Chad Fairchild is the HP ump in this one. He has the lowest called strike rate on pitches outside of the PitchFX strikezone since 2011 (6.5%).
This favors the OVER as pitchers will not be getting those extra strikes, meaning more walks. Batters will be able to be more selective.
Time Welke is scheduled to be behind the plate for tonight's games. Since 2011, he's had the highest called strike rate among all umpires on pitches outside the PitchFX defined strike zone (12.4%).
However, he's also had the LOWEST called strike rate on pitches inside the strike zone in that span (75.4%).
So basically he has a very expansive strike zone but fails to consistently call strikes inside the strike zone. Essentially he's the worst HP umpire in the game right now.
Normally his inconsistency would make me side with the over. But with it set at 9 and with Westbrook and Kennedy on the mound, go with the under. Welke's tendency to expand the zone will probably do more for these control pitchers.
O/U 7
Bob Davidson is behind the plate and since 2010 he's had the 2nd highest called strike rate on pitches outside the PitchFX strike zone. This should be a boost for both Cahill and knuckle baller R.A. Dickey.
Go with the under.
I have top waiver priority right now and can take my pick of any of these three available players: McCluster, Decker, or David Nelson.
And this is NOT A PPR league
I am pretty short at WR right now, but in my league McCluster qualifies as both WR and RB. But it's just a matter of whether he'll actually see more touches/plays with Charles gone for the season.
Who is the more valuable pickup?
Stopping the slide:
Predators -135 [150 units]
GL everybody!
(Remember, all picks are for 100 units unless otherwise indicated. All my past picks are listed on my blog.)
Last pick set - 11/24:
DAL/PHI under 5.5 [150 units] -150
NYI/MON under 5.5 (-118) -100
Canucks +138 +138
Total = -112 units
_________________________
Season Record
Overall: 50-42
ML: 20-18
O/U: 30-24
Units: +134