Chris Sale delivered a stellar performance in the Braves' 6-2 win over the Guardians on Friday.
Fantasy Impact: He allowed just one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out six over seven innings. This outing continues a solid start to the 2024 season for Sale, who now boasts a 3.69 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP through five starts. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (9.4 K/9) alongside a commendable 4.71 strikeout-to-walk ratio underscores his value in fantasy leagues, particularly in categories that reward strikeouts and WHIP. While his BABIP suggests some luck, his strong FIP (3.57) indicates that his performance is not far off from his actual results. Fantasy managers should continue to view Sale as a high-upside starting option, especially in matchups like these where he can dominate.
Matt Olson went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the Braves' 6-2 win over the Guardians.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included a walk and a strikeout. Despite a lukewarm start to the season with a .220 batting average and modest power numbers, Olson's ability to drive in runs and score remains evident. His on-base skills are still useful thanks to a decent walk rate, but fantasy managers might be growing impatient with his lack of significant power production, especially given his history. Olson's current stats suggest potential for improvement, but he'll need to start hitting with more consistency to regain top form in fantasy lineups.
Marcell Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI as the Braves topped the Guardians 6-2.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included a walk and he also crossed the plate once, contributing significantly to the team's win. Ozuna's season has been robust, boasting a .344 batting average and a .459 wOBA, which are dream numbers for fantasy managers. His consistent power-hitting, evidenced by nine homers and 31 RBI in just 24 games, makes him a must-start in all formats. While the strikeouts are a bit of a concern, his high productivity levels more than compensate for the occasional whiff. Fantasy managers should continue to ride his hot streak without hesitation.
Orlando Arcia went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Braves' 6-2 victory over the Guardians.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included a crucial home run that contributed to the team's win. Arcia's season has been solid, maintaining a .311 batting average through 24 games, and his power is starting to show with his second homer of the season. His consistent contact and ability to find gaps are reflected in his .348 wOBA and .347 BABIP, indicating that while he's not walking much, he's making his hits count. Fantasy managers should consider Arcia a reliable option at shortstop, especially in deeper leagues where middle infielders with a decent mix of average and occasional power are valuable.
Logan Allen struggled in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Braves, allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 4 2/3 innings.
Fantasy Impact: This outing pushed his ERA to 5.46 and WHIP to 1.40 for the season, which are hardly inspiring figures for fantasy managers. His strikeout rate remains mediocre at 7.5 K/9, and his FIP at 5.24 suggests that his struggles are not solely due to bad luck. Allen's performance today further cements his status as a risky play in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues. His inability to pitch deep into games combined with his tendency to give up runs heavily limits his upside.
Steven Kwan went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the Guardians' 6-2 defeat to the Braves.
Fantasy Impact: This performance, while a bright spot, was not enough to lift his team to victory. Kwan's home run adds a bit of power to his already impressive .343 batting average for the season. His consistent hitting and ability to get on base, evidenced by his .369 wOBA, make him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups, especially in formats that reward on-base percentage. However, his low RBI (eight) and stolen base (two) totals suggest his fantasy impact is somewhat limited to scoring runs and hitting for average.
Bailey Ober delivered a strong performance in the Twins' 5-3 win over the Angels on Friday.
Fantasy Impact: He allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out eight over 7 1/3 innings. This outing marks a continuation of Ober's solid start to the season, improving his ERA to 4.21 and WHIP to 1.05. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (8.8 K/9) and a favorable strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.57) suggests he could be a reliable option in fantasy rotations, especially considering his low BABIP (.254), which indicates some good fortune. Fantasy managers should consider Ober a viable starting option, particularly in matchups where his strikeout potential can be maximized.
Willi Castro went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI in the Twins' 5-3 win over the Angels.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a notable uptick for Castro, who has struggled with a modest .221 batting average this season. His multi-hit game, featuring two doubles, could be a sign of turning things around, especially considering his .333 BABIP suggests some bad luck has been at play. While his high strikeout rate (0.352) continues to be a concern, games like this show his potential for contributing in runs and RBI. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Castro for signs of consistency before making him a regular starter.
Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 in the Twins' 5-3 victory over the Angels with a home run and two RBI.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a slight uptick in Santana's struggling season, where he's been batting just .165. The home run, his second of the year, along with the pair of RBI, adds a bit of a silver lining to his otherwise underwhelming stats. Fantasy managers should note this game as a potential sign of awakening, but given his overall performance and low batting average, it would be wise to keep expectations tempered. Santana's power can still make him a situational asset, particularly in deeper leagues or formats that reward power numbers, but consistency will be key to his fantasy relevance.
Patrick Sandoval struggled in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Twins, surrendering three earned runs on nine hits while striking out four across 5 2/3 innings.
Fantasy Impact: The left-hander did not issue any walks, but his inability to limit hits continued a troubling trend this season. Sandoval's season ERA now sits at an inflated 6.33, with a WHIP of 1.78, reflecting ongoing struggles in his command and susceptibility to allowing base runners. His high BABIP of .390 suggests some bad luck, yet the consistent contact by opponents indicates real issues. Despite a decent strikeout rate of 9.3 K/9, his effectiveness is marred by high earned runs and hits allowed, making him a risky fantasy option in all but the deepest of leagues.
Zach Neto went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in the Angels' 5-3 loss to the Twins.
Fantasy Impact: This performance marked a notable uptick in Neto's batting, as he managed to boost his season average and add valuable extra-base hits to his stats. Despite the team's loss, Neto's ability to find gaps and drive in runs was a silver lining. His season-long struggle with a high strikeout rate and low walk rate remains a concern, but games like this show his potential for growth and impact in fantasy lineups. Owners should keep an eye on his consistency and plate discipline moving forward, as these will be critical for his fantasy viability.
Mason Miller delivered a flawless performance, striking out two in a scoreless inning to notch the save in the Athletics' 3-2 victory over the Orioles.
Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a stellar season for Miller, who now boasts a 1.46 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP through 11 appearances. His remarkable 18.2 K/9 and 6.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio highlight his dominance and reliability in high-pressure situations. With seven saves and no blown saves to date, Miller is solidifying his role as a premier closer. Fantasy managers should consider him a top-tier option for saves and strikeouts, given his consistent ability to shut down opposing hitters and maintain impressive statistical thresholds.
Ross Stripling turned in a decent outing, allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out three over 5 2/3 innings in the Athletics' 3-2 victory over the Orioles on Friday.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the solid performance, Stripling's season has been less than stellar, marked by a high 4.98 ERA and 1.49 WHIP through six starts. His 6.6 K/9 indicates a lower strikeout rate which might not appeal to fantasy managers looking for high strikeout pitchers. The 3.64 FIP suggests some bad luck, considering his elevated .360 BABIP, but his winless record and modest strikeout totals make him a risky play in most fantasy formats. Moving forward, Stripling's fantasy value remains limited unless he can significantly improve his strikeout rate and overall command.
Shea Langeliers went 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in the Athletics' 3-2 win over the Orioles.
Fantasy Impact: His solo blast contributed crucially to the narrow victory, marking his sixth homer of the season. Despite the heroics, Langeliers's season has been marred by a lowly .173 batting average and a concerning .143 BABIP, suggesting either a streak of bad luck or issues with making effective contact. His power numbers are respectable for a catcher, but fantasy managers should be wary of the drag his batting average could have on their team. His performance in this game might be a sign of turning things around, but it would be wise to seek more consistent production before considering him a reliable fantasy starter.
Cedric Mullins II went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in the Orioles' 3-2 loss to the Athletics.
Fantasy Impact: Despite the loss, Mullins' ability to connect for his sixth homer of the season is a silver lining for fantasy managers. His batting average remains a concern at .232 over 25 games, indicating a need for improvement in making consistent contact, as reflected by his low .228 BABIP. However, his power-speed combination, with six home runs and five stolen bases, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Owners should monitor his strikeout and walk rates, hoping for signs of discipline improvement to boost his on-base opportunities.
Corbin Burnes delivered a quality start, allowing just one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out six over six innings in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Athletics.
Fantasy Impact: Despite his solid performance, Burnes didn't factor into the decision, a recurring theme that must frustrate fantasy managers given his strong season stats. With a 2.55 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and an 8.9 K/9 rate through six starts, Burnes continues to be a reliable option in fantasy rotations. However, his low BABIP of .225 suggests some regression might be on the horizon, potentially impacting his sterling ERA and WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to deploy him with confidence, but keep an eye on any shifts in his underlying metrics.
Emerson Hancock delivered a strong performance in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.
Fantasy Impact: He allowed just one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings. This outing was a refreshing change of pace for Hancock, whose season ERA of 5.06 and FIP of 5.17 suggest he has been struggling with effectiveness. However, his solid performance in this game, combined with a season WHIP of 1.13 and a decent strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.80, hints at potential underutilized skills. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Hancock, as outings like this could signal the beginning of a turnaround, making him a possible sleeper pick for teams in need of pitching depth.
Mitch Haniger made his presence felt in the Mariners' 6-1 victory over the Diamondbacks, delivering when it counted.
Fantasy Impact: Haniger went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Despite a modest .244 batting average over 24 games this season, Haniger's ability to drive in runs remains evident, as evidenced by his 18 RBI and four homers. His performance in this game, particularly the clutch home run, underscores his potential value in fantasy lineups, especially in formats that reward power numbers. However, his high strikeout rate (.296) continues to be a concern, potentially capping his batting average upside. Fantasy managers should consider Haniger a viable option for power stats, but temper expectations for batting average improvements.
Josh Rojas went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI in the Mariners' 6-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
Fantasy Impact: His performance included scoring two runs and drawing a walk, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output. Rojas's season has been marked by a strong .316 batting average and a .387 wOBA, indicating his consistent ability to get on base and generate runs. His power numbers are modest but growing, with today's homer marking his second of the season. Fantasy managers should note Rojas's solid on-base skills and increasing run production, making him a valuable asset in most formats, especially in leagues that reward walks and on-base percentage.
Mitch Garver went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI in the Mariners' 6-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.
Fantasy Impact: This performance, highlighted by his solo home run, offers a glimmer of hope for fantasy managers who have been enduring his sluggish start to the season. With a batting average lingering around .143 and only his second homer of the year, Garver's power display could hint at a potential turnaround, but his high strikeout rate and low BABIP suggest that any significant improvement might not be sustainable. Fantasy managers should keep expectations in check, as his current form indicates limited upside.
