Kenta Maeda(SP-LAD): Maeda lost after allowing six runs on nine hits (four homers) and one walk with five strikeouts over five innings vs. the D-backs. Reports out of LA suggest Maeda may miss his next start to work out kinks in his mechanics that the Dodgers believe are causing him to miss up in the zone on a consistent basis. While Maeda has endured misfortune in the HR/FB and strand rates, he is inducing fewer ground balls and his slider and changeup aren't exhibiting the same movement they did in 2016. He is missing bats at an elite rate, and the velocity is there, so if the Dodgers can figure out how he can recapture the late life on his pitches, I see no reason why Maeda can't regain his status as a solid number two option in standard leagues. Hold.
Adam Frazier(UTIL-PIT): Frazier went 2-for-4 with an RBI out of the leadoff spot. The sophomore has posted a .306/.370/.449 line with five RBI, five runs, and a 4:7 BB:K ratio in 54 plate appearances. His versatility in conjunction with the Starling Marte injury have him in line for increasing playing time, and his OBP/speed profile should have him hitting near or at the top of the lineups on the days he starts. While he's not quite a must-own in 12-team leagues, Frazier makes for a sneaky option in 15-team ROTO leagues and deeper points formats.
Aaron Altherr(OF-PHI): Altherr went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored hitting out of the two-hole. The injury to Howie Kendrick has opened up playing time for AA, who has taken full advantage of it by going 7-for-17 with five runs and two RBI over the last four days. While he struggled to make contact with Philly last season, AA did post a 10 percent walk rate and flashed a league-average hard-hit rate. He makes for a high-risk/high-reward pick up, but he has pedigree, and with regular at-bats for the foreseeable future, a chance to shine. He's worth a pick up in deeper mixed leagues and would make a perfect grab for those who've lost Starling Marte.
Chase Anderson(SP-MIL): Mr. Anderson took the tough-luck loss after allowing one unearned run on six hits and one walk with six strikeouts over six innings vs. the Cardinals. Yes, he has been fortunate with an inflated strand rate and a depressed HR/FB rate, but Anderson has also pitched very well in 2017, posting a 22:6 K:BB ratio in 24 innings. I love the 10 percent swinging-strike rate and 62 percent first-pitch-strike rate and the fact that he's inducing chases at a career high rate. The fastball is playing up a tic, which is leading him to post a positive pitch value on it for the first time in his career (according to PITCHf/x). He's a must-own streaming option in standard leagues and is making a case as a must-start option in 15-teamers. Buy.
Joc Pederson(OF-LAD): The struggling Joc Pederson is just $2500 for his matchup against Shelby Miller, making him a solid tournament play on FanDuel. Pederson hit 24 of his 25 homers last season against right-handers, posting a .386 wOBA against them in the process. He's off to a slow start against them in 2017, but has posted a .227 BABIP despite a 39 percent hard-hit rate. Shelby Miller is enjoying a bounceback season, but he has posted a 5:6 K:BB ratio vs. lefties this season as he continues to struggle at home. Chase Field is number two in Park Factors for the second straight season, giving Joc the perfect venue to get going. The ingredients are here.
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