Pittsburgh @ Los Angeles Picks & Props

This contest is predicted to have the 5th-most suitable weather for pitching among all the games scheduled today. Among every team on the slate today, the 4th-strongest infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Taylor Ward's ability to hit the ball at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has decreased from last year to this one, going from 22.3% to 14.9%.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Nolan Schanuel in the 87th percentile when it comes to his batting average talent. Home field advantage generally bolsters batter stats in all categories, and Nolan Schanuel will hold that advantage today. Based on Statcast metrics, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.268) suggests that Nolan Schanuel has had bad variance on his side since the start of last season with his .253 actual batting average. In terms of plate discipline, Nolan Schanuel's ability is quite impressive, putting up a 1.41 K/BB rate since the start of last season while checking in at in the 95th percentile.

This contest is predicted to have the 5th-most suitable weather for pitching among all the games scheduled today. Among every team on the slate today, the 4th-strongest infield defense is that of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Luis Rengifo's average exit velocity has dropped off this year; his 87-mph mark last season has lowered to 84.4-mph. Luis Rengifo's launch angle this season (0.7°) is quite a bit lower than his 6.3° figure last season. As it relates to his batting average, Luis Rengifo has been lucky since the start of last season. His .283 figure has been inflated compared to the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected Batting Average (xBA) at .256.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Ke'Bryan Hayes in the 76th percentile when it comes to his batting average skill. Ke'Bryan Hayes has seen a significant gain in his exit velocity this year; just compare his 91.6-mph average to last year's 88.7-mph EV. Ke'Bryan Hayes's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has improved from last year to this one, going from 41.8% to 50.8%.

As it relates to his overall offensive ability, Oneil Cruz ranks in the 95th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Oneil Cruz is projected to hit 1st in the lineup in this matchup. Hitting from the opposite that Jose Soriano throws from, Oneil Cruz will have the upper hand in today's game. Oneil Cruz's ability to hit the ball at a HR-maximizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has increased from last season to this one, increasing from 13.2% to 30.4%. Based on Statcast data, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.269) provides evidence that Oneil Cruz has suffered from bad luck since the start of last season with his .255 actual batting average.

Tommy Pham has gotten much quicker this season, improving from last season's 27.17 ft/sec to 27.62 ft/sec now (according to Statcast's Sprint Speed metric). As it relates to his wOBA and overall offense, Tommy Pham has suffered from bad luck this year. His .204 figure falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected wOBA (xwOBA) at .281. Tommy Pham's 90.4-mph average exit velocity is among the best in the game since the start of last season: 75th percentile.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the 88th percentile as it relates to his batting average ability. Grading out in the 82nd percentile, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has notched a .270 batting average since the start of last season.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Andrew McCutchen in the 81st percentile when assessing his overall offensive talent. Andrew McCutchen is penciled in 3rd in the lineup in this matchup. Andrew McCutchen has seen a sizeable gain in his exit velocity this season; just compare his 91.4-mph average to last season's 88.5-mph figure. Andrew McCutchen's 11.5% Barrel% (a reliable stat to evaluate power) is in the 80th percentile since the start of last season.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Joey Bart in the 76th percentile when assessing his BABIP skill. Joey Bart is penciled in 5th on the lineup card today. Joey Bart has made big strides with his Barrel%, bettering his 9.5% rate last year to 15.2% this year. Joey Bart has seen a significant increase in his exit velocity on flyballs this season; just compare his 97-mph average to last year's 93-mph average. Joey Bart's ability to hit the ball at a HR-optimizing launch angle (between 23° and 34°) has gotten better from last season to this one, rising from 12.2% to 30.3%.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Logan O'Hoppe in the 83rd percentile when it comes to his overall offensive talent. Logan O'Hoppe is projected to hit 5th in the batting order in today's game. Logan O'Hoppe will have the handedness advantage over Bailey Falter today. Home field advantage typically improves batter stats in all categories, and Logan O'Hoppe will hold that advantage in today's game. Logan O'Hoppe has made notable gains with his Barrel%, upping his 12% rate last year to 18.4% this year.

Enmanuel Valdez is penciled in 4th in the lineup in this matchup. Hitting from the opposite that Jose Soriano throws from, Enmanuel Valdez will have the upper hand in today's game. Hitters such as Enmanuel Valdez with extreme flyball tendencies are usually more effective when facing pitchers like Jose Soriano who skew towards the groundball end of the spectrum. Enmanuel Valdez has seen a substantial improvement in his exit velocity this year; just compare his 91.8-mph average to last year's 89.3-mph EV. Enmanuel Valdez's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-maximizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has improved from last year to this one, rising from 36.4% to 54.1%.

Bryan Reynolds's BABIP skill is projected in the 95th percentile by the leading projection system (THE BAT X). Bryan Reynolds is projected to bat 2nd in the lineup in today's game. The switch-hitting Bryan Reynolds will hold the platoon advantage while batting from from his better side (0) today against Jose Soriano. Bryan Reynolds has seen a sizeable gain in his exit velocity on flyballs this season; just compare his 98.6-mph average to last season's 94.1-mph figure. Sporting a .343 Expected wOBA (or xwOBA, an advanced metric created by the leading projection system (THE BAT X) based on Statcast data) since the start of last season, Bryan Reynolds has performed in the 84th percentile for offensive ability.

When it comes to his overall offensive skill, Jorge Soler ranks in the 94th percentile according to the leading projections (THE BAT X). Jorge Soler is projected to hit 4th on the lineup card in this matchup. Batting from the opposite that Bailey Falter throws from, Jorge Soler will have an advantage in today's game. Jorge Soler will benefit from the home field advantage today, which should improve all of his stats. Jorge Soler's ability to hit the ball at a BABIP-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has increased from last season to this one, rising from 41.6% to 50%.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Zach Neto in the 81st percentile when estimating his overall offensive skill. Zach Neto has primarily hit in the back-half of the batting order this season (100% of the time), but he is projected to hit 2nd on the lineup card today. Batting from the opposite that Bailey Falter throws from, Zach Neto will have the upper hand in today's game. Zach Neto will hold the home field advantage in today's matchup, which figures to improve all of his stats. Zach Neto's 94.6-mph exit velocity on flyballs (an advanced standard to assess power) ranks in the 84th percentile since the start of last season.

Hitting from the opposite that Bailey Falter throws from, Jo Adell will have an advantage today. Jo Adell will benefit from the home field advantage today, which figures to boost all of his stats. Jo Adell's ability to hit the ball at a base hit-optimizing launch angle (between -4° and 26°) has improved from last season to this one, increasing from 38.3% to 54.8%. As it relates to his wOBA and overall offense, Jo Adell has been unlucky since the start of last season. His .295 rate falls considerably below the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Statcast-based Expected wOBA (xwOBA) at .322. Since the start of last season, Jo Adell's 11.8% Barrel%, a reliable standard for measuring power, places him in the 82nd percentile among his peers.

Adam Frazier will receive the benefit of the platoon advantage against Jose Soriano in today's game. Based on Statcast metrics, the leading projection system (THE BAT X)'s version of Expected Batting Average (.244) implies that Adam Frazier has had some very poor luck since the start of last season with his .204 actual batting average.

According to the leading projection system (THE BAT X), Mike Trout ranks as the 9th-best batter in the game. Mike Trout is projected to hit 3rd in the lineup in this matchup. Mike Trout will hold the platoon advantage over Bailey Falter in today's matchup. Mike Trout is an extreme flyball batter and faces the weak outfield defense of Pittsburgh (#3-worst of all teams on the slate today). Home field advantage typically bolsters batter metrics across the board, and Mike Trout will hold that advantage today.

The leading projection system (THE BAT X) projects Kyren Paris in the 86th percentile when assessing his BABIP ability. Hitting from the opposite that Bailey Falter throws from, Kyren Paris will have an advantage in today's matchup. Home field advantage typically boosts hitter stats in all categories, and Kyren Paris will hold that advantage in today's matchup. Over the last 14 days, Kyren Paris has been performing exceptionally well at the plate with a wOBA of .429. Ranking in the 95th percentile for Sprint Speed at 29.06 ft/sec this year, Kyren Paris is remarkably athletic.

Batting from the opposite that Bailey Falter throws from, Kevin Newman will have an edge today. Home field advantage typically boosts batter stats across the board, and Kevin Newman will hold that advantage in today's matchup.