Jon Lester (SP-Cubs)
Jon Lester gave up only two runs over eight innings and struck out a season high 14 for his 6th victory on the season. Overall, he has been as advertised. He combines an excellent 25% K rate supported by the highest swinging strike rate that he has had since 2009. Lester is actually pitching much better that his record indicates and his 3.26 ERA is higher than his 2.95 xFIP so good things look to be in store for the stretch run. His curveball has been very effective this season and he has maintained his velocity from last year. If someone has soured on him because of the lack of wins, I would recommend trying to orchestrate a trade.
Hunter Pence (OF-Giants) $4300
This has been an injury filled season for Hunter Pence but when he has been on the field he has been a force. Pence has batted .317 with 3 HR's and 16 RBI's in July including going 2-4 today with a double. His .203 ISO is based on a smaller sample than usual at this time of the year, but it represents his high water mark in the last 8 years. A hallmark of Pence's game has always been hard contact and this year his 38.2% is a career best. With all systems go for Pence, he should provide #1 OF production the remainder of the year. His $4300 price on DraftKings makes him an attractive play.
Tyson Ross (SP- San Diego)
With the trading deadline fast approaching, ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that Tyson Ross has become the Blue Jays' "top trade target." He won his 7th game today pitching 5 innings of 1 run ball with 4 walks and 5 K's. There is no doubting Ross's ability to strike out batters and he really misses bats with a superb 12.7% swinging strike rate. What has prevented him from taking that next step has been an unsightly walk rate that is now over 4 per game. Still he is a superb GB pitcher who has kept the ball in the park this season. With his overall stuff, he could take that step towards elite status at any time, so it is not a surprise that he is highly coveted by contending teams.
Randal Grichuk (OF- STL) $4200
Randal Grichuk returned to the starting lineup today after missing a couple of games with a groin injury. He went 1-3 in today's game. Grichuk has been a very productive player for the Cards. While we would certainly like to see him reduce his 31% K rate, he has an outstanding .277 ISO and has smashed 11 HR's in 68 games played. There is certainly a red flag with his .374 BABIP, which he cannot sustain, so his .281 BA will likely regress a good deal over the coming weeks. But the power seems real and an additional 7 or so HR's and 20-25 RBI's will make him a valuable fantasy asset in the final third of the season. Grichuk's power plays well against Chris Rusin who starts for the Rockies tomorrow and has a 16.7% HR/FB rate this season.
Michael Taylor (OF- Wash) $3300
Michael Taylor has always been an intriguing prospect since he has that most desirable combination of qualities, speed and power. Taylor has stolen as many as 51 bases in the Minors and slugged as many as 22 HR's. With only 20 games at the Triple A level, Taylor was promoted to the big show for 17 games in 2014. He was not ready and he struck out a painful 39.5% of the time in 43 plate appearance. The strikeout issue still plagues him this season, but he has cut the rate down to a barely manageable 31.5%. This is somewhat offset by 9 HR's, 11 SB's, and 41 RBI's. July has been his best month for power and SB's and he hit a HR in today's game for the 3rd time in the last four games he's played. At $3300 he is a low priced high reward option on DraftKings.
@stevietheshu
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