Jacob deGrom-Mets-SP
Jacob deGrom went 7.2 IP and gave up 1 ER on 5 H, 1 BB, and 10 K's against the Nationals. DeGrom through 26 starts has a 3.39 ERA (3.50 SIERA). He is pitching to his skill level and that is an above average fantasy starter. His strikeout rate on the year sits at 28.3% and he has shown good control with 7% BB. DeGrom's strikeout rate increase is backed by an increase in his swinging strike rate as well at 13.4%. He does give up a fair amount of hard contact (33%), which has translated to home runs (1.34 HR/9). He has been very good in the second half with a 3.12 ERA and this is due to cutting his first half walk rate (8%) in half (4%). He is a top tier fantasy starter that could reach elite status if he continues to show above average command the rest of the year.
Jerad Eickhoff-Phillies-SP
Jerad Eickhoff went 5 IP and gave up 1 ER on 5 H, 3 BB, and 8 K's against the Cubs. Eickhoff through 23 starts has a 4.36 ERA (4.72 SIERA). He has taken a major step backward this year after posting a really solid 2016 season. His strikeout rate is slightly below league average at 20.2% and there was hope that he would increase his strikeouts based upon his swing strike rate but that has fallen from 9.4% last year to 8.4% this year. The only positive for Eickhoff is that he has kept the ball in the park after struggling with home runs. He has pitched slightly better in the second half (4.12 ERA) as opposed to 4.62 ERA in the first half. The skills look exactly the same but his BABIP is just lower. Unfortunately, Eickhoff hasn't taken the next step forward that some thought and looks to be a league average fantasy starter.
Julio Teheran-Braves-SP
Julio Teheran went 7.1 IP and gave up 2 ER on 5 H, 0 BB, and 4 K's against the Rockies. Teheran through 26 starts has a 4.90 ERA (4.91 SIERA). His underlying skills suggest that he has earned every bit of his 4.90 ERA. His strikeout rate is down to 18.5% and his walk rate is up to 9%. He has an even mix of ground balls to fly balls, which has been a major problem for him this year. Teheran has given up 28 home runs this year good for 1.76 HR/9. This is the fifth straight year that he has given up 20+ HR's, so the problem is not going to go away anytime soon. This is a lost year for Teheran but there is hope given that he is just 26 years old and has proven that he can be an above average starter at the major league level. He needs to improve his control and command of the strike zone or he is going to continue to be hurt by the long ball and his ratios are going to suffer as a result.
Javier Baez-Cubs-SS
Javier Baez was 1-2 with a walk against the Phillies. On the year Baez is hitting .274 with 20 HR, 55 R, 61 RBI, and 6 SB in 111 games. He has been seeing regular playing time in August and he has responded with a .295 AVG with 7 HR, 16 R, 21 RBI, and 3 SB. Baez strikes out a lot (29%) due to his ultra-aggressive approach but there are signs of growth this year. His walk rate is up from 3% to 5% and his hard hit rate has gone from 29% to 34%. He has a real chance at 25 HR/10 SB with a .265-.270 batting average with multi-position eligibility, which has been extremely valuable this year due to the new disabled list rule.
DFS Value Play
Wilmer Flores-Mets-2B
Wilmer Flores finds himself in the middle of the Mets lineup on most days when they are facing a left-handed starter. Flores has crushed LHP over his career to the tune of a .344 wOBA and .240 ISO. He will have the platoon advantage against LHP Gio Gonzalez. The fact that he now has 2B eligibility on Fanduel makes him a very nice bargain in this matchup. Fanduel: $2,700
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