BOOKMARK: Sporting News Fantasy

SPLITS TO KNOW

Jay Bruce is hitless with eight Ks in 16 at-bats against Michael Wacha. Billy Hamilton (1-for-14) and Brandon Phillips (2-for-16) have also struggled against the righty.

Jon Jay is 12-for-27 (.444) with three homers against Johnny Cueto, while teammate Jhonny Peralta is just 3-for-20 (.150) with seven Ks against him.

Aramis Ramirez and Khris Davis are a combined 3-for-30 (.100) against lefty Jeff Locke.

Pablo Sandoval is hitting .324/.343/.618 with two homers in 34 at-bats against Ubaldo Jimenez, while Mike Napoli is 4-for-10 with a pair of jacks against the righthander.

Brian Dozier is just 3-for-22 (.136) with six Ks against Corey Kluber. However, Trevor Plouffe (9-for-25, two HRs) has had some success against Kluber and could be a deep sleeper.

Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .167/.242/.367 with 17 Ks in 30 at-bats against Clayton Kershaw. This is also one lefty you don’t want Drew Stubbs facing (3-for-23, 10 Ks).

Buster Posey is 11-for-20 (.550) with three homers against Josh Collmenter, while Angel Pagan is 7-for-12 with a pair of doubles against him. 

Merry Krismas, everyone!

READ MORE: Today’s best DFS MLB plays

SP RANKINGS

  1. Clayton Kershaw, LAD vs. COL 2. Max Scherzer, WAS vs. PHI 3. Corey Kluber, CLE at MIN 4. David Price, DET vs. CWS 5. Johnny Cueto, CIN at STL 6. Sonny Gray, OAK at KC 7. James Shields, SD at CHC 8. Michael Wacha, STL vs. CIN 9. Drew Hutchison, TOR vs. ATL 10. Julio Teheran, ATL at TOR 11. Jeff Samardzija, CWS at DET 12. Jimmy Nelson, MIL at PIT 13. Jason Hammel, CHC vs. SD 14. J.A. Happ, SEA vs. TEX 15. Yovani Gallardo, TEX at SEA 16. Jered Weaver, LAA at HOU 17. Jake Peavy, SF vs. ARI 18. Bartolo Colon, NYM vs. MIA 19. David Phelps, MIA at NYM 20. Josh Collmenter, ARI at SF 21. Adam Warren, NYY at TB 22. Jeff Locke, PIT vs. MIL 23. Jeremy Guthrie, KC vs. OAK 24. Nate Karns, TB vs. NYY 25. Roberto Hernandez, HOU vs. LAA 26. Sean O’Sullivan, PHI at WAS 27. Kyle Kendrick, COL at LAD 28. Joe Kelly, BOS vs. BAL 29. Mike Pelfrey, MIN vs. CLE 30. Ubaldo Jimenez, BAL at BOS

CALL TO THE ‘PEN

Brad Boxberger was back in the ninth inning for the Rays on Thursday, earning his fourth save of the season. He did allow a walk, a hit and a run, but if not for a runner advancing on a fielder’s indifference, he might have escaped with a scoreless inning. Either way, Boxberger should remain in the closer’s role until Jake McGee (elbow) returns. Meanwhile, McGee reportedly “felt good” after throwing an inning in an extended spring training game on Thursday, and he’s on track to return by early May.

WEATHER WATCH

There’s a 58-percent chance of rain in Washington for the Phillies-Nationals and in Kansas City for the A’s-Royals, though showers aren’t expected until later in the evening for that game.