Dean Kremer (SP-BAL) was sharp in a no-decision against the Phillies on Monday, firing seven innings of one-run ball. He gave up three hits and two walks while striking out three and throwing 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes. Kremer allowed only a single run in the fifth inning and exited with a 2-1 lead, only for Baltimore's bullpen to immediately surrender a game-tying run in the eighth. Even so, it was Kremer's third start with just one earned run allowed in four outings this month, bringing his ERA down to 4.59. Kremer has been a solid fantasy option since his poor April thanks to his 104:33 K/BB ratio, although his high home run rate (1.7 HR/9) remains concerning. He'll need to either keep limiting his walks or bring his home run rate down if he wants to improve his consistency and become a better overall pitcher. Kremer will look to end July on a high note when he faces the Yankees at home this weekend.
Jack Suwinski (OF-PIT) went 3-for-5 with a double and a solo homer against the Padres on Monday, sparking the Pirates to an 8-4 victory from the leadoff spot. Suwinski's first three-hit game since June 9 snapped him out of a brutal 2-for-24 streak at the plate. He fell a triple shy of the cycle by blasting his 21st homer and 13th double of the season as well, notching more hits on Monday than he had in his previous eight games combined. A big strikeout binge (39.7 K%) in July is largely to blame for his recent struggles. While his average has sunk to .230 as a result, his OPS is at a healthy .867 mark thanks to his power and knack for drawing walks. Keep him plugged into your lineups through the ups and downs, especially now that he's been batting leadoff since the All-Star Break.
Cristopher Sanchez (SP-PHI) was terrific on Monday, twirling seven innings of two-run ball against the Orioles. He gave up four hits and no walks while striking out eight. The seven innings and eight whiffs were both season-highs for Sanchez, who settled for a no-decision as the Phillies fell, 3-2. Both of the runs Sanchez allowed came on solo homers in the second and sixth innings, respectively. The quality start lowered Sanchez's ERA to 2.98, although his W-L record is just 0-3 through his first eight starts of the season. His 38:6 K/BB ratio through 42 1/3 innings is impressive, so it's only a matter of time before Philly starts giving him more run support and helps him finally get in the win column. Sanchez will try again for a W this weekend in a much easier road matchup against the Pirates.
Tarik Skubal (SP-DET) picked up his first win of the season on Monday after tossing five shutout innings against the Giants. He yielded just two hits (both singles) and no walks while striking out nine, throwing 60 of his 82 pitches for strikes. Skubal turned in his best start of the season so far, bouncing back from a rough seven-run outing against the Royals in the process. The five innings and nine punchouts were both season-highs, although three of his four outings have been scoreless. As such, he's now 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA and a marvelous 23:3 K/BB ratio in 17 innings. Skubal hasn't skipped a beat after missing roughly a full calendar year due to injury and already appears to be back in top form. He'll look to keep rolling in a relatively easy road matchup against the Marlins in his next start.
Kenta Maeda (SP-MIN) settled for a no-decision on Monday despite spinning 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball against the Mariners. He yielded six hits and two walks with eight strikeouts with the lone run coming on a solo homer. The Twins improved to 4-0 during Maeda's starts this month, although he only has one victory to show for it. Three of his four outings in July have been quality starts and he's now allowed three earned runs or less in six straight starts, lowering his ERA to 4.62. His FIP is more than a full run lower than that thanks to his 58:14 K/BB ratio and 1.1 HR/9, so expect that ERA to keep coming down as the season progresses. Maeda will be a must-start fantasy option when he and the Twins face the lowly Royals in Kansas City this weekend.
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