A.J. Pollock-Dodgers-OF
A.J. Pollock was 1-3 with 1 BB and 1 SB against the Phillies. Pollock now has a .314 AVG to go along with 14 HR, 38 R, 47 RBI, and 8 SB. He has stayed healthy for the most part this year and has been red hot since the beginning of July (.397 AVG with 8 HR, 18 R, 22 RBI, and 5 SB). His hot streak came at just the right time because he would have likely lost playing time if not for it. It hasn't been all luck (.444 BABIP) because he has shown excellent plate skills (18% K and 5% BB) to go along with 43% Hard. The power and speed are real and he is playing every day so ride this hot streak for as long as he stays healthy.
Bryce Harper-Phillies-OF
Bryce Harper was 1-2 with an HR (21), 2 R, 1 RBI, and 2 BB against the Dodgers. Harper is in the middle of an excellent season that hardly anyone is talking about. He is hitting .298 with 21 HR, 67 R, 46 RBI, and 12 SB. The plate skills are elite with 23% K and 15% BB. He combines his elite plate skills with elite hard contact (48% Hard and 17% Barrels). The only complaint fantasy owners could possibly have is his 46 RBI which is hard to do given his 21 HR and .298 AVG. Harper always has unrealistic expectations but he has been a top 30 hitter this year which is largely in part because of his bad luck when it comes to RBI's or he would be higher.
Willy Adames-Brewers-SS
Willy Adames was 1-6 with 2 RBI and 1 SB in the blowout against the Cubs. Adames is hitting .264 AVG with 21 HR, 63 R, 63 RBI, and 4 SB. He combines a good eye at the plate (10% BB) with excellent quality of contact (45% Hard and 12% Barrels). Adames has been crazy good for the Brewers (.300 AVG, 16 HR, 47 R, 48 RBI, and 2 SB in 70 GP). He is showing batting average upside in MIL because he has been able to cut his strikeout rate (24%) which should allow him to maintain if not slightly raise his batting average compared to his season-long 28% K which would suggest regression in his batting average.
Kyle Hendricks-Cubs-SP
Kyle Hendricks went 4 IP and gave up 9 ER on 11 H, 1 BB, and 3 K's against the Brewers. This one hurts, Hendricks had clawed his way back from a dismal start to this year and then went out and laid an egg. On the year, he has a 4.15 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He came into the game with a 3.68 ERA and 1.29 WHIP to give some reference. His strikeouts are down (17% K) which is a major problem when considering they were already below-average. This is followed by a reduction in his swinging strike rate (9%). He is sporting a career-high 4.53 SIERA which is a major concern. Hendricks isn't experiencing a reduction in velocity. It has mostly been less than elite command and an overall drop in stuff. He was always walking a fine line and this is evidence of what could happen without elite command. His next start comes in Cincinnati which is one you may want to avoid if possible.
J.T. Brubaker-Pirates-SP
J.T. Brubaker went 5 IP and gave up 5 ER on 5H, 2 BB, and 4 K's against the Cardinals. In his first full season in the majors, Brubaker has a 5.13 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through his first 21 GS. He has shown plus control (6% BB) but hasn't missed enough bats (24% K) to be a difference-maker. Despite having good control, his command has been lacking which has resulted in a home run problem (1.93 HR/9). SIERA looks at his skills (3.97 SIERA) and believes that he has been a better pitcher than his traditional numbers suggest. The problem is that he has very drastic splits. He was a serviceable starter in the first half (4.47 ERA and 1.15 WHIP) but has tailed off drastically (7.23 ERA and 1.55 WHIP) in the second half. Brubaker also has home/away splits (3.65 ERA @ Home and 6.05 ERA on the road). Normally, you could stream him at home but the way he has been pitching makes it hard to use him at all.
DraftKings Value Plays: OF Cody Bellinger ($4,100) and 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes ($3,900)
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