Best MLB Singles Matchups — Friday, September 4, 2026
Top singles spot: Chandler Simpson
Chandler Simpson (TB) tops the board at 100, facing RHP Trevor Williams. The lefty is lining singles at .262 1B/PA against righties this year — and .222 over the last two weeks, an elite bat that turns into a single in about 21% of his trips. And Trevor Williams has been getting picked apart by righties lately — .182 singles per batter faced. One catch: the bullpen behind him has been stingy to that side late. He's hitting in a spot worth about 4.5 trips, so the volume's there. No real history against Trevor Williams. It all sets up in a neutral park.
The rest of the top of the board
- Nick Gonzales (PIT) (97) vs RHP Ryan Johnson: an elite bat at .220 into an arm tough to string hits off the same side (.111), hot bat.
- Bryan Torres (STL) (95) vs RHP Ryan Feltner: an excellent bat at .188 into an arm getting picked apart by the same side (.207).
- Jackson Chourio (MIL) (95) vs RHP Rhett Lowder: an excellent bat at .178 into an arm getting picked apart by the same side (.174).
- Blaze Alexander (BAL) (91) vs LHP Ranger Suarez: an excellent bat at .171 into an arm getting picked apart by the same side (.233).
- Henry Bolte (ATH) (89) vs RHP Logan Gilbert: an excellent bat at .186 into an arm getting picked apart by the same side (.176).
- Josh Naylor (SEA) (87) vs RHP Kade Morris: an excellent bat at .189 into an arm tough to string hits off the same side (.100).
- Yandy Díaz (TB) (86) vs RHP Trevor Williams: an excellent bat at .180 into an arm getting picked apart by the same side (.182).
Platoon edges to target
- Chandler Simpson (TB) — lefty bat vs RHP, .262 against righties this year.
- Bryan Torres (STL) — lefty bat vs RHP, .184 against righties this year.
- Blaze Alexander (BAL) — righty bat vs LHP, .217 against lefties this year.
- Josh Naylor (SEA) — lefty bat vs RHP, .183 against righties this year.
- Coby Mayo (BAL) — righty bat vs LHP, .120 against lefties this year.
Hot bats and bounce-back spots
Swinging hot bats: Nick Gonzales (PIT), Luke Keaschall (MIN), Coby Mayo (BAL), Jake McCarthy (COL), Roman Anthony (BOS), and Cody Bellinger (NYY). Cold but due to bounce back: Alec Burleson (STL), Connor Norby (COL), Junior Caminero (TB), Brayan Rocchio (CLE), and Nico Hoerner (CHC).
Lineup watch
270 of today's hitters are still on projected lineups, drawn from each team's last game. Batting order drives the score, so these flip the moment official lineups post — usually about two hours before first pitch. Anyone who doesn't make the official card gets flagged "Not starting" and drops to the bottom.
How to read these singles matchups
Each score (0–100) starts with the hitter's singles per plate appearance against the hand he's facing — weighted toward the last two weeks, then the season, then a two-year baseline. Then it layers in the bullpen, his spot in the order, and park and weather. Higher means more of it points his way. It's context, not a lock — a great spot still goes 0-for-4 sometimes, and a tough one runs into one. The edge is in stacking the odds, and since we grade every board, you can see how often the top of the list delivers.