Matt Strahm (SD) - The Atlanta Braves fans were "Strahming their pain with their fingers" on Thursday as Matt Strahm picked up his win of the season after posting a line of 6IP, 2ER, 0BB and 6 strikeouts. He also allowed 8 hits. Strahm's greatest strength is keeping the ball in the strikezone, but it is worth noting that his hard hit rate allowed remains very high and he primarily gives up flyballs, so while his ERA is sitting at 3.03, his xFIP remains 4.43. Strahm's next time in the rotation will likely be at home against the Mets.
Mike Moustakas (MIL) - Remember how each of the last two seasons no one wanted to sign Moustakas? Man, he's making every team in the MLB look silly. Moose has another big day at the plate on Thursday, notching his 4th multi-hit game over the last week and hitting his 6th double of the season. Moustakas has a near identical hard hit rate in 2019 as he did in 2018 at 41%, and while his critics will point to his 22% HR/FB as an outlier since he posted just a 12% mark in 2018, the fact is this season is more the season of regression than necessarily over-performance. With that consistent level of hitting, his HR/FB rate can be supported by his hard%, particularly at Miller Park.
Nolan Arenado (COL) - It's safe to say the sleeping giant has awoken. After failing to hit a home run in his first 15 games, Nolan Arenado hit his 3rd of the Brewers series, giving him 9 on the season. Interestingly, Arenado has just 1 home run at home in Colorado this year, but the Rockies will return home this weekend to kick off a string of 17 home games in the month of May. Look for Arenado to put up gaudy numbers as the weather warms up. Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich have just been put on notice.
Noah Syndergaard (NYM) - Noah Syndergaard cruised to his second victory of the season on what was arguably one of his best start of his career. Syndergaard has his full repertoire working in this one and finished the day with a complete game shutout, allowing just 4 hits, 1 walk while striking out just one Red. Not only that, but he always gave himself the only run production the Mets could have as the right-hander hit a 3rd inning solo home run. Despite the great outing, Syndeergaard's season ERA is still sitting at 5.02 (it was 6.35 entering the day), but his xFIP has improved to a much pretty 3.40. The results should continue to improve with Syndergaard as his luck improves. He's been rock solid with significant gains to his zone contact rate this season, while continuing to limit the hard contact allowed.
Freddy Peralta (MIL) - Making his first start since recovering from a shoulder/chest injury, Freddy Peralta played host to the Colorado Rockies at home in Milwuakee. Unfortuantely, the Brewers chased him after 4 innings of work, tagging with with 7 runs through the 1st and 2nd innings. In total, Peralta finished with 4.0 IP, 8H, 6ER, 3BB and 3 strikeouts. Peralta's season has been mostly disappointing, failing to pitch beyond the 4th inning in 3 of 4 starts. The one where he did? It was a two-hit gem where he allowed just 2 hits and 11 strikeouts. Expect more of the same inconsistencies moving forward from the 22 year old, but there's no denying he has the strikeout stuff to be a difference maker in most fantasy leagues. Right now he just can't be trusted in mixed leagues.
This is just a small sample our daily analysis, join our member area for over 80 daily player updates sent to your inbox every morning and track your team online.
Click here for details:http://www.insiderbaseball.
Click here to register:http://www.fantistics.com/
