Manny Machado, 3B, SD
Machado went just 1-7 across both games of a doubleheader against the Phillies on Saturday, but that one hit was his 300th career HR. Machado struggled for much of the first half of the season, but he has been sizzling in July, hitting .349 with 8 HR's and 18 RBI across 11 games this month. His 93.4% HardHit% this season is about 3% below his career average and his 14.8% LD% would be his lowest since 2012, however both of those numbers have improved significantly in July albeit in a small sample size. Considering his recent play and general track record, Machado seems primed for a big 2nd half to the season.
Bryce Harper, OF, PHI
Harper homered in the second game of a double header against the Padres on Saturday, ending a shocking 38-game home run drought for the slugger. Harper's 42.5% HardHit% this season is below his typical standards but it's still a decent mark. He hasn't been hitting enough balls in the air though (28.3% FB%) and when he has, not enough of his fly balls have been pulled. It could be that this is an effect of his quick return from TJS although he did hit 3 HR's in his first 20 games upon his return. He has still been walking and hitting for average, but Harper's owners were certainly expecting more power than this. Perhaps Saturday's homer is a good sign for things to come.
Ranger Suarez, SP, PHI
Suarez allowed 3 ER's on 6 hits in 6 IP against the Padres on Saturday, striking out 3 and walking 3 in the contest. He had a phenomenal June in which he posted a 1.08 ERA and 33:8 K:BB across 5 starts, but he has turned back into a pumpkin in July, recording a 5.82 ERA and 12:10 K:BB across 17 IP through his first 3 starts this month. Overall, he owns a 4.04 xFIP this season and his strikeout and walk rates are both mediocre, so he remains more of a streaming option than a must-start.
Aroldis Chapman, RP, TEX
Chapman pitched a scoreless 9th inning against the Guardians on Saturday, picking up his 3rd save of the season and first as a member of the Rangers. Manager Bruchy Bochy has now stated that Chapman and Will Smith will share the closing duties based on the matchups. This is obviously a huge boost to Chapman's fantasy value as he is in position to collect some saves in addition to providing excellent ratios and strikeout numbers. In 34.1 IP this season, Chapman has recorded a 2.10 ERA, 2.37 xFIP, and 60 strikeouts.
Braxton Garrett, SP, MIA
Garrett allowed 4 ER's in 4.2 IP against the Orioles on Saturday, while striking out 5 and walking 1. Garrett has had 3 so-so starts since the start of July, allowing 10 ER's across 15.1 IP this month although he still has a stellar 14:1 K:BB during that stretch. For the season, Garrett owns an uninspiring 3.90 ERA but his 3.01 xFIP suggests that he has actually been excellent. He may make for a good trade target if his owner is frustrated with the recent results.
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