Taking a look around the league, here’s a recap of last night’s action and suggestions for your fantasy baseball team.
Mr. Clutch (pitcher) – Justin Verlander had a big bounce-back game against the Rangers yesterday, going seven scoreless innings and striking out three. After getting rocked by the White Sox last outing, there was definitely cause for concern. Nevertheless, Verlander had it going yesterday but has mentioned that his problems have been mechanical issues all year. He had this to say on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike.”
“It’s been a battle for me personally this year, mechanics-wise, to be able to repeat my delivery like I have in the past, but everything’s healthy and I think I found something in my last bullpen session before my last start.”
Mr. Clutch (hitter) – A couple of weeks ago, I talked about Chris Davis being the story of the year. Yesterday, he cranked his 37th homerun before the All-Star break, which ties an AL record held by none other than Reggie Jackson, for most homeruns before the All-Star break. It would be amazing to see Davis get to 60, but I could Davis finishing in the low 50’s for the season. Either way, Davis has been a huge lottery ticket this season for owners that drafted him. He trails only Miguel Cabrera on ESPN’s player rater for the season.
Surprise, surprise! – While Chris Davis was tying records, Chris Archer stole the show, throwing his first complete game shut out, allowing just five hits while striking out eight. Archer had yet to make it past the 7th inning this season, but needed only 112 pitches to go the distance in Sunday’s contest. This win caps off three straight quality starts in a row for Archer. He currently is sporting a 2.96 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP and is only owned in 25% of leagues. I think that number should change in a hurry after the All-Star game. He faces Toronto Sunday. Pick him up if you are in need of pitching help.
Here comes the heat – Shin-Soo Choo owners have to be happy going into the All-Star break with his performance over the last 2-weeks. Choo is currently on a 12-game hitting streak, with a .429/.500/.571 slash line to go along with a home run and three steals. Choo has been money in the bank all season and that is exactly why the Reds traded for him. Choo is looking at a 20-20 season with possibly a .400 OBP and a .280 batting average. Got to love Choo in a Reds uniform.
Left out in the breeze – CC Sabathis got touched up yesterday by the lowly Twins in which he surrendered three runs off of eight hits while striking out five. While CC is a good source of strikeouts, that 4.07 ERA and 1.23 WHIP is not helping anyone. This once fantasy stud has seen his star dull a little in each of the past two seasons. If the name value were still worth something, I would be selling.
Who’s trending? – Gordon Beckham seems to have come back from the dead and has become relevant in the fantasy community once more. This once budding prospect has been a batting average machine, yet does not provide much more. Just 19 runs, two home runs, 13 RBIs and five steals on the season. If you are trying to win batting average every month, Beckham is the guy for you.
Bench me, please? – Anthony Rizzo, for me, seems to be one of the streakiest fantasy players this season. One minute he is a top-5 first baseman, the next he is barely own able. The past two weeks, he is batting just .196 with only one home run. He needs to be on the pine till he gets hot.
The Streamer – no streamer today
Links of the day – It’s link time!
- Tim Lincecum is back? No so fast my friend. This guy has the right take.
- Who’s trending? Check it out here.
- Looking for the ever-allusive second half breakout star? These guys have the answer.
- Wondering about the first half? Check out the good, the bad and the ugly here.
- Here are some interesting stats from some of yesterday’s performers.
