Strategies
Mike Napoli has been excellent over the past few years against right-handed pitching. His on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and overall average is greater against righties. Being able to have Napoli and Big Papi Ortiz in your fantasy lineup would be a home-run. Ortiz has a .652 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching. He has hit a home-run once per 15.1 at-bats against righties versus the 20.6 against lefties. Dustin Pedroia, on the other hand, does better against left-handed opposition. The four-time American League All-Star had a .345 on-base percentage last season against righties. His struggles against righties is something to keep him in mind for fantasy players.
Mike Napoli
A pitcher who has gone under the radar so far this season is Jonathon Niese. With a 2.20 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 24-to-8 K/BB ratio over his fist five starts he should definitely be getting more attention. He also performs well against the Marlins. Something to keep in mind going into their series. Jose Quintana has been solid for Chicago and is improving in the K/BB department. He is usually available in fantasy leagues and is worth a try. As for Henderson Alvarez, he won’t strike-out many batters but always has a decent ERA and few walks. Although he’s allowing more than a hit per inning it’s a statistic that one expects will improve. Definitely worth considering depending on which fantasy league (National League only) you participate in.
Jonathon Niese
One player struggling is Jose Reyes. Always positive in the clubhouse, but he’s hitting .188 out of the lead-off spot with a homer and a stolen base. A hamstring injury has caused him to miss 16 games so far this season, and missed 69 games last year with an ankle injury. Injuries have plagues his Blue Jay career thus far. Reyes is making $16 million this year and needs to start producing like a super-star. The Jays are on the hook for $86 million even if they take the buy-out in the last year of his contract. The whole deal is worth $104 million. It dwarfs what the Yankees owe A-Rod and the Jays don’t have the Yankee financial power.
Jose Reyes
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