A Week of Power Hitting and Rising Stars in MLB
The latest week in Major League Baseball has showcased impressive performances and emerging trends. One of the standout moments came from Carlos Santana, who belted three home runs, pushing his season total to 18. This achievement underscores Santana's consistent power-hitting prowess, marking his 11th season with at least 19 home runs, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Michael Taylor also made headlines, especially notable for his success against Rangers’ probable starter Jose Urena. Taylor has launched two home runs in just 14 career at-bats against Urena, which could make him a player to watch in their upcoming matchups.
Meanwhile, Jose Altuve, a top MLB DFS pick on August 9, continued to deliver. Altuve had an eventful game, going 1-for-4 with a two-home run, a walk, and scored two runs. His standout performance earned him 28.4 points on FanDuel and 20 points on DraftKings, solidifying his value in daily fantasy sports lineups.
Another player commanding attention is Bobby Witt Jr., who extended his hitting streak to seven games as of Sunday. Witt's remarkable season includes leading baseball with a .350 batting average and ranking third in OPS (1.018). Over the 39 games since June 30, Witt has been a statistical leader with a .445 batting average, an .819 slugging percentage, and a 1.308 OPS. With at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases this season, Witt is not only showcasing power but also speed. He leads the league in runs scored (107) and ranks fifth in RBI (91), underscoring his crucial role in his team's success. Witt's consistency is evident, as he has recorded at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games.
In the broader context of MLB, Michael Massey has been a player on the rise. Priced at $3,900 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, Massey went 3-for-4 on Sunday and has achieved multiple hits in three of his last five games. Since August 3, Massey boasts the 16th-best batting average in baseball, hitting .343 over eight games, which underscores his recent form and value in fantasy lineups.
Pitching also had its highlights and lowlights this week. Carson Fulmer, set to start for the Angels on Monday, is under scrutiny after allowing five runs over three innings in his last outing against the Blue Jays. This season, left-handed hitters have posted a .759 OPS against Fulmer, a stat that might influence strategic decisions by opposing teams.
On the team front, the Kansas City Royals are on a notable four-game winning streak, during which they have averaged an impressive eight runs per game. This streak has highlighted the capability of their lineup to produce runs consistently.
Dominating the DFS platforms, Michael McClure, through his proprietary projection model that simulates each game 10,000 times, continues to provide insights and strategies that have proven beneficial for fantasy sports enthusiasts.
As the season progresses, these players and teams have demonstrated considerable talent and potential, making the MLB landscape more exciting and unpredictable. With power hitters like Santana, versatile talents like Witt, and rising stars like Massey, the forthcoming games promise to deliver more thrilling baseball action.