Germain Marquez, SP, Rockies
Marquez allowed just 2 hits and 1 earned run across 6.0 frames on Friday against the punch less Marlins. He struck out 7 and walked 3 before he was pulled after 93 pitches. This was an outstanding way for Marquez to come out of the gates for those who put trust in his 2018 breakout campaign. Marquez pitched 196 innings and posted a 3.77 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP a season ago. Those numbers are solid, but his season becomes truly impressive when you consider that he pitches his home games in Denver. Marquez's 3.40 FIP and 3.10 xFIP ranked 15th and 8th respectively among qualified starters across the entire MLB last season. Marquez still plays for Colorado so his advanced stats may not interest fantasy owners as much, but considering his K% has risen 6% each season since his debut in 2016, and the offensive support he should receive on a nightly basis, he could be in for a big year.
Paul Goldschmidt, SP, Cardinals
Goldschmidt exploded for three home runs on Friday night. He finished the night 4 for 5 with 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, and 1 BB. Goldy is a notoriously slow starter so it is great to see him have this kind of a night this early in the season for his new squad. In both 2017 and 2018 Goldschmidt hit just 4 Home Runs before May 1st, he needs just one more to match those tallies and it's not even April yet. It's also worth noting that Goldy hit out of the two-hole again on Friday. Goldschmidt is a premier slugger and his spot in the order shouldn't raise any concern, but if manager Mike Schildt continues to bat him second it will certainly put a little damper on his RBI output as the season progresses.
Alex Reyes, RP, Cardinals
Reyes threw a perfect 7th for the Cardinals Friday night as he sat down Milwaukee's Orlando Arcia, Ben Gamel, and Lorenzo Cain on 12 pitches. The oft-injured Cardinal hasn't been healthy enough in his career to get much of a read on. He has always showed promising stuff, highlighted by an impressive 98+ MPH heater. He actually put together an impressive 46 inning season back in 2016 when he posted a 1.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His 27.5 K% and .20 HR/9 that season showed a lot of promise...but then came the injuries. Reyes missed all of 2017 due to Tommy John surgery and then pitched just four Major League innings last season before he went down with a torn tendon in his right lat. It looks like the Cardinals are going to employ Reyes out of the pen and if he stays healthy he should be affective from there. However it doesn't seem likely the Cardinals will risk putting him in a starting role anytime soon so his fantasy ceiling appears quite low for the 2019 season.
Charlie Blackmon, OF, Rockies
Blackmon went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base on Friday evening during the Rockies 6-1 victory over the Marlins. After going hitless in five appearances on opening day 'Chuck Nasty' contributed across the board for his owners on day two. Blackmon has always produced much better up in the thin air in Colorado so it is extra pleasing for owners to see him have a game like this on the road. In the past two seasons Blackmon was an absolute beast at home posting an unbelievable OPS of 1.098, while totting a much more pedestrian .776 OPS on the road. So knowing where the Rockies are playing is always an important thing to note when you're considering Blackmon in DFS.
Evan Longoria, 3B, Giants
Longoria went 1 for 3 with a solo shot and a walk on Friday night. Longoria's .694 OPS and .22 K/BB% last season were the lowest he has ever posted across a season in the MLB. To say the move to 'The Bay' was harsh on the aging 3rd baseman would be putting it lightly. In 2019 Longoria's 41.1 Hard% was actually the second best of his career and his 15.6 Soft% was also one of his better outputs. However the raised strikeout rate, and lowered walk rate, combined with the move to one of the most pitcher friendly parks in the league basically diminished any fantasy value Longoria had left. The early dinger is a good sign for those who are still yearning for Longoria to be something, but 2019 being a bounce back year for the 33-year-old seems like a long shot.
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