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Here's your breakdown and around-the-league roundup from the past week...
MLB & Fantasy Baseball Week 11 Player Recap
Hunter Pence (SF – OF) hit the disabled list this week, frustrating weekly fantasy owners in the worst way possible after saying that a return on Tuesday was likely. Pence is finding himself on the DL for the second time already this season; he has a ton of talent, but if you’re getting frustrated with him, I can’t blame you.
Speaking of DL stints, Andrew Miller (NYY – RP) was also placed on the injured list with a strained forearm. Miller has been lights out, but this injury could be very problematic as it opens the door for Dellin Betances to completely take over the closer role. Monitor his performance.
Max Scherzer (WSH – SP) started the week with a frustrating start, but finished by throwing – what some people are calling – one of the best ten games ever pitched. Scherzer allowed just one bloop hit on his way to a complete game shutout, 16-K performance. If I had to pick one pitcher rest of season, it’s between Scherzer and Kershaw.
Andrew Cashner (SD – SP) struggled this past week pitching 6.2 innings with four earned runs and only one strikeout. Cashner is a decent buy low candidate the rest of the way. His 2-8 record is laughable, and once home runs normalize, I’d expect his ERA to fall from 4.16 to the 3.6-3.6 area. With his K-rate, that’s valuable.
We may be seeing the emergence of Jose Abreu (CWS – 1B) finally. Abreu went 9-for-22 with three home runs and seven RBIs. Buy low if you possibly could.
It would be silly if I didn’t mention Billy Hamilton’s (CIN – OF) week. It started terribly as he missed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday games, but he ran away with my heart Monday as he stole FIVE bases against Jon Lester and the Cubs. Despite being a lefty, Lester has been outed as one of the worst amongst holding runners and Hamilton took advantage. I like Billy for the rest of the season as he has an horrifically low BABIP that will surely improve. Unfortunately, batting 9th will hinder his value going forward.
The mostly down year of Jay Bruce (CIN – OF) continued in Week 10. Bruce had only three hits in 24 tries, with an abysmal 11 strikeouts. I really can’t recommend Bruce in weekly leagues right now – he’s too inconsistent. His 4-home run weeks will be canceled with weeks like this. At least in daily leagues you can play the matchup and park.
Dustin Pedroia (BOS – 2B) was dead to me up until two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I traded him right before that. Pedroia continued his strong month of June, going 7-for-26 with a HR and 4 RBI. Pedroia could continue to play well if the Red Sox offense ever heats up, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen. That makes Pedroia a low-end second base option for me rest of season.
Koji Uehara (BOS – RP) is likely the biggest loser amidst the Red Sox losing streak, as he pitched only one inning this week with zero save opportunities. The opportunities will come around, so continue to roll with Uehera.
Jonathan Lucroy (MIL – C) recently returned from the disabled list. It’s been a somewhat slow start, as he went 4-for-25 this week with no XBH. Milwaukee has been underperforming as a team for quite a while, but it’s only a matter of time before Lucroy gets into his groove.
Lance McCullers (HOU – SP) is likely no longer an under-the-radar candidate. For the week, he pitched 12 innings with 11 strikeouts and three earned runs. Through six starts, McCullers has a K rate of 10 with an impressive 2.33 FIP. He should be rostered in the majority of leagues to see where his skill set can take him.
Yadier Molina (STL – C) has had nothing going for him in 2015, and week 10 was no different. Molina tallied five hits over 18 plate appearances, but with four singles and no RBIs, he still ended up with a sub-par week. Going forward, I’d much rather prefer a catcher with more upside than Molina.
Shane Greene (DET – SP) came out of the gates with a bang, and now he’s headed to Triple-A with a whimper. Greene only lasted three innings in his start last week, giving up five earned runs. We haven’t seen the last of Greene, but you can safely drop him from your rosters.
I never thought I’d type this line for Felix Hernandez (SEA – SP): 0.1 inning, 8 earned runs. This is a complete aberration for Hernandez; he gave up 5 hits and 2 walks, allowing every runner to score – including one that reached on his error. This is certainly a tough outing to swallow, but make sure he’s starting for you next week.
Clay Buchholz (BOS – SP) struggled this week allowing four earned runs in six innings, but any matchup against Toronto is a tough one right now. I’m on the Buchholz bandwagon the rest of the way; feel free to hop on.
What do you do with Robinson Cano (SEA – 2B)? Another week, another disappointment. Cano is clearly struggling and he’s not the same player that he was in 2012, but let’s face it: he’s just not this bad. His owners have to be frustrated; try to buy low, but certainly don’t give up top 25 talent for him.
Chris Archer (TB – SP) put together a horrible start this week. I’m kidding, but by his standards in 2015, it was bad. Archer threw 7 inning with 3 earned runs. His slider has been unbelievable so far in 2015; he’s crushing lefties with that pitch, and if that continues, expect Cy Young type numbers the rest of the season.
Giancarlo Stanton (MIA – OF) proverbially flexed his biceps this week, hitting an unreal 13-for-25 with five home runs, twelve RBI, and seven runs. The only knock on Stanton was his average, but he helped make amends with owners with last week’s performance.
Anthony Rendon’s (WSH – 2B) return from the DL has been slow, but I saw some good trends this week. Rendon went 5-for-21, and while he showcased virtually no power, he did have a 5:2 walk/strikeout ratio.
Michael Pineda (NYY – SP) was rolling in 2015, but it seems like the Yankees unnecessarily tinkered with him. They skipped his start last week, and the results were poor. Pineda pitched 4.1 innings, allowing nine hits, two walks, and five earned runs. I still like Pineda the rest of the way, but I don’t quite understand why the Yankees are tinkering this early in the season.
Ryan Zimmerman (WSH – 1B) went 0-for-4 with a K. I’m not talking about one game; I’m talking about the entire week. Zimmerman hit the disabled list earlier in the week. He can be dropped in just about every league.
Mike Moustakas (KC – 3B) continued to hit for a strong average as part of his 6-for-19 performance, but there’s been zero power for Mous lately until a solo shot Wednesday night, which really limits his value. I just dealt him in one league for Buchholz; I’d advise making a similar deal unless you sorely need the average.
Mike Bolsinger (LAD – SP) put together a strong week, throwing 11.2 inning with 15 Ks and a victory. He’s a strong option going forward as his team will likely always be a favorite to win his starts. He flashes a strong K rate, but will be hurt by the walks. I like him a lot as a back of the rotation starter with the right matchups.
Carlos Gomez (MIL – OF) had a week to forget, going 3-for-16 with six strikeouts and zero XBH. I’m concerned with Gomez going forward. His walk rate is cut in half this year vs. 2014, which will limit his base stealing potential. In addition, his GB% is the highest it’s been since 2011, which will limit his power. Hopefully he can turn things around, but 2015 doesn’t appear to be a great season for him so far.
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