Best MLB Walks Matchups — Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Top walks spot: Nick Kurtz
Nick Kurtz (ATH) tops the board at 100, facing RHP Troy Melton. The lefty is working counts at .219 BB/PA against righties this year — and .077 over the last two weeks, an elite bat that turns into a walk in about 18% of his trips. And Troy Melton has been tough to walk against righties lately — .045 walks 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. He's just .000 in 1 career PA against Troy Melton, but that's a tiny sample and the matchup says regression. It all sets up in a neutral park.
The rest of the top of the board
- Shohei Ohtani (LAD) (91) vs RHP Gabriel Hughes: an elite bat at .161 into an arm with little track record against the same side, hitter's park.
- James Wood (WSH) (90) vs RHP Spencer Arrighetti: an elite bat at .167 into an arm handing out free passes to the same side (.238).
- Juan Soto (NYM) (86) vs RHP Steven Cruz: an elite bat at .164 into an arm handing out free passes to the same side (.143), hot bat.
- Kyle Schwarber (PHI) (60) vs RHP Chase Burns: an excellent bat at .139 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.061).
- Bryce Harper (PHI) (57) vs RHP Chase Burns: an excellent bat at .135 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.061), due to bounce back.
- Miguel Vargas (CWS) (49) vs LHP Jake Bennett: an excellent bat at .134 into an arm with little track record against the same side.
- Iván Herrera (STL) (48) vs LHP Kyle Harrison: an elite bat at .151 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.037).
Platoon edges to target
- Nick Kurtz (ATH) — lefty bat vs RHP, .219 against righties this year.
- Shohei Ohtani (LAD) — lefty bat vs RHP, .183 against righties this year.
- James Wood (WSH) — lefty bat vs RHP, .195 against righties this year.
- Juan Soto (NYM) — lefty bat vs RHP, .185 against righties this year.
- Kyle Schwarber (PHI) — lefty bat vs RHP, .149 against righties this year.
Where walks come easiest today
- UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Shohei Ohtani (LAD) at 91.
- Oracle Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Rafael Devers (SF) at 45.
- PNC Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Matt Olson (ATL) at 45.
- Petco Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Corbin Carroll (AZ) at 36.
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 walks matchups
Each score (0–100) starts with the hitter's walks 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.