Javier Baez(INF-CHC): Javier Baez went 2-for-4 with a 2-run homer and two runs against the D-backs. The 24-year-old has been picking up the pace, collection at least one hit in 10 of his last 11 games. With regular reps thanks to the injury of Addison Russell, Baez looks to be finding his stride, and he makes for a must-start in all formats for his upside. How much upside is there right now, however, I'm not sure. While I think Baez will be a star someday, right now, he still chases 45.1 percent of the time while maintaining an 18.1 percent swinging strike rate. The development path is rarely linear, but with Baez, I do think it will take several years until we see the best of him.
Chris Stratton(SP-SF): Giants right-hander Chris Stratton won after allowing five hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts over 6 2/3 scoreless innings Sunday against the Nationals. The right-hander entered with a 12:12 K:BB ratio and a 6.63 ERA through 19 innings, but on Sunday he demonstrated the upside that makes him worthy of a pickup in deeper mixed leagues. The right-hander did struggle at Triple-A with a 5.11 ERA, but he allowed a 14.7 HR/ FB rate thanks to the thin air and hitter-friendly parks of the PCL. He has posted K/9's above 8, so while he presents plenty of risk, I see him as solid add, especially for those chasing counting stats. Plus, he draws the Phillies next at home.
Kolten Wong.(2B-STL): Kolten Wong went 2-for-4 with a triple, one RBI and one run vs. the Braves. Wong has been red hot over the last 14 games, collecting at least one hit in 13 of them while scoring 11 runs and collecting nine RBIs. While Wong has only homered twice in 2017, he has shown incredible gains across the board, moving his chase rate from 30 percent to 25 percent and his wOBA vs. left-handers from .292 to .347. He looks like a must-start in standard formats down the stretch.
Chris Flexen(SP-NYM): Chris Flexen won after allowing two runs on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts over five innings against the Phillies. The 23-year-old Flexen picked up his second straight win and first on the road. While he has posted an unsightly 12:13 K:BB ratio over 16 2/3 innings, the right-hander posted a 50:7 mark across 48 2/3 innings at Double-A. His deep arsenal, which includes a changeup with a delta of over 10 MPH from his fastball, should enable him to turn over lineups and pitch deeper into games. He holds upside in deeper mixed leagues, and with a spot in the rotation secured, I see better times ahead
J.T. Realmuto(C-MIA): J.T. Realmuto ($2600 on FanDuel) looks like a must-play today for his matchup at home vs. Ty Blach. Blach has struggled on the road to a .362 wOBA and has allowed a .390 wOBA against RHH away from San Francisco. Realmuto has posted a .417 wOBA vs. left-handed pitching (.511 mark at home). The catcher also hits secondary stuff well and has a 12:12 K:BB ratio against left-handers, so I see him matching up well against the crafty Blach. This looks like a severe underpricing.
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