Everyone has people in their lives who are there to celebrate the good times, but disappear when things get tough. Unfortunately, many fantasy owners are experiencing the same thing from some of their most productive players.
Despite striking out 107 times and hitting .230, Joc Pederson likely was one of your best friends during the first half. Not only did he hit 20 homers en route to his first All-Star selection, he drove in 40 runs, stole two bases, walked 58 times and had a .851 OPS. It looked as if Pederson and fantasy owners would be joined hand-in-hand, skipping down the sidewalk toward to finish line.
Pederson, however, has let go of your hand and stopped caring about your fantasy well-being, hitting .158 with just three homers, seven RBIs and a .615 OPS since the break. Heading into Friday, he had just one hit in his previous 27 plate appearances — and was benched for several games.
Roto Files doesn’t believe dumping him is the answer — especially if you’re in a dynasty league — but benching him until he proves he can be relied upon again is highly recommended.
Though Alex Rodriguez was a feel-good story for most of the year, producing numbers no one could have predicted (.282, 24 homers, 61 RBIs, 55 walks through July), he is disappearing at the most crucial point in the season. He went into Friday night hitting .138 with just two homers, eight RBIs, 24 strikeouts and a .500 OPS over his first 22 games this month. He is just A-nother player to bench.
While Chase Utley was on the disabled list from June 23-Aug. 6, Cesar Hernandez made fantasy owners (and Phillies fans) forget about the veteran second baseman, going 47-for-147 (.320) with 10 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Since Utley left Philly, Hernandez is 3-for-27 (.111) with a .337 OPS — a small sample, but he was hitting .294 this month before the deal. Guess the only way to replace Utley is to play like him.
Big hits
Stephen Piscotty 3B/OF, Cardinals
The third most added player in ESPN leagues this week was 27-for-88 (.307) with four homers, 16 RBIs and a .902 OPS in his first 23 games this month.
Wilmer Flores 2B/SS, Mets
He has been on fire in 21 games since almost being traded, hitting .324 with three homers, 12 RBIs, a .900 OPS and just nine strikeouts in 74 at-bats.
Khris Davis OF, Brewers
Davis’ average (.241) over his first 23 games this month leaves much to be desired, but he has 10 homers, 23 RBIs, a stolen base and a very respectable .928 OPS. Those are numbers that will help down the stretch.
Yordano Ventura SP, Royals
Has not lost since July 26, going 5-0 with a 3.07 ERA and 42 strikeouts (including 11 Ks on Thursday night) in his seven starts since.
Big whiffs
Yasmani Grandal C, Dodgers
Though injuries have not helped, this month has not been kind to the backstop. From Aug. 2 through Thursday, he is hitting .156 with no homers, three RBIs and a .442 OPS.
Tommy Kahnle RP, Rockies
After collecting his first two saves on Aug. 7 and 9, the reliever lost his closer gig while sporting a 19.29 ERA and .455 opponents average in six appearances since.
Chase Utley 2B, Dodgers
In his first six games as a Dodger, Utley is 4-for-21 (.190) with no homers, no RBIs and a .606 OPS. You can take the veteran out of Philly, but you can’t take the Philly out of the veteran.
Brandon Moss 1B/OF, Cardinals
In his first 21 games since being traded to the Cardinals, Moss is 9-for-50 (.180) with one homer, three RBIs, 15 strikeouts and a .597 OPS.
Quick hits
- Before the season, Roto Files said Nathan Eovaldi was a sleeper. The Yankees hurler has not lost since June 16, going 8-0 with a 2.93 ERA and 57 strikeouts in his 12 starts since. He’s still available in almost 50 percent of all leagues.
- After pitching a clunker in his first start as an Astro, Mike Fiers hurled a no-hitter his last time out. He goes into Saturday’s start 1-0 with a 0.43 ERA and 19 strikeouts over his past three starts. Just be wary of a possible hangover from the no-no.
- So, Patrick Corbin and R.A. Dickey were two of those most dropped pitchers in ESPN leagues this week, yet Corbin is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA over his past six starts and Dickey is 5-0 with a 2.92 ERA over his past eight. Something seems off.
- After going 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA and 2.33 ERA in a surprising first half, Roto Files said Hector Santiago was one of the prime candidates for regression after the break. He has not disappointed, going 1-4 with a 5.23 ERA in his eight starts since. Is it weird that while writing about Santiago, I kept singing the theme song to the 1991 kids game show “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego,” but with Santiago’s name instead of the title character’s name? It seriously works perfectly. Try it!
Team Name of the Week
Zip-a-Dee Duda
— Submitted by Lisa Weiner of Forest Hills