Lance McCullers (HOU) - Lance McCullers will start for the Astros on Sunday after missing the last two weeks with arm fatigue. After starting the season in dominate fashion, McCullers has clearly worn down in the second half as he's posted an 8.24 ERA and his strikeout rate dipped to just 16.3% after posting a 28% mark in the first half. McCullers has dealt with some injuries this year, as he has for most of his career, but his latest fatigue seems likely driven from a heavy workload in the first half.
Aaron Judge (NYY) - Aaron Judge hit his 46th homer of the season in Friday against the Blue Jays. Things have gone quiet since the All-Star break, but Judge continues to put together an extremely good season in his sophomore campaign. In addition to his home runs, Judge also has 102 RBI and 102 runs scored to go along with a .280/.415/.600 slash line. He remains a 1st round pick in next year's fantasy drafts.
Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) - Masahiro Tanaka did not have his best stuff on Friday night, finishing with a line of 5.2IP, 6H, 7ER, 6K, and 3 BB. Tanaka's 4.94 ERA compared with his 3.64 xFIP does suggest he has been unlucky, especially when you consider that his hard hit rate allowed has actually improved this season and his walk/strikeout rates have remained constant. He could be a value in drafts next spring.
Ubaldo Jimenez (BAL) - Ubaldo Jimenez was not good again on Friday, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits over the course of 3 innings. Jimenez had put together back-to-back strong starts heading into tonght's game, so tonight's performance was definitely disappointing. Jimenez continues to strike out nearly a batter per inning, but his ERA is nearly two runs higher his xFIP. Tonight's matchup against the Rays shouldn't have been an obviously sit day, so it likely burned fantasy owners heading into the home stretch of their baseball leagues.
Rafael Devers (BOS) - Rafael Devers had another solid game in Friday by going 2-for-4 a double and a homerun, accounting for three of the Red Sox's five runs. It was Dever's 6th homerun of the year and his 11th double. Devers has held his own this season, batting close to .300 for most of the year. He still needs to develop his power, but he's an intriguing prospect in dynasty leagues playing for the Red Sox. We haven't yet seen the speed, but he did steal 18 bases in the minor leagues last season.
