Today, could be the day that swung title aspirations for you and/or your league-mates. From the rain delay that held Stephen Strasburg to pitching just two innings to some very important pitchers getting rocked to some amazing performances by guys who are barely owned could have impacted your playoff. I am always just excited to make the playoffs because winning in the last month of fantasy baseball is such a crapshoot from how you originally drafted your team.
Taking a look around the league, here’s a recap of last night’s action and suggestions for your fantasy baseball team.
Clutch Performers – Has anyone been hotter that Salvador Perez this week? I can tell you he has single-handedly swung the playoffs in my long time, keeper league (for me, fortunately). Four home runs in four days is insane for a guy who has just nine home runs on the season. Crazy enough, he is available in some leagues. A hot catcher smack dab in the middle of a playoff run is pure gold.
- Jay Bruce — 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 5 RBI
- Will Venable — 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI
- Leonys Martin — 2-for-6, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI
- Jed Lowrie — 3-for-5, 3 R, RBI
- Jacoby Ellsbury — 2-for-3, R, BB, 2 SB
- Chris Sale — 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 12 K, W
- Homer Bailey — 7.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, W
Surprise, surprise! – When I said pick up Ricky Nolasco after he went to the Dodgers, I was not joking. Last night may have been Nolasco’s highlight for the season. Eight inngings pitched of shutout baseball only allowing three hits while racking up 11 strikeouts. He has not been a top-20 fantasy pitcher since coming to the Dodgers for nothing.
- Brandon Moss — 4-for-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 6 RBI
- Avisail Garcia — 3-for-4, HR, R, 3 RBI
- Jesus Gusman — 3-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, BB
- Jordan Schafer — 3-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB
- Pedro Florimon — 2-for-3, 2 SB
- Eric Young Jr. — 1-for-4, R, 2 SB
- Jhoulys Chacin — 7 IP, H, R, 2 BB, 9 K, W
- Danny Duffy — 6.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 7 K, W
Left out in the breeze:
- J.J. Hardy — 0-for-4, 2 K
- Adam Wainwright — 2 IP, 8 H, 9 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, L
- Michael Cuddyer — 0-for-4, 4 K
- Felix Hernandez — 3 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, BB, 2 K, L
- Mike Napoli — 0-for-4, 3 K
- Doug Fister — 5 IP, 13 H, 7 ER, 2 K, L
- Hiroki Kuroda — 5 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, BB, 4 K, L
Trending developments:
- Edison Volquez to the Dodgers? This could have Ricky Nolasco-type implications for Volquez.
- In a followup to yesterdays column, Marlon Byrd smacked a three-run home run in his debut for the Pirates.
- Astros have 10-plus strikeouts versus opposing starters
- Ricky Nolasco is 6-1 since joining the Dodgers.
- My boy, Jason Castro is on an seven-game hitting streak that includes a .522/.633/1.217 slash line as well as four home runs. Pick this dude up! Pick this dude up! How many times do I have to say it? Pick this dude up!
Prospect Watch – Avisail Garcia has been fairly solid since coming up and the home run was a nice topper to put on an impressive 3-for-4 performance. He has not set the world on fire with his .292/.325/.416 slash line, three home runs and a stolen base in 163 plate appearances, but he has been worth a waiver claim at the very least. Look to Garcia if you are in need of an outfielder in the stretch run.
Head-2-Head– Big ol’ Bartolo Colon should be the first and last name you come to if you need a streamer. Yeah I know he is taking on Detroit and Detroit is throwing out Max Scherzer, but it’s Colon! Not to humble-brag (and by not, I mean yes, yes, yes!), I have been on fire picking streaming options so take Colon to the bank today. To be honest, if you don’t get Colon to stream, you might as well not get anyone. I believe Bruce Chen is the next best available
Links of the day:
- Closer reports coming at you.
- Is Desmond Jennings a hot commodity moving forward in keeper leagues?
- Here are some hot players to consider for the stretch run.
- Billy, Billy Billy Hamilton analysis about his eventual September call-up.
- More people agreeing with me about Danny Duffy.