Despite an inexcusable incomplete schedule on July 4, there were plenty of fireworks on the field as the day-long slate featured an old-fashioned managerial dust up, a couple of outstanding pitching performances and the usual display of long balls. Here’s a review of some highlights with a fantasy twist.
Maddon fires up hibernating Cubs
You know something good happened when you see Joe Maddon and Joe West trending on Twitter. While it didn’t turn out to be as entertaining as expected, Maddon’s outburst after so many Cubs batters almost got hit by the Pirates was a bit of a throwback to the pre-replay days when managers blowing off some steam was commonplace. West did show off quick feet, blocking Maddon’s spin move as the Cubs skipper pretended like he wanted to go after Clint Hurdle, manager of the Pirates.
More importantly, Jose Quintana had his second straight solid start, tossing seven frames, allowing three runs on six hits with a half dozen punch outs. Quintana only fanned 10 in his last 13 innings, but he walked just one without surrendering a long ball. Perhaps he uses this as a launching point for a better post-break effort. However, the low strikeouts suggest tempering expectations.
Kris Bryant continued a bounce back campaign with his 17th homer amid a 4-for-5 performance while Willson Contreras furthered his outstanding first half with 18th long ball in a 3-for-5 day.
Perhaps the most notable fantasy performance came courtesy of Pirates Kevin Newman. Eligible at both middle infield spots, Newman has settled in as the Bucs leadoff hitter, slashing .321/.367/.469. Newman isn’t a burner, but he can chip in with a few steals, ideal for leagues with daily moves.
Sanchez spurs Nationals to sweep
Don’t look now but Anibal Sanchez is good again. On May 16, he was placed on the IL sporting a 5.10 ERA and 1.68 WHIP. Since coming off on May 29, Sanchez has posted a 2.18 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 34 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings. Like with Quintana, the low whiffs are cause for concern, but Sanchez is at worst a matchup play.
The Nationals defeated the Marlins 5-2, completing a sweep while continuing their ascent in the wild card standings. First-time All Star Anthony Rendon cranked his 20th homer. Earlier in the season, Rendon was identified as a batter more likely to benefit from the juiced ball, based on his average fly ball distance last season. Thus far, that observation appears prescient. Don’t expect a letdown over the second half — the power surge is real.
Miguel Rojas has been quietly useful for the Fish, slashing .349/.406/.461 since May 21. Selective endpoint aside, that’s over 40 games with solid numbers from the leadoff spot with 20 runs, 16 RBI and three pilfers.
Ramirez clouts a pair
Despite a subpar effort from Zach Plesac, the Cleveland Indians prevailed, doubling up the Kansas City Royals by an 8-4 count. The big story was Jose Ramirez’s pair of homers, bringing his total to just seven. Could this be a harbinger of a strong second half? Perhaps — he’s done it previously — but don’t buy low expecting a huge resurgence. Ramirez is still out of sorts and needs to fix two swings, not just one. Of course, he’s running a lot, softening the blow for those selecting Ramirez in the top five overall.
Any concern over Francisco Lindor’s running after missing the early part of the season with a leg injury have long been assuaged as he swiped his 13th bag.
Ryu keeps rolling
Hyun-Jin Ryu enters the break on a high note, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers dispatch the San Diego Padres 5-1. However, the more intriguing fantasy story is the return of Dinelson Lamet from TJS. The Padres hurler burst upon the scene in 2017, fanning an impressive 139 in 114 1/3 stanzas before succumbing to injury. The Padres have been deploying a six-man staff for much of the first half and will likely continue to do so, monitoring the workload of not only Lamet, but also Chris Paddack, Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill. The Padres are definitely a team to watch the next few seasons.
Tigers tame White Sox behind Boyd
Matthew Boyd fanned 12 in 5 1/3 to even his record at 6-6 as the Detroit Tigers outscored the Chicago White Sox 11-5. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Boyd as he allowed nine hits, including two homers. The Tigers took advantage of a struggling Reynaldo Lopez, providing Boyd the support he needed.
Leading the way for the victors were blasts from Niko Goodrum, Miguel Cabrera and Jeimer Candelario. Goodrum remains an asset in deeper leagues as he carries infield and outfield eligibility. Candelario had a disappointing first half including a couple visits to the farm but is exhibiting signs of life, slashing .357/.455/.643 since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo on June 26.
Quick hitters
Carlos Martinez recorded his third save for the St. Louis Cardinals, working one inning with one punch out in the standard closer’s role. Look for Martinez to continue in that vein the rest of the season.
Brandon Workman had to work twice as hard for his win as the Boston Red Sox patiently await the activation of Nathan Eovaldi, ostensibly to take over ninth inning duties. Workman threw two innings, allowing the tying run in the eighth to blow the save, then vulturing the win in the ninth after Marco Hernandez took Ken Giles deep. It’s worth stashing Eovaldi now.
There are only 13 games on Friday’s docket as MLB must be giving teams a day off to fortify their plans over the break.
