Best MLB Walks Matchups — Friday, July 10, 2026
Top walks spot: Nick Kurtz
Nick Kurtz (ATH) tops the board at 100, facing RHP Sean Burke. The lefty is working counts at .216 BB/PA against righties this year — and .069 over the last two weeks, an elite bat that turns into a walk in about 18% of his trips. And Sean Burke has been tough to walk against righties lately — .054 walks per batter faced. The bullpen behind him hasn't been any better to that side, so there's no relief late. He's hitting in a spot worth about 4.5 trips, so the volume's there. He's owned Sean Burke too — .333 across 3 career trips. It all sets up in a neutral park.
The rest of the top of the board
- Juan Soto (NYM) (75) vs RHP Sonny Gray: an elite bat at .166 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.000).
- Kyle Schwarber (PHI) (61) vs RHP Jack Flaherty: an excellent bat at .140 into an arm handing out free passes to the same side (.130).
- Mike Trout (LAA) (58) vs RHP Zebby Matthews: an elite bat at .165 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.045).
- Bryce Harper (PHI) (54) vs RHP Jack Flaherty: an excellent bat at .136 into an arm handing out free passes to the same side (.130), due to bounce back.
- Sal Stewart (CIN) (48) vs LHP Shota Imanaga: an excellent bat at .122 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.023).
- Pete Alonso (BAL) (48) vs RHP Luinder Avila: a strong bat at .116 into an arm handing out free passes to the same side (.333).
- Miguel Vargas (CWS) (47) vs LHP Jacob Lopez: an excellent bat at .135 into an arm tough to walk against the same side (.000), due to bounce back.
Platoon edges to target
- Nick Kurtz (ATH) — lefty bat vs RHP, .216 against righties this year.
- Juan Soto (NYM) — lefty bat vs RHP, .188 against righties this year.
- Kyle Schwarber (PHI) — lefty bat vs RHP, .151 against righties this year.
- Bryce Harper (PHI) — lefty bat vs RHP, .155 against righties this year.
- Sal Stewart (CIN) — righty bat vs LHP, .153 against lefties this year.
Where walks come easiest today
- PNC Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Brice Turang (MIL) at 44.
- Oracle Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Rafael Devers (SF) at 38.
- UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Corbin Carroll (AZ) at 34.
- Petco Park is playing as hitter-friendly today (+3% walk park). Top bat there: Luis Campusano (SD) at 24.
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.