Chris Archer (SP-TB): The Orioles torched Chris Archer for 6 earned runs while racking up 10 hits and 2 walks across his 5 innings. While he has been quite unfortunate through 2 starts (7.20 ERA/2.91 xFIP) and has struck out 17 in 10 innings, Archer has been struggling with his control (5 walks) and command (4 homers allowed). This, along with his diminished velocity and the eye test, has led many to speculate that Archer isn't 100% healthy. While I'm not overly concerned, monitor this closely and if you're protecting ERA/WHIP and have other K-options, sitting Archer for a start while the situation becomes clearer is advisable.
Jordan Zimmermann (SP-DET). Zimmermann outmatched Severino by tossing 7 scoreless innings to pick up his 1st W of the year. While much of the baseball world is impressed, I am not and remain quite bearish on Z this season. One of the issues with Zimmermann is the dwindling K-rate, which dipped back under 20% last season (he only struck out 3 last night). While he is learning how to pitch with diminished velocity, relying on a .111 BABIP in moving forward isn't realistic. He's a fine #3 starter in mixed leagues, but don't be fooled by any sort of fast start fueled by statistical anomalies.
Marcus Stroman (SP-TOR): Marcus Stroman allowed 9 baserunners and 5 earned runs in 5 and 1/3 innings in earning the no-decision. While Stroman is inducing plenty of grounders to far in 2016--at a 60% clip--he isn't missing enough bats to back up all of the hype surrounding him in fantasy circles. He has a career 8.5% swinging strike rate, which is league average. Because of this, he's going to have days where the BABIP gods frown upon him.
Jose Iglesias (SS-DET): Jose Iglesias went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI to continue his torrid start to 2016. Iglesias posted a ridiculous 4.3 % swinging strike rate in 2015 to go with a 90.6% contact rate. He is working to add more patience to his game, and if he can continue to hit the ball on the ground with consistently hard contact, he'll be in line for another .300 season. While he's still only a MI option in deeper mixed leagues, points leaguers may want to pounce if he's on the wire.
Nick Castellanos (3B-DET)): Castellanos ($3600 on DraftKings) is set to face C.C. Sabathia at Yankee Stadium where the wind is expected to push out to center at 18 MPH. Castellanos posted a 38% hard hit rate and .414 wOBA against lefties in 2015 while Sabathia allowed a 31% hard hit rate and .370 wOBA against righties. Add in the environmental factors and the ingredients are here for a big day at a fair price.
