Giancarlo Stanton went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer Monday vs. the Blue Jays. Stanton's sixth-inning big fly was his first of the season in what has been another injury-marred campaign for the talented slugger, as he's played just eight games this year after averaging only 127 per season from 2010-2018. The injuries have yet to diminish his titanic power, although fantasy owners must have a backup plan in mind when drafting the 29-year-old outfielder. Monday may prove to be the first of many summer long balls for the former NL MVP.
Freddy Galvis went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a stolen base against the Yankees on Monday. Galvis gave Toronto a much-needed boost in the eighth inning with his 12th home run of the year, helping cut into New York's large lead. The 29-year-old has been raking lately with a .405 average over his last 12 games, tallying six extra-base hits and 13 RBIs during that span. Galvis has been solid in his first season with Toronto, batting .264 with good power that has produced 15 doubles as well. The added pop helps make up for his dwindling stolen base totals and lackluster plate discipline (16:69 BB/K ratio), making him playable in most fantasy formats.
CC Sabathia improved to 5-4 with a 4.02 ERA after spinning six innings of two-run ball against the Blue Jays on Monday, yielding six hits and two walks while striking out nine. The lefty's nine strikeouts were a season high, helping him to a second straight quality start and his 251st career win. The 104 pitches and six innings also represented a season high for Sabathia, who is typically limited to around five innings per start in his age-38 season. He's averaged close to a strikeout per inning (8.6 K/9) despite his advanced age, although diminished velocity has resulted in an inflated 2.0 HR/9 rate, which can make him a risky play when he takes the hill in homer-friendly environments.
Whit Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a solo homer Monday against the Indians. Merrifield snapped a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth with his 11th homer of the year, putting him just one shy of his season total from last year. Merrifield also raised his average to .303 with the pair of hits, and his 100 base knocks are tops in the Majors. He hasn't had as much success on the bases this year after leading the AL in steals in each of the last two seasons, although his 11 thefts aren't shabby. Throw in his 56 runs and 40 RBIs, and Merrifield is once again a bona fide fantasy star.
DJ LeMahieu went 4-for-4 with two runs and a walk Monday vs. the Blue Jays, sparking New York to a 10-8 win from the leadoff spot. LeMahieu raised his average to .331 with his first four-hit game of the season, extending his hitting streak to 10 games in the process. After seeing his offensive numbers tail off over the last two seasons, LeMahieu has fared surprisingly well in his first season outside Coors Field, looking like the batting title contender who won the NL crown with a .348 mark in 2016. His 10 homers and 51 RBIs have him on pace for career highs in both categories, and he's been scoring plenty of runs (56) as well. Throw in his four steals, and LeMahieu is a well-rounded fantasy threat worth starting in all formats.
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: https://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Click here to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
