Dylan Covey (CWS) - Dylan Covey is on track to start on Friday against the Rangers in what would be normal rest after he left his start over the weekend due to a groin issue. There wasn't a more polarizing player on the Fantistics Sirius XM show over the last couple of months as Dylan Covey continues to outperform both his metrics and pedigree. Covey's success this season has largely been on the coattails of his 60% groundball rate, the highest rate he has ever posted at any level since joining the White Sox last season and the highest mark among any starting pitcher in baseball (if he qualified). That's not a bad thing, as long as he can sustain it, but only time will tell. What we do know, however, is what the metrics are saying. With an abysmal 7% swinging strike rate (about 4% lower than league average, 28% chase rate (2% lower than league average), and 83% contact rate (6% higher than league average), one could build a strong case than his 19% strikeout rate is actually a tad overstated. In addition to that, his 10% walk rate suggests that not only is he getting hit, he's also allowing too many runners reach base on free passes. With little upside and far too much downside risk, Covey should be safely kept on the waiver wire.
Kyle Seager (SEA) - Kyle Seager smashed his 15th homerun of the season on Wednesday. Seager has hit 20 or more home runs each of the last six seasons and he continues to be one of the most durable players in the game. His batting average has fallen all the way to .225 this year, a drop which can be partially attributed to bad luck (.250 BABIP vs .283 career), especially since his batted ball profile hasn't changed much this year. Look for him to remain a consistent producer in one of the most prolific offenses in baseball.
*Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE) - *Lonnie Chisenhall swatted his first home run of the season off Jack Flaherty and the Cardinals. Chisenhall got a late start to the year, but he's now healthy and is off to a scorching start slashing .307/.388/.427 over 26 games. Chisenhall has always dominated right-handed pitching, but his struggles against lefties have historically made him a logical platoon guy. He's a nice DFS option on days where a righty is on the mound because he usually draws a spot in the heart of the lineup.
Edwin Encarnacion (CLE) - Edwin Encarnacion hit his 19th homerun today and he's now awfully close to being on pace for yet another 40 homer season. Since 2012, EE has averaged 39 homeruns per year, hitting 34 or more exact of those seasons. Like nearly all hitters across baseball, batting average is down to just .235 this year, but most noticeably missing is his walk rate which has plummeted down to 9% after averaging 11% over his career and walking 16% of the time last year. That drop off is felt most in OBP leagues.
Lou Trivino (OAK) - Oakland turned to Lou Trivino to get the save on Wednesday night to get Blake Treinen a day of rest. Treinen could potentially be shopped at the trade deadline and if he was dealt, Trivino figures to be the first man up for the A's. Trivino is a heavy groundball pitcher, but he does it without sacrificing strikeoutt, making him an appealing target for fantasy owners hoping to handcuff saves. He doesn't necessarily have overpowering stuff, but he has been effective this year during his rookie campaign. If you're a Treinen owner, Trivino is a logical stash, at least until after July 31st.
