In the world of fantasy baseball, every week brings a new set of challenges and opportunities for managers. This week, we delve into the top adds and drops, analyzing the most popular acquisitions on Fantrax and NFBC Online Championship (OC). From the Philadelphia Phillies' hot streak to the Cleveland Guardians' base-stealing prowess, there's a lot to unpack. Let's dive in.
The Phillies' Hot Streak
The Philadelphia Phillies are on fire, winning five out of seven games and scoring a league-high 39 runs. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper led the charge with five and four home runs, respectively. Andy Pages also hit four homers, showcasing the team's offensive prowess. Brandon Marsh continued his strong performance, leading in hits and driving in three runs. The Twins' Byron Buxton also had a standout week, with 11 runs, eight home runs, 14 RBI, and three steals, making him a top hitter in 5×5 roto over the last two weeks.
The Guardians' Base-Stealing Prowess
The Cleveland Guardians stole 14 bases last week, with Travis Bazzana leading the way with five. José Ramírez and Brayan Rocchio each swiped three bases. The Marlins' Esteury Ruiz, a pinch-running specialist, stole six bases in just eight plate appearances, making him a fantasy unicorn. However, he might be a bit too volatile for some leagues.
Top Hitters in 5×5 Roto 12-Team Leagues
The top hitters in 5×5 roto 12-team leagues include Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Oneil Cruz, Jordan Walker, Shea Langeliers, Andy Pages, Elly De La Cruz, Liam Hicks, James Wood, Yordan Alvarez, CJ Abrams, Brice Turang, Sal Stewart, and Mike Trout. These players have been performing well and are worth considering for your lineup.
Starting Pitchers and Their Performances
There were 27 starting pitchers who pitched twice last week, with four of them winning twice. Cristopher Sánchez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Wacha, and Nick Martinez outperformed their peripherals. Davis Martin, an amazing acquisition for fantasy investors, led the league in strikeouts and allowed just one earned run in 13 innings. Cade Smith earned a league-high three saves, while Brad Keller and Jhoan Duran also contributed.
Top Adds on Fantrax and NFBC OC
On Fantrax, Ezequiel Duran, JJ Bleday, Ty Madden, Trevor McDonald, Spencer Jones, Zack Gelof, Brooks Lee, Griffin Canning, Robby Snelling, Jesus Rodriguez, Michael McGreevy, Casey Schmitt, Sean Burke, Jake McCarthy, and Janson Junk were the most popular adds. In NFBC OC, Robby Snelling, Ryan Waldschmidt, Gregory Soto, Travis Bazzana, Bryce Eldridge, Spencer Jones, Rico Garcia, Bryce Miller, Tony Santillan, Ben Brown, Caleb Kilian, and Pierce Johnson were the top average winning bids.
Drop of the Week
The drop of the week goes to Ryan Walker, the failed Giants closer, who was finally optioned to Triple-A. Erik Miller is expected to claim a piece of the ninth-inning role soon, while Caleb Kilian remains a favorite closing option in the bullpen.
In conclusion, fantasy baseball is a game of grit, grind, tenacity, and patience. Managers must stay vigilant with league news and notes and remain active on the waiver wire. With the right strategy and a bit of luck, you can win your leagues and enjoy the thrill of the game.
