That Happened?

Joey Gallo went 3-for-5 with two home runs in Wednesday’s win over the Mariners. Gallo has put up a putrid .202 average this season, but his elite walk rate has his OBP hovering above .300 and he has hit 31 home runs as well. A true three outcomes hitter, Gallo has started the second half off much better with a .250/.391/.643 triple slash by being less aggressive outside of the zone. If he can continue to at least hit in the .240-.250 average range, he can put up elite on base and power numbers reset of the way for fantasy owners.

Jacob deGrom threw six scoreless innings versus the Reds, striking out ten hitters while allowing only four hits and a walk. DeGrom continues to be one of the best pitchers in baseball as well as be the poster boy for the “Kill the Win” movement among sabermetricians. DeGrom has a 1.77 ERA and a sub 1.00 Whip, but this became only his sixth win of the season. Aside from his fantastic and overlooked season, this maybe the best stat I have seen on him in a while:

 

 

Mike Zunino went 2-for-3 with two home runs and a walk in the loss to the Rangers yesterday. Since returning from the DL on July 22nd, Zunino is hitting .298 with four home runs in 47 at bats for the Mariners. He is pulling the ball a ton for power right now as well and dramatically improved his contact rates in and out of the zone over this small sample. Zunino had a career year last season, but appeared to be disappointing this year between injury and underperformance. This looks to be a good change in his approach coming off the DL and with the state of the catching position in fantasy; Zunino is a guy to target at your fantasy trade deadline.

Clayton Kershaw went six innings, allowing two runs and only striking out one batter in the outing. This was a confounding outing if you are just box score scouting. In spite of really struggling with his secondary stuff, the A’s had a ton of trouble getting much going against Kershaw. While he only registered one strike out, he also didn’t allow any walks, but instead relied on his defense to pick him up. Kershaw’s velocity was pretty in line with what we have seen so far this season, so this seems to just be an odd outing for the Dodgers ace.

Orlando Arcia went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run versus the Padres on Wednesday. Arcia has been hot since returning from the minors, but the Brewers went out and grabbed free agent to be Jonathan Schoop at the deadline which will eat into Acria’s playing time. That being said, Arcia is the superior defensive player and could be a steal in drafts and keeper leagues if he can find the offensive prowess that made him a top prospect in baseball not that long ago.

 

What We’ll Be Watching Today

José Berrios versus Corey Kluber . Kluber has been un-Kluber-like as of late and Berrios looks like a stud, pitching a quality start in four of his last six outings for the Twins.

James Paxton versus Justin Verlander . An elite pitching matchup of Cy Young hopefuls.

Ross Stripling versus Tyler Anderson . Stripling is returning off of the DL and Anderson has gone from looking like a staff ace for the Rockies to really struggling down the stretch.

Bryce Harper versus Anibal Sánchez . Harper has been on fire since the All-Star Break, hitting .345/.452/.655 with eight home runs and three stolen bases. He struggled with the shift in the first half resulting in a comically bad BABIP, but now he appears to be in a groove.

Minimum Muncy in Colorado. Max Muncy has been atrocious since the All-Star Break, hitting under the Mendoza Line. With the additions the Dodgers have gotten from the trade deadline and returning players off the DL, Muncy may have a hard time cracking the lineup if he does not snap out of it quick.