Christian Scott allowed three earned runs over six innings while striking out eight in the Mets' 4-1 loss to the Braves on Saturday.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the loss, Scott showcased his ability to rack up strikeouts, maintaining a strong K/9 ratio that fantasy managers will appreciate. However, his performance in this game slightly raised his ERA and WHIP for the season, which might cause some concern. Given his solid underlying metrics like FIP and strikeout-to-walk ratio, Scott remains a potentially valuable asset in fantasy leagues, especially in categories that reward strikeouts and pitching efficiency. His ability to limit walks and maintain a decent BABIP suggests that better days could be ahead, barring any consistency issues.
J.D. Martinez went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Mets' 4-1 defeat to the Braves.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marked Martinez's first home run of the season, bringing a slight uptick to his modest .267 batting average. Despite the solo effort, Martinez's overall impact this season remains limited, with only three RBI and two runs scored over 14 games. His power display is a positive sign, but fantasy managers should remain cautious, as his production has not yet aligned with the expectations typically held for a designated hitter. The lack of consistent base-reaching opportunities, highlighted by a low walk rate, further caps his potential for fantasy relevance.
Taijuan Walker turned in a solid performance, allowing just one earned run on eight hits and one walk while striking out four over six innings in Saturday's 8-3 victory over the Marlins.
Fantasy Impact: This outing was a step in the right direction for Walker, who carries a bloated 4.82 ERA and a WHIP of 1.34 from his first three starts. His ability to limit walks and maintain control, evidenced by a season strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.75, played a key role in his success against Miami. Despite a high BABIP of .327 suggesting some bad luck in earlier outings, Walker's latest performance should reassure fantasy managers. His solid outing contributes positively to his season metrics and should help stabilize his standing in fantasy rotations, especially in deeper leagues.
Cristian Pache went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the Phillies' 8-3 win over the Marlins.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marks a notable uptick for Pache, who has been struggling to find consistent form this season. With a season batting average now at .269 and a wOBA of .335, his recent multi-hit game could hint at a turning point. However, fantasy managers should remain cautious. Pache's high BABIP of .412 suggests some luck in his hits, and with a strikeout rate of 28.1%, there's potential for regression. His lack of power and speed stats also limits his upside in standard fantasy formats. Keep an eye on him in deeper leagues or as a potential streaming option against favorable matchups.
Bryson Stott went 2-for-5 with four RBI and a triple in the Phillies' victory over the Marlins.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included driving in key runs and scoring once himself, contributing significantly to the team's win. Stott's season has been somewhat average with a .257 batting average, but games like this highlight his potential value in fantasy lineups, especially in leagues that reward extra-base hits and RBI. His moderate speed, evidenced by eight stolen bases, and a solid wOBA of .328, suggest he could be a useful utility player in deeper fantasy formats. However, his relatively high strikeout rate and low walk rate indicate potential volatility in his performance.
Jesus Luzardo delivered a mixed performance in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Phillies.
Fantasy Impact: He allowed two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings. Despite the high strikeout count, Luzardo's season continues to be marred by a high ERA, now sitting at 5.97, and a lack of wins, with his record dropping to 0-3. His ability to miss bats is evident with a 9.9 K/9 rate, but his overall effectiveness is hampered by his inability to consistently limit runs. Fantasy managers should view Luzardo as a high-risk, high-reward option, potentially valuable for strikeouts but a liability in ERA and WHIP. His performance today, while decent, does little to change the cautious outlook needed when considering him for your fantasy lineup.
Otto Lopez went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double in the Marlins' 8-3 loss to the Phillies.
Fantasy Impact: He drove in two runs and scored once, also drawing a walk in the contest. Despite the team's struggles, Lopez's performance this season has been a bright spot, maintaining a solid .320 batting average through 15 games. His power surge, with two homers already, suggests an uptick in slugging that could make him a more valuable asset in fantasy leagues. Given his consistent contact and emerging power, Lopez is shaping up to be a reliable middle infield option, especially in deeper leagues or formats that reward extra-base hits.
Vidal Brujan went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored in the Marlins' 8-3 loss to the Phillies.
Fantasy Impact: His performance today, highlighted by his first home run of the season, was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing game for Miami. Brujan's season batting average now sits at .268, and while his power numbers aren't eye-popping, his ability to contribute across multiple categories can be valuable in deeper fantasy leagues. Given his moderate strikeout and walk rates, Brujan remains a somewhat risky play, but his speed and growing power could make him a useful fantasy asset if he continues to find his rhythm at the plate.
Nick Gordon went 3-for-4 in the Marlins' 8-3 loss to the Phillies.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the team's struggles, Gordon managed to notch three singles, contributing significantly to the Marlins' offense, albeit without converting these into runs or RBIs. This performance could be a bright spot for fantasy managers, especially considering his rather tepid season average of .221 and limited power numbers. His ability to make contact in this game might hint at potential improvements, but without consistent run production or extra-base hits, his fantasy impact remains limited. Managers should keep an eye on whether this game marks a turning point or just a blip in an otherwise underwhelming season.
David Bednar secured a save despite allowing a run in his inning of work as the Pirates edged the Cubs 10-9 on Saturday.
Fantasy Impact: Bednar gave up two hits and one earned run but didn't walk or strike out any batters. This performance, while effective in preserving the win, highlights ongoing concerns about his high 9.64 ERA and 1.50 WHIP this season. Despite accumulating saves, his lack of strikeouts in this outing and elevated run allowance are red flags for fantasy managers relying on him for consistent closing performances. His current stats suggest a potential for high-risk outings, which could be worrisome in tighter matchups.
Paul Skenes had a rough outing in the high-scoring game against the Pirates, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over four innings.
Fantasy Impact: Despite his ability to rack up strikeouts, Skenes's overall effectiveness was hampered by his inability to limit baserunners in his debut. The highly touted top prospect will look to utilize his overpowering repertoire at the top of the Pittsburgh rotation as the season continues.
Yasmani Grandal went 2-for-4 in the Pirates' thrilling 10-9 win over the Cubs, delivering three RBI and scoring twice, including a home run.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a significant uptick for Grandal, who has struggled to find his rhythm early in the season. With a modest .235 batting average over five games, his impactful game could hint at a turning point. Fantasy managers should note his potential for power, as evidenced by his home run and multi-RBI game. However, his low walk rate (.056) and BABIP (.214) suggest that consistency might still be an issue. Grandal remains a risky play but could be a valuable asset in leagues that reward power from the catcher position.
Connor Joe went 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in the Pirates' 10-9 win over the Cubs.
Fantasy Impact: His solo shot contributed crucially to the tight victory, marking his fourth homer of the season. Despite a modest .284 average, Joe's ability to drive in runs (18 RBI in 34 games) and his decent on-base skills (0.356 wOBA) keep him relevant in fantasy formats, particularly those that reward power and RBI production. However, his high strikeout rate (0.186) and relatively low walk rate (0.093) suggest some volatility in his performance, which fantasy managers should monitor.
Michael A. Taylor contributed significantly in the Pirates' tight 10-9 win over the Cubs.
Fantasy Impact: Taylor went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. This performance, which included his first homer of the season, offers a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers who might have been discouraged by his modest .234 batting average and high strikeout rate (38 strikeouts in 94 at-bats). While his overall season stats don't scream 'must-start,' games like this show that Taylor can provide value in deeper leagues or as a streaming option when the matchup is right. His power-speed combination, albeit limited, should keep him on the radar in formats that reward home runs and stolen bases.
Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-4 in the Pirates' 10-9 win over the Cubs with a home run, two runs scored, one RBI, a walk, and a strikeout.
Fantasy Impact: This performance might offer a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers who have been enduring McCutchen's underwhelming .187 batting average this season. His power stroke, evidenced by his fourth homer of the year, still flashes occasionally, suggesting he can contribute in power categories. However, his high strikeout rate and low BABIP indicate potential ongoing challenges in batting average. Managers should consider McCutchen a risky play, best suited for deeper leagues where occasional power outbursts justify his lineup spot.
Oneil Cruz went 2-for-4 in the Pirates' 10-9 win over the Cubs with a home run, a double, two runs scored, and one RBI.
Fantasy Impact: This performance underscores Cruz's potential to deliver both power and run production, critical elements for fantasy teams. Despite a high strikeout rate of 0.336 and a modest walk rate of 0.066, his ability to impact the game with extra-base hits is evident. His current season stats, including a .268 batting average and six home runs, suggest that while consistency might be an issue, his power can be a valuable asset in fantasy lineups. Owners should consider Cruz a high-risk, high-reward option, particularly useful in formats that reward extra-base hits and home runs.
Justin Steele had a rough outing on Saturday, allowing six earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over four innings in the Cubs' 10-9 loss to the Pirates.
Fantasy Impact: This performance certainly didn't help his already middling season stats, pushing his ERA up to 4.73 and his FIP to an unsettling 5.43. Despite a decent WHIP of 1.20 and a BABIP that suggests some bad luck, Steele's inability to limit runs or go deep into games is a red flag for fantasy managers. His strikeout rate remains unimpressive at 7.4 K/9, and today's game underscores a potentially volatile element in fantasy lineups. Owners should consider Steele a risky play, best suited for matchups against less formidable offenses.
Miles Mastrobuoni went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and one RBI in the Cubs' tight 10-9 loss to the Pirates.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a significant uptick for Mastrobuoni, who has struggled to find his rhythm this season, entering the game with a mere .167 batting average. His three hits in the game matched his total hits from the previous 11 games, suggesting a potential turning point for the second baseman. While his season-long stats still paint a grim picture, today's game could be the confidence booster he needs to start contributing more consistently at the plate. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Mastrobuoni to see if he can build on this performance and become a viable option in deeper leagues.
Nico Hoerner went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored in the Cubs' 10-9 loss to the Pirates.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included drawing two walks and striking out once. This game highlighted Hoerner's ability to contribute significantly in multiple facets, from power to plate discipline. His season batting average now stands at .272, and while his power numbers aren't eye-popping, his consistent on-base skills, evidenced by his .323 wOBA, make him a valuable asset in formats that reward well-rounded offensive contributions. Hoerner's mix of moderate power, speed, and contact-hitting ability should keep him relevant in most fantasy leagues, especially those that value middle infielders who can contribute across several categories.
Joey Estes delivered a commanding performance, allowing just one earned run on two hits while striking out five over five innings in Saturday's 8-1 victory over the Mariners.
Fantasy Impact: This outing not only secured his first win of the season but also showcased his potential as a reliable starter in fantasy lineups. With a sparkling 1.80 ERA and 0.40 WHIP after his first start, Estes is making a strong case for increased attention in fantasy circles. His impressive strikeout rate of 9.0 K/9 and minimal walk rate enhance his appeal, suggesting that he could be a valuable asset if he maintains this form. While his .091 BABIP indicates some luck, his solid performance could be a sign of breakout potential or at least a reliable streaming option moving forward.
