Steven Wright (SP, Bos): Wright became the fourth starting pitcher to toss three complete games this season, joining the unlikely and elite ranks of Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale, and Johnny Cueto. Of course Wright is a knuckleballer and doesn't feature the elite stuff of those other guys, but one of the best parts of a successful knuckleball pitcher is that it doesn't put much stress on the arm and Wright had no trouble tossing 122 pitches for the CG. He gave up two earned runs on only four hits, but walked five. He struck out seven batters, and overall Wright has been shockingly effective this season, posting a 2.45 ERA with a 7.88 K/9 and 3.36 BB/9. It could fall off at any moment, but he needs to be started in all leagues while he's got batters guessing. He's got more of a buffer in points leagues than roto leagues, the difference being the points per out or inning pitched. Even if he gets hit around a little more moving forward or has some control issues as he did in this start, he'll have no issues pitching deep into ballgames and piling up the points that way. If you could deal him for more of a sure thing in roto leagues that's an advisable move, but in points leagues he's likely to be worth more for your team than you could get for him in a trade. He'll face the Blue Jays at home in his next start.
Nate Karns (SP, Sea): Karns climbed to 5-1 on the season as the Mariners beat the Padres. Karns went six and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk, striking out six. He lowered his season ERA to 3.43 on the season with 57 K's in 57.2 IP. His biggest problem has been a lack of control, but he hasn't walked more than three batters in a start for seven starts now and is really flashing some substantial upside. His swinging strike rate is a career-high 10.2%, a strong indicator that the strikeouts are real, but his first pitch strike rate is still a below-average 54.9%. The control is improving though, so if he's available in a standard mixed league, that should be remedied. He'll head to Texas to face the Rangers with his next turn on the bump.
Matt Andriese (SP, TB): Andriese continued to let the good times roll against the Royals, giving up two runs (one earned) in seven innings on five hits and two walks, striking out three. His ERA is now a feisty 2.36 in 34.1 IP. He's always had plus command, but the limiting factor on his fantasy potential is the disgusting 5.24 K/9. Despite the lack of K's he's found a way to be effective, tinkering with a change up grip that is now essentially a "cut-change". He's been able to keep batters guessing with his pitch mix, and there's a shot it will continue moving forward. Hang on to him in deep mixed leagues and stream him in shallow mixers, just don't expect many strikeouts. He'll have a friendly matchup with the Twins in Minnesota in his next start.
Eric Hosmer (1B, KC): Hosmer cranked out his 10th home run of the season, finishing the night 2-4 with three RBI. Hosmer's average exit velocity is way up this season to 95 MPH, currently good for 12th in baseball. His hard contact rate is up as a result, and it's no surprise that he's seen a power spike as well, with an ISO that's up .62 points to .224. He's still spraying the ball to all fields and maintaining his batting average at the same time, though his strikeouts have jumped to a career-high 19.7%. His fantasy owners will certainly take that though if they're still getting a .300 average while also looking at Hosmer's first 20+ home run season. Toss in his occasional steals (he's 4-5 in SB attempts this season) and you've got a very good fantasy first baseman.
Ian Desmond (SS/OF, Tex): Desmond extended his hitting streak to nine games, going 2-5 with his seventh home run and 13th double, scoring twice and driving in a pair of runs. He's now a fixture at the top of the Rangers lineup and hasn't even been terrible as their every day center fielder. The biggest key to his success this year has been cutting 8.6% from his 2015 strikeout rate. He's down to a manageable 20.6% this season, though digging a little deeper into his profile is disconcerting. His swinging strike rate is down only slightly from last year, and his contact rate is nearly identical as well. He's chasing fewer pitches (down 8.6%) and making better contact (4.4% more line drives) which has helped, but there's still enough swing and miss to be looking at a rest of season batting average closer to .260 than his current .298 mark. Even with that regression though, he's always been a 20/20 threat and he's well on his way to that again this season. Look for the average to drop, but hold onto him and enjoy the profit from his draft day price. He's got a depressed price as he faces Indians ace Corey Kluber on Tuesday, but if you're not afraid of the matchup he'll be $3,700 on Draft Kings.
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