Joc Pederson hitting the ground running in Atlanta highlights the Week That Was and Will Be.  

Player Blurbs

Joc PedersonJoc Pederson went 2-4 with an RBI and a walk Sunday as he continues to pay instant dividends for his new team. Since coming over to Atlanta, Joc is 4-10 with a dinger and four RBI.  On the year, Pederson is hitting only .237 with a meager .305 OBP.  However, those numbers are misleading.  Joc finished the first half 6-16 and is continuing to rake.  Moreover, he is actually hitting for a higher average against lefties, leading to the view he will play every day.  Invest!  

For the Week That Will Be: Joc is not Ronald Acuna (who is?) but he will lead off every day in front of some very good hitters in a hitters’ park.  With three home games against San Diego and then four games in the hitter’s paradise that is Philadelphia, there is much reason for optimism this week. 

J.D. Davis:  J.D. Davis had a monster night at the plate Saturday crushing two dingers on the way to a 3-4 night that included not only the dingers but four RBI and two runs scored.  Welcome back J.D.!    

For the Week That Will Be:  This guy has always been a hitter.  The question is whether he can learn to play even passable defense.  Well, the Mets seem committed as they are hitting J.D. clean up.  J.D. will take his .388 average to the hitter haven that is Cincinnati early in the week and then return home for three against the Jays.  Plug and play!

Lance McCullers, Jr.:  Lance McCullers, Jr. was lights out this week tossing seven innings of two hit ball while striking out 10.  Over his last four starts, McCullers has thrown 24.2 innings and struck out 33.  Not too shabby.  With three pitches that induce grounders at over 50% and three pitches that register a swinging strike rate of better than 14%, all the ingredients are there for continued success.  

For the Week That Will Be:  With Cleveland and Seattle as his next two opponents, it is hard to imagine too many pitchers looking better for fantasy purposes.  

Josh RojasJosh Rojas led off Sunday and got on base all five times he came up to bat (one hit and four BB).  On the year, Rojas has a .261 batting average and a sweet .348 OBP.  However, those numbers do not tell the story.  In his last 35 plate appearances, Rojas has reached base 21 times.  Yes, that is how it is done when one hits lead off!  Given that Rojas has .400+ OBP campaigns at every level in the minors, there is little reason to doubt this will continue. 

For the Week That Will Be:  Three games at home against the Pirates then a visit to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field looks good to me!

Luis TorrensLuis Torrens hit his tenth dinger of the year Sunday against a very hot pitcher in Patrick Sandoval.  Torrens has hit those ten homers in only 161 AB.  Anyone out there playing in a deep two catcher league want a guy who goes yard every 16 AB?  I do!  With strong barrel and contact rates, there is reason for optimism Torrens can continue to produce.    

For the Week That Will Be:  Seattle goes to Colorado for two before returning home so at least two of those games are in fun places to hit.  Oh and that he has hits in 6 of his last 7 games does not hurt either.

What to do if your FAAB bids did not go as planned:

If you did not get the pitchers you want, consider these middle relievers on teams with weak or unsettled closing situations or potential openings in the rotation:  Andrew Chafin and his strong ground ball and swinging strike rates and likely trade of Craig Kimbrel removing a block to the closer role; David Bednar (same analysis, just change Kimbrel to Rich Rodriguez).

If you are in the mood to gamble, how about Greg Allen.  The Yankees need a spark badly, have tons of guys on the IL and Allen is someone who did steal 21 bases in half of a season with Cleveland back in 2018.

And Last But Not Least:

The moment you have been waiting for (just play along) -- Schultz says: “Schultz is declaring himself inactive for the week as Schultz Sr. (The official father of Schultz Says) turned 80 this weekend and there is much celebrating and rejoicing.”

Response:  I am sure I am joined by all of #FANation wishing a Happy birthday to Mr. Schultz!