Brian Dozier, 2B, MIN
Dozier went 2-5 with his 2nd homerun of the season and collected 4 RBI on Thursday. He had gotten off to a bit of a slow start with only 1 HR and 1 SB coming into the game, and some impatient owners have already cut ties with the second baseman. The truth is though, it's hard to understand why. After scoring a whopping 112 runs last season, he already has 17 runs in 21 games this season. His high walk rate allows him to keep up high run totals despite having a subpar batting average, so there's no reason he can't be among the league leaders in runs scored again this year. Not to mention that he's a good bet to approach at least 15 homers and steals apiece. Dozier does not belong on the waiver wire.
James Paxton, SP, SEA
Paxton had probably his best start of the year, allowing 2 ER on 5 hits in 7 innings, striking out 7 and walking 2. Paxton now has 26 strikeouts in 26.2 IP, but his ERA still sits at a lofty 5.74. However he has suffered from a .313 BABIP as well as a 55.6% LOB%. When those numbers regress, Paxton should see his ERA come closer to his 3.53 xFIP and 3.32 career ERA. The main concern with Paxton is probably the fact that he had given up a homerun in each of his previous 4 starts. Nonetheless, he's worth considering as an end of the rotation fantasy starter.
Kole Calhoun, OF, LAA
With Albert Pujols out of the lineup with a hamstring, Calhoun batted cleanup on Thursday for the first time this year and went 2-5 with 3 RBI. Calhoun is off to a good start to the season slashing .315/.367/.493. Prior to the game, he had made all of his starts from the leadoff spot, but he may continue to hit fourth behind Mike Trout as long as Pujols his out, however long that may be. Calhoun scored 90 runs in 127 games last year and would certainly be a candidate to lead the league in runs scored if he gets a full season out of the leadoff spot. Hitting cleanup could result in a bit of a tradeoff from runs to RBI (as evidenced on Thursday) but won't change his overall value much. Calhoun should be started in all formats.
Justin Verlander, SP, DET
Verlander is set to have another MRI and is still ways away from returning to the Tigers. The problem is that even when he does return, we don't really have any indication that he'll be much better than last year when he posted a 4.54 ERA and only struck out 6.95 per 9 innings. It is shocking to me that he is still owned in over 70% of ESPN leagues.
Ryan Raburn, OF, CLE
Raburn went 3-4 against the Blue Jays on Thursday, and continues to excel in a part-time role. He is now hitting .371/.378/.629 but has limited value in fantasy leagues since he pretty much only plays against lefties. But against lefties, he has certainly done his part, as he is now 13-31 (.419) with 6 2B's and a HR against southpaws. He is therefore a good cheap play in daily leagues when the Indians face a LHP like they do on Friday with Mark Buehrle going for the Blue Jays. Value Play FanDuel Salary: $2,300.
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