Michael Conforto (OF-NYM): Conforto went 3 for 4 with 2 runs and 3 RBI, hitting his 4th homer of the year to lead the Mets over the Giants. While there will be some regression from his current .365/.442/.676 line, don't expect a dramatic falloff as Conforto's underlying numbers suggest that he is turning himself into an elite fantasy option. He has upped his hard hit rate from 40% last year to a ridiculous 50% so far in 2016 while increasing his walk rate and decreasing his strike out rate. Most importantly, Terry Collins is hitting him in the 3-hole and keeping him in there to face lefties, against whom he has held his own. In fact, at $4000 on FanDuel, he makes for an intriguing contrarian play against MadBum today.
Trevor Story (SS-COL): Story went 2 for 3 with 2 runs and 3 RBI, continuing to silence the doubters and moved his line to .261/.324/.696 with 19 runs and 20 RBI. While Story's K-rate will continue to exert downward pressure on his AVG, his 44% hard-hit rate and his below-average chase rate should help him maintain it at a respectable level. The 35% HR/FB rate is more concerning; however, while it will likely regress, don't count on a precipitous decline, as his 106 MPH AVG speed off bat mark with his elite 420 feet AVG distance mark on his homers suggest he could maintain a mark in the mid-20s.
Brad Ziegler (RP-ARI): Brad Ziegler gave up 3 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk before being pulled after 1/3 of an inning in a non-save situation. Ziegler now carries a 9:6 K:BB ratio in 11 and 1/3 innings and the culprits have been his 50% first-pitch-strike percentage and a fastball that averages a tic below 83 MPH. Daniel Hudson has seen action in the 8th and continues to dominate with little drama. Grab him while you can, as the Diamondbacks, who went all-in during the offseason, will not hesitate to make a move should Ziegler continue to scuffle.
Anthony DeSclafani (oblique) experienced a setback in his latest rehab start and the Reds look unlikely to activate him off the DL next week. DeSclafani really elevated his game in the second half of 2015, posting a 22% K-rate, a 4% BB-rate and a 3.33 xFIP. And while he tends to struggle at the GAP, he should be scooped up in all leagues with bench room, as he makes for a solid streaming option. Monitor this situation closely, as the Reds are waiting on Homer Bailey to finish his rehab and for word on the extent of Raisel Igelsias' injury.
Jake Lamb (3B-ARI): Jake Lamb looks set to deliver solid ROT on his $3000 FanDuel pricetag with his matchup today against Chad Bettis. Lamb has quietly posted a .278/.370/.519 overall line while going 19 for 16 against righties with a 6:11 BB:K ratio hitting mostly in the 2-hole. I like this play for another reason: due to Chad Bettis' success on the road and against lefties, Lamb should be under-owned.
