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Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week- Week 8
A Look at Fantasy Baseball Through the Lens of an Astros’ Fan
Here is how I did in Week 7:
Week 7 Hitter:
Jose Altuve– 6/24 H/AB, 2 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB, .250 BA
Altuve showed this week that if he struggles at all, the entire Astros offense struggles along with it.
It was really a tale of two series for Altuve this past week. In the midweek series against the Chicago White Sox in which the Astros won two out of three, Altuve was his normal self, getting five hits in 12 at bats scoring once and driving in three runners.
However, when the Astros came home for an important three game set with their in-state rival, the Texas Rangers, Altuve, along with the rest of the Astros offense, struggled mightily. He only got one hit in 12 at-bats and scored once.
Altuve, at the top of the lineup, really sets the tone for the rest of the offensive game the Astros will have, scoring only a total of four runs against Texas in the weekend series.
Altuve will have to be the leader of the offense in the upcoming two series against the first place Baltimore Orioles and the division rival Los Angeles Angels.
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- 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
Week 7 Pitcher:
Doug Fister– 6.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 W, 4.26 ERA, 1.58 WHIP
Fister did what he needed to do this week against the Chicago White Sox, but it really was not what fantasy owners needed from a spot starter.
In his 6.1 innings pitched, Fister gave up three earned runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out five. Fister left a runner on base when he was taken out of the game in the seventh and came around to score on a Jose Abreu single that was given up by right-handed reliever Ken Giles.
Even though it was not a great start fantasy wise, Fister has been a solid pickup this month. In his four starts, Fister has three wins and no losses with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Fister has done a nice job this month at limiting the walks, recording only four in his 26.1 innings, and home runs, giving up only one in his four starts.
Fister will have to keep that success of keeping the balls in the ballpark going as he faces a powerful Oriole team at home on Tuesday.
Next: Now on to Week 8
Week 8 Hitter:
George Springer (Owned in 98.2% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues)
Springer has not done well in the month of May so far. He has only recorded 18 hits in his 80 at-bats, hitting five home runs, driving in 14 times, and scoring himself 14 times.
These are not very good numbers for a hitter in the two-spot in the lineup. However, Springer has embraced the role of the second hitter by trying to get on base more often. Although his batting average is down to .254 this season, Springer has found multiple ways to get on base.
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 walking only seven times in April, Springer has embraced this way of getting on base, walking 17 times so far this month. His increased number of base on balls has raised his on-base percentage 10 points to .350.
Although his strikeouts have not gone down as much as one would like to see out of the two-spot hitter, Springer has been hitting more to contact. He quietly put together a ten-game hitting streak from May 11th to May 21st.
The Astros are going to need that contact bat against the Orioles this week. Springer has been successful against the Orioles in his career. In 2015, Springer hit .357 in 28 at-bats against the Orioles including two home runs and a double with a 1.026 OPS.
So with the first place Orioles coming to town and the Astros traveling to Los Angeles this weekend, the Astros need Springer, along with Altuve, to make up for the lack of offense at the end of the lineup.
Springer may not be a great option for average, but with his increased on-base percentage, look for him to be a big producer in runs at the top of the lineup.
Next: Week 8 Pitcher
Week 8 Pitcher:
Lance McCullers (Owned in 46.4% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues)
After a tough first start at Boston, McCullers pitched very well in his first home start against the Texas Rangers. In six innings pitched, McCullers gave up two runs on five hits and three walks, striking out seven.
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
With the velocity on his fastball down a bit to 93.4 miles per hour average, McCullers strikeout numbers are down to start the year. In his first 10.2 innings pitched, McCullers has only struck out 11 batters.
However, his walk numbers have gone up as he has walked six batters in his first two starts on the year. The good thing for McCullers is that his next opponent, the Baltimore Orioles, is ranked 19th as a team in walks, walking only 126 times this season.
That should be the least of the Orioles worries as they face McCullers for the second time in his career. His first one was one to remember.
In his fourth major league start, McCullers threw a complete game giving up only one run on four hits, striking out a season-high 11 batters. That was a defining start for McCullers early in his career showing the home crowd what he could do.
With McCullers seemingly accommodating his decrease in velocity with an increase in ground ball outs, the Astros should not be worried about their starter against this first place team.
Next: Astros Bold Move Idea: Just Bring up Alex Bregman Already
Writers have said wondered throughout the season when would be the turnaround series for this Astros team. If the offense were to get going and with starting pitching the way it is, the Astros could shock some people this series. McCullers could be a big part of that as he has just gotten better in his first two starts on the year. Look for his start against the Orioles to be very impressive.
***Stats from Baseball-Reference***