White Sox (1.1* FREE PLAY)
I can't help but back Jose Quintana the guy was a beast as I faded him in his last road start at Texas one of the best LHP hitting teams. He's now posted a 3-0 record, 0.91 WHIP and a 2.86 ERA over his last three starts, but he's been even better overall and posts a 2.51 ERA on the road this year. He'll go up against the Royals who are ranked 22nd in OPS vs. LHP. Quintana will face a Royals team that is only scoring 2.94 runs per 9 vs. LHP and is 19-39 in their last 58 following an off day. I expect there bats to be a bit rusty/hung over after the break.
While the White Sox swept the Rangers, and then took 2 of 3 from the Jays in impressing fashion. One major change has happened since the acquisition of Kevin Youkilis. They no longer have a weakness vs. LH starters as they were ranked 28th vs. LHP in OPS at one time but they have surged of late to 17th with a .713 OPS. They'll face Bruce Chen who does have good numbers against the White Sox, but once again it will be Kevin Youkilis making the difference as he is 6-16 against Chen while A.J. Pierzynski adds a bit going 11-27 in his career. Chen has also been terrible in July in his career posting a 6.33 ERA, his worst month by far over the last three years combined.
Notable Hot Starters:
C.J. Wilson (2-1, 1.21 WHIP, 2.37 ERA)
Mat Latos (2-1, 0.56 WHIP, 0.72 ERA)
Jordan Zimmermann (2-1, 1.15 WHIP, 1.35 ERA)
Tim Hudson 2-1, 1.10 WHIP, 2.57 ERA)
A.J. Griffin (2-1, 0.72 WHIP, 1.50 ERA)
Franciso Liriano2-1, 0.72 WHIP, 1.50 ERA)
Cold Starter Of The Day:
Though this is not going to be any sort of a sports pick that is backed by our sports monitor we still like to give out the cold pitcher with the best shot at winning because often times there is a lot of value. Today's pitcher is Doug Fister by default. I think he benefited more than any other pitcher by the All Star break. Fister also had an amazing 2nd half last year and we will see if he can replicate it as the Tigers finished strong before the break.
Notable Cold Starters:
Jason Hammel (0-3, 1.80 WHIP, 8.10 ERA)
Justin Masterson (0-3, 1.80 WHIP, 8.10 ERA)
Ricky Romero (0-3, 2.27 WHIP, 10.80 ERA)
Jeremy Hellickson (0-3, 1.95 WHIP, 8.03 ERA)
Bruce Chen (1-2, 1.50 WHIP, 7.31 ERA)
Zach Greinke (2-1, 1.89 WHIP, 9.00 ERA)
Christian Frierich (0-3, 1.61 WHIP, 7.24 ERA)
Derek Holland (2-1, 2.08 WHIP, 9.69 ERA)