Spencer Arrighetti, SP (HOU)
Things looked bleak a couple months ago for Arrighetti, but the tide has turned for the rookie. After blanking the Orioles for six innings in Camden Yards last week, Arrighetti was even better on Wednesday, holding the Phillies hitless for seven innings before giving up a couple singles and departing with two outs in the 8th. He finished with 11 strikeouts and 19 whiffs. Arrighetti has gradually been widening the delta between his fastball and offspeed pitches, which is not only leading to more swings and misses but also weaker contact. Since July 7 Arrighetti's ERA is 2.77. His WHIP is 0.92 and he has 71 strikeouts in 55.1 innings pitched. 13.2 scoreless innings against two of the game's best offenses is pretty impressive.
Chris Sale, SP (ATL)
Sale strengthened his Cy Young case on Wednesday with six one-run innings en route to his 15th win. He held the Twins to six hits and one walk while striking out six. Despite surpassing 150 innings for the first time since 2018, Sale's velocity is actually increasing heading into the final month of the regular season. There are so many remarkable numbers to elucidate Sale's season, but perhaps what is most impressive is that he has allowed two or fewer earned runs in all but one start since April 26. His ERA is 2.23 in that stretch with 170 strikeouts in 129 innings. It truly is one of Sale's best seasons in what has been an incredible career.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., OF (NYY)
Chisholm stuffed the box score on Wednesday, hitting his 22nd home run and stealing his 28th base. He had two hits and a walk in the Yankees' 5-2 loss at Washington. He has looked just fine after missing 10 days with a UCL sprain earlier this month. Since his activation from the IL, Chisholm is 6-for-22 with two doubles and two home runs. He has already set career highs in homers and steals and could finish with the best batting average of his career. He is one game away from his 20th appearance at 3rd base, which should give him multi-positional eligibility in pretty much all fantasy leagues next year. Injuries and playing in Miami have hindered his ascent early in his career. One of those issues was solved with the trade to New York. If he can establish consistent health, he can finally solidify his role as one of the better fantasy players in the game.
Osvaldo Bido, SP (OAK)
Bido polished off a strong August with another quality start on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Quad-A caliber pitcher held the Reds to two runs on three hits in six innings. He struck out five batters and didn't walk anyone, lowering his ERA to 3.21. Bido has at least five strikeouts in every game since becoming a starter on July 23. All that is great, but it feels like the bottom's about to drop out on Bido. He has benefited from a microscopic 3% HR/FB rate after posting a 19.6% mark in 10 games at AAA-Sacramento earlier this season. That, in conjunction with a 47.6% flyball rate, partially explains why his xFIP is 4.67. Eventually the home runs will come, and with Bido walking nearly four batters per nine innings, most of those will be multi-run homers. Ride the hot hand, but don't be surprised if it comes crashing down to earth soon.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF (CHC)
PCA remained hot with his fourth multi-hit performance in the last six games. He was a big factor in the Cubs' 14-run outburst in Pittsburgh, finishing 4-for-4 with a walk and four runs scored. Surprisingly, despite reaching base in all five plate appearances, he didn't steal a base. Nonetheless, he improved his batting average to .233 on the season, although he's hitting .274 since the All-Star Break. He has been particularly impressive over the past month. Since July 28, his average exit velocity is 91.5 and his hard-hit rate is right around 50 percent. He has four home runs and eight stolen bases in 93 at bats during that time span. His contact rate is over 80%. He is being more selective, particularly avoiding pitches out of the zone. It's almost as if the former top prospect is adjusting and learning. What a concept. Crow-Armstrong is a must own at this point.
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