RADIO
Every day, we will be taking a quick look at the best and worst fantasy baseball performers from yesterday's games. It's important to keep close tabs on what's going on around the league, especially early in the MLB season, and that's what we are here to help out with.
Here's a quick look at those who impressed on Saturday, and those who want to pretend the day never happened.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple Store.
Yesterday's Fantasy Baseball Studs
Let's take a look at the studs first...
Cameron Maybin (DET, OF): This guy has done nothing but hit since coming off the disabled list for the Tigers. On Saturday, Maybin went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored. It snapped a streak of four straight games with a steal for Maybin, but the home run helps forget about that. There's no doubt right now that Maybin can be a very productive player in Detroit. The question is if he can play the whole season well, as opposed to fizzling out in the second half like in 2015.
Ichiro Suzuki (MIA, OF): Yeah I know he's not the most fantasy relevant guy at this stage in his career. However, I'm going to give credit where credit is due. Ichiro still knows how to hit. He went 4-for-4 on Saturday, and scored a run. Not bad for an old-timer right? As Ichiro continues his quest for 3000 hits in the United States, I'm sure there will be occasional flashes of his old brilliance. Be on the look out.
Wil Myers (SD, 1B/OF): Well it looks like Myers is feeling better. After dealing with some minor ailments earlier in the week, Myers went 3-for-5 with two steals on Saturday. I have to admit, I didn't expect two steals in a game for him. Two homers? Sure. Two RBI? Easy. I doubt anyone is complaining. Don't count on it happening two often, but it shows Myers can contribute in multiple categories.
Mookie Betts (BOS, OF): As much as many people, myself included, like to call Betts an overrated fantasy players, the guy can hit. He's streaky for sure, but in today's game who isn't? More than ever hitters are extremely inconsistent; going through prolonged slumps and then scorching hitting streaks. When Mookie is on, you want him on your team. He went 3-for-5 on Saturday and clobbered two homers, one being a grand slam. He finished with five RBI and three runs scored. The guy was a stud and is looking like a potential fantasy MVP.
Matt Shoemaker (LAA, SP): No, this isn't a typo. Matt Shoemaker was brilliant on Saturday. He spun a gem, tossing 7.1 innings of shutout baseball. Shoe struck out 12 batters and allowed only three hits. Bravo sir, bravo. It was easily his best performance of the season though, so, while it'd be nice to see it become a trend, it's also highly unlikely to be repeated. The Angels are desperate for pitching right now so they'll take what they can get.
Jonathon Niese (PIT, SP): So I was at a Penguins bar earlier in the week and the Pirates game was on in the background. This friend of mine saw Niese on the mound and she was just livid that Pittsburgh native Neil Walker was traded for him. Funny thing is that Niese pitched well that game, and he hurled a good one on Saturday too. Seven innings, one earned, four K, and a WHIP under one for the day. I think my friend might be changing her tune on Mr. Niese.
Michael Fulmer (DET, SP): I was thoroughly unimpressed with Fulmer's first few outings in the bigs. Saturday may have made me change my mind a bit. Fulmer was strong vs the Rays...okay so it's not like he faced Murderous Row. Whatever. He still had to get them out right? Well in seven innings, Fulmer only allowed one earned run, four hits, and struck out 11. Quality start is an understatement. He gets Oakland next time out, so a repeat performance could be in the cards.
Yesterday's Fantasy Baseball Duds
And now for the duds! These guys should be in confession on Sunday, apologizing for the sin that was their play on Saturday. Alright so maybe that's a bit much, but you get my point. These guys had a bad day and fantasy owners were a bit peeved to say the least.
Jon Lester (CHC, SP): So Lester gets a mulligan on this one. He's been a stud all season so this pedestrian outing is just a speed bump. That being said, it was still a bad outing and it must have hurt some owners' chances of winning their matchups. Lester logged 2.2 innings of five-run ball. He only struck out one, while allowing 6 hits and walking three. Not good. I'd rip him a little harder, but he's entitled to the occasional bad outing.
Joe Smith (LAA, RP): I wonder how the Angels felt about this one. They get a brilliant performance from Matt Shoemaker and look poised to win the game. Enter Joe Smith. Things looked good after he recorded the first two out, but then it all went south fast. Smith would allow a single to Chris Davis, walk Mark Trumbo, and then give up a three-run homer to Matt Wieters. Hey Joe, you know your job title is closer, not opener, right? If you can't get the last outs, what good are you?! This won't be an issue much longer though as Huston Street will come back within the next two weeks or so.
Jacob deGrom (NYM, SP): The deGrominator was terminated on Saturday. It wasn't a horrible outing, but it wasn't great given what we know he is capable of. deGrom pitched five innings, allowing four earned. He struck out seven, but the five hits and three walks were ratio killers. It was the first time he'd allowed more than three runs all season. He gets a pass, but it doesn't stink any less. There is cause for concern here, but you can check the news feed for my thoughts on that.
Anthony Rizzo (CHC, 1B): Rizzo has been cold the last few games, and things didn't get better Saturday. An 0-for-5 performance has to be getting on fantasy owners' nerves. Rizzo is currently one for his last 22. In weekly leagues that might as well be a kick in the nads to whoever owns him. Rizzo will reward you eventually though. He's too good not to, and he hits in a potent lineup. That doesn't take away from a dud performance where he didn't do diddly.
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