Chicago @ Texas props

Globe Life Field projects as the #29 ballpark in Major League Baseball for lefty BABIP, according to the leading projection system (THE BAT). The Globe Life Field roof projects to be closed today, making weather conditions in this game -9° colder than the average outdoor game on the slate — favorable for pitching. Today, Corey Seager is at a disadvantage facing the league's 6th-deepest CF center field fences given that he hits his flyballs towards center field at a 38.2% rate (80th percentile). In the last two weeks' worth of games, Corey Seager's average launch angle on his hardest-hit balls (3.4°) has significantly dropped compared to his seasonal mark of 12.2°.

Eloy Jimenez's batting average skill is projected to be in the 89th percentile according to the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Eloy Jimenez is penciled in 5th on the lineup card in this game. Eloy Jimenez has been unlucky this year, notching a .283 wOBA despite the leading projection system (THE BAT X) estimating his true talent level to be .325 — a .042 difference.

Luis Robert's BABIP skill is projected in the 94th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Luis Robert is projected to bat 1st in the lineup in this matchup. In the past week, Luis Robert's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 15.3% up to 28.6%. Luis Robert has seen a sizeable increase in his exit velocity on flyballs of late; just compare his 106.5-mph average over the past week to his seasonal average of 95.4-mph. Over the past 7 days, Luis Robert's 85.7% rate of hitting balls at a BABIP-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) shows big improvement over his seasonal rate of 40.5%.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Andrew Vaughn in the 87th percentile when it comes to his overall offensive skill. Andrew Vaughn is penciled in 4th in the lineup in this matchup. Compared to his seasonal average of 16.2°, Andrew Vaughn has significantly improved his launch angle recently, posting a 24° angle over the past week. Andrew Vaughn's ability to hit the ball at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has gotten better from last year to this one, going from 13.9% to 18.7%. Despite posting a .293 wOBA this year, the leading projection system (THE BAT X) believes Andrew Vaughn has suffered from bad luck given the .034 discrepancy between that figure and his estimated true talent wOBA of .327.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Andrew Benintendi in the 88th percentile when assessing his batting average ability. Andrew Benintendi is projected to hit 2nd in the batting order in this game. Andrew Benintendi will hold the platoon advantage over Nathan Eovaldi today. The Texas Rangers have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Andrew Benintendi stands a good chance of never losing the platoon advantage against the 'pen all game. In the past 14 days, Andrew Benintendi's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 91-mph over the course of the season to 101.7-mph recently.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Marcus Semien in the 90th percentile as it relates to his overall offensive skill. Marcus Semien is projected to hit 1st in the lineup in this game. Home field advantage generally improves batter metrics across the board, and Marcus Semien will hold that advantage today. Marcus Semien has seen a notable increase in his exit velocity on flyballs in recent games; just compare his 102.3-mph average in the past two weeks' worth of games to his seasonal EV of 90.6-mph. Marcus Semien's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased from last season to this one, rising from 41.9% to 47.5%.

When assessing his overall offensive talent, Josh Smith ranks in the 75th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Josh Smith is penciled in 3rd on the lineup card in today's game. Josh Smith will have the handedness advantage against Chris Flexen in today's matchup. Josh Smith will benefit from the home field advantage today, which ought to bolster all of his stats. In the last two weeks, Josh Smith's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 89.7-mph over the course of the season to 97.9-mph recently.

Tommy Pham's BABIP skill is projected in the 81st percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Tommy Pham is projected to bat 3rd on the lineup card in today's game. In the past 7 days, Tommy Pham's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 6.9% up to 21.4%. Tommy Pham's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased from last year to this one, increasing from 43.3% to 48.7%. Posting a .333 BABIP this year, Tommy Pham is ranked in the 85th percentile.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Nathaniel Lowe in the 90th percentile as it relates to his BABIP ability. Nathaniel Lowe will hold the platoon advantage over Chris Flexen in today's matchup. Home field advantage typically boosts batter stats across the board, and Nathaniel Lowe will hold that advantage in today's game. Over the past 7 days, Nathaniel Lowe's Barrel% has experienced a surge, jumping from his seasonal rate of 4.8% up to 20%. Over the last two weeks, Nathaniel Lowe's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 89.5-mph over the course of the season to 99.9-mph lately.

Justin Foscue will possess the home field advantage in today's game, which ought to boost all of his stats. Justin Foscue has been zeroed in on the ideal launch angle for home runs in recent games, lifting balls between 23° and 34° 33.3% of the time in the last week.

Gavin Sheets is penciled in 4th in the lineup in this matchup. Gavin Sheets will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Nathan Eovaldi in today's game. The Texas Rangers have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so Gavin Sheets can likely count on holding the platoon advantage against every reliever all game. Gavin Sheets's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has improved from last year to this one, rising from 36.5% to 42.3%. In terms of his batting average, Gavin Sheets has had some very poor luck this year. His .222 BA falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected Batting Average (xBA) at .243.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Wyatt Langford in the 87th percentile when assessing his batting average talent. Wyatt Langford is projected to bat 4th in the lineup in today's game. Wyatt Langford will hold the home field advantage today, which ought to bolster all of his stats. Compared to his seasonal angle of 16.3°, Wyatt Langford has produced a noticeably lower launch angle (13°) over the past 14 days. In terms of his wOBA and overall offense, Wyatt Langford has been unlucky this year. His .301 figure falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected wOBA (xwOBA) at .324.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Leody Taveras in the 76th percentile when estimating his batting average talent. The switch-hitting Leody Taveras will hold the platoon advantage while batting from from his good side (0) today against Chris Flexen. Home field advantage generally boosts hitter stats in all categories, and Leody Taveras will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Leody Taveras has made sizeable strides with his Barrel% lately, improving his 5.8% seasonal rate to 13.3% in the past 14 days. In the last week, Leody Taveras's exit velocity on flyballs has seen a big rise, from 89.7-mph over the course of the season to 104.7-mph in recent games.

Home field advantage typically improves hitter metrics across the board, and Jonah Heim will hold that advantage today. Jonah Heim has seen a significant increase in his exit velocity on flyballs of late; just compare his 96.3-mph average in the past 14 days to his seasonal EV of 90.7-mph.

Paul DeJong's launch angle this year (21.3°) is a considerable increase over his 16.8° angle last season. Compared to his seasonal average of 21.3°, Paul DeJong has significantly improved his launch angle recently, posting a 29.5° figure over the past two weeks.

When it comes to his overall offensive skill, Adolis Garcia ranks in the 82nd percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Adolis Garcia is projected to bat 5th on the lineup card in today's game. Adolis Garcia will possess the home field advantage in today's matchup, which should bolster all of his stats. Despite posting a .284 wOBA this year, the leading projection system (THE BAT X) believes Adolis Garcia has been unlucky given the .038 deviation between that mark and his estimated true talent wOBA of .322.

Batting from the opposite that Nathan Eovaldi throws from, Nicky Lopez will have an advantage in today's matchup. Nicky Lopez is apt to have an edge against every reliever from start to finish, since the bullpen of the Texas Rangers has just 1 same-handed RP. There has been a significant improvement in Nicky Lopez's launch angle from last year's 0.2° to 6.9° this season.

Travis Jankowski will hold the platoon advantage against Chris Flexen in today's game. Home field advantage typically boosts hitter metrics across the board, and Travis Jankowski will hold that advantage today. Travis Jankowski's average launch angle on his hardest-hit balls this year (5.9°) is quite a bit higher than his 1.1° angle last season. Based on Statcast data, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected wOBA (.275) may lead us to conclude that Travis Jankowski has had some very poor luck this year with his .236 actual wOBA. By putting up a 1.69 K/BB rate since the start of last season, Travis Jankowski has displayed strong plate discipline, ranking in the 88th percentile.