Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week- Week 3

Which Astros Should You Start in Week Three in Fantasy Baseball

Here is a look at how I did in Week 2:

Week 2 Hitter:

Jose Altuve 11/27 H/AB, 8 R, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, .407 AVG

Home field advantage ignited Altuve’s bat this week. With a .208 average going into the home opener against the Kansas City Royals, Altuve raised his average to .314 and hit three home runs and drove in 7 runners. Also, Altuve tripled his extra base total from the first road trip of the year to raise his slugging percentage from .375 on April 10^th to .627 going into the series against the Texas Rangers this week. Altuve has transformed himself into a fantasy star in 2016 in the past week. However, as the Astros go on the road to face the rival Rangers in Arlington, Altuve will have to figure out how to continue on this streak away from Minute Maid Park.

Week 2 Pitcher:

Collin McHugh 12.1 IP, 18 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 11 K, 1 W, 2.92 ERA, 1.54 WHIP

After a horrendous start to 2016 in New York, McHugh came back to Houston and pitched very well in his next two starts. In his first start of the week against Kansas City, McHugh went seven shutout innings giving up eight hits while striking out 4. McHugh came down to earth a little bit in his weekend start against Detroit going 5.1 innings giving up four runs on ten hits.

Overall, McHugh has a solid week at home only giving up four runs in 12.1 innings pitched. However, one of the fantasy stipulations with McHugh is his WHIP. After three starts, including his outlier start against New York, McHugh’s WHIP is at a staggering 1.89 which is not a very good fantasy stat. But, McHugh will be an excellent option in the future for wins and after this week, ERA.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer

Here are my picks for Week 3:

Next: Week 3 Hitter

Week 3 Pitcher:

Luke Gregerson (Owned in 71.3% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues)

As the 2016 season goes into its third week, the rival Rangers are playing host to the first meeting in the Lone Star Series this week. These are huge games that might decide who wins the division come September, so winning the first series at Arlington would set the tone for the rest of those games. Gregerson needs to be at his top form at the end of these games for those games to end in the Astros favor.

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer

After the speculation of who was going to be closer after the signing of Ken Giles, Gregerson came out in 2016 and has planted himself in that closer role. In 5 appearances, Gregerson has recorded four saves in 4 opportunities, recorded four strikeouts, has a 0.60 WHIP, and hasn’t allowed a run.

Overall too, Gregerson was a reliable closer for the Astros last year as well, recording 31 saves in 36 opportunities and a 3.10 ERA. Also, his walk total was at a career low ten last year with a WHIP of 0.95.

Next: Houston Astros Farm Report: Danny Worth and Tony Kemp Leading Fresno Grizzlies offense

Proving early in 2016 to be the lights-out closer the Astros need, Gregerson needs to be the guy at the back end of the bullpen to close games. Fantasy owners and Astros fans alike, after this week, should not have to question Gregerson’s ability at the back end of the bullpen.