Hector Neris(RP-PHI): Neris blew his second save after allowing one run on two hits and one walk over one inning vs. the D-backs. The right-hander looked to have righted the ship in late-May, but he has allowed runs in three of his six June appearances. All of the chatter coming out of Philly suggests that Neris is struggling with sequencing and deployment of his repertoire and the numbers support that theory. With an improved swinging-strike rate and stable batted ball profile allowed, Neris's issues appear to be strategic and psychological. The Phillies seem committed to him as their closer, so while Benoit or Neshek may earn the next save chance, Neris owners are advised to hold.
Mark Melancon(RP-SF): Melancon blew his fourth save after allowing four runs on four hits (one homer) in 1/3 of an inning against the Rockies. While the right-hander has been unlucky as indicated by his .382 BABIP and 18 percent HR/FB, working signs of a systemic issue lurk beneath the surface. Specifically, his hard-hit rate allowed is up nine percentage points from 2016 while his ground ball rate and swinging strike rate are down five percentage points and one percentage point respectively. His stuff doesn't have the late life that's enabled him to get away with less than premium velocity, leading me to believe he isn't fully over the health issues that plagued him earlier this season. With Derek Law's recent struggles, Hunter Strickland looks like the optimal handcuff in case Melancon gets a breather.
Manny Pina(C-MIL): While Jimmy Nelson continued to thrive, Manny Pina went 2-for-4 with a solo homer vs. the Padres. With the effort Pina moved his season line to .312/.351/.493 with four homers, 23 runs and 20 RBI over 41 games, good enough for 12th at catcher on the ESPN Player Rater. Something clicked mechanically for Pina at Triple-A in 2015, as he continues to elevate his pull and hard hit rates while moving his contact rate over the magic 80 percent threshold. With the continued struggles of Jett Bandy, look for Pina to maintain a hold on consistent at-bats and produce a top-10 season at catcher.
Jose Urena(SP-MIA): Jose Urena took a no-decision after allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings against the Braves. The right-hander has allowed three or fewer runs in seven of his nine starts and has staked his claim to a permanent rotation spot in Miami. However, while he holds value in deeper mixed leagues, Urena is a risky add in standard leagues. His .244 BABIP and 79 percent strand rate have deflated his ERA, and his 15 percent strikeout rate leaves him susceptible to batted-ball luck start to start. Urena has the stuff to succeed and miss more bats, but the transition from the pen to the rotation is going to take time.
Eric Sogard(UTIL-MIL): Gerrit Cole has been better recently, and that may be enough to keep Eric Sogard's ownership down (not to mention this steeper $3400 FanDuel price tag). Sogard has seized an everyday role atop the Brewers lineup with his 18:14 BB:K ratio The left-hander has done most of his damage, especially in the power department, against right-handers at home, which is where he draws Cole today. Cole has allowed a .372 wOBA to left-handers and a .375 wOBA on the road. While the homer potential is low, Sogard should reach base multiple times today and find himself in run-scoring positions.
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