10 – Team Leagues

Chris Archer , SP PIT – Tough recommendation here I know but I think there could be some signs of life here. First off, Archer has been killed by the home run ball this season. His HR/FB rate sits at 23.1-percent which is one of the leagues worst marks. What I love is the strikeout rate as he owns a 10.4 K/9. He will face the Cardinals in his start this upcoming week and we know how disappointing their offense has been this season. Again, I am not expecting a complete game shutout here but if we get six innings, two earned with eight strikeouts I would call that a success.

Lance Lynn , SP TEX – Lynn picked up right where he left in his first start out of the All-Star break as he tossed an impressive seven inning shutout against the Houston Astros in which he struck out 11. The 11 strikeouts mark the second time in three starts he has hit double-figures in the K-category. Lynn has a two-start week on tap coming up with the first being a home test against the Arizona Diamondbacks and he will finish the week with another start against those Houston Astros. I wouldn’t worry about too much regression here from Lynn either as his 2.86 FIP and 3.76 xFIP fall right in line with his production.

12 – Team Leagues

Andrew Cashner , SP BOS – I cringe at putting BOS next to his name as a Red Sox fan because Cashner has been very bad since joining the O’s; HOWEVER, since the start of June he has a 1.41 ERA over five starts. Cashner was activated by the Red Sox this afternoon and is expected to make his debut against the Blue Jays this week and this would be the same Blue Jays team that Cashner held to one run on three hits over seven innings in his start prior to the All-Star game.

Caleb Smith , SP MIA – Smith has made two starts since coming off the IL For the Marlins and both have been good, not great but good enough as he has allowed five runs over 12 innings while striking out 12. His most recent start against the Mets also included a not-so-good five walks. I like the strikeout upside he brings to the table and this was a pitcher that was very good early on in the year. His start this week will come against a Padres team that has the fifth highest strikeout rate in baseball against southpaws.

Dylan Cease, SP CWS – The White Sox pitching prospect made his debut against the Tigers back on July 3rd and picked up the win in a so-so outing as he allowed three runs on four hits while walking four and striking out six over five innings. Many are high on Cease and he draws a decent match up in his second career start as he faces a Royals team that is 22nd in wOBA and 24th in ISO against RHP this season.

15 – Team Leagues

Dinelson Lamet , SP SD – Lamet was a popular sleeper heading into last year before elbow injury shut him down. He has since made two starts for the Padres since coming off the IL and they have been promising in a certain light. Overall he has allowed seven runs on eight hits over 10 innings but he has also struck out 14 during that stretch while issuing just two walks. I like the strikeout upside and I think the walk totals are OK as well. He faces the Marlins in his start this week and Miami ranks 29th in wOBA and 30th in ISO against RHP on the year with the sixth highest strikeout rate.

Brad Keller , SP KC – I liked Keller last night in DFS against the Tigers and he came through, allowing just one run over eight innings while striking out seven. This was his second straight start in which he has allowed a single earned run. His start this upcoming week will be against a White Sox team that he faced back in June and held to two runs over eight innings.