sample = {{"September 29", "2.2300"}, {"September 30", "2.2075"}, {"October 1", "2.1825"}, {"October 2", "2.1400"}, {"October 3", "2.1500"}, {"Sep 29 - Oct 3", "2.1820-AVG"}, {"October 6", "2.1500"}, {"October 7", "2.1600"}, {"October 8", "2.1600"}, {"October 9", "2.1650"}, {"October 10", "2.1975"}, {"Oct 6 -10", "AVG: 2.1665"}}; Pick[sample, StringMatchQ[Last /@ sample, "*AVG*"], False] or Select[sample, StringMatchQ[Last@#, NumberString] &]