Wei-Yin Chen (SP-MIA) Chen took a no decision Saturday vs the Nationals, tossing 7 and 1/3 innings allowing just 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 6 and walking 2. Chen was pulled following a Wilmer Difo home run with 1 out in the 7th - but had cruised until that point throwing 67 of his 94 pitches for strikes with the highlight being striking out Bryce Harper all three times he faced him. Chen has been a completely different pitcher at home allowing just 2 earned runs in 17 innings - compared to allowing 15 runs in 12 and 1/3 innings on the road. In addition the veteran pitcher entered Saturday with a career low 5.73 K/9 and a career high 4.91 BB/9. Chen will get a chance to improve upon those road numbers his time out as he takes 5.22 ERA and 1.40 WHIP into his next start Thursday in San Diego.
Brandon Belt (1B-SF) Belt went 1-3 with 2 RBIs and a walk Saturday afternoon. Belt has reached base at least once in 12 consecutive starts, and 12 of his past 13 games overall including 5 home runs over a 6-game span. Belt has always been a solid fantasy contributor chipping in extra base hits and walks at a good clip, but has elevated his game even further this season, leading the National league with .998 OPS. Belt has upped his game by increasing his hard contact rate 8% leading to career highs in ISO (.269) and BABIP (.384). Nearly 2 full months in the season Belt is moving into the upper echelon of offensive first basemen in the game.
Gorkys Hernandez (OF-SF) Hernandez went 3-5 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored Saturday afternoon. Hernandez is on an 8-game hitting streak that has seen him ignite the top of the Giants lineup going 13-31 with 7 runs scored and 3 home runs. Owners should enjoy his hot hitting while it lasts - but should be conscious of a sharp decline on the way, as all the warning factors are there. He has drawn only 4 walks and struckout 34 times - a troubling ratio especially for a leadoff hitter. In addition his BABIP is at an unsustainable .393 and should normalize to his career mark of .311 in short order.
Tyler Saladino (2B/3B - MIL) Saladino went 2-5 with a double, a run and 2 RBIs. With the recent demotion of Orlando Arcia, Saladino figures to see the bulk of the playing time at shortstop for the Brewers, provided he keeps hitting at a blistering pace. While his .353 batting average, aided by a .360 BABIP is sure to come back to earth at some point, his 3 home runs and ability to play 2B, 3B and most likely SS sometime soon will have mass appeal to fantasy owners. A 2.6% BB rate and a 23.1% K rate in 2018 are strong indicators we will not be able to hold the average but for the time being he is a good add in a strong Brewers offense.
Jose Quintana (SP-CHC) Quintana took the loss getting roughed up by the Giants Saturday, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits in 4 and 1/3 innings walking 2 and striking out 6. Quintana has been a boom-or-bust pitcher this season making 5 starts allowing 1 or less run and allowing 4 or more runs in his other 5 starts. Quintana has been victimized by the long ball in starts allowing 4+ runs, giving up 11 of his 12 home runs in those contests. A respectable 8.4 K/9 rate will not deter some owners from trotting him out there but be aware of his propensity to have a rough outing at any time. He will carry an unsightly 4.78 ERA and 1.48 WHIP into his next scheduled start Thursday against the Mets.
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