DS Talk » first goals for Arsenal.Granit Xha

Friday offers a slate full of solid pitching options but light on elite hurlers, making for a tricky night. Lets dig right into the daily notes for a closer look at all the possibilities.PitchingEliteJake Arrieta is one of the more perplexing players in the game to analyze. Known for his pinpoint control, the Chicago Cubs right-hander is walking hitters at an elevated 3.5 BB/9 clip, his highest mark with the club. In fact, since the break, the rate jumps to 3.8. On the other hand, over that span his hard contact rate is miniscule, rendering a tiny .178 batting average on balls in play. Conventional analysis points towards Arrieta enjoying ridiculously good luck. However, with the growing ability to characterize batted ball data, were in the process of learning how much, if any, control a pitcher exerts over the type of contact induced and whether this is a sustainable and repeatable skill.Complicating matters for Arrietas date in Wrigley Field with the St. Louis Cardinals is the Redbirds recent performance versus right-handers is vastly different from their season-long output. This is another area thats being investigated, especially with the boon of DFS: how long of a team sample is needed for current performance to be considered predictive?Specifically, if you look at the entire 2016 campaign, the Cardinals are the fourth most productive club in terms of weighted on base average (wOBA) with a righty on the hill. However, since the break, theyre the twelfth worse. Splitting the difference and calling it average, were still left with the original conundrum pitting off Arrieta being incredibly lucky versus wonderfully good.As a numbers-driven analyst, I prefer to base decisions on what I know and quite frankly, I dont know which is the real Arrieta. I do, however, believe hes facing a team struggling to score runs so Arrieta checks in as my top cash game option on the card, admittedly buoyed by the dearth of other options. Im looking elsewhere for my GPP lineups, not wanting to pay up for the risk Lady Luck is on his side and she decides to lend her powers elsewhere.SolidChris Archer leads off the solid tier. In his favor is a home affair in pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field along with a stellar post-break run featuring a 3.20 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 91 whiff to only 15 walks. On the other hand, Archer will be challenged by the hot-swinging Boston Red Sox. Despite his excellent second half numbers, facing the Red Sox will likely keep his GPP ownership low, making the right-hander an intriguing contrarian tournament option. The Texas Rangers shuffled their rotation, lining it up for the playoffs. Expected Game 2 starter Cole Hamels with take the hill in O. Co Coliseum against the Oakland Athletics.The Rangers are battling for the top seed in the American League so at least for now, theres no threat of Hamels being lifted early. Still, theres limited strikeout upside, rendering the southpaw better for cash games than GPP action.One of the advantages of calling the Great American Ballpark home is when you have a road date in Miller Park, youre not fazed by the homer-friendly tendencies of the venue. Such is the case for Anthony Desclafani as the Cincinnati Reds battle the Milwaukee Brewers. The Reds righty is a strong GPP candidate, facing one of the most generous lineups in the league in terms of strikeouts.With Clay Buchholzs resurgence, Drew Pomeranz may be pitching for a spot in the Boston Red Sox playoff rotation when he takes the hill in St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays. The home team hits southpaws well, but theyre also punch-out prone, putting Pomeranz in play for GPPs.Jon Gray is coming off the best effort of his fledgling career, recording a 95 Game Score, tied for the fourth best this season. Some are reticent to go right back to a pitcher after he tossed 113 pitches but research published at Baseball HQ concludes theres no concern. In fact, odds are the pitcher has another solid outing. Grays gem came against the Padres. This time he squares off with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chavez Ravine, a tough foe. Still, Gray is in play, especially since hell be unjustly faded by others.Speaking of the Padres, Albert Suarez takes the ball in Petco Park for the San Francisco Giants. Boosted by the Friars penchant for whiffing, Suarez is a lower-priced tournament option.StreamersContinued concern with Steven Matzs throwing shoulder keeps Gabriel Ynoa in the New York Mets rotation. If youll recall the last time out against the Twins, Ynoa was throwing well, whiffing eight with only one walk, but was lifted one out shy of the requisite five innings needed for the win. The likely short leash keeps Ynoa from DFS consideration and tempers potential in leagues counting quality starts, since six innings isnt assured. But if you need a handful of frames against a beatable Philadelphia Phillies offense with a chance to steal a win, Ynoas in play.James Paxton is going to be a mainstay on sleeper lists and the like heading into the 2017 fantasy baseball season. The astute will cite his actual ERA, presently 3.88 will in all likelihood be higher than his expected ERAs. As of now, Paxton sports a 2.91 FIP and 3.51 xFIP. The Seattle Mariners southpaw draws a Minnesota Twins club thats in the lower half of the league with respect to production versus lefties since the break.Its never comfortable starting Francisco Liriano but if youre chasing wins, you could do worse than the enigmatic southpaw leading the Toronto Blue Jays against the New York Yankees in Rogers Centre. Evaluating Liriano is akin to analyzing a knuckleball pitcher; you never know what to expect, regardless of matchup. But, at home, facing Bryan Mitchell, the run support should be there.Like his mound foe DeSclafani, Zach Davies has enjoyed a solid campaign. Both will be under-the-radar fantasy assets next season. DeSclafani is the better DFS choice but dont be afraid to use Davies in seasonal play. He should provide innings with some whiffs.Sometimes the best trades are those you dont make. It was assumed the Philadelphia Phillies would move Jeremy Hellickson at the deadline but instead theres talk of signing him in part to serve as veteran presence on a young staff but also on the heels of a career best season. Hellickson is in a good spot for another strong effort taking the hill in Citi Field against a New York Mets squad thats struggled putting points on the board as of late.Matt Wisler has often made this space as one to avoid or stack hitter against but today, hes in play for a spot start, taking on the Miami Marlins in South Beach. The Atlanta Braves have been much better over the second half and draw Andrew Cashner, whos been a mess lately. Its odd to recommend a 7-12 pitcher to pick up a win, but thats September baseball.AvoidMiguel Gonzalez and Doug Fister fall in the automatic range. No one else will be added, though there are some borderline candidates. If you need additional analysis on anyone not profiled, please take advantage of the comments section or send a tweet to @ToddZola. Just remember, all I can do is analyze the matchup. The decision to start or sit is all yours.HittersLefty swingers in Marlins Park take the top spot on the Friday night slate as both sides face righties with decent platoon splits. Well start with the visiting Atlanta Braves facing Andrew Cashner. Ender Inciarte leads things off with Freddie Freeman in the three-hole. Nick Markakis has been very productive since the break and deserves a look. The way Cashner is throwing, Adonis Garcia and Matt Kemp are in the mix despite lacking the platoon edge.The Fish to target include Dee Gordon, Christian Yelich, Justin Bour and if hes playing, Ichiro Suzuki as they all enjoy the platoon bump over Matt Wisler. The Braves righty is better versus right-handed batters but at least this season has allowed some homers to same-side hitters so dont be afraid to find a spot for Marcell Ozuna or Giancarlo Stanton.Its a good day to step into the left-handed batters box as that unit for the Los Angeles Angels are in a good spot against Doug Fister. Stacking Halos isnt the best ploy but finding a spot for Kole Calhoun could pay off as the new Dad is back with the club, returning from paternity leave. Rafael Ortega or Nick Buss join Calhoun as a cost-efficient mini-stack.Keeping with the theme, Shelby Miller has scuffled in general but more so versus lefties. The Baltimore Orioles contingent of Hyun Soo Kim, Chris Davis and Pedro Alvarez are the main beneficiaries.So as not to be accused of southpaw bias, lets tab the right-handed brethren of the Toronto Blue Jays as the final club to highlight. The Jay are at home against the New York Yankees and impressive but still raw rookie Bryan Mitchell. With a playoff spot in the balance, you know the standard fare of Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki are threats to go deep. Ancillary parts include Devon Travis, Kevin Pillar and the left-handed Michael Saunders.Most likely to hit a home run: Buster PoseyThe Giants dont have a ton of power hitter to take advantage of Edwin Jackson penchant for delivering the long ball but since Jackson displays reverse splits, this seems like a great time for Posey to hit his second homer this week, after not leaving the yard since July 16.Most likely to steal a base: Trea TurnerNot only has Turner snagged 17 bags in less than half a season, hes only been caught four times. Like most of his mound brethren Jameson Taillon can be run on so look for Turner to take advantage. Air Jordan 13 Ireland . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. Cheap Jordan 13 Ireland . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. http://www.cheapairjordan13ireland.com/ . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Air Jordan 13 Ireland . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Jordan 13 Sale Ireland . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. MANCHESTER, England -- With no European competitions clogging up their schedules, Chelsea and Liverpool are placing more importance on the English League Cup than usual this season.They both advanced to the last 16 on Tuesday -- but took different routes.Chelsea came from two goals behind at Premier League champion Leicester, taking an end-to-end game to extra time at 2-2 thanks to goals from defenders Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta before Cesc Fabregas double clinched a 4-2 win.Liverpool had it much easier, dispatching second-tier Derby in a 3-0 victory with Ragnar Klavan, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi scoring the goals.Chelsea and Liverpool both rested key players but still fielded strong lineups in a bid to stay alive in one of three competitions theyll enter this season. Liverpool is a record eight-time League Cup winner, while Chelsea is joint-second in the all-time list of trophy winners with five titles.Leicester has much bigger priorities this season. Aside from attempting to retain its Premier League title, Claudio Ranieris team are in the Champions League for the first time and likely will not be too concerned about exiting a competition of the least importance.Japan forward Shinji Okazaki took advantage of defensive errors to score twice for Leicester at King Power Stadium, but the hosts were undermanned in extra time after Marcin Wasilewski collected his second yellow card in the 89th for elbowing Diego Costa in the face.Fabregas two goals send a message to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, who has marginalized the Spain midfielder at the start of the season.Heres a look at other results in the third round on Tuesday, as Premier League teams fared differently against lower-league opposition after rotating their starting lineups:---EVERTON 0, NORWICH 2Everton faileed to transfer its strong Premier League form to the League Cup by losing to second-tier Norwich, which played almost a complete reserve team.ddddddddddddSteven Naismith, a former Everton player, and Norwich double their lead in spectacular style as one of the Murphy twins, Josh, spins with his back to goal maybe 18 yards out, unleashes a left-footed strike that whizzes in off the underside of the bar!Josh Murphy were the scorers.Everton has been the surprise of the Premier League so far, currently sitting in second place after an unbeaten start that includes four wins from five games. The teams last piece of major silverware came in 1995.---NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0, ARSENAL 4Lucas Perez, a recent signing from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna, scored twice in the second half for his first goals for Arsenal.Granit Xhaka scored from long range -- as he did against Hull in the Premier League on Saturday -- to put Arsenal ahead and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wrapped up the victory for a visiting team featuring a mix of youth-team players and fringe squad members.---BOURNEMOUTH 2, PRESTON 3Bournemouth joined Everton in exiting the competition, meaning six Premier League teams have been eliminated so far.Danish striker Simon Makienok scored a hat trick for second-tier Preston, with his second goal coming in the 85th minute to take the game into extra time and his third clinching the win in the 111th minute.Fresh off a heavy defeat at Manchester City, Bournemouth played an entire second-string team.---OTHER RESULTSIn games between League Championship teams, Reading won 2-1 at Brighton, Leeds won 1-0 at home to Blackburn, and Newcastle beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0. 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