Josh Bell, Pittsburgh Pirates - Josh Bell hadn't homered since the All-Star Break in mid-July, but he got back on the board with a pair of homers on Sunday. Bell has been pretty awful overall since the break with a .188/.316/.263 triple slash entering Sunday and he had just six extra-base hits total, and he's had four extra bases hits now in the last three games. Bell's batted ball profile in the second half has still been good with a 35% hard-hit rate and he's gotten a bit unlucky with a 35.6% FB rate but hasn't had a single one leave the yard. He's still showing an outstanding plate approach with a 15% BB% and 22% K%, so the production was bound to return at some point.
Jordan Lyles, Milwaukee Brewers - Jordan Lyles spun another gem on Sunday allowing just one run over seven innings but ultimately took the loss as the Brewers were shut down by Mike Minor. Lyles has been great for the Brewers since acquired at the trade deadline as he's allowed just three runs across 17 innings while striking out 14 batters in that span. He's had some issues with walks since coming over to the team with eight walks over those 17 innings. He's throwing almost 10% more fastballs since coming over to the Brewers, as this could lead to more questions about how the Pirates are approaching using their pitchers lately.
Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves - Ender Inciarte continued his strong second half with a home run and a stolen base. Since coming off the IL on July 18th, Inciarte has a 125 wRC+ with a 15% BB% against just a 12.5% K%. The homer was his third since returning from the IL and the stolen base was his fourth, and he's yet to be caught stealing either in that same span. With the power boost to his profile, it's making him fantasy worthy in deeper leagues.
Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers - Will Smith picked up two hits on Sunday, a double and his seventh homer of the season in 75 plate appearances. Smith is off to an outstanding start to his major league career with a .313/.360/.746 triple slash fueled by the combo of his 51% hard-hit rate, a 25% LD Rate, and a 50% fly-ball rate. He's an absolute stud at a position that is desperate for them.
Luke Jackson, Atlanta Braves - Luke Jackson is now maybe the closer again after he was removed from the role, Shane Greene was put in the closer spot, Greene was removed for Mark Melancon, and then Melancon blew a save so now Jackson picked up the 9th inning duties on Sunday. For the exact reason he got removed from the role, Jackson gave up three hits and was helped by Ronald Acuña throwing Isan Diaz out at first after he rounded the base too far. There's no telling what is going on in the bullpen right now because every option has been awful at some point in the last few weeks.
This is just a small sample of our daily analysis, join our member area for over 80 daily player updates sent to your inbox every morning and track your team online. Follow for details: https://www.insiderbaseball.com/baseballsample.htm Follow to register: http://www.fantistics.com/salesbaseball.php3
