Sorare MLB GW12 Breakdown | Goldy Reverses the Curse

There weren’t many big pitching scores over the weekend, but Merrill Kelly led the pack with 10 strikeouts through 7 IP against the Nationals on Friday.<

Kelly has decent numbers (25.5% strikeout rate, 4.14 xFIP), but this was more of a matchup-based outcome as the Nats are bottom five in wOBA, ISO, and wRC+.

The other guy worth noting is Dustin May, aka Gingergaard, who finally flashed some upside with 6 strikeouts against the Padres on Saturday.

His Limited Card price of just $12 is something I have my eye on.

Evan Phillips was relied upon heavily to close out the latter two games of the Dodgers’ series against San Diego that stayed competitive throughout.

There was only a 7-run scoring differential throughout the series and Dodgers/Padres remains one of the most fun rivalries in all of baseball.

The Cardinals appeared cursed prior to the outburst, but I think it’s only a matter of time before this team turns it completely around.

The other player to note here is Jonathan India who I liked a lot coming into this GW.

He hit two homers, two doubles, a single, and had two stolen bases. He’s the preferred option by far on the Reds, and he can play the middle infield position where it is often difficult to find a speed/power combo.

📋 Roster Movements

In:

Aaron Judge - Should be activated from 10-day IL for Tuesday’s game vs. the A’s

Out:

Luis Garcia - Will undergo Tommy John Surgery, out for the rest of the season

Eloy Jiménez - Underwent appendectomy, will miss 4 to 6 weeks

Jake Burger - Placed on 10-day IL with left oblique strain

Tyler O’Neill - Placed on 10-day IL with lower back strain

Vince Velazquez - Placed on 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation

🔎 Multi Game Monitor

Four Games:

Rays, Athletics, Yankees, Giants, Diamondbacks, Royals, Rangers, White Sox

Three Games:

Reds, Twins, Mets, Padres, Astros, Angels, Tigers, Guardians, Rockies, Pirates, Orioles, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Brewers, Mariners, Nationals, Marlins

Two Games:

Red Sox, Braves, Blue Jays, Phillies

⚾️ Pitching Primer

Zac Gallen vs MIA

As it stands right now, Zac Gallen has the lowest xFIP (2.22), third-lowest BB% (3.1%), and the third-highest K% (35.2%).

Miami has the third-worst wOBA (.297) and the eleventh-worst K% (23.8%).

Gallen was dominant the last time he faced the Marlins and I expect nothing different in GW12.

He’s the top option on the board.

Limited Price: ~$44

Kevin Gausman at PHI

The matchup doesn’t stick out, especially with Bryce Harper back in the starting lineup. Philly strikes out the ninth-highest (23.9%) and has the 12th-highest team wOBA (.328).

Gausman’s numbers have been incredible to start the year. He has the fourth-highest K% (33.1%), second-best xFIP (2.61), and ninth-best BB% (4%).

Gausman’s unique pitch mix continues to confuse batters. He’s one of about 10 pitchers who features a splitter, which he throws about 41% of the time.

He’s one of the most matchup-proof starters in the league and his Limited price of $28 remains too cheap.

Limited Price: ~$28

Dylan Cease at KCR

Cease has not looked good as of late but he’s had a tough schedule over his last four games facing Baltimore, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay twice.

This week he heads to a pitcher-friendly ballpark to face Kansas City, who strike out about league-average (23.5%), but have the fourth-worst team wOBA (.298).

Cease has a 26.2% strikeout rate (ranked 21st), 4.45 xFIP (ranked 46th), and he continues to have walk issues with an 11.6% walk-rate (eighth-highest mark).

That being said, Cease has some of the most upside in the league when he’s on, and he finally gets a positive matchup.

Limited Price: ~$20

Other Starters Include:

• Logan Gilbert vs TEX

• Clayton Kershaw at MIL

• Kevin Gausman at PHI

• Luis Castillo vs TEX

• Justin Verlander at CIN

• Pablo Lopez vs SDP

• Nick Lodolo vs NYM

• Yu Darvish at MIN

Notable Pitchers NOT Starting In GW12:

Taijuan Walker, Joe Musgrove, Julio Urías, Bryce Elder, Yusei Kikuchi, Joe Ryan, Gerrit Cole, Mason Miller, Steven Matz, Sandy Alcantara, Ross Stripling, Martin Perez, Bryce Miller, Graham Ashcraft, Michael Kopech

📞 Call To The Bullpen

Here we want to focus on the 8 teams that are playing four games this week, and pick pitchers from the series’ we think can stay close throughout.

I would prioritize the Rays, White Sox, Royals, and Rangers here as those are the teams playing four games within these matchups.

Games I’m looking at:

TBR/BAL, CHW/KCR, SEA/TEX

Closer Options:

• ~$4 Jason Adam

• ~$1 Reynaldo Lopez (Liam Hendricks is coming back next week though)

• ~$3 Scott Barlow

• ~$7 Will Smith

• ~$2 Clay Holmes

• ~$14 Camilo Doval

💰 Stacks

Rays

Tampa looks like an awesome stack in GW12. They will face Kyle Gibson, Grayson Rodriguez, and Dean Kremer at Camden Yards against the Orioles, before heading to Yankee Stadium to face Domingo German on Thursday.

In case you didn’t already know the Rays offense was good, they’re currently leading the MLB in AVG, OBP, Runs, Home Runs, SLG %, wRC+, ISO, OPS, and offensive WAR.

• ~$25 Yandy Díaz

• ~$84 Wander Franco

• ~$51 Randy Arozarena

• ~$14 Brandon Lowe

• ~$9 Isaac Paredes

White Sox

The White Sox will play a four game series at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals and are slated to face Zack Greinke, Jordan Lyles, Brad Keller, and Brady Singer.

The ballpark isn’t great for offense, but Chicago is coming off a 17-run outing vs. the Reds yesterday, and the Royals pitching staff has the second-highest collective xFIP on the year (5.06).

• ~$18 Tim Anderson

• ~$5 Andrew Benintendi

• ~$12 Andrew Vaughn

• ~$21 Luis Robert Jr.

• ~$3 Hanser Alberto

Yankees

The Yankees will draw a favorable home matchup this week against the bottom-ranked Oakland pitching staff, and are slated to face JP Sears, Drew Rucinski, and Kyle Muller. They will then play one game against Tampa and a TBD pitcher.

In addition to the expected return of Aaron Judge on Tuesday, the top of this Yankees lineup features a solid speed/power combination that should find success in this hitter-friendly park and against this poor pitching staff.

• ~$63 Anthony Volpe

• ~$120 Aaron Judge

• ~$14 Gleyber Torres

• ~$14 Anthony Rizzo

• ~$15 Harrison Bader

Other Stacks To Consider:

Giants, Royals, Rangers, Diamondbacks

Value Options (Under $20):

Middle Infielder:

• ~$15 Jonah Heim, $12 Brandon Drury, ~$9 Salvador Perez, ~$12 Daulton Varsho, $14 Jonathan India, ~$6 Javier Baez, ~$7 Cal Raleigh

Corner Infielder:

• ~$16 Christian Walker, ~$12 Andrew Vaughn, ~$11 Brandon Drury, $12 Isaac Paredes, ~$14 Jonathan India, ~$2 Brandon Belt

Outfielder:

• ~$18 Jarren Duran, ~$12 Hunter Renfroe, ~14 Anthony Santander, ~$7 Eddie Rosario, ~$18 Teoscar Hernandez, ~$7 Joey Meneses

There you have it, the Sorare MLB Slate Breakdown for Game Week 12.

I will be releasing these every Monday and Friday prior to lineup lock to help you all with preparing for the slate and setting your teams.

I hope to see everyone at the top of the leaderboards.

Thanks for reading!