Jon Lester-Cubs-SP
Jon Lester went 6 IP and gave up 0 ER on 3 H, 0 BB, and 4 K's against the Dodgers. Lester now has a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 25% K. He has put together another fine season for the Cubs and fantasy owners. Lester had a hiccup in July where he posted a 7.36 ERA, but in August he has been dominant (2.10 ERA, 30% K). The left-hander should be trusted down the stretch as he is pitching brilliantly and should get excellent run support from the Cubs offense. His most recent success comes as a result of improved control (5.1% BB). He gets the Giants and Brewers the next two times out, which are both good match ups for the left-hander.
Jace Peterson-Braves-2B
Jace Peterson was 0-1 with a strikeout against the Giants. Peterson has been showing life lately as he is hitting .400 with a 1 HR, 1 RBI, and 2 SB over the past week. On the year Peterson is hitting .259 with 7 HR, 22 RBI, and 4 SB over 89 games. He will provide a little bit of power and speed at a position that is hard to find both. Peterson also has shown the ability to have good control of the strike zone (14% BB, 17% K). This has led to a .361 OBP, which is useful in OBP leagues in combination with his power/speed. He should continue to be an under the radar MI option down the stretch.
Vincent Velasquez-Phillies-SP
Vincent Velasquez went 5 IP and gave up 1 ER on 5 H, 1 BB, and 7 K's against the Mets. Velasquez now has a 4.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 27.2% K. He now has a 4.02 ERA in the second half to go along with a 15% K-BB. Velasquez is quickly approaching uncharted territory when it comes to innings, which is definitely a factor in his decline in the second half. He still has an excellent strikeout rate (27.2%) and SwStr (11%), so the stuff is still there, but his control has waned (10% BB). He has also averaged just over 5 IP per start this year, which is due to his high strikeout totals and overall inefficiency. If strikeouts are what you are looking for Velasquez will be just fine down the stretch, but if you need IP and W, there are better options on the wire.
Ivan Nova-Pirates-SP
Ivan Nova went 6 IP and gave up 1 ER on 3 H, 0 BB, and 4 K's against the Brewers. Nova now has a 4.41 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 18% K. He has 3.38 ERA in the second half to go with a 13% K-BB and 47% GB. Not much has changed for Nova in terms of approach other than that he seems more confidence to throw his fastball in the zone. Moving out of the A.L. East and Yankee Stadium has been a huge blessing for Nova. His home run issues should subside and his pitching style fits PNC Park and the N.L. perfectly. Nova isn't going to become a frontline fantasy starter, but he has worked his way into being mixed league viable at this point. He has two plus match ups with both the Brewers and Reds at home. He did leave his start early due to a hamstring issue, so keep an eye on the news.
DFS Value Play
Mike Napoli-Indians-1B
Mike Napoli and the Indians have a matchup with LHP Hector Santiago. Napoli will have the platoon advantage, which is important because he has a .384 wOBA and .234 ISO against LHP over the past three seasons. Santiago has given up a .345 wOBA and 1.75 HR/9 to RHB this year. DraftKings: $4,200
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