Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week- Week 24
A Look at Fantasy Baseball Through the Lens’ of a Houston Astros Fan
Aug 29, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with shortstop Carlos Correa (1) after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Week 23 Hitter:
Jose Altuve– 3/22 H/AB, 3 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, .136 BA
In a week where the Astros had a winning record against AL West rivals, Altuve was not a major presence offensively.
In the middle of a rough skid in his last 15 games, this week, Altuve hit .136 with a home run and three RBIs in 22 at-bats. His bat success took a turn in the series against the Rangers. He had one hit in 11 at bats walking four times and driving in a runner.
The problem with Altuve’s bat has not been making contact. In his 22 at bats this week, he struck out only two times including none in the Texas series. His bat is not finding the holes it did earlier this season.
Although he’s in a bit of a skid, it would be silly not to start Altuve on a regular basis. He is still hitting .346 with a .966 OPS. As one of the more complete players in all of baseball, he is still on a quest for his first AL MVP award. By his numbers, he definitely deserves it.
Week 23 Pitcher:
Mike Fiers– 5 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 W, 1.80 ERA, 2.00 WHIP
In the Astros 4-3 win over the Oakland A’s on August 31st; Fiers was serviceable as the starter. In five innings of work, he gave up an earned run on eight hits and two walks, striking out four. His WHIP was nowhere close to being acceptable at 2.00, but it did not factor much into his performance.
Luckily, the bullpen after him was phenomenal. Chris Devenski, Michael Feliz, and Ken Giles combined for four innings of no-hit ball while striking out six.
In Fiers’ last 15 starts, he has been good. He has a 6-3 record with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Even though these are not numbers of a top of the rotation guy, he has been more than durable at the back end of the rotation.
Even though his numbers are not fantasy baseball worthy, he is a pitcher who could rack up wins down the stretch, especially if he only goes five or six innings and lets the bullpen do the rest.
Week 24 Hitter:
Evan Gattis (Owned in 61.5% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)
Aug 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis (11) hits a single against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
In the last month, Evan Gattis has become more than a one-dimensional in his offensive approach. The Astros always knew that he had power. In 2016, Gattis has hit 24 home runs and had a home run to fly ball ratio of 22.4%. That part of his game has always been there.
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For the last month, however, Gattis has hit for contact much better. In 90 at bats in August, Gattis hit .311 with a .924 OPS. 11 of his 28 hits went for extra bases, including five home runs, and he drove in 14 runs and scored himself 12 times.
What was really different about Gattis though is his development of patience at the plate. He had a season-high nine walks last month. Also, this season, he has a career high in walk percentage at 8.1%
Gattis has gotten off to a quick start in September as well. In 12 at bats, he has a .333 average with 1.190 OPS. He has two home runs and four RBIs, scoring himself two times.
As the Astros head into an important September run that could make or break their season, Gattis could prove to be very valuable, especially in the next couple of days. The Astros are in the middle of a tough stretch of schedule where they will face the Cleveland Indians, the Chicago Cubs, and the Texas Rangers. Against these tough teams, one swing of the bat can bring a win. Against tough pitchers on these playoff-bound teams, that might be exactly what the Astros need.
If Gattis can provide the power from the back end of the Astros lineup, there is a good chance that the offense as a whole will do very well in the next week and a half. Gattis is a valuable waiver wire pickup for extra base hit and RBI ability.
Week 24 Pitcher:
Collin McHugh (Owned in 30.3% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)
Sep 4, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh (31) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
As I have written about many times before, McHugh has struggled in 2016. In 28 starts this season, he has a 9-10 record with a 4.96 ERA and a 1.51 ERA. His home run per fly ball ratio is at 14.2%, which is the highest since he has been an Astro.
With all of these stats against him, why is he a good fantasy choice against one of the best offenses in baseball, the Chicago Cubs? It may not be a good idea, but some numbers go in McHugh’s favor.
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First of all, McHugh has been solid against National League opponents in 2016. In 20.2 innings of work, he has given up seven earned runs on 19 hits, including three home runs, and four walks while striking out 18.
Next, this young Cubs lineup, even though they are scary statistically, is not experienced against McHugh. The top hitter against him is Chris Coghlan, who has a .500 batting average in four at-bats against him. The majority of this roster has never faced McHugh though.
Finally, to say that McHugh is ready to pitch may be an understatement. He would like to erase his last start from his memory. In 4.1 innings against the Texas Rangers, he gave up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out three in the Astros 7-6 win on Sunday.
Although it is a tough matchup for any pitcher, McHugh can shock some people Friday night against the Cubs. This could be a game that keeps McHugh in consideration for a starting rotation spot next season.
***Stats provided by FanGraphs and MLB.com***