Story, Schimpf & Votto: Who2Watch 7-30-2016

Who To Watch: 7-30-2016

Houston Astros (Mike Fiers) @ Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander)

Verlander gets the nod over Fiers in the pitching department in this head to head battle for the American League Wild Card, but the offenses have both been equally good this month. The Astros rank ninth while the Tigers twelfth in runs scored in July. The trade deadline is breaking down to be a haves and have nots, with so many teams in contention and so few able to make the impact acquisitions that could separate them from the pack. These two don't look like teams that will be able to add much at the deadline so tonight should be a pretty good reflection of what to expect the rest of the way.

Miguel Cabrera is 6-19 with two home runs while Victor Martinez is 10-23. For the Astros, Evan Gattis has four home runs in five games while Jose Altuve has three in six and he is 4-8 against Justin Verlander in his career. George Springer has had his way with Verlander as well, going 4-6 with a home run.

St. Louis Cardinals (Jaime Garcia) @Miami Marlins (Colin Rea)

Another battle between Wild Card hopefuls. The Cardinals have been quiet as the trade deadline approaches. We haven't even heard their name attached to rumors. The Marlins made a splash, acquiring tonight's starter, Colin Rea (4.98 ERA - 1.46 Whip), and Andrew Cashner from the Padres. The Marlins are currently a game back of the Wild Card and six behind the Washington Nationals for the NL East. Rea is an innings eater more than anything, but in the spacious Marlins home ballpark and at the price, Rea was a solid addition and you will see what he can do tonight against a Cardinals offense that ranks fifth in runs scored in the month of July.

Joey Votto, 1B Cincinnati Reds @ San Diego Padres (Christian Friedrich)

Votto is 20-39 (.515 Batting Average) with four home runs and 15 walks. What that means is that Votto has reached base safely (or driven himself in via the home run) in 35 of his last 54 at bats. That's some ridiculous stuff. Don't stare to closely or you could get burned, but watch with your "sunglasses at night" here.

Ryan Schimpf, 2B San Diego Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds (Anthony DeSclafani)

Schimpf is 12 for 42 with five home runs, 11 runs batted in and eight walks. It's a difficult name to pronounce and playing out West he is a player that most probably aren't aware. He is a player to watch tonight and the rest of the season with an eye towards 2017.

Trevor Story, SS Colorado Rockies @New York Mets (Bartolo Colon)

Story has hit three home runs while striking out seven times with zero walks in his last 29 at bats. He faces the ageless power hitting starter Bartolo Colon in the Big Apple tonight.

For those that thought Story was more of a footnote than the real deal in April; he has 27 home runs, 71 RBIs, and eight stolen bases while batting .270 with a .341 OBP and .908 OPS. He has also walked 35 times in 405 plate appearances, a concern some had when he emerged in April. Story has some imperfections in his game and he benefits from Coors field as all batters do, but this kid will be a long term major league shortstop that will rival Tory Tulowitzki in the home run department for the Rockies so watch him now and say I told you so later.

Daily Fantasy Match Ups of Note:

Ian Desmond: 6-18 vs. Ian Kennedy

Adrian Beltre: 4-10, 1 HR vs. Ian Kennedy

Jody Mercer: 5-6, 1 2B vs. Chase Anderson

Starling Marte: 3-7, 1 HR vs. Chase Anderson

Giancarlo Stanton: 4-6, 1 2B vs. Jaime Garcia

Anthony DeSclafani: The Padres offense leads baseball in strikeouts and has been fifth worst in batting average in July.