Rowdy Tellez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the Pirates' 9-3 win over the Cubs.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the multi-hit game, Tellez's season remains underwhelming with a mere .188 batting average and just one home run over 43 games. His performance today, although a step in the right direction, hardly moves the needle for fantasy managers. With a low wOBA of .229 and a BABIP of .241, there's little to suggest a significant turnaround is imminent. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Tellez, but expectations should be tempered given his performance thus far.
Andrew McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Pirates' victory over the Cubs.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included a walk and a strikeout. Despite the home run, McCutchen's season has been underwhelming with a batting average lingering around .213 and a modest .308 wOBA. His power numbers are decent, with six homers on the season, but his overall production has been limited by a low BABIP of .256. Fantasy managers should view McCutchen as a potential depth option rather than a regular starter, given his current form and the lack of consistent hitting.
Jared Triolo went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the Pirates' 9-3 victory over the Cubs.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included a crucial home run that helped extend the Pirates' lead, marking his second homer of the season. Despite a struggling batting average of .201 over 41 games, this game could be a sign of turning things around. Triolo's power display, albeit infrequent, along with his ability to drive in runs (15 RBI so far), offers some hope for fantasy managers in need of corner infielders. However, his high strikeout rate (41 in 144 at-bats) and low walk rate (.115) continue to be areas of concern, limiting his appeal primarily to deeper leagues.
Kyle Hendricks struggled mightily in Friday's 9-3 loss to the Pirates, allowing seven earned runs on 11 hits while striking out four over 4 2/3 innings.
Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a troubling trend for Hendricks, whose season ERA ballooned to an alarming 10.57, accompanied by a 1.99 WHIP through seven starts. His inability to limit hits, evidenced by a .385 BABIP, and a modest 7.3 K/9 rate, suggests ongoing challenges in regaining his form. Fantasy managers should be wary of relying on Hendricks in any format, as his current performance offers little in terms of reliability or upside.
Miguel Amaya went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI in the Cubs' 9-3 defeat to the Pirates.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the loss, Amaya's solo shot was one of the few highlights for the Cubs, marking his second homer of the season. His overall performance this season has been underwhelming with a .187 batting average and a .241 wOBA through 31 games. Fantasy managers should view Amaya as a low-end option, primarily in deeper leagues or two-catcher formats. His power display offers some upside, but his high strikeout rate and low batting average limit his appeal.
Christopher Morel went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in the Cubs' 9-3 defeat to the Pirates.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the loss, Morel's performance was a small silver lining, as he managed to drive in both of the Cubs' runs. This game, however, does little to brighten his rather dim season stats, with a batting average lingering around the Mendoza Line at .215. His power numbers are decent, with nine homers, but his overall production has been underwhelming. Fantasy managers should view Morel as a risky play, primarily useful in deeper leagues or as a fill-in option when matchups are favorable. His lack of consistent on-base skills (.305 wOBA) and high strikeout rate (40 Ks in 163 at-bats) continue to limit his upside.
Colton Cowser delivered a solid performance in the Orioles' 9-2 rout of the Mariners, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Fantasy Impact: He also drew a walk. This game is a bright spot in what has been a somewhat average season for Cowser, pushing his batting average to .263. His ability to drive in runs, now totaling 22 RBI in 40 games, coupled with a decent .361 wOBA, suggests potential value in deeper fantasy leagues. However, his high strikeout rate of 30.3% remains a concern. Fantasy managers should consider Cowser as a situational player, especially useful in matchups that favor his hitting profile.
John Means pitched a solid six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with no walks and striking out four in the Orioles' 9-2 win over the Mariners on Friday.
Fantasy Impact: This performance underscores Means's steady presence in the rotation, maintaining a strong start to the season with a 3.06 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP over his first three starts. His ability to limit walks, demonstrated by a 0.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a consistent strikeout rate of 7.6 K/9, continues to make him a reliable option in fantasy leagues. The low BABIP of .260 suggests some luck, but his solid FIP of 3.20 indicates that his success is not solely dependent on it. Fantasy managers should consider Means a stable starting option, especially in matchups against less formidable offenses.
Sat, May 18th 9:20am EDT
By Chris Schommer
Adley Rutschman went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in the Orioles' 9-2 rout of the Mariners.
Fantasy Impact: His performance today, contributing a double and scoring twice, underscores his consistent ability to get on base and advance. Rutschman's season batting average remains impressive at .318, and his wOBA at .369 indicates strong overall offensive production. While his walk rate could see improvement, his relatively low strikeout rate and solid BABIP suggest that his hitting prowess is not just a fluke. Fantasy managers should continue to value Rutschman highly, especially in formats that reward on-base percentage and extra-base hits.
Gunnar Henderson went 2-for-5 with a triple, a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI in the Orioles' 9-2 victory over the Mariners.
Fantasy Impact: Henderson's performance included key extra-base hits that helped extend Baltimore's lead, showcasing his ability to impact the game significantly. With a season batting average of .263 and a solid .378 wOBA, Henderson continues to be a reliable source of power and run production. His consistent ability to convert at-bats into meaningful stats like home runs and triples makes him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups, especially in leagues that reward extra-base hits and RBIs. Keep an eye on his strikeout rate, but Henderson's power numbers should keep him relevant in all formats.
Bryce Miller allowed four earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one over 5 1/3 innings in Friday's 9-2 loss to the Orioles.
Fantasy Impact: This outing marked a downturn from his otherwise stellar season, where he boasted a 3.08 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. The significant drop in strikeouts and the increase in earned runs could be concerning for fantasy managers relying on his previously high strikeout rate (8.9 K/9) and low ERA. Given the sharp contrast with his season averages, this performance might be a blip rather than a trend, but it does highlight some potential volatility in Miller's otherwise solid season stats. Fantasy managers should monitor his next few starts closely for signs of either recovery or further struggles.
Dylan Moore went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored, and one RBI in the Mariners' 9-2 defeat to the Orioles.
Fantasy Impact: This performance, featuring a mix of power and consistency at the plate, could hint at a potential upswing for Moore, who has otherwise been struggling with a modest .221 batting average this season. His ability to contribute in multiple categories, shown by his season totals in home runs and stolen bases, keeps him relevant in deeper fantasy leagues. However, his high strikeout rate and low batting average limit his appeal in shallower or average-based formats. Fantasy managers should monitor if this game sparks a hot streak, but expectations should be tempered given his overall performance this season.
Jeff Hoffman notched a save in the Phillies' 4-2 victory over the Nationals.
Fantasy Impact: He allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of work, contributing to his team's win without recording any strikeouts. This performance, while not flashy, was effective and adds to his season's solid stats, including a stellar 0.90 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Hoffman's ability to close games, evidenced by his third save, should keep him relevant in fantasy leagues, especially those valuing saves and ERA. However, his lack of strikeouts in this outing might be a slight concern for fantasy managers relying on him for those points. His high K/9 rate this season suggests this may just be a blip, but it's something to monitor.
Zack Wheeler delivered a strong performance, allowing two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out six over 7 1/3 innings in Friday's 4-2 win over the Nationals.
Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a stellar season for Wheeler, who now boasts a 2.52 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP through 10 starts. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (10.5 K/9) along with a solid 3.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio underscores his reliability as a top-tier fantasy starter. Wheeler's consistent performance, highlighted by a low 0.240 BABIP, suggests he's effectively managing contact and should remain a strong asset in fantasy lineups. Owners should continue to deploy him with confidence, expecting quality starts and high strikeout totals.
Jake Irvin took the loss Friday, surrendering four earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two over five innings against the Phillies.
Fantasy Impact: This performance slightly tarnishes his otherwise solid season stats, pushing his ERA to 3.91 and his WHIP to 1.11. Despite the setback, Irvin's season-long metrics like a 3.43 FIP and a 4.22 K/BB ratio suggest he could bounce back. However, his low strikeout rate of 6.8 K/9 continues to limit his upside in fantasy formats that heavily reward strikeouts. Fantasy managers should consider these factors carefully when deciding his role in their lineups moving forward.
Keibert Ruiz went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in the Nationals' 4-2 loss to the Phillies.
Fantasy Impact: This performance, while modest, is a slight uptick in what has been a challenging season for Ruiz, who is struggling with a mere .147 batting average over 25 games. His RBI double does little to offset the broader concerns about his offensive output, as evidenced by his lowly .185 wOBA and .158 BABIP. Fantasy managers should remain cautious, as consistent production seems distant without significant adjustments at the plate.
Mason Black allowed four earned runs on six hits while striking out two over three innings in Friday's win against the Rockies.
Fantasy Impact: This performance did little to alleviate concerns about Black's rocky start to the season, as his ERA climbed further to an unsettling 7.71, accompanied by a bloated 1.97 WHIP. The lack of control and high hit rate he's exhibiting, evidenced by a .375 BABIP, suggests that hitters are consistently finding ways to capitalize on his offerings. Fantasy managers should be wary of relying on Black in their lineups, as his current form and underlying metrics like a 7.03 FIP indicate potential ongoing struggles. His role in fantasy rosters should be limited to a streaming option in favorable matchups at best, until he shows signs of substantial improvement.
Luis Matos went 3-for-5 with five RBI and two doubles in the Giants' 10-5 win over the Rockies.
Fantasy Impact: This performance underscores his ability to drive in runs, even without scoring or hitting home runs himself. Matos's consistent contact—highlighted by a .333 batting average and zero strikeouts over six games—suggests a promising outlook for fantasy managers in need of a reliable hitter. His lack of walks and extra-base power beyond doubles may limit his ceiling, but his knack for putting the ball in play and driving in runs can't be ignored in formats valuing RBI and batting average.
Matt Chapman went 3-for-4 in the Giants' 10-5 victory over the Rockies, delivering two doubles, scoring three times, driving in a run, stealing a base, and drawing a walk.
Fantasy Impact: This performance could be a sign of turning things around for Chapman, who has struggled with a mere .218 batting average this season. His ability to contribute in multiple categories in this game, particularly with extra-base hits and runs scored, offers a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers needing a boost in those areas. However, his high strikeout rate and low walk rate continue to be areas of concern. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on whether this game sparks a hot streak or if it's just a blip in an otherwise disappointing season.
Thairo Estrada went 3-for-5 in the Giants' 10-5 win over the Rockies with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marks a significant uptick for Estrada, who has been hovering around a .250 average this season. His power display, adding his seventh homer, suggests potential for more consistent run production, which could boost his fantasy value, especially in leagues that reward power stats. However, his low walk rate and high strikeout rate continue to be areas of concern, limiting his on-base potential. Fantasy managers should consider Estrada a viable middle infield option, particularly in deeper leagues or formats that heavily score runs and RBI.
