Don’t be fooled by the upcoming All-Star Game: This week is the midpoint of the season. Seven teams completed their 81st game on Wednesday (Mets, Braves, Angels, A’s, Astros, Royals, and Blue Jays). They join the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mariners, and Red Sox, who started their second halves earlier in the week. As usual, a lot to recap.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Continues to Rake
After his early season struggles and demotion to Triple-A, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been one of the hottest players in baseball since he was recalled on May 24. He added to his stat-line yesterday, going 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI, and two runs scored to slash .347/.385/.727 since he has returned to the Blue Jays and shifted from second base to left field.
Trevor Bauer Confounds the Royals
Has Trevor Bauer tinkered his way back into the upper echelon of the pitcher ranks? Bauer threw 6.2 innings, surrendering just three hits, one walk, and one earned run while striking out 12 to pick up the win for Cleveland. Coming off a start against the Tigers in which he gave up five in just four innings, Bauer threw 127 pitches in yesterday’s game. His fantasy owners can relax with Bauer seemingly finding his form. He lines up to face Kansas City again next week as well as the Reds in Cincy.
Eduardo Escobar Continues his All-Star Start
Even though Eduardo Escobar isn’t in the running as an All-Star Game starter, he continued his bid to make it to Cleveland next month by putting up a stellar game in which he went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, two runs, and a stolen base. It would be a shame if Escobar didn’t join teammate Ketel Marte at the mid-summer classic, but he has been a fantasy All-Star — especially at his modest draft-day cost.
Mike Minor Is Anything But
Mike Minor has impressed all season. While fantasy owners might question a 31-year-old breaking out, Minor has shown through 17 starts that he is a fantasy ace. He threw his second complete-game of the season on Wednesday, striking out seven and giving up just one run on five hits and two walks. While dominating, Minor has been a workhorse, throwing 37 innings in five June starts and dropping his ERA to 2.40 (the third lowest in the majors).
David Dahl Smashes Away from Coors
David Dahl provided all the offense the Rockies needed in their 6-3 win in San Francisco. Dahl went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, a run scored, and five RBI. In 266 at-bats, Dahl has slashed .320/.369/.910 this season. His 10 home runs may underwhelm his owners, but after hitting two bombs in his series at lefty-killing Oracle Park, it is hoped that his power output continues when the Rockies return to Colorado until late next week.
Jason Vargas Thumps Phillies
After threatening a reporter earlier in the week, Jason Vargas made the Phillies sheepish in his 6.2 innings on Wednesday. Giving up just three hits and two walks, Vargas struck out a career-high 10 but did give up a home run to Jean Segura, and an inherited runner scored when the Mets’ bullpen surrendered the lead to deny Vargas a win.
Unexpected Pitching Duel Between Oakland and St. Louis.
Adam Wainwright and Daniel Mengden might not jump out as the night’s marquee pitching matchup, but Wainwright’s 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 ER, 9 K performance was topped by an Oakland pitchers’ six shutout innings. Mengden did the heavy lifting, giving up just four hits and one walk with five strikeouts. The bullpen’s Yusmeiro Petit, Joakim Soria, and Liam Hendricks each threw one frame, combining for three strikeouts and a lone hit. Beau Taylor and Matt Chapman hit solo shots as the game’s only runs.
Corbin vs. Gallen
The Nationals and Marlins were must-see-tv on Wednesday as Zac Gallen and Patrick Corbin squared off. Corbin threw seven excellent innings, allowing a single run on just three hits and a walk while striking out nine. The main viewer interest was garnered, however, by Zac Gallen, who was making just his second start with the Marlins. He pitched well though five innings, giving up just an earned run and striking out eight. After coming out for the sixth, however, Gallen gave up two singles and was replaced with Wei-Yin Chen who threw a meatball to Matt Adams adding two runs to Gallen’s ledger. If you own any Marlins’ pitcher, this shouldn’t come as a surprise as their bullpen will blow leads and the team will struggle for wins.
Springer Takes on the Pirates
George Springer, as he has done 29 times before, hit a leadoff home run. He went 3-for-5 in his second game back from a hamstring injury, providing half of the Astros two runs in the game (and one-third of their hits). The Pirates, on the other hand, pounded out 15 hits with four home runs (Josh Bell, Jung-Ho Kang, Jose Osuna, and Kevin Newman) and scoring 14 runs. Corey Dickerson was perfect on the day with four hits, a walk, three runs and three RBI and may be poised to start his season in earnest after hitting the IL in early April.
Injuries
Giancarlo Stanton may be having the most frustrating season ever. After finally returning to the lineup, Stanton played just six games before being placed back on the 10-day IL with a PCL strain (knee). The Yankees have shown their depth this season, building a seven-game lead over Tampa in the AL East despite being ravaged with injuries to their key players. Stanton’s absence means that recently acquired Edwin Encarnacion should continue to see steady at-bats. Clint Frazier’s future in New York remains murky, as Mike Tauchmann was recalled from the minors to fill Stanton’s roster spot.
Jordan Hicks underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday morning, as expected. The St. Louis closer will miss the next 14-18 months and should be dropped in all redraft leagues. Carlos Martinez has been named the closer, but in a year with such confounding bullpen usage, expect Andrew Miller and John Gant to pick up the occasional save.
Eddie Rosario left Wednesday’s game with a left ankle sprain when he tried to stretch a single into a double. For now, he is day-to-day.
Gio Gonzalez suffered a setback in his recovery from dead arm. He isn’t being completely shut down from pitching activities, but his return to the Brewers’ rotation is delayed.
Transactions
Craig Kimbrel has joined the Cubs and should be available as the new closer. Kimbrel signed shortly after the MLB draft and has been ramping up in the minors. Deploy him at will. The Cubs should win plenty of games in the second half, and if you have been stashing him you have been waiting for this moment. Let’s hope that the wait was worth it.
Drew Smyly, Kendrys Morales, and Brad Boxberger have been designated for assignment by their respective teams. Three big names who have all disappointed this season. New organizations or trips to the minors may help them get things together, but don’t hold out hope.
Jake Lamb has been activated and played first base on Wednesday but went 0-for-4 in his return from a quad strain. The Diamondbacks have been a pleasant surprise this season and hope that Lamb will return to his 2017 output when he hit 30 homers, scored 89, and knocked in 105. Keep in mind that those numbers came in a humidor-free Chase Field and Lamb only mustered six home runs in an injury-plagued 56-game season last year.
Jeimer Candelario was recalled by the Tigers. Candelario went 2-for-3 with two of the Tigers’ meager five hits against Mike Minor yesterday. A late-round pick in most leagues, it was hoped that Candelario would have everyday playing time during the Detroit rebuild. His 43 games this season have undermined Candelario as he has hit just .189 with two home runs, 18 runs, and a paltry nine RBI. He should remain on wires, but monitor him in deep leagues to see if he can rebound as playing time is available if he can show that he deserves it.
