Collin McHugh -- McHugh turned in another strong performance on Sunday, going 6 innings against the Red Sox, allowing just 1 earned run while striking out 7 and taking the win. He allowed 7 hits and 4 walks, but that's not something to get concerned about. McHugh has been a huge breakout for the Astros this year, posting a 9.8 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, and 3.18 xFIP to go with a 3.08 ERA. McHugh's breakout has been come as a result of many factors. He's essentially scrapped a sinker that he had trouble controlling, his four-seam velocity has increased a couple mph, and his gameplan for his secondary stuff has improved. He shifted his place on the rubber over to the first base side, which allows him to spot his slider on the outside corner. This combination of things has led to terrific results, and McHugh needs to be owned in all but the shallowest of leagues.
Kevin Gausman -- Gausman tossed what appeared to be a great game on Sunday, going 6 inning while allowing just 1 run and taking the Win. He struck out just 2 batters, though, and walked 4, so it doesn't appear that he's turning a corner yet. Gausman was considered an elite prospect and has excellent stuff--96 mph fastball with great life, hard slider, nasty splitter--but he's only managed to turn it into a 6.2 K/9 and 4.25 xFIP. He's simply in a learning phase and will eventually learn how to pitch to his ability, but time is running out for this year, so he's best saved for deep mixed and AL-only leagues. Counting on that true breakout to happen at this point is unwise.
Brian McCann -- McCann was activated from the 7-day concussion DL on Sunday and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout... big surprise. McCann is having a hugely disappointing year, triple-slashing .238/.294/.384, and there's little reason to expect a big bounceback over the final few weeks of the year. Teams are shifting on him more than twice as often as they were just a year ago, and that is leading to lots of balls getting gobbled up. It has also led to a change in approach for McCann, who has altered his mechanics (struggling to do so) to try to go the other way more often, which he's never been able to do with much power. As tempting as it is to look at his history and buy low, I'd highly recommend against it.
Michael Bourn -- Bourn returned from the Disabled List this weekend, and though he's failed to record a hit yet, there was an encouraging sign during Sunday's game. Bourn was on the DL with a hamstring injury, which is obviously of great concern since much of his fantasy value is predicated on his ability to steal bases. Leg injuries aren't good for that sort of thing. Though Bourn failed to record a hit this weekend, he drew two walks on Sunday and stole a base, the latter of which is very encouraging. He's worth scooping up in deeper mixed leagues for those in need of steals, but remain wary until he shows that he is healthy and able to be a legitimate contributor again.
Send me your fantasy questions on Twitter (@DerekCarty).
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