DraftTeam Daily Fantasy Sports: Are you ready for some Daily Fantasy Baseball?
One of the key reasons the Houston Astros have turned things around this year is because of their bullpen. Certainly adding Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek helped tremendously, but the team has also improved organically.
For instance, third year reliever Josh Fields has performed brilliantly in mostly a mop-up role. He’s gotten better every season, but this year — wow! A 1.85 ERA and 0.90 WHIP? At times, Fields has shown the ability to absolutely dominate (see video below). This is the kind of unsung hero that winning teams have.
What’s impressive is that Houston’s recovery has happened in a season in which 1B/DH Chris Carter has struggled. After enjoying a career year in 2014, he is striking out more often this season, and while he’s getting on base more often, his BA and power numbers have both taken a major hit.
But let’s put things in perspective. Carter got off to an unbelievably bad start. He failed to record an extra-base hit in his first 51 plate appearances this season and ended April hitting just .160 with a 520 OPS. May, while significantly better, was still below his 2014 levels. It’s only since June that Carter has started to show what we saw regularly last year, with six homers and seven doubles last month.
We’re predicting a big second half for this slugger.
Chicago White Sox 3B Gordon Beckham is making better contact this season, but that’s pretty much the only good thing we can say about him. He hasn’t had a hit in over a week, and over his last three games, he’s struck out five times in seven at-bats.
Beckham actually got off to a nice start this year, but has gone downhill since the season has progressed. His OPS for June? Try 425. Ugh. Can we just come the conclusion that this dude can’t hit? Beckham is sitting at .210 for the season, and through over 825 games and over 2,800 career at-bats, he’s not even a .245 hitter.
Quick Hits
After looking so good last month upon his recall, Houston rookie OF Preston Tucker scuffled badly in June — especially in the extra-base hit department.
A few weeks ago, Houston had the best record in the AL at 30-19. It’s gone just 16-15 since to concede the best record in the Junior Circuit to the Royals.
How impressive has Houston rookie SP Lance McCullers’ adjustment to the bigs been? Even when he suffers from a hiccup, it’s mild, and he always seems to bounce back brilliantly in his next start. This kid has future Cy Young winner written all over him.
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DraftTeam Daily Fantasy Sports: Are you ready for some Daily Fantasy Baseball?
One of the key reasons the Houston Astros have turned things around this year is because of their bullpen. Certainly adding Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek helped tremendously, but the team has also improved organically.
For instance, third year reliever Josh Fields has performed brilliantly in mostly a mop-up role. He’s gotten better every season, but this year — wow! A 1.85 ERA and 0.90 WHIP? At times, Fields has shown the ability to absolutely dominate (see video below). This is the kind of unsung hero that winning teams have.
What’s impressive is that Houston’s recovery has happened in a season in which 1B/DH Chris Carter has struggled. After enjoying a career year in 2014, he is striking out more often this season, and while he’s getting on base more often, his BA and power numbers have both taken a major hit.
But let’s put things in perspective. Carter got off to an unbelievably bad start. He failed to record an extra-base hit in his first 51 plate appearances this season and ended April hitting just .160 with a 520 OPS. May, while significantly better, was still below his 2014 levels. It’s only since June that Carter has started to show what we saw regularly last year, with six homers and seven doubles last month.
We’re predicting a big second half for this slugger.
Chicago White Sox 3B Gordon Beckham is making better contact this season, but that’s pretty much the only good thing we can say about him. He hasn’t had a hit in over a week, and over his last three games, he’s struck out five times in seven at-bats.
Beckham actually got off to a nice start this year, but has gone downhill since the season has progressed. His OPS for June? Try 425. Ugh. Can we just come the conclusion that this dude can’t hit? Beckham is sitting at .210 for the season, and through over 825 games and over 2,800 career at-bats, he’s not even a .245 hitter.