Matthew Boyd-Tigers-SP
Matthew Boyd went 6.1 IP and gave up 1 ER on 3 H, 3 BB, and 10 K's against the Mariners. Boyd has had a breakout season this year in terms of production and skill development. He has a 3.94 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 132.1 IP with 32% K, 5% BB, and 14% SwStr. The underlying skills are excellent but his ERA has pushed north of four. He has struggled mightily in both June (5.90 ERA) and July (5.55 ERA) and on the road (4.81 ERA). The good news is that his xFIP for June (3.29) and July (2.69) suggest that he has been very unlucky. Believe in the skills and not the surface stats.
Renato Nunez-Orioles-3B
Renato Nunez was 0-4 with two strikeouts against the Angels. Nunez has been red hot through July with a .324 AVG with 7 HR, 14 R, 17 RBI, and 0 SB. On the season, he is hitting .253 with 25 HR, 53 R, 61 RBI, and 0 SB. The power is real given his ability to hit the ball hard (41%) and in the air (45% FB). He has also shown decent plate skills for a power hitter with 25% K and 7% BB. Nunez plays in a great park for power and while the average is never going to be great the ability to hit 30+ HR is still very valuable and he cost virtually nothing on draft day. There will be cold streaks due to his contact issues and lack of speed but overall the power numbers are going to be there for the 25-year-old third baseman.
Mike Fiers-Athletics-SP
Mike Fiers went 6 IP and gave up 2 ER on 4 H, 4 BB, and 6 K's against the Rangers. Fiers has been better than expected for the Athletics this year. He has a 3.54 ERA and 1.14 WHIP through 134.2 IP. His 5.34 SIERA suggests that he has been lucky so far. His skills (16% K, 7% BB, and 38% Hard) leave a lot to be desired. Yes, Oakland's stadium is perfect for a fly ball pitcher like Fiers but not enough to support a sub 4 ERA for the Fiers. He is due regression and without his ratios, he would bring very little to the table. The Athletics only have five games next week so he will start Sunday against the Cardinals.
Eloy Jimenez-White Sox-OF
Eloy Jimenez was 0-3 with a strikeout against the Twins in his return from the disabled list. Jimenez is hitting .241 with 17 HR, 36 R, 39 RBI, and 0 SB in his rookie season. This is not what fantasy owners expected when he was put on the big league club out of Spring Training. He profiled as a four-category hitter coming into the year with his calling card being his blend of hitting for average with above-average power. The strikeout rate (27%) has been higher than expected. Jimenez struggled initially but has hit .269 with 11 HR, 24 R, 26 RBI, and 0 SB since the beginning of June. This period of time he also displayed better plate skills with 24% K, 10% BB, and .921 OPS. This is the type of player we expected and while 2019 hasn't gone as planned he has a bright future the rest of the way and 2020.
Travis d'Arnaud-Rays-C
Travis d'Arnaud was 2-5 with 1 R and 2 RBI against the Blue Jays. He has been red hot in the month of July with a .323 AVG with 7 HR, 16 R, and 23 RBI. He has been the Rays primary catcher recently and has even seen some at-bats at first base which increases his value at the catcher position. On the year, he is hitting .249 with 12 HR, 34 R, and 42 RBI. The skills are above average as well with 22% K, 9% BB, and 37% Hard. His Statcast data backs up his success as well with above-average exit velocity and barrel%. d'Arnaud is someone that needs to be owned the rest of the way and pray that he stays healthy.
DraftKings Value Plays: 3B Vlad Guerrero Jr. (TOR) $3,600 and 2B Cavan Biggio (TOR) $3,700
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