handed, they struggled against righties but crush southpaws.

Orioles

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL182055810
MAY25149182118
JUNE18201113

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME18172445
ROAD272446613

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP17188171917
vs. RHP21191233

The play here is stacking Orioles against right-handed pitching in Camden Yards in tournaments, especially now with Jonathon Schoop hitting second in the lineup.

Padres

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL272229262227
MAY272821302930
JUNE21131610712

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME262523262428
ROAD282317202024

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP281411659
vs. RHP282724292828

This team is one of the worst against right-handed pitching and crushes lefties. Wil Myers is one of the hottest hitters in baseball.

Phillies

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL232523292728
MAY192529283029
JUNE172915272827

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME232828303030
ROAD112816181820

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP222929303030
vs. RHP172916262727

The Phillies are one of the worst hitting teams in baseball, so you definitely want to target left-handed pitching against them.

Pirates

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL3314111
MAY182420131519
JUNE281525303030

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME12112411612
ROAD231222161619

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP2972112715
vs. RHP161323111010

To be fair to the Pirates, they faced just about every ace pitcher in June. Still, this is a team that has really fallen off.

Rangers

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL92622151618
MAY42611151612
JUNE1519991011

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME8201971514
ROAD82912191918

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP9261971112
vs. RHP72413141919

The Rangers have a deep lineup and are good against either sided pitchers. Keep an eye on them in summer at home as the temperature increases.

Rays

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL282810232526
MAY2872387
JUNE24177191416

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME12418272522
ROAD2491555

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP23192115
vs. RHP29189252424

The Rays and the Padres are similar in that they struggle against right-handers but crush lefties.

Red Sox

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL11159656
MAY381111
JUNE432211129

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME384221
ROAD5107222

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP6416564
vs. RHP3105111

The Red Sox lineup hit the skids in June, but that will happen to most teams at some point. You will still want to avoid any starting pitchers against them. As far as stacking the Red Sox, I would stick to taking them at home against weak pitchers.

Reds

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL193025282930
MAY24274242625
JUNE261117252624

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME25279232725
ROAD172224282827

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP192415232525
vs. RHP222517282929

While the Reds have some power, the majority of their lineup is a lot of swing-and-miss, which is why you can target them with any pitchers on the road.

Rockies

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL15131234
MAY12231361010
JUNE19553115

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME7911113
ROAD262518262629

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP2497132416
vs. RHP1221441515

This might be the easiest decision in daily fantasy baseball – always look to take the Rockies and fade them on the road.

Royals

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL42724172019
MAY8302681217
JUNE143028182125

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME429228915
ROAD153027272730

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP42713888
vs. RHP103029202020

The Royals have suffered several key injuries to their lineup this year and the numbers reflect that. Outside of Kendrys Morales, this team is really struggling to score runs.

Tigers

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL222412111115
MAY22205141816
JUNE13814434

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME20188558
ROAD211510131314

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP156109107
vs. RHP242312766

The Tigers, much like the Astros and Blue Jays, are starting to live up to their reputation. They are one of the hottest hitting teams in the league, and Justin Upton is starting to find his swing.

Twins

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL241421211821
MAY232118232527
JUNE23148151715

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME162121202223
ROAD291115232321

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP26175151719
vs. RHP201621242525

With Brian Dozier starting to hit along with Miguel Sano coming back, there is some value in the Twins' lineup especially against left-handed pitching.

White Sox

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL71920191716
MAY21925202021
JUNE252310172021

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME191517172020
ROAD181825222222

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP201218111313
vs. RHP181520232323

Outside of Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu and Melky Cabrera, the rest of the Chicago lineup is slumping. Especially Todd Frazier ...

Yankees

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
APRIL81228242824
MAY111717262422
JUNE32524141617

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
HOME61213151711
ROAD42729292926

SPLITK%BB%ISOwOBAwRC+OVERALL
vs. LHP32128272726
vs. RHP51719222222

The Yankees are always dangerous at home against right-handed pitching because of the short porch in Yankee Stadium. The best play against them would be left-handed pitching on the road.

OVERALL

Teams that struggled in April and May really took off in June (Astros, Blue Jays, Orioles, Tigers).

The Indians and Nationals (potential World Series preview?) followed up a strong May with an even stronger June.

The Mariners, Cardinals, Red Sox and Pirates fell off the most in June.

The Braves, Reds, Phillies and Padres continue to be the offenses to attack.

The Astros and Brewers are great targets against in tournaments because of how often they strike out (their strikeout rates are in the bottom five in most categories).

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Michael Rathburn plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: burnnotice, DraftKings: burnnotice, Yahoo: burnnotice, Fantasy Aces: burnnotice, FantasyDraft: burnnotice.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Rathburn
Known as “Rath” in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) community, he has helped run operations for two prominent daily fantasy sports startups. Michael has taken his insider knowledge and expertise in daily fantasy sports to the content side. Rath won the 2016 FSWA "Baseball Article of the Year, Online" award and was a finalist for the FSWA Best Baseball Series in 2011.
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