Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week- Week 9

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A Look at Fantasy Baseball Through the Lens of an Astros’ Fan

Here is how I did in Week 8:

Week 8 Hitter:

George Springer– 10/27 H/AB, 3 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, .370 BA

The Astros have been very successful with Springer in the lead off spot, winning five out of those six games. In Eric Huysman’s aptly named article “The Suddenly Hot Astros Are 5-1 With Springer Leading Off”, he points out that Springer has a career batting average of .306 and an OPS of .867 when he leads off. When the Astros put him in that spot again this week, he impressed yet again.

In his six games, Springer hit .370 with four extra base hits, including a two dinger game against Baltimore on May 26th, scored three runs and drove in three.

Springer has been a great table-setter for this “Suddenly Hot Astros” offense. He raised his batting average 16 points, while also raising his slugging percentage 28 points.

Springer is hitting with a .323 average and a .963 OPS leading off this year. The Astros want that kind of hot hitter at the top of their lineup. If the Astros continue to have Springer leading off, keep him locked in your fantasy lineup.

Next: Week 8 Pitcher

Week 8 Pitcher:

Lance McCullers– 5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 10 K, 1 W, 1.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP

In arguably one of the oddest starts in major league baseball this week, McCullers looked dominant against the Orioles on May 26th. In only five innings of work, he gave up one earned run, on a solo shot to Trumbo, on one hit and walked six. Reminiscent of his memorable start against the same team last season, McCullers struck out 10 on 108 pitches.

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Dominant stuff from a dominant pitcher. This is exactly what the Astros needed. When McCullers came off of the disabled list, the starting rotation was averaging a fastball velocity around 89 miles per hour. Even though his velocity has decreased a bit to 93.3 miles per hour, McCullers has been using a dominant knuckle curveball to strikeout out an average 12.06 batters per nine innings.

However, his walk percentage has almost doubled since a year ago to 17.1%. With six walks in his last start against Baltimore, McCullers had to leave in the fifth because of his high pitch count. The Astros are going to need his dominant stuff later in games if he wants to continue to be successful.

For now though, the Astros and fantasy owners alike should take a low batting average against, limiting base runners even though his WHIP is a little high, and his crazy strikeout numbers in their pitching rotation this season.

Next: Now on to Week 9

Week 9 Hitter:

May 29, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits a three run home run in the thirteenth inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Correa (Owned in 99.2% of ESPN leagues)

One swing may have put the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year back on the map in 2016. On his day off yesterday, Correa hit a pinch-hit three run home run to give the Astros the lead and eventually the win in the top of the 13th.

His season to that point has not been the greatest. Correa is hitting .245 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs. His slugging percentage has dropped 101 point to .411 in 2016.

So what has been Correa’s issue in his sophomore campaign? His strikeout percentage has gone up to 24.9%. Also, his isolated power average, which is slugging percentage minus your batting average, is at a measly .167. So, from the middle of the lineup, Correa is striking out more, and when he makes contact, the power in his bat hasn’t been there.

However, if there is a time to change his season, this upcoming series against the Arizona Diamondbacks may be it. Last season, Correa hit .323 with a 1.242 OPS in 31 at bats against the Diamondbacks last season. He hit five homers and drove in 13.

The weekend series against the Oakland A’s is a bit of a different story. In 37 at bats, Correa only hit .189 with a .701 OPS.

The word potential is still attached to Correa’s name. If he wants to meet that potential, “Showrrea” is going to have to show up in some of these games, just like it did in that one at bat yesterday. The Astros have been doing better as of late, winning five of their last six, and if the Astros want to take advantage of these sub .500 teams they will face in the next couple of weeks, Correa has to be the center of that offensive attack.

The mediocre pitching that the Astros will have to face should prove well for Correa owners. Make sure he is in your lineup for the weeks ahead.

Next: Week 9 Pitcher

Week 9 Pitcher:

May 22, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) reacts after a play during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Keuchel (Owned in 91.2% of ESPN leagues)

Like Correa, Keuchel has not met his expectations for 2016. In his 11 starts, Keuchel is 3-6 with a 5.58 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.

In his last start against the Angels though, Keuchel looked like the ace of the rotation. It started off rough for Keuchel as he gave up back-to-back home runs to Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Then he was locked in. Keuchel only gave up one more hit and retired 18 straight. He also struck out five.

As one of the pitchers with low velocity in the Astros starting rotation, Keuchel relies on his ability to fool people with movement on his pitches. Keuchel’s ground ball percentage has decreased to 55.7% and his hits per nine innings have increased to 9.9.

Astros writers have wondered after every one of his solid starts whether it would be the one to turn it around. Keuchel has a good chance at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday afternoon.

Last year, against the Diamondbacks, Keuchel only limited their hitters to 10 hits in 52 at bats and a .276 on base percentage against.

Also, Keuchel has been more successful at home than on the road. In his four starts, he is 1-2 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Yes, still they are not numbers for a fantasy owners to go crazy about, but he has only given up two home runs in those 25.1 innings pitched.

If he can keep the ball in the ballpark against sluggers like Paul Goldschmidt and David Peralta, Keuchel should have back-to-back quality starts for the Astros.

**Statistics provided by Baseball-Reference**

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