Max Kepler, OF, MIN
Kepler hit his 11th HR of the season on Thursday, giving him more homeruns in 58 big league games this year than in any of his seasons in the minor leagues. While the power is a bit of a surprise, it also looks somewhat legit, as both his FB% (39.4%) and Hard% (38.9%) are relatively high. His contact has also been decent, so expect his BA to rise from its current .243 mark once his .259 BABIP positively regresses. With all 11 of his HR's and 36 of his RBI coming in his last 39 games, Kepler looks like a solid waiver-wire pickup right now.
Eduardo Nunez, SS, 3B, MIN
Nunez was traded to the Giants on Thursday, and will fill in at least for the time being for injured INF Matt Duffy. Nunez has been struggling a bit of late, with only a .161 BA and 0 XBH's since the all-star break. Overall, he has been producing in all fantasy categories with the biggest surprise being the power; he has hit 12 HR's this season in 91 games after having hit 18 in the previous 400+ games. Some HR regression should have been expected anyway, but that's especially true now that he'll be playing his home games in the spacious AT&T Park. Of more concern for fantasy owners is what will happen when Duffy returns. If Nunez is hitting, the Giants will likely find a way to play him, but that's by no means a guarantee.
Chris Sale, SP, CWS
In possibly his last start with the White Sox, Sale was decent allowing 2 ER's in 6 IP, but only struck out 4 while walking 3. Sale's traditional stats are still excellent - he's 14-4 with a 3.17 ERA - but he hasn't been quite as dominant as in years past. His 8.61 K/9 is a career low and over 3 K/9 lower than last year. As a result, his xFIP has jumped to a career high 3.75. Shockingly, Sale has yet to record a double-digit K' game this year in 20 starts after doing so 13 times in 2015. Maybe the White Sox would be wise to move Sale now when his trade value is still super high, and owners might want to consider doing the same, especially if he ends up with the Yankees or another team with a hitters' park.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL
It has been a dreadful July for Wieters, who is hitting an abysmal .135/.182/.154 with 1 RBI and 1 XBH in 55 PA's this month. His OPS now sits at a career low, while his soft contact is at a career high, so he's got work to do if he wants to yet be considered among the games top offensive catchers. That being said, with the way it's looking for catchers around the league, there really isn't much advantage for owners to try and replace Wieters off the wire, as Wieters should be able to turn it around at least somewhat.
Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS
Bogaerts has hit better against lefties this season, but he still been excellent against righties as well, hitting .322 with 9 of his 12 HR's coming off RHP's. On Friday, he'll face struggling RHP Tim Lincecum, who has allowed RH-hitters a .452/.566/.869 this season. That's right, righties have a 1.435 OPS against him this year, not that lefties have been much worse. Considering the matchup, Bogaerts is reasonably priced and is one of several Red Sox worth considering in daily leagues. Value Play DraftKings $4,400.
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