Taijuan Walker (SP, ARI) - Walker and his 2.94 road ERA will face a Giants lineup that is hitting just .246 overall on the season, and just .242 at home. Combine that with the opposing pitcher being Giants' righty Chris Stratton and his 7.71 season ERA and the possibility for a win is also high with the D'Backs offense. Walker's $8100 price tag makes for a nice, money saving pivot on Saturday's slate.
Yu Darvish (SP, TEX) - Darvish dazzled in his Dodgers debut Friday, going seven innings, allowing zero earned runs on three hits, while striking out ten and walking just one. The start was everything the Dodgers organization could have hoped for, and then some. On the season, Darvish sports a 3.81 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, with 158 strikeouts in 144 innings. His FIP currently sits at 3.98, and xFIP suggests he will be even better moving forward as it is at 3.81. If he can continue to trend the walks down, and continue to strand 75% of baserunners, he will be another ace in the Dodgers rotation. It also appears a change of scenery as well as not being the ace of the staff will do him some good.
Giancarlo Stanton (OF, MIA) - Stanton did Stanton things on Friday with two home runs and three RBI in the Marlins 5-3 loss to the Braves. The bombs give him 35 on the season, and put him on pace for 53, provided he can stay healthy and in the lineup, which he has been able to do so far in 2017. As if we did not know power is his game, his .314 ISO, .393 wOBA, and 37.3% hard contact confirm that. He is finally performing as a top ten outfielder, and if he stays healthy, will be a consideration for the first round in 2018 drafts.
Yasiel Puig (OF, LAD) - Puig belted his 20th home run of the season as the Dodgers blanked the Mets 6-0 on Friday. On the year, the young outfielder is slashing .259/.331/.476, with the 20 homers, 53 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. His 20 home runs and 12 steals makes him the fourth member of the 20/10 club with some elite company. This club includes Mike Trout, Paul Goldschmidt, Wil Myers, already, which are some exclusive company. No one questions Puig's talent, it is his judgement and health that draw some concern. His .210 ISO is higher than his career mark, yet his other metrics are down a few ticks. Overall, he is performing as a top 25 outfielder, and is on pace for 30 home runs, and 18 stolen bases, which makes for an impressive season if he can stay on his current pace, but more importantly stay healthy.
Daniel Murphy (2B, WAS) - Murphy provided the majority of the offense Friday in the Nats' 4-2 win over the Cubs. Murphy was 3 for 4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored. The veteran is at it again with another top five performance at the second base spot. On the year, he is slashing .333/.386/.581 with 19 home runs, 76 RBI, and 70 runs. His .333 average is second in the NL and trails only Dodgers' third baseman Justin Turner. Murphy is impressing in all aspects of his game. His K% is just 10.3%, while his BB% is an impressive 7.7%. His wRC+ is 139, which is way above league average, and shows that he is a huge part of the Nationals offense. His numbers would be impressive from any position, but having them come from your second base spot is even better.
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