Best MLB Walks Matchups — Thursday, July 9, 2026
Top walks spot: Juan Soto
Juan Soto (NYM) tops the board at 100, facing RHP Michael Wacha. The lefty is working counts at .182 BB/PA against righties this year — and .242 over the last two weeks, an elite bat that turns into a walk in about 16% of his trips. And Michael Wacha has been tough to walk against righties lately — .000 walks per batter faced. The bullpen behind him is roughly average to that side. He's hitting in a spot worth about 4.5 trips, so the volume's there. He's a fine .286 in 7 career PA against Michael Wacha. It all sets up in a neutral park.
The rest of the top of the board
- Mike Trout (LAA) (86) vs RHP Nathan Eovaldi: an elite bat at .166 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.000), hot bat.
- Kyle Schwarber (PHI) (77) vs RHP Brady Singer: an excellent bat at .139 into an arm handing out free passes to the same side (.111).
- Bryce Harper (PHI) (76) vs RHP Brady Singer: an excellent bat at .135 into an arm handing out free passes to the same side (.111), due to bounce back.
- Ben Rice (NYY) (69) vs RHP Drew Rasmussen: an excellent bat at .123 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.042).
- Miguel Vargas (CWS) (67) vs LHP Patrick Sandoval: an excellent bat at .136 into an arm with little track record against the same side, due to bounce back.
- Sal Stewart (CIN) (66) vs LHP Jesús Luzardo: an excellent bat at .123 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.043).
- Junior Caminero (TB) (57) vs RHP the starter: a strong bat at .108 into an arm with little track record against the same side, due to bounce back.
Platoon edges to target
- Juan Soto (NYM) — lefty bat vs RHP, .182 against righties this year.
- Kyle Schwarber (PHI) — lefty bat vs RHP, .149 against righties this year.
- Bryce Harper (PHI) — lefty bat vs RHP, .154 against righties this year.
- Ben Rice (NYY) — lefty bat vs RHP, .143 against righties this year.
- Miguel Vargas (CWS) — righty bat vs LHP, .186 against lefties this year.
Where walks come easiest today
- Oracle Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Rafael Devers (SF) at 56.
- PNC Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Brandon Lowe (PIT) at 56.
- Petco Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Corbin Carroll (AZ) at 52.
Lineup watch
234 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.