Tarik Skubal (SP- Tigers)
Skubal threw a complete game shutout Sunday striking out 13 and allowing just 2 hits. This was perhaps the best pitching performance of the 2025 season as Skubal needed just 94 pitches for the gem. He was able to generate 26 swings and misses and improved to 5-2, dropping his ERA to 2.49. Skubal is coming off his worst outing of the season where despite striking out 11 he allowed 5 runs on 7 hits. The Ace will next take the mound next weekend in Kansas City.
Gleyber Torres (2B - Tigers)
Torres went 1-3 with a pair of walks, an RBI and a run scored. The change of scenery for Torres has been great as the 28-year old 2B has found his groove entering Sunday with a .281 batting average. While he swatted 15 home runs last year his overall line has been trending down for a few years. It does not seem like he will reach the 38 HR power he did early in his career but Torres has changed his approach to be a top of the order table setter. His 84% contact rate is a career high and he has swung at just 15% of pitches outside of the zone, a massive increase on his 25% career rate. This has led to a 8% K rate which is the 5th lowest of any qualified hitter. Couple that with a 11% walk rate and Torres is becoming a must start in fantasy for his ability to get on base.
Oneil Cruz (OF - Pirates)
Cruz clubbed his 11th home run of the season Sunday. Cruz hit 2 home runs in Friday's game, his first HR since April 26 and added a triple in last night's game. It's safe to say he is feeling it again and this could be the start of a big surge. Despite the power outage in May He still has gone 6 for 7 on the basepaths and his 11 home runs and 19 stolen bases through 45 games is extremely impressive. He is just 4 off his career high in steals and after hitting 21 home runs last year already has 11. His 62% hard hit rate and 97 mph exit velocity are about as good as it gets and a 15% walk rate which is a career high has helped offset the 30% K rate some this year.
Zack McKinstry (SS/3B/OF - Tigers)
McKinstry went 1-3 with his 3rd home run of the season Sunday. The effort raised his OPS to .788 as he has been a mainstay in the First Place Tigers lineup. The past few seasons McKinstry hasn't been on the fantasy radar outside of double digit steals. This year he has made himself a more known commodity as he is drawing walks at a 12% clip and has been an extra base machine with 9 doubles, 3 triple and 3 home runs. Making it all the more impressive is he has bounced around the batting order and seen time at 5 different positions. Between him and Javy Baez the Tigers have provided fantasy with two of the surprise utility players in the league.
Marcelo Mayer (SS/3B - Red Sox)
A day after making his MLB debut Mayer went 2-4 with a double, checking off a few firsts including his first MLB hit. With the Alex Bregman injury Mayer will most likely get the full reps at third base as the Red Sox try to overcome big injuries at the corners. The 4th overall pick in 2021 Mayer has worked his way through the Sox system quickly. 2025 was his first taste of the upper minors and the 22 year old held his own slashing .271/.347/.471 with 9 HR and 43 RBIs in just 43 games. His ability to get the hit with runners on base will be big for a team that just lost an early AL MVP favorite. Mayer most likely has SS as his only eligibility in leagues but should quickly gain 3B to boost your flexibility.
Alex Canario (OF - Pirates)
Canario went 3-4 with 2 runs and a triple while also stealing a base Sunday. On the surface Canario's numbers may not be fantasy worthy but there are some strong positives at play that could make him an intriguing power option. Canario has been hitting the ball hard when he makes contact with a 50% hard hit rate, 17% barrel rate and .505 xslug. 6 of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases and his 28% K rate is actually a bit of an improvement. New management in Pittsburgh has let Canario play just about every day and if he can get going the power is legit.
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