MacKenzie Gore (SP-WSH) took the L against the Dodgers on Thursday but was solid overall as he allowed just 1 run on 7 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 over 6 IP. He served up a homer while firing 66 of his 102 pitches for strikes in the contest. The 25 year-old lefty didn't exactly overpower the Dodgers, but that's a tough lineup and Gore fared pretty well as he builds on what is shaping up to be a breakout season. The 25 year-old now boasts a 3.12 ERA, 10.7 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and 3.19 xFIP through his first 5 starts (26 IP). The season is still young, but his average fastball velocity is up (97 mph in 2024, 95 last season) while he's continued to show improvement in key areas, such as K/9 and BB/9. Gore is slated to face the Rangers in Texas early next week, and that club ranks only 25th in baseball with a team OPS of just .624 against southpaws.
Jose Berrios (SP-TOR) made one big mistake in his start against the Royals on Thursday as took the loss in the weather-shortened game thanks to a 2-run blast by Salvador Perez. Berrios allowed those 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out just 1 over 5 IP. He threw 45 of his 67 pitches for strikes in the contest. The outing likely represented the beginning of regression in action for the 29 year-old, who now claims a 1.23 ERA, 6.9 K/9, 3 BB/9, and 4.12 xFIP through his first 6 starts (36.2 IP) of the season. Berrios has certainly established himself as a solid SP, but fantasy owners had no reason to expect him to sustain a sub-1 ERA as his contact rate (78%), swinging-strike rate (10%), and hard-hit rate per Statcast (46.5%) all screamed regression. He lines up for a rematch with the Royals at home next week and that's no cakewalk as the Royals rank #9 in baseball with a .718 team OPS against righties this season.
Triston McKenzie (SP-CLE) completed just 4 inefficient innings against Boston on Thursday as he allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7. The 26 year-old righty tossed 50 of his 75 pitches for strikes while keeping the ball in the yard. McKenzie has scuffled overall out of the gate in 2024 as he now owns a 4.91 ERA, 7.4 K/9, 7 BB/9, and 6.14 xFIP through his first 5 starts (22 IP) of the campaign. The poor control is worrisome as that's been an issue in the past (see his 4.4 BB/9 in 120 IP in 2021 and his 7.3 BB/9 in 16 IP last season) and his average fastball velocity is sitting at only 91 mph in the early going of the campaign (consistently about 92.5 mph throughout his career otherwise). The Astros offense hasn't been great this season, but it will be tough to trot McKenzie out there when he's slated to start in Houston next week.
Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF-CHC) secured the win for the Cubs against the Astros on Thursday afternoon as he went 1-4 with a 2-run dinger that put Chicago ahead for good. The 22 year-old - who was only recalled from the minors on Wednesday as Cody Bellinger (ribs) went on the IL - is a defense-first prospect who has plus speed and should hit for about average power but has a below-average hit tool. As a case in point, he was batting just .203 with 2 dingers, 7 RBI, 12 runs scored, and 5 stolen bases (in 5 attempts) across 83 PA in Triple-A this season before getting the call. There's 15-30 potential here, but can he hit for an average that isn't problematic for fantasy owners?
Brandon Marsh (OF-PHI) kept his productive start to the 2024 season going against the Reds on Thursday as he went 1-4 with a SB and a run scored. The 26 year-old isn't a slam-dunk player for fantasy since he does often sit against southpaws and has his warts when he does play, as evidenced by his 34% strikeout rate so far this season, which is only slightly higher than his career average in that department (33%). But Marsh is nevertheless productive, as he's hitting .270 with 5 homers, 13 RBI, 8 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases (in 3 tries) through his first 80 PA of the season. His hard-hit rate is quite healthy at 59% per Statcast while - despite the strikeout issues - he's logged a career-low 9.5% swinging-strike rate and career-high 78% contact rate in the early going of the season. If you have the roster space for a platoon at OF, consider adding Marsh.This is just a small sample our daily analysis, join our member area for tools that will help you win your fantasy championship. Click here for details: http://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Click here to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
