Week 8 brings us the same thing that damn near every other week has brung, brought, broughten? Hell, I don’t know…it has given us heartache, heartbreak, and trips to the IL. I am cautiously pessimistic that even mentioning the IL will bring about injuries to the players listed. What we have seen tho is that by breaking down each week into its’ own small season, if you play the matchups, the AB’s, and just stay diligent, you are probably doing better than 70% of your league. Luckily for you, I neglect my family and work to bring you the Week 8 Head to Heads gems. Enjoy.
Runs/SB’s
Tommy Pham, OF, SDP– 57% rostered in Yahoo- With the injury to Trent Grisham, it is Tommy Pham who has been leading off for the Padres, and making good work of the new role! His vision has always been a problem, but he must be seeing clearly now, because his 17% BB% has made his OBP bearable. Over the past week he has 6 runs and 3 SB’s. This week the Padres will play 7, giving Pham plenty of potential to be a run scoring and base stealing machine.
Odubel Herrera, OF, PHI– 15% rostered in Yahoo- If you have made it this far, you didn’t immediately close this article. Thank You for that. While I can’t believe that I am endorsing Herrera, there is merit to this recommendation. Bryce Harper is on the 10-day IL, he is not in a platoon situation, he is hitting near the top of the lineup, and he faces mostly righties. Over the past two weeks, he has hit a robust .292 and swiped 3 bags.
Clint Frazier, OF, NYY– 22% rostered in Yahoo- When Clint Frazier wasn’t hitting for the 1st 6 weeks of the season (567 OPS), he was still getting playing time. Well, it appears that it might have been the correct move. Over the past 2 weeks, he has seen his OPS climb to .630. In that time, he has hit .286 with a handful of runs and 2 stolen bases. The Yankees get 7 this week and will have the benefit of facing some lefties to the benefit of Frazier.
HR/RBI
Brad Miller, 2B/3B/OF, PHI– 23% rostered in Yahoo- Miller has been on an absolute tear over the past 2 weeks. It’s a shame that he doesn’t get more consistent playing time. I felt that way when he was with the Cardinals also. He always seemed to crush it, and then as soon as the regular returned, he was back to the bench. This week, the Phils get a weeks worth of RHP, advantage Miller. Don’t count on it, but he has also has 3 SB’s over the past 2 weeks for good measure!
C.J. Cron, 1B, COL– 53% rostered in Yahoo- Cron still might be forgotten by your league-mates after returning from his IL stint. If he is available, you have to look at the 6 games in Coors. The weather appears to be heating up in Denver, which means the ball should be jumping even more.
Joc Pederson, OF, CHC– 23% rostered in Yahoo- It has taken a little bit, but it appears that Joc has finally found his power groove. Over the past 2 weeks, Joc has a .326/3HR/7RBI line. Add in the fact that he is scheduled to face almost all righties over the 7 games this week, and I am sold.
Wins
Mike Minor, SP, KCR– 21% rostered in Yahoo- The crafty lefty gets to face the Pirates on Monday. I know I could have just stopped there, but I feel you paid the admission fee, might as well give you a little more. The Pirates aren’t just being picked on, their 61 wRC+ against lefties is 3rd worst in baseball. You get two-starts out of Minor, he might just give you multiple wins this week.
James Kaprielien, SP, OAK– 30% rostered in Yahoo- The rookie RHP has looked as good as advertised in the young season, and just went 7 excellent innings of 2-hit ball against the Mariners, the team is scheduled to face this week. It’s always nice to project a W against the hapless Mariners. Not only does he get the Mariners, but he also gets a chance at 2 W’s when the A’s travel to Colorado to face the Rockies. It’s hard to recommend any starter in Colorado, so proceed with a little caution.
Ratios (ERA/WHIP/K)
Tejay Antone, RP, Cin– 43% rostered in Yahoo- I understand the reason for the sub 50% roster in Yahoo. He is a setup man and pitches in Cincy. Don’t let the role fool you, he is the best pitcher in Cincinnati this year. It’s uncertain how the Reds will fare against the Phils and the Cards, but I can tell you one thing, there are enough right handed hitters that I believe Antone will be called upon quite often over the 7 games.
Garret Crochet, RP, CWS– 5% rostered in Yahoo- The status of Michael Kopech is unknown at this time, but considering that the injury looked decently severe, I will assume there are some innings that will need to be filled this week when the White Sox play 8 games over 7 days. Crochet has the propensity to walk some batters, but he gets the benefit of facing some free swingers in Cleveland and Detroit. Plus, if you haven’t had a chance to watch him pitch, get your popcorn, it’s exciting. Merrill
Merrill Kelly, SP, ARI– 9% rostered in Yahoo- Since finally coming all the way back from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery, Kelly has looked much better as of late. Since April 21st, he has seen his ERA come back to Earth from 7.71 to 4.84. He is missing bats more frequently and gets a chance to face 2 “less than stellar” offenses in the AAAA Mets and the Brewers
Speculative Saves/Saves
Carlos Estevez, RP, COL– 1% rostered in Yahoo- While Daniel Bard is still the closer in Colorado, Estevez has been asked to appear in some very important innings as of late. If Bard were to revert back to his struggles, it appears that Estevez would be the next man up. Keep an eye on Bard.
Michael Fulmer, RP, DET– 42% rostered in Yahoo- I don’t know how many weeks I have to mention his name, but if you had grabbed him 2 weeks ago, like I had mentioned, he would have given you 1 Win and 3 Saves…not too shabby.
Hansel Robles, RP, MINN– 24% rostered in Yahoo- With so many people complaining that they can’t find saves, yet only 24% of the public is rostering Robles. His 3 saves over the past 2 weeks is the 3rd most in MLB. While it’s true the Twins are a little tough to figure out when it comes to the 9th, why not go with what the tea leaves are saying…Hansel is so hot.
