Chris Archer, SP, PIT
Archer finally posted a quality start, allowing just 1 ER in 6 IP with 6 K's and 2 BB's, his first QS since April 13. In fact, he had allowed at least 4 runs in each of his last 5 starts (although in one of those starts, only 3 of the runs were earned). But unlike in previous years when Archer would post a solid xFIP yet always finish with an ERA over 4.00, this year his peripherals are bad as well as he currently boasts an xFIP of 4.92 to go with his 5.20 ERA. His BB/9 has shot up to 4.70 and his HR/9 is at 1.89, both easily career highs. His 43.2% FB% is way above normal as well (career 32.4%) and has led to all of those HR's. We would need to see a lot more from Archer before he can be trusted in fantasy circles again.
Paul DeJong, SS, STL
DeJong went 1-4 with a HR against the Reds on Thursday as he tries to break out of a dreadful month long slump. After sizzling out of the gates to start the season, DeJong has been ice cold since the start of May, hitting just .200 with 4 HR's over his last 31 games. Even during this stretch though, he has maintained a solid 19.4% K% (compared to over 25% each of the last two seasons) which gives hope that the BA will rebound. Still, DeJong is not a .342 hitter like we saw in April. Realistically, he's more like what he's on pace for now - 20+ HR's with a decent BA, which is still solid for a SS in fantasy.
Dallas Keuchel, SP, ATL
Keuchel has reportedly agreed to a one year deal with the Braves worth $13 million for the remainder of the season. Keuchel hasn't been able to replicate his Cy Young 2015 campaign, but he has still remained a solid pitcher since then, and he posted a 3.74 ERA last season to go along with a 3.84 xFIP. But there have been some downward trends for Keuchel as his 53.7% GB% in 2018 was his lowest since his rookie year in 2012 and a 13% drop from the previous year. His 17.5% K% was also his lowest since his rookie season, and his first year under 20% since 2014. The good news is that now he gets to pitch in the NL with a more favorable home park, and that should help offset some of his decline. His days as an ace are unlikely to return, but he can still produce a sub-4.00 ERA type season.
Mike Moustakas, 2B, 3B, MIL
Moustakas hit a pair of HR's against the Marlins on Thursday, giving him 7 HR's in his last 12 games and 18 for the season. Moustakas remains one of the game's most underrated power hitters, but right now he's well on his way to reaching 38 HR's for the 2nd time in three years. He has a career FB% of 44.4% and over the last two seasons, he has been making hard contact at over a 40% clip. So expect plenty more dingers from Moustakas throughout the rest of the season.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD
Ryu's Cy Young caliber season just keeps on rolling as the southpaw has now not allowed a run in 5 of his last 6 starts, lowering his ERA to a mind-boggling 1.35 through 12 starts this season. He has legitimately been exceptional this year, having walked just 5 batters in 80 IP, while getting GB's at roughly a 50% clip. He will have to fall back to earth eventually though for several reasons: 1. He has a 93.3% LOB%. 2. He has a .239 BABIP allowed despite a pretty average 36.5% Hard%. 3. No one keeps a 1.35 ERA through an entire season. 4. He gets injured a lot. So if you have the SP depth, it's worth trying to see if you'll be able to sell high - and I mean really high. It's always hard to say what his market value is right now, but considering Ryu's numbers, it's not crazy to think about possibly being able to extract a top-tier hitter.
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