Dillon Dingler, C, DET
Dingler had a huge day at the plate against the Twins on Tuesday, going 4-5 with 2 HR's and 4 RBI in the contest. It's been a breakout campaign for the Detroit catcher, who is up to 16 HR's and 48 RBI through 248 PA's this season, with 8 HR's and 20 RBI coming in the last 16 games. He has upped his FB% to 43.7% this season, while his HardHit% has improved to a strong 49.7%, legitimizing his power output. In fact, Dingler's .578 xSLG entering Tuesday suggests that he hasn't even fully realized his potential. His .299 xBA indicates that we may see growth in that category as well. Dingler has quickly established himself as one the top catchers in all of baseball.
Taj Bradley, SP, MIN
Bradley struggled again against the Tigers on Tuesday allowing 5 ER's on 7 hits in 4.1 IP, while striking out 3 and walking 3. This makes three straight duds for Bradley, who has now allowed 13 ER's in 13 IP over his last 3 starts, while recording a 14:10 K:BB during that stretch. He had gotten off to such a strong start this season and it looked like perhaps this would be the year he put it all together, but the walks have been starting to catch up to him. His ERA has shot up to 4.02 for the season, and his identical xFIP indicates that this is deserved. He may go on a hot streak again at some point, but he's a risk for fantasy owners at the moment.
Dylan Cease, SP, TOR
Cease was dominant in his return from the IL against the Phillies on Tuesday, striking out 11 in 6 IP, while allowing just 1 ER on 3 hits and 1 BB. He remains one of the greatest strikeout artists in baseball, as his 13.63 K/9 currently leads the league. Cease's ratios have fluctuated over the years, largely due to an elevated walk rate, but the strikeouts have always been there. His current strikeout rate is a career high, which has helped him overcome the walk issues, and shrink his ERA below 3.00. He can't be considered a top-tier ace, but he's not that far off.
Dustin May, SP, STL
May shut out the Mets for 6 innings on Tuesday, allowing just 4 hits and 1 BB while striking out 6. After two rough starts to open the season, May has posted a 2.89 ERA over his last 11 starts, while compiling a 59:17 K:BB across 65.1 IP during that stretch. Over his last 4 turns, he has taken things up a notch further, posting a 31:5 K:BB across 24.0 IP. May has typically not been a high strikeout pitcher, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep up this level of play. His walk rate has been lower than in previous years, so there's reason for optimism that he will continue to be a solid starter, even if the recent strikeout surge doesn't last.
Freddy Peralta, SP, NYM
Peralta stumbled against the Cardinals on Tuesday, allowing 6 ER's on 6 hits in 6 IP, while striking out 5 and walking 2. His ERA is up to 4.04 for the season, after he posted a career best 2.70 ERA last year. It has become clearer that last year was likely the aberration, as his xFIP has hovered right around the 3.90 mark each of the past three seasons. Peralta's strikeout rate has dropped this year to 9.12 K/9; his previous career low is 9.92. This is a bit concerning, as strikeouts have always been Peralta's bread and butter, and the primary driver of his fantasy value. Hopefully, his numbers will regress upwards towards his usual standards, although he looks like a long shot to reach 200 K's for the 4th year in a row.
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