Shohei Ohtani, DH, LAD
Ohtani went 2-4 with 2 BB's, 2 runs, and 3 SB's against the Diamondbacks on Monday, and is now up to 46 SB's along with 44 HR's this season. The most shocking thing about Ohtani's season is how he has suddenly decided to steal so many bases. His previous career high was 26 SB's, and you kind of wonder why he wasn't doing this until now. Ohtani has especially been running wild over the past 2 months; since the start of July, he has a staggering 30 SB's in 53 games, which is 8 more than the player with the second most steals in that time frame (Xavier Edwards). You have to wonder if this unexpected burst in his running game is connected to the fact that he's not pitching this season. We'll have to wait until next season to see if he continues to go crazy on the basebaths even once he's back on the mound.
Willy Adames, SS, MIL
Adames homered yet again against the Cardinals on Monday, making it 5 straight games with a HR for the Brewers shortstop, and 7 dingers in the last 9 contests. He now has a career high 99 RBI for the season, and with 29 HR's, he's on track to surpass his career best of 31 in that category. Adames has been an underrated power source over the past few seasons, with 109 HR's and counting over his past 4 campaigns. He currently owns a career high 49.2% FB% which bodes well for him continuing to put up big power numbers.
Ronel Blanco, SP, HOU
Astros general manager Dana Brown has stated that Blanco will likely move to the bullpen when the team moves back to a 5-man rotation. It's not clear when exactly this will be, but it appears that Blanco may not be making starts during the fantasy baseball playoffs. His performance has taken a step back in the second half, as he has posted a 4.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 44:19 K:BB across 39.1 IP in 8 starts since the all-star break, and he has only completed 6 IP in one of those 8 starts. While it's possible that an injury could allow Blanco to remain in the rotation, as of now, it is likely that he spends the final few weeks of the season pitching in relief, which would obviously remove any of his fantasy value.
Josh Bell, 1B, ARI
Bell went 1-4 with a BB and 2 RBI against the Dodgers on Monday, and finished 6-14 (.429) with 4 RBI in the four game series. Bell has been solid since joining the Diamondbacks at the end of July, hitting .283 with 4 HR's and 15 RBI in 28 games, although he hasn't homered since August 7. With Christian Walker expected to be activated from the IL at some point this week, it will be interesting to see how Arizona plays the two first baseman. Bell could see time at DH, but he would be battling for at bats with Joc Pederson and Randall Grichuk. The team will likely find ways to get Bell's name into the lineup, but it's hard to imagine that he won't be losing some playing time upon Walker's return.
Fernando Tatis, OF, SD
Tatis was activated from the IL on Monday and made his long awaited return against the Tigers, going 0-4 with a strikeout. This was Tatis' first MLB game since June 21, so we can give him a mulligan for the hitless effort. Overall this season, Tatis has posted a career best 20.6% K%, along with his typically elite 53.4% HardHit%. He has the ability to be a strong 5 category contributor for the final few weeks of the season, so make sure he's back in your lineup.
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