David Dahl (OF - COL) Dahl homered for the fourth straight game in the Rockies' 5-3 win over the Phillies Thursday. The young outfielder had two hits on the day and drove in a total of two runs. On the season, he has pushed his slash line to .282/.331/.534 with 14 homers, 44 RBI, 29 runs and five steals. Dahl's biggest concern has always been his inability to stay healthy, and 2018 was no different, as he has appeared in just 73 games. Aside from injury, his biggest knock has been his K% which hovers around 25%. He was able to post a 6.8% BB%, but it would be nice to see it tick up, especially if he is hitting in front of guys like Arenado and Story. If he is healthy, he will produce stats across the board, which will make his strikeouts a much less bitter pill to swallow.
Trevor Story (SS - COL) Story launched his 35th homer in the Rockies 5-3 win over the Phillies Thursday. Overall, it has been a hugely impressive season for the 25-year-old slugger. He currently owns a .291/.346/.562 slash with the 35 homers 105 RBI, 86 runs, and 26 stolen bases. Story has always been known for striking out, but his .348 BABIP has more than offset his 25.9% K%. He was able to increase his hard contact rate 4.5% from 2017 to 44.8%, which is always helpful when hitting in Coors Field. With the across the categories production, Story seems to have played his way into the first-round of 2019 drafts.
Jake Arrieta (SP - PHI) Arrieta took his 11th loss as the Phillies fell to the Rockies 5-3. Overall, the big righty owns a 3.96 ERA on the season, but FIP indicates he's been a little worse, as it sits at 4.15. His 7.29 K/9 is his lowest since 2014 and he has seen his SwStr% steadily within that same time frame, to 7.8%. While he still has plenty of usefulness in fantasy, he has seen a decline across the board. There could still be some of that Cy Young magic left, but he figures to be closer to the 2018 version heading forward. Target him for the end of your rotation.
David Bote (3B - CHC) Bote provided most of the offense in the Cubs' 3-0 win over the Pirates Thursday. The youngster went 1 for 2, driving in two runs as he got the start for Kris Bryant who remained out after taking a pitch off the wrist Tuesday. In 205 PA Bote is slashing .239/.317/.411 with six homers, 32 RBI and three steals. With the current Cubs roster, Bote will struggle to find playing time again next season but has made a case to be noticed in fantasy if he can find at-bats in 2019.
Jon Lester (SP - CHC) Lester put up a quality start and earned the win as the Cubs topped the Pirates 3-0 Thursday. Lester went six innings, allowing zero runs, while striking out three, and walking four. The victory gave the Cubs a one game lead in the division over the surging Brewers. While his strikeouts have dropped a bit as his K/9 is at its lowest since 2013, Lester has still been a solid fantasy contributor. His 3.42 ERA is over a full point lower than a year ago. He remains a steady, middle of the rotation option in fantasy drafts.
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