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Todd ZolaImagination
The last day of August gives us a standard plan, but with a twist. Tea Miami Marlins and New York Mets will resume a match suspended from April 11 with the score 0-0 at the top of the first half. As a rule, the statistics will not be included in ESPN leagues. It’s a tough break for those with Taijuan Walker and Edward Cabrera which both would have been in play under normal circumstances.
When it comes to games that count, there are many repeat visitors to this room, along with some newcomers and old friends. Here are Tuesday’s popular players, all available in at least 50% of the ESPN leagues.
Pitching
Austin gomber (L), listed in 30% of ESPN leagues, Colorado Rockies on Texas rangers: It has been a tough August for Gomber as he posted a 7.40 ERA and 1.84 WHIP this month. His strikeouts are still plentiful with 25 in 20 2/3 innings, but 29 hits (including five homers) along with nine innings have inflated his conditions. The left is in a great place to come back and end the month at a high level, as the Rangers are the league’s least productive team with a left on the ground.
Mike Minor (L), 23%, Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians: Four of Minor’s seven efforts since the break have been quality starts. His 4.35 ERA in that span is not sparkling, but it is below the league average. That said, his 1.14 WHIP over that span is excellent, and he waved a tasty 39 at 41 1/3 innings over that span. The Indians have beaten South Paws well lately, but overall their lineup is not scary.
Cole irvin (L), 37%, Oakland Athletics on Detroit Tigers: Like Minor, Irvin has put out four quality starts during the second half, although he left his last outing after three frames due to hip discomfort. Southpaw had no problems during a bullpen this weekend, so he is on track to start Tuesday. The Tigers have also increased the pace with a left on the ground lately, but short-term left-handers are often misleading and top to bottom, the Detroit lineup is not one to fear.
Tarik Skubal (L), 41%, Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics: Of the four streaming options, Skubal has been the best pitcher in the last and all season, but he pulls the toughest opponent, especially since the left side has had problems with the long ball, and served nine homers in his previous 39 1/3 innings.
Bullpen: Alex Cora reported that he plans to distribute a bullpen game on Tuesday, and wants to keep it Chris Sale we rest extra. Doing this also ensures that sales start against the rays twice next week. It is unclear who will make the conversation open, but Garrett Richard’s success as a relief is remarkable since he is used in scenarios with higher influence. Since being removed from the rotation, Richards has allowed only one run in 10 1/3 laps, knocking out 12 while logging one save and one hold.
For the latest team-by-team closer situations, please contact our Detailed diagram.
Meeting
Catcher - Alejandro kirk (R), 3%, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles (LHP Keegan Akin): Injuries have dampened what should be Kirk’s breakthrough campaign. He is healthy now and shows everyone why he was such a popular choice in the spring that he cut .293 / .362 /.439 since he took over as Blue Jay’s regular backstop two weeks ago. Most notably, Kirk has only been whiffed three times in 47 record appearances over that span.
First base - Frank Schwindel (L), 23%, Chicago Cubs on Minnesota twins (RHP John glove): Schwindel is still one of the best plug-and-play options when a smaller right side is on the ground. With a strong game, Schwindel will add player of the month - CV when he enters the competition and cuts 0.348 / .400 / .620 in August.
Second base - Alcides Escobar (R), 2%, Washington citizens vs. Philadelphia phillies (LHP Matt moore): I resisted as long as possible, but Escobar finally makes the cut. The irony is that his inclusion comes a day after his 10-match streak was shattered. Over that stretch, Escobar laid out a .348 / .400 / .620 line. He is obviously due to a downturn, but the series has him beating others, which is a good place to be with those struggling more on the ground.
Third base - Yu chang (R), 1%, Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals (LHP Mike Minor): I have often warned about the dangers of chasing stripes since they can turn on a penny. It’s less worrying on streaming since you’re not committed to the player for an entire week in leagues of that nature. This is all a setup for Chang’s 1,769 OPS over the last week where he clubbed two doubles and three long balls. With the peloton hump, it’s worth the risk for Chang to stay warm another day.
Shortstop - Nicky lopez (L), 31%, Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians (RHP Zach Plesac): Lopez’s running has slowed down a bit despite the fact that he came in on Monday with three straight three-stroke efforts. Even registering his last steal on August 22, Lopez is a neat 10-for-10 in August.
Corner Infield - Bobby dalbec (R), 12%, Boston Red Sox on Tampa Bay Rays (LHP Ryan yarbrough): It’s amazing what making more frequent contact can do. Dalbec appears to be more than a power threat to left-wingers as he significantly reduces strikes. Granted, baseball is a game of tweaks, Dalbec has been waving an 18% cut in recent weeks, half the cut for the season. It’s not just token contact, as Dalbec has had six homers since August 8, giving a .395 / .480 / .953 slash.
Middle Infield - Freddy galvis (S), 8%, Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals (LHP Patrick Corbin): Galvis has started four of five games since he was activated from IL, and filled in for Didi Gregorius. That said, the Phillies are likely to keep the versatile Galvis bat in the lineup somewhere, especially against southern paws. Historically and this season, the switch hitter is better facing leftists.
Utmark - Nick solak (R), 50%, Texas Rangers vs. Colorado Rockies (LHP Austin Gomber): Welcome back? Solak was ceremoniously demoted to Triple-A Round Rock after struggling with the Rangers. Solak did not buzz, instead he posted a .253 / .409 / .459 line with Express and was rewarded with a call after spending a month on the farm. Solak hit back safely in the first seven games, cutting .395 / .480 / .953.
Utmark - Edward Olivares (R), 1%, Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians (RHP Zach Plesac): Is the sixth time the charm? There are so many times Olivares has been switched between Triple-A Omaha and The Show. He went 0-for-7 in the two matches after his game-winning hero models on Friday night, but hopefully he will continue to play and express the combination of power / speed that is so useful in imagination.
Utmark - Leury Garcia (S), 4%, Chicago White Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Bryse wilson): Wilson comes from a solid effort, but he is still one of the wobbly arms in the general ledger. Garcia is one of the few White Sox hitters available for pickup, and also enjoys the split edge in a game where the club will keep the scoreboard operator busy.