Lucas Duda(1B/DH-TB): Lucas Duda went 2-for-4 with a double a two runs against the Astros and has now hit in all five games he has played with the Rays. Duda should continue to see everyday at-bats at DH and 1B towards he top of the lineup, and his fantasy stock is rising. He possesses a dangerous trifecta in a 46 percent fly ball rate, a 46 percent pull rate, and a 43 percent hard hit rate. Add that to a 105 MPH average speed on homers, and you can see him hitting 12-15 homers down the stretch. If Duda is out on the wire, go and get him.
Dylan Bundy(SP-BAL): Dylan Bundy won after allowing one run (no earned) on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts over eight innings vs. the Royals. After finding success for most of the first half, Bundy allowed at least five earned runs or more in three of his four July starts. He has seen hit hard hit rate increase (up to 35 percent) and his ground ball rate decline (down to 31 percent), so while this start is encouraging, he is still a risky play in standard formats. There is upside in his 6.86 K/9, as indicated by 10 percent swinging strike rate, so those needing to make up ground in pitching categories may want to take the risk.
Jose Berrios(SP-MIN): Jose Berrios lost after allowing one run on two hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings against the Padres. The right-hander only needed 75 pitches to make it through seven innings, but the Twins bats let him down and he ended up earning the tough luck loss. What a bounce back season it has been for Berrios, who now boasts an 82:27 K:BB ratio and a 3.57 ERA through 90 2/3 innings. While he has been fortunate with a .274 BABIP, Berrios has also done a fantastic job limiting hard contact (25 percent) thanks to an ability to get ahead of hitters (61 percent first pitch strike rate). He's attacking hitters with improved command of his four-seamer, against which hitters are slugging .307 (compared to .543 last season), and putting them away with an assortment of secondary offerings, most notably an improved changeup. He has arrived and should be a staple as a solid number three starter in most formats.
Marcus Stroman(SP-TOR): Marcus Stroman won after allowing four runs on seven hits (one homer) and one walk with five strikeouts over seven innings against the White Sox. Despite earning the win, Stroman allowed more than three runs for the first time since his June 22 start in Texas. While his 7.42 K/9 limits his upside to more of a number three starter in standard formats, Stroman's ability to induce ground balls (62.5 percent) and limit hard contact (29.7 percent) make him one of the most reliable starters in the game. With his stature and lack of downward plane, Stroman will likely continue to face issues with a bloated HR/FB rate, but as long as he continues to limit the free passes, he should remain at the top of that third tier among starting pitchers.
Josh Donaldson(3B-TOR): Josh Donaldson is heating up just in time for a prime matchup against Derek Holland in Chicago. While the third baseman has battled injuries all season, he continues seeing lefties as well as any hitter in the league, posting a 10:10 B:KK ratio in limited action after posting a 29:23 mark last season. Derek Holland has allowed 22 homers and a 65:41 K:BB ratio over 82 2/3 innings vs. RHH this season, and although he has pitched better at home, righties have still tagged him for a .491 slugging there. With Donaldson swinging a hot bat, paying up at $3900 on FanDuel seems worth it.
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