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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 10th 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 Hitter:
Colby Rasmus (Owned in 62.4% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues)
Rasmus feels at home in a Houston uniform. After being the first player in MLB history to accept the qualifying offer from their team, Rasmus has been doing very well at the start of the 2016 season.
More from Astros News
- 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
Through 13 games played, Rasmus has hit .282 with three home runs and 8 RBIs with six runs scored.
Usually batting cleanup in this powerful Astros lineup, Rasmus has surprised people with his plate discipline to start the season. Through 13 games, Rasmus has walked 11 times compared to 13 strikeouts, which is to be expected, with a .431 OBP.
These walks are very important because not only do they allow him to generate runs for himself, but creates opportunities for the hitters below him including the slumping centerfielder Carlos Gomez, or breakout rookie first baseman Tyler White. Rasmus taking a walk now and then elongates an already offensively deep lineup and can generate more runs.
Going into the Rangers series in Arlington and then coming back for three against Boston, Rasmus has to be the core offensive piece that the cleanup spot is expected to be. That will not only prove well for the Astros but for fantasy owners as well.
Next: Week 3 Pitcher
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.