Joc Pederson (OF - LAD) Pederson went off in the Dodgers' 21-5 beatdown of the Brewers Thursday. The lefty slugger finished the day 2 for 6, with both hits being home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. On the year, Pederson is slashing .264/.339/.536 with 16 homers, 43 RBI and 45 runs. He has been a nice surprise, showing much increased plate discipline in 2018 with a K% that is down nearly 6% from 2017. The 26-year-old has also increased his BABIP 30 points, which could be a sign of his willingness to wait on pitches to hit. He remains useful in all formats.
Max Scherzer (SP - WAS) Scherzer became the first pitcher to 15 wins as the Nationals beatdown the Reds 10-4 Thursday. It took 110 pitches over six innings, but the Nats' ace struck out ten Reds, while walking two and allowing two runs on four hits. The outing brought his ERA to 2.33 on the year and brought his strikeout total to 210. It's another case of Scherzer being Scherzer. He continues to be one of the few starters in fantasy that deserves the "ace" title.
Miles Mikolas (SP - STL) Mikolas was sharp but failed to factor into the decision as the Cardinals earned the win over the Rockies Thursday. The 29-year-old went seven innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits while striking out six and walking two. On the season, Mikolas owns a 2.75 ERA, along with a 3.99 SIERA, which shows his actual pitching isn't on par with his low ERA. While he doesn't strike many guys out, as his 6.36 K/9 indicates, but he has been an excellent source of low ratios, as well as having 11 wins at this point in the season. Continue to start him in all formats.
Maikel Franco (3B - PHI) The Phillies third baseman came up huge in the 5-3 comeback win over the Marlins Thursday. Franco collected just one hit in the game, but it was a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth that gave the club the walk off win. Overall, Franco is sporting a .277/.322/.491 slash with 18 home runs, 56 RBI and 40 runs. The stats are a welcome sit after what most considered a down year for the slugger. His 2018 success can be attributed to his .278 BABIP, as well as his .338 wOBA, both of which are significantly higher than his 2017 totals. He also sits with a 111 wRC+, which is above league average. If you bought low on Franco, he is outplaying his cost.
Trea Turner (SS - WAS) Turner filled the stat sheet for fantasy owners in the Nationals 10-4 win over the Reds Thursday. The Nats' shortstop was 2 for 5 with a home run, four RBI, two runs and two steals. His slash comes in at .272/.344/.421 on the season with 14 homers, 47 RBI and 13 steals. The 25-year-old has been hot of late and is beginning to justify being a high pick in drafts as he figures to hit the 20-home run mark, as well as surpass 40 stolen bases as well. The Nationals need his all-around production if they are to make any type of run to the postseason in what figures to be Bryce Harper's final season in D.C.
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