Bryce Harper went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, two runs scored and a walk Tuesday as the Phillies lost to the Orioles, 10-9. Harper continued his strong start to 2020 by homering for the second straight game, giving him four on the season through 12 games. He's also amassed 10 RBIs, 12 runs, and 9 walks during that time alongside a 1.155 OPS. Harper has been a notoriously streaky hitter throughout his career, so fantasy owners should look to ride him while he's hot, especially since he appears locked in right now based on his 9:9 BB/K ratio thus far -- further proof that he's seeing the ball well.
Jay Bruce had a big performance at the plate against the Orioles on Tuesday, going 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs while falling a double short of the cycle. The game was Bruce's first three-hit effort of the season and his third multi-hit game in 10 appearances. While Bruce was batting just .214 prior to Tuesday's outburst, he's been making the most of his hits with just two singles thus far vs. seven extra-base hits. That kind of performance obviously isn't sustainable over the whole season, but it speaks to the type of player Bruce is -- a low average slugger. Given that he hit .219 in 2018-19 combined, his fantasy ceiling is limited in leagues that still track batting average, even if his power makes him a viable fantasy option.
Marcell Ozuna broke out of his recent funk at the plate by going 2-for-5 with a double and a three-run homer against the Yankees on Tuesday. Prior to Tuesday's outburst, Ozuna had gone 5-for-31 (.161) with only one extra-base hit (a double) over his previous nine games. Tuesday ended his drought, however, especially when he went deep in the sixth inning for his fourth home run of the year. Ozuna has five doubles, 11 runs, and 11 RBIs to complement those power numbers, while his OPS jumped back up to a healthy .902. Ozuna is going to have his ups and downs, especially if his 29.4% strikeout rate doesn't come down much. Even so, Ozuna remains a quality player worth starting in the majority of fantasy lineups.
Jon Lester improved to 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA with another excellent start on Tuesday, limiting the Indians to just one run on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts over six stellar innings. Lester, who did not allow a run until the sixth, has now allowed one earned run or less in all three of his starts. He's yet to pitch more than six innings in any of them, however, which is surprising given his reputation as a workhorse. Tuesday marked his first time throwing more than 90 pitches this year as well. The Cubs haven't hesitated to remove him from the game too early rather than too late, so they appear to be trying to keep. Lester will look to maintain his current hot streak against the Brewers at home in his upcoming start on Sunday.
Max Scherzer evened his record at 1-1 after firing six innings of one-run ball against the Mets on Tuesday, scattering six hits and two walks while striking out seven. The Nationals only gave him two runs, but that turned out to be all he needed as he dominated the Mets lineup over 105 pitches (71 strikes). Since getting hit hard by the Yankees on Opening Day, Scherzer has looked more like his old self with just two earned runs allowed over his last 14 1/3 innings. At 36 years old, he still appears to be on top of his game and is a true fantasy ace that's worth starting every time he takes the mound. His next start is scheduled to come against the Orioles on Sunday, which should be a tasty matchup for him given Baltimore's lack of offensive firepower.
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