Andrew McCutchen-Pirates-OF
Andrew McCutchen was 1-4 with a walk and a run scored against the Brewers. McCutchen's season line is still a major disappointment at .250 AVG with 18 HR, 55 RBI, and 6 SB. The good news is that Cutch seems to be healthy and has hit .303 with 3 HR in August. He has also walk 14 times as opposed to 13 strikeouts. His biggest red flag earlier was his declining walk rate and increasing strikeout rate, but he has corrected both of those. He is also hitting the ball hard 49% of the time this month, which is an excellent sign. Those that held onto McCutchen should be rewarded for their patience down the stretch run.
Luke Weaver-Cardinals-SP
Luke Weaver went 6 IP and gave up 1 ER on 4 H, 2 BB, and 7 K's against the Athletics. Weaver now has a 3.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 22% K over his first three starts. He has a four pitch mix with average velocity from the right side. He throws a FB, CT, CV, and CH. He has been throwing his fastball 60% and changeup 24%. The problem with this is that hitters can choose to sit on one of those pitches or speed bands. He has a good changeup, but changeups are not strikeout pitches and therefore his SwStr looks good at 10.5%, but the strikeout percentage is average at 22%. Not all young pitchers make an immediate fantasy impact and Weaver has the look of someone who is going to better in real life than in fantasy this year.
David Phelps-Marlins-SP
David Phelps went 3.2 IP and gave up 3 ER on 2 H, 3 BB, and 6 K's against the Padres. Phelps now has a 2.52 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 31.8% K. Most of his damage has come as a reliever so you can't put much stock into his season totals. What is interesting is that he has now made five starts and the results are very encouraging. He has yet to give up more than 3 ER in any start and has 23 strikeouts over his past three starts. Phelps also has an encouraging schedule over the next couple of weeks with matchups against the Mets and Phillies. If he is still on the waiver wire, he needs to be picked up. He may not go deep in games, but he is going to provide the strikeouts plus excellent matchups.
Addison Russell-Cubs-SS
Addison Russell was 1-5 with a RBI against the Dodgers. Russell is hitting .292 with 5 HR and 9 RBI over his last seven games. On the year Russell is hitting .248 with 19 HR and 84 RBI for the Cubs. He has shown more power this year, but if you dig deeper there are no significant changes to his approach. His power spike is more likely a result of the power surge across the league. He has walked more this year, which is an encouraging sign. His strikeout rate is still elevated at 23.2%, but is an improvement over his 28% a year ago. The youngster still has a lot of potential long term, but the recent hot streak is just that, a hot streak.
DFS Value Play
Josh Bell-Pirates-1B
Josh Bell will have the platoon advantage against RHP Jimmy Nelson. Bell gets a huge upgrade in park moving from PNC Park to Miller Park. He will also be facing a pitcher that gives up a .341 wOBA and 37% Hard contact to LHB. DraftKings: $2,800
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