Los Angeles @ San Diego props

Andrew Velazquez hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (39.7% — 96th percentile) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting out towards MLB's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's game. Based on Statcast metrics, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.219) may lead us to conclude that Andrew Velazquez has had some very poor luck since the start of last season with his .199 actual batting average.

Mike Moustakas is projected to hit 5th in the lineup in today's game. Mike Moustakas will hold the platoon advantage over Seth Lugo in today's game. Mike Moustakas's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased from last year to this one, going from 37.8% to 50.5%. Mike Moustakas's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has improved in recent games, rising from 50.5% on the season to 63.6% in the past two weeks' worth of games.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Xander Bogaerts in the 96th percentile when assessing his batting average skill. Xander Bogaerts is penciled in 5th in the batting order in today's game. Xander Bogaerts will have the handedness advantage against Patrick Sandoval in today's matchup... and the cherry on top, Sandoval has a large platoon split. Home field advantage typically boosts batter metrics in all categories, and Xander Bogaerts will hold that advantage in today's matchup. In the past 14 days, Xander Bogaerts's 27.3% rate of hitting balls at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 16.5%.

When estimating his overall offensive skill, Trent Grisham ranks in the 80th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Petco Park has the shallowest CF dimensions in Major League Baseball. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter stats in all categories, and Trent Grisham will hold that advantage in today's game. Trent Grisham has made sizeable gains with his Barrel%, improving his 8.7% rate last year to 15.9% this season. Trent Grisham has made significant strides with his Barrel% recently, upping his 15.9% seasonal rate to 25% in the last week's worth of games.

Eduardo Escobar is projected to hit 2nd in the lineup in this game, which would be an upgrade from his 92% rate of hitting in the bottom-half of the lineup this year. Eduardo Escobar's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has improved recently, increasing from 9.1% on the season to 26.7% over the past 7 days. Based on Statcast metrics, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (.319) provides evidence that Eduardo Escobar has been unlucky this year with his .297 actual wOBA.

Juan Soto projects as the 4th-best batter in the majors, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Juan Soto is penciled in 3rd in the batting order in this matchup. Juan Soto hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (38.6% — 81st percentile) and is fortunate to face baseball's 2nd-shallowest CF fences today. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter metrics across the board, and Juan Soto will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Juan Soto has seen a significant gain in his exit velocity on flyballs this season; just compare his 98-mph average to last season's 95.9-mph figure.

When it comes to his overall offensive talent, Taylor Ward ranks in the 95th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Taylor Ward is projected to hit 2nd in the batting order today. Taylor Ward hits a lot of his flyballs to center field (39.6% — 95th percentile) and is fortunate to face the league's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's game. In the past 7 days, Taylor Ward's maximum exit velocity (a favorable indicator of recent form and raw power) has been 109.5-mph, which qualifies as one of the hardest-hit balls in the league. Despite posting a .307 wOBA this year, the leading projection system (THE BAT X) believes Taylor Ward has had some very poor luck given the .055 difference between that figure and his estimated true talent wOBA of .362.

Petco Park has the shallowest CF dimensions in Major League Baseball. Hunter Renfroe's launch angle of late (34.6° in the last week's worth of games) is a considerable increase over his 16.4° seasonal angle.

Luis Rengifo hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (39.1% — 89th percentile) and is a great match for the park considering he'll be hitting towards the game's 2nd-shallowest CF fences today. Luis Rengifo has made substantial improvements with his Barrel% lately, upping his 4.3% seasonal rate to 20% over the past week. Luis Rengifo has been hot recently, raising his seasonal exit velocity of 88.5-mph to 97.7-mph in the last 7 days. In the past week's worth of games, Luis Rengifo's 40% rate of hitting balls at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 13.5%. Luis Rengifo has had bad variance on his side thus far when it comes to his batting average this year; his .216 rate is quite a bit lower than his .238 Expected Batting Average, based on the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data.

When assessing his overall offensive talent, Manny Machado ranks in the 93rd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Manny Machado is penciled in 4th in the batting order today. Petco Park has the shallowest CF dimensions in Major League Baseball. Manny Machado will have the handedness advantage over Patrick Sandoval in today's game... and even more favorably, Sandoval has a large platoon split. Manny Machado will have the benefit of the home field advantage today, which ought to boost all of his stats.

David Fletcher has seen a significant gain in his exit velocity on flyballs this season; just compare his 83.5-mph average to last year's 81.4-mph EV. In the past week, David Fletcher has significantly improved the launch angle on his highest exit velocity balls: -4.3° compared to his seasonal mark of -10.6°.

When assessing his overall offensive skill, Jake Cronenworth ranks in the 82nd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Petco Park has the shallowest CF dimensions in Major League Baseball. Jake Cronenworth will benefit from the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to improve all of his stats. Jake Cronenworth has experienced some negative variance in regards to his batting average this year; his .220 figure is considerably lower than his .240 Expected Batting Average, based on the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data. In terms of plate discipline, Jake Cronenworth's skill is quite strong, posting a 1.86 K/BB rate this year while ranking in in the 77th percentile.

Petco Park has the shallowest CF dimensions in Major League Baseball. Gary Sanchez will hold the platoon advantage against Patrick Sandoval in today's matchup... and even better, Sandoval has a large platoon split. Gary Sanchez will possess the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to improve all of his stats. Gary Sanchez has seen a significant improvement in his exit velocity on flyballs recently; just compare his 97-mph average in the past 14 days to his seasonal average of 93.6-mph.

Petco Park has the shallowest CF dimensions in Major League Baseball. Matt Thaiss will have the handedness advantage over Seth Lugo today. With a .335 BABIP since the start of last season, Matt Thaiss grades out in the 84th percentile.

Brandon Dixon will have the handedness advantage against Patrick Sandoval in today's game... and the cherry on top, Sandoval has a large platoon split. Brandon Dixon hits a high percentage of his flyballs to center field (39.1% — 89th percentile) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting out towards MLB's 2nd-shallowest CF fences in today's matchup. Brandon Dixon will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's game, which should boost all of his stats. Ranking in the 78th percentile for Sprint Speed at 28.32 ft/sec this year, Brandon Dixon is remarkably quick.

Austin Nola has gone over 0.5 in 5 of his last 10 games.

Fernando Tatis Jr. has gone over 0.5 in 5 of his last 10 games.

Shohei Ohtani has gone over 0.5 in 7 of his last 10 games.