Pitchers:
CC Sabathia - New York Yankees: CC is 6-8 with a 3.84 ERA (140.2IP, 60ER) in 21 career starts at Tropicana Field. Although his eight losses mark his most as a visitor at any ballpark, he is 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA (25.2IP, 4ER) with 23K in his last four starts at Tropicana (since April 17, 2014).
Jesse Chavez - Los Angeles Angels: In five career games against the Mets (all in relief), Chavez is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA (4.2 IP – 2 ER). His last appearance vs. New York came on Aug. 20, 2014 for Oakland (2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 SO) at the Coliseum.
First Baseman:
Ryan Zimmerman - Washington Nationals: Zimmerman ranks in Major League Baseball in total bases (1st, 109), extra-base hits (1st, 29), slugging percentage (2nd, .736), RBI (2nd, 38), batting average (2nd, .365), OPS (3rd, 1.146), home runs (T3rd, 13), and hits (4th, 53).
Second Baseman:
Jonathan Schoop - Baltimore Orioles: Schoop is tied with Welington Castillo for the Orioles team lead with 8 RBI in the seventh inning or later this season.
Shortstop:
Andrelton Simmons - Los Angeles Angels: In 61 career games vs. the Mets, Simmons is batting .335 (79/236) with 15 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 26 RBI. The .335 clip is his highest vs. any single opponent (min. 100 PA).
Third Baseman:
Eugenio Suarez - Cincinnati Reds: Suarez has a 4-game hitting streak, including 2 hits on Thu at Chicago (NL) and 3 on hits Fri vs Colorado (7-15, .467, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI).
Catcher:
TJ Rivera - New York Mets: Rivera ranks third among National League rookies with .333 on-base percentage, third in doubles (seven), sixth with a .267 batting average, seventh in runs scored (13), eighth with a .407 slugging percentage and 10th in RBI (10).
Outfielders:
Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels: Trout is leading the AL with a .730 slugging percentage and is tied for the A.L. lead with 25 extra-base hits.
Brett Gardner - New York Yankees: Gardner has 7HR over his last 19G while hitting .351 (26-for-74) with 20 R and 16 RBI.
Bryce Harper - Washington Nationals: Harper is hitting .371 (39-for-105) with 8 2B, 11 HR, 28 RBI, 20 BB and 32 R in his last 28 games.
Pitchers:
Eddie Butler - Chicago Cubs: Eddie pitched 6.0-scoreless innings in his Cubs debut, May 12 at St. Louis, allowing just two hits while fanning five.
Luis Severino - New York Yankees: Severino will pitch on regular four days' rest...last pitched in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader vs. Houston,
taking a no-decision despite matching his shortest non-ejection start of his career
First Baseman:
Anthony Rizzo - Chicago Cubs: Rizzo reached base three times yesterday. He went 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs Tuesday night.
Second Baseman:
Ben Zobrist - Chicago Cubs: Zobrist has reached base in 17-straight games, including a 2-for-4 effort yesterday.
Shortstop:
Zack Cozart - Cincinnati Reds: Cozart (2-for-5, RBI) has three-straight multi-hit games.
Third Baseman:
Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs: Bryant hit a solo homer yesterday and has six homers in his last 16 games. He went 2-for-4 with a walk, double and RBI Tuesday night.
Catcher:
Wilson Contreras - Chicago Cubs: Contreras went 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double Tuesday night.
Outfielders:
Ben Zobrist - Chicago Cubs: Zobrist extended his on-base streak to 17-straight games last night. He hit an RBI single in the fifth inning after batting leadoff for the third time this season. The Cubs are 2-1 when he bats first.
Billy Hamilton - Cincinnati Reds: Hamilton extended his career-best on-base streak to 18 games last night. He drove in a run with an RBI double in the Reds’ four-run seventh inning.
Jon Jay - Chicago Cubs: Jay started Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with a run, RBI and HBP.
By JAKE CIELY
Fantasy Sports Network
Two youngsters are impressing and have everyone talking in fantasy baseball. Meanwhile, two closer situations took big hits that will ripple through lineups. How should you value the young players and handle the bullpen situations?
CHEERS
Cody Bellinger, LAD - It's safe to say that Bellinger has been impressive in his first taste of the majors. The question fantasy baseball owners have is how to value Bellinger. To answer that, we need to talk about Bellinger's ability and projected year-end numbers. The kid is the real deal talent-wise with the ability to hit 25-plus home runs while adding in double-digit steals. In the right lineup and position in the batting order, Bellinger can score and drive in 90-plus runs. That puts Bellinger on par with George Springer's 2016 season (fewer runs, more RBIs), and Springer was a top 15 outfielder. While it's rare to see rookies reach those marks, Bellinger has the talent to do so even with a dip in average (.280-ish hitter). Unfortunately for Andrew Toles, but good for Bellinger, Toles tore an ACL, which alleviates the worry of Bellinger not having an everyday job. Bellinger will play most days even when Adrian Gonzalez returns, splitting time between first base and the outfield. Be thrilled that you own Bellinger, and if you don't, test the waters from his owner to see if he thinks he's selling high. He won't be, and you will reap the reward.
Aaron Altherr, PHI - Like Bellinger, the main question with Altherr this season isn't his talent; it's whether he will see playing time. As with the Dodgers, injuries have provided Altherr with the opportunity, and the way Altherr is playing, the Phillies will keep him in the lineup - sorry, Howie Kendrick. Altherr doesn't quite have the power that Bellinger has, but Altherr has more speed and can hit for a good average as well. The Phillies lineup is going to limit Altherr's numbers, but Altherr can still score and drive in 70-plus runs while hitting around 20 home runs and stealing 15-20 bases. That puts Altherr in the OF3 conversation, which makes him a must-own and must-start option in all fantasy baseball formats.
FEARS
Mark Melancon, SF - Melancon hit the 10-day DL this week, and now we have a situation like that of the Tigers last week. However, Melancon's replacement doesn't have the numbers that Justin Wilson does, nor the potential for as many saves given the Giants' ineptitude. Melancon's replacement is Derek Law... for now. Law's best pitch is his curveball, meaning he's not as overpowering as many top-end closers and doesn't strike out as many batters. In addition, because he likes the off-speed stuff, Law walks too many batters, creating a high WHIP. Law pitched better last year, but before you rush to your waiver wire and/or blow a large portion of your free agent acquisition budget, know that Hunter Strickland has more strikeout upside and that Melancon could be back in short time. The talk is that Melancon needs just two weeks. You're better served looking to the east coast.
TEARS
Jeurys Familia, NYM - This refers to the Mets situation generally. Familia has an arterial clot in his throwing shoulder. There isn't a large history of these, but David Cone missed four months with a similar clot (and surgery to fix it) back in his playing days. You can't drop Familia yet, but you need to run to the waiver wire and grab Addison Reed ... and don't be stingy. Reed has shown the ability to be a great setup man and closer for the Mets. If Familia has surgery, Reed could be the most valuable waiver addition for the rest of the year. You simply don't find closers with the ability to post top 12 numbers on waivers. As seen with the Tigers, Giants, Nationals and Phillies, it's rare to have a clear, rock-solid, high-quality replacement at the closer position. If you need saves, you have to go all in and spend 80 percent or more of your budget. This could be your best opportunity for "free" saves this year.
STREAMING PITCHERS
Looking ahead to Week 7, the Padres continue to be one of the weakest offenses while having the highest SOBB (strikeout percentage minus base on balls percentage) of 16.9. That makes Chase Anderson and Zach Davies of the Brewers, and Taijuan Walker and Robbie Ray of the Diamondbacks strong options, especially the Diamondbacks starters. The Rockies aren't far behind the Padres (16.3) and thankfully are on the road, giving Ervin Santana of the Twins and Tim Adleman of the Reds some streaming appeal. Yes, Santana's season likely has everyone starting him anyway, but regression is coming; you just don't have to worry about it next week. Lastly, the Rays strike out more than any other team currently, making Luis Perdomo and Trevor Cahill solid streaming plays.
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This column was provided to The Associated Press by Jake Ciely of the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com
Pitchers:
Jake Odorizzi - Tampa Bay Rays: On Sat vs. TOR, Odorizzi lasted 7 IP, his longest start since Sep 12, 2016 at TOR (7 IP). He retired 10 of his last 11 BF.
Jason Vargas - Kansas City Royals: Vargas enters today with a Major League leading 1.19 ERA (5 ER in 37.2 IP) through six starts.
First Baseman:
Eric Thames - Milwaukee Brewers: Thames has safely reached base in 28 of his 32 games this season. He has reached base twice in a game in 22 of his 32 games this year.
Second Baseman:
Brad Miller - Tampa Bay Rays: Miller is 3-for-his-last-31. On Tue vs. KC, he snapped a 73 AB homerless drought in the 6th, his first extra-base hit since April 23 vs. HOU (triple) and first home run since April 14 at BOS, off Rick Porcello.
Shortstop:
Xander Bogaerts - Boston Red Sox: Bogaerts has hit safely in each of his last 13 games, which is the longest by a Red Sox player in 2017.
Third Baseman:
Travis Shaw - Milwaukee Brewers: Shaw has safely hit in 3 straight games.
Catcher:
Christian Vazquez - Boston Red Sox: Vazquez recorded his fourth multi-hit game of the season last night.
Outfielders:
Keon Broxton - Milwaukee Brewers: Broxton has reached base safely in 10 straight games and owns a .487 OBP in that span since Apr. 28.
Corey Dickerson - Tampa Bay Rays: Dickerson ranks among AL leaders in hits (42, T-2nd), doubles (10, T-4th), XBH (17, T-4th), total bases (72, T-4th) and multi-hit games (15, T-1st).
Kevin Kiermaier - Tampa Bay Rays: All 7 of Kiermaier's RBIs this season have come at home, where he is batting .284/.376/.392 (21-for-74) in 21 games (20 starts).
Pitchers:
Zach Eflin - Philadelphia Phillies: Through his first 15 starts in the majors, Eflin has recorded 9 quality starts, in 6 of which he allowed 2 ER or fewer.
Matt Cain - San Francisco Giants: Opponents are 8-for-14 (.571) off Cain with RISP over his last two starts.
First Baseman:
Tommy Joseph - Philadelphia Phillies: Joseph is hitting .350 (7-20) with RISP since starting the season 0-for-5.
Second Baseman:
Brandon Phillips - Atlanta Braves: Phillips has hit in 20 of his last 24 games, going 28-for-88 (.318) with 10 RBI, two home runs, all five of his stolen bases and 11 runs scored.
Shortstop:
Carlos Correa - Houston Astros: Correa hit a 3-run homer in the 1st inning off RHP Bartolo Colón last night. He went back-to-back with Carlos Beltrán in the inning.
Third Baseman:
Kris Bryant - Chicago Cubs: Bryant went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in yesterday’s nightcap. However, he went 0-for-3 in the first game yesterday to snap his streak of reaching base safely at 18 games. However, he has reached safely in 19 of his last 20 games.
Catcher:
Kyle Schwarber - Chicago Cubs: Schwarber hit two doubles and walked twice Sunday night. He hit a solo homer Friday as well.
Outfielders:
Carlos Beltran - Houston Astros: Beltran hit a solo homer and a double last night.
Daniel Nava - Philadelphia Phillies: Nava is hitting .257 (9-35), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 10 BB, .435 OBP, .429 SLG %, .863 OPS in his 10 starts this season.
Jon Jay - Chicago Cubs: Jay has reached base in 12 of his 14 starts, batting .289 (13-for-45) in those games.
Pitchers:
Ivan Nova - Pittsburgh Pirates: Nova 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA (39.0ip/17er) in six career starts against the Reds, who he faces today. However, he is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in one start against them this season.
Jharel Cotton - Oakland Athletics: Cotton leads the American League rookies in games started (5) and innings pitched (27.0) and ranks second in wins (2) and strikeouts (19).
First Baseman:
Mike Napoli - Texas Rangers: Napoli is 4-for-30 (.133) with 13 K in his last 8 games and is batting .143 (10-70) last 19 games to drop from .194 to .158.
Second Baseman:
Jed Lowrie - Oakland Athletics: Lowrie is 15-for-44 (.341) over his last 12 games after going 7-for-41 (.171) over his previous 12 contests.
Shortstop:
Jordie Mercer - Pittsburgh Pirates: Murcer eached base safely three times in four plate appearances Wednesday after doubling and walking twice.
Third Baseman:
Mike Moustakas - Kansas City Royals: Moustakas has at least one hit in 15 of his last 16 games, including an 11-game hitting streak from April 12-25.
Catcher:
Willson Contreras - Chicago Cubs: Contreras hit a game-winning, two-RBI single last night as a pinch-hitter. He has thrown out six baserunners attempting to steal, tied for third-most in the majors.
Outfielders:
Shin-Soo Choo - Texas Rangers: Choo has gone 1-for-11 in this series, but he is still batting .306 (11-36) since April 22 to rise from .208 to .250.
Matt Joyce - Oakland Athletics: Joyce s a .295 (44-for-149) hitter with eight homers and 35 RBI in 51 games against Minnesota.
Carlos Gomez - Texas Rangers: In last 10 games, Gomez is batting .361 (13-36) with a HR, 3 2Bs, a 3B, 5 RBIs, 3 BBs, and 3 SBs to rise from .164 to .233.
