Chicago @ Chicago Picks & Props

When estimating his overall offensive talent, Dansby Swanson ranks in the 86th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. There has been a significant improvement in Dansby Swanson's launch angle from last year's 10.2° to 13.5° this season. Dansby Swanson's footspeed has increased this season. His 27.82 ft/sec Statcast Sprint Speed last season sits at 28.35 ft/sec now. Dansby Swanson has recorded a .319 BABIP this year, checking in at the 77th percentile.

As it relates to his batting average ability, Nico Hoerner is projected as the 16th-best hitter in MLB by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Nico Hoerner has a 79th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (34%) and will have a big advantage hitting them out towards baseball's 9th-shallowest RF fences today. Nico Hoerner has recorded a .285 Expected Batting Average this year, grading out in the 92nd percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s interpretation of Statcast data. Launch angles in the range of -4° to 26° tend to become base hits at a high rate; Nico Hoerner and his 48.5% this year rank in the 86th percentile by this measure. Posting a 1.49 K/BB rate this year, Nico Hoerner has displayed strong plate discipline, ranking in the 87th percentile.

Carson Kelly is projected to hit 5th in the batting order in this matchup. Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. Carson Kelly has made sizeable gains with his Barrel%, upping his 6.6% rate last year to 11.8% this season. This season, Carson Kelly has experienced a significant improvement in his exit velocity on flyballs, now sitting at an average of 94 mph compared to last year's 91.4 mph mark. Carson Kelly's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has gotten better from last year to this one, going from 13.7% to 17.6%.

Kyle Tucker projects as the 8th-best batter in MLB, per the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Kyle Tucker is projected to bat 2nd in the lineup in today's game. Batting from the opposite that Grant Taylor throws from, Kyle Tucker will have an advantage in today's game. Kyle Tucker pulls a high percentage of his flyballs (34.8% — 87th percentile) and will have a big advantage hitting them towards the game's 9th-shallowest RF fences in today's matchup. Using Statcast metrics, Kyle Tucker is in the 97th percentile for offensive skills via the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (xwOBA) this year at .382.

As it relates to his overall offensive ability, Ian Happ ranks in the 89th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). The switch-hitting Ian Happ will hold the platoon advantage while batting from from his strong side (0) today against Grant Taylor. Ian Happ has a 75th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (33.5%) and will have a big advantage hitting them out towards the league's 5th-shallowest LF fences in today's matchup. Based on Statcast data, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (.344) suggests that Ian Happ has had bad variance on his side this year with his .308 actual wOBA. Ian Happ has displayed favorable plate discipline this year, grading out in the 79th percentile with a 1.71 K/BB rate.

Edgar Quero's batting average ability is projected to be in the 79th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Edgar Quero is projected to bat 5th in the lineup today. Edgar Quero has a 93rd percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (37%) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting them towards MLB's 5th-shallowest LF fences in today's matchup. Edgar Quero will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to improve all of his stats. Edgar Quero's 91.1-mph average exit velocity ranks among the best in MLB this year: 77th percentile.

Seiya Suzuki projects as the 18th-best batter in Major League Baseball, per the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Seiya Suzuki is projected to hit 3rd in the batting order in this game. Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. The Barrel% of Seiya Suzuki has significantly improved, with an increase from 11.5% last year to 18.8% this year. Ranking in the 95th percentile, the hardest ball Seiya Suzuki has made contact with this year reached a maximum exit velocity of 116.2 mph -- a reliable indication of underlying power ability.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Miguel Vargas in the 86th percentile when it comes to his overall offensive ability. Miguel Vargas is projected to bat 4th in the batting order in this matchup. Miguel Vargas pulls a lot of his flyballs (33.5% — 78th percentile) and is a great match for the park considering he'll be hitting them towards the league's 5th-shallowest LF fences in today's game. Home field advantage typically boosts hitter metrics across the board, and Miguel Vargas will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Miguel Vargas has seen a significant increase in his exit velocity on flyballs this year; just compare his 91.7-mph average to last season's 89.3-mph mark.

Matt Shaw has an 89th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (35.6%) and has the good fortune of hitting them towards MLB's 9th-shallowest RF fences today.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Luis Robert Jr. in the 86th percentile when it comes to his BABIP ability. Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. Home field advantage generally bolsters hitter metrics in all categories, and Luis Robert Jr. will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Luis Robert Jr.'s launch angle this year (18°) is significantly better than his 13.1° angle last season. Based on Statcast metrics, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (.298) suggests that Luis Robert Jr. has experienced some negative variance this year with his .280 actual wOBA.

Lenyn Sosa has an 85th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (34.9%) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting them towards the league's 9th-shallowest RF fences in today's matchup. Home field advantage generally boosts batter stats across the board, and Lenyn Sosa will hold that advantage in today's game. This season, Lenyn Sosa has experienced a significant gain in his exit velocity on flyballs, now sitting at an average of 93.2 mph compared to last year's 90.3 mph mark. Lenyn Sosa's launch angle this season (19°) is significantly higher than his 12.4° angle last year. By putting up a .328 BABIP this year, Lenyn Sosa has performed in the 86th percentile.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Kyle Teel in the 92nd percentile when it comes to his BABIP skill. Kyle Teel is penciled in 5th in the batting order in this matchup. Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. Kyle Teel will hold the platoon advantage over Ben Brown today. Kyle Teel will possess the home field advantage in today's matchup, which should boost all of his stats.

When estimating his overall offensive ability, Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks in the 84th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Pete Crow-Armstrong is projected to hit 4th in the lineup today. Pete Crow-Armstrong will have the benefit of the platoon advantage against Grant Taylor in today's matchup. Pete Crow-Armstrong pulls a high percentage of his flyballs (36% — 92nd percentile) and will have a big advantage hitting them towards the game's 9th-shallowest RF fences in today's matchup. The Barrel% of Pete Crow-Armstrong has significantly improved, with an increase from 8% last year to 14.7% this year.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Andrew Benintendi in the 80th percentile when assessing his batting average ability. Andrew Benintendi is projected to hit 3rd on the lineup card in this game. Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. Batting from the opposite that Ben Brown throws from, Andrew Benintendi will have an advantage in today's matchup. Andrew Benintendi will possess the home field advantage in today's game, which figures to improve all of his stats.

Chase Meidroth's batting average skill is projected to be in the 80th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Chase Meidroth is penciled in 2nd in the batting order today. Chase Meidroth has a 96th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (38.3%) and sets up very well considering he'll be hitting them towards the league's 9th-shallowest RF fences in today's matchup. Chase Meidroth will hold the home field advantage today, which figures to bolster all of his stats. Chase Meidroth has exhibited strong plate discipline this year, checking in at the 89th percentile with a 1.42 K/BB rate.

As it relates to his overall offensive skill, Michael Busch ranks in the 93rd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Michael Busch is projected to bat 1st in the lineup in today's game. Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. Michael Busch will have the handedness advantage over Grant Taylor in today's matchup. Michael Busch's ability to hit the ball at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has increased from last year to this one, going from 18.1% to 22.9%.

Mike Tauchman is penciled in 1st in the lineup in today's game. Hitting from the opposite that Ben Brown throws from, Mike Tauchman will have the upper hand in today's game. Mike Tauchman has an 85th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (35%) and is a great match for the park considering he'll be hitting them in the direction of the game's 5th-shallowest LF fences today. Home field advantage typically bolsters hitter metrics in all categories, and Mike Tauchman will hold that advantage in today's matchup. The standard deviation of Mike Tauchman's launch angle this year (24.5°) is in the 94th percentile. A low deviation like this tends to lead to a higher rate of hits on balls in play.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Austin Slater as the 9th-best batter in Major League Baseball as it relates to his BABIP skill. Austin Slater is projected to bat 2nd in the lineup today. Austin Slater has a 90th percentile opposite-field rate on his flyballs (36%) and will have a big advantage hitting them out towards baseball's 9th-shallowest RF fences in today's game. Austin Slater will have the benefit of the home field advantage in today's game, which should bolster all of his stats. Austin Slater has made notable strides with his Barrel%, improving his 3.4% rate last year to 15.1% this season.

Guaranteed Rate Field has the 3rd-smallest outfield among all stadiums — generally good for home runs. Hitting from the opposite that Ben Brown throws from, Colson Montgomery will have the upper hand today. Home field advantage typically boosts hitter stats across the board, and Colson Montgomery will hold that advantage in today's game. Over the last week, Colson Montgomery has been performing exceptionally well at the plate with a wOBA of .366.