Nomar Mazara : Mazara had a day Sunday going 3-5 with 2 runs, 3 RBI and 2 dingers. On the year, Mazara has been solid: .267 with 20 HR and 68 RBI in just over 400 AB. However, in the last week, Nomar has been awesome: 4 dingers, 8 RBI and an OPS over 1,100. Simply put, this is a guy to buy for now and way into the future. Do you think that hitting the ball harder and making more contact at the same time bodes well? I do.
Sean Reid-Foley: Reid-Foley was brilliant Sunday going 7 innings while giving up just one run, 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 10. The question is whether he will help fantasy teams during the September pennant race. Well, the 3.90 AAA ERA does not scream dominant but the high swinging strike and groundball rates bode well for success. In the end, I can support a stash in a keeper league but cannot support buying into a start against the Indians followed by one in Yankee Stadium. Act accordingly.
Wilson Ramos : Last week we wrote: “Wilson Ramos went 4-5 with a run, 3 RBI and a dinger Sunday to lead the Phils to a win. While that was Ramos first dinger in Philly, it is a continuation of a very strong year. Through Sunday, the backstop was hitting a cool .304 with 14 dingers and 58 RBI – great production from the catching position. Add in the fact that Ramos is hitting .480 in his last 25 AB and you have a guy who will be on a lot of title winning fantasy teams. Oh, if you doubt he can continue to hit (albeit not .480), remember that he hit .307 before suffering an injury that ended his 2016 season and cost him full health in 2017. I am buying and you should too.” Well in the last 7 games, all Ramos has done is hit .400 with a whopping 1,128 OPS. I hope you were listening/reading!
Melky Cabrera : Last week, we wrote: “The Melk-Man returns. Sunday the Cleveland outfielder filled the stat sheets getting on base all 5 times he came up, finishing 2-2 with 4 runs scored, a RBI and 3 BB. Loyal readers of this space know I am a huge fan of often undervalued inexpensive consistent fantasy baseball offense Melky delivers. Check this out: over his last 14 games, Melky has an OPS over 1,100! Bottom line – he is raking so stop doubting and roster this professional hitter on a good squad going to the playoffs.” Well, Melky made us look good by hitting a cool .360+ with an OPS of over .900. The Melkman continues to deliver! [Oh, and with a planned DL stint for Josh Donaldson , I am not that worried about playing time issues in the near term].
Starlin Castro : Last week we wrote: “Starlin Castro had a huge day Sunday going 5-6 with a RBI and 3 runs scored. I know the Marlins are bad (ok really bad) but Castro is a professional hitter who is hitting. On the year, Castro is hitting .287 with 10 dingers and a BB rate over 50% higher than it was last year. The recent slump makes it look like he has had a tough summer. Take advantage if you are in a deep league. Again, this guy can hit as his 1,400 plus hits at age 28 demonstrates.” Well, if you listened, you were rewarded with a .320 average and .400+ OBP for the week. Hitters hit. It is that simple.” A .375 and an OPS over 1,000 this week says that this hitter continues to hit. Buying yet?
And now, the moment you have been waiting for -- Schultz says: “On Saturday night, Eduardo Rodríguez struck out 12 of the 20 White Sox he faced and Stephen Matz struck out nearly half of the Giants that stepped to the plate. Luis Castillo fanned 11, James Paxton 10 and Wei-Yin Chen pitched his best game of the year against the hapless Blue Jays. Such is the joy for pitching when the rosters expand in September.
Once the 40-man roster expansion occurs, teams out of the playoff hunt unsurprisingly like to see what their future might look like. This allows pitchers - especially those striving to stay sharp for the post-season - to feast on youngsters getting their feet wet in the big leagues. Anyone in a traditional roto-league where strikeouts are still a competitive category can take advantage of what the traditional uptick of September whiffs and those in daily leagues can pick and choose accordingly.
Keep an eye out for who's pitching against the bottom dwellers over the next few weeks. It could transform a roto-runner up into a roto-champ.”
Response: Great point. Rather than distract you, I will just say re-read Schultz says above.