Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Picks of the Week- Week 10

Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates his RBI double against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates his RBI double against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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A Look at Fantasy Baseball Through the Lens’ of an Astros Fan

Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates his RBI double against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) celebrates his RBI double against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Here is how I did in Week 9:

Week 9 Hitter:

Carlos Correa– 12/29 H/AB, 4 R, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, .414 BA

With George Springer and Jose Altuve switching spots at the top of the lineup, the Astros offense seemed to switch on winning six of their last seven games. The main recipient of that switch was neither Springer nor Altuve.

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After getting a pinch-hit three-run home run that ended up winning the game against the Angels on May 29th, Correa’s bat seemed to heat up.

In this past week, Correa, raising his batting average from .250 to .267, has 12 hits in 29 at bats including four extra base hits. He was productive from the third spot in the lineup, driving in seven runners and scoring four times. Although his home run power has not shown since his game winner in Los Angeles, Correa has hit his first three triples of the year in June.

As the Astros go into a critical series in Arlington, Correa needs to be the same run producer as he was in the series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks and the sweep of the Oakland A’s. If he does continue to hit and drive in RBIs for a red-hot offensive Astros club, Correa is a must start.

Next: Week 9 Pitcher

Week 9 Pitcher:

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May 28, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) in the sixth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Keuchel– 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 W, 4.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP

As Keuchel continues to turn around his 2016, he had a tough task against him on June 2nd. It was not exactly in the Arizona Diamondback offense. It was his pitching counterpart, former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke.

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As the game went along, Keuchel was dealing, throwing six shutout innings while striking out six and only giving up three hits. However after some misfortune in the top half of the seventh, Keuchel tacked on three more earned runs to his season total.

Astros fans and fantasy owners alike should still be encouraged by his start. His earned run total in his last two starts has been respectable. He has been stingier about getting runners on base with him only giving up nine hits and one walk in his last 13 innings pitched.

After his pitching performance on Thursday, his pitching line says that it was just a mediocre start against a weak offensive team. But, Houston area writers said that Keuchel was in 2015 form in the first six innings of that game.

Fantasy owners should be encouraged to keep giving Keuchel chances even though a 5.50 ERA does not look good on a fantasy baseball roster.

Next: Now on to Week 10:

Week 10 Hitter:

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Jun 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis (11) hits a two-run home run during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Gattis (Owned in 44.7% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues)

After a 10-day stint in Double-A Corpus Christi to polish up his catching skills, Gattis is an entirely different player. Since May 17th, he has hit eight home runs, including four home runs in his last five games, 18 RBIs, and has scored himself 13 times. Raising his average from .203 before he left to .248, Gattis has torn up the ball.

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With being the outright backup catcher, Gattis has been rewarded more playing time by his offensive productivity and with starting catcher Jason Castro going on paternity leave and struggling with injuries.

If anything, Gattis has elongated a lineup that usually struggles offensively at the catcher position. With a .864 slugging percentage so far in the month of June, Gattis has earned an everyday spot in the lineup whether it is at catcher or as the designated hitter.

However, Gattis is a hard person to keep in their lineup every day. As of June 6th, he only has DH eligibility in ESPN fantasy leagues. So, fantasy owners that have Gattis or players in a similar situation, such as Prince Fielder for the Texas Rangers, use a roster spot on a player that can only be used in the utility spot in the lineup.

However, Gattis has been very successful offensively and has a favorable matchup against the Rangers this week. In 71 at bats last season, Gattis hit .282 with a .748 OPS with seven extra-base hits and eight RBIs.

Gattis may not be a long-term option on a fantasy team. However, as he continues to be a monster offensively, Gattis is a serviceable option this week for some offensive spark.

Next: Week 10 Pitcher

Week 10 Pitcher:

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May 6, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Will Harris (36) reacts after getting an out during the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Will Harris (Owned in 16.4% of ESPN Fantasy Leagues)

As Eric Huysman wrote about today in “Astros: Do We Have a New Closer in Will Harris?” the Astros are entering into a closer by committee phase of their season after Luke Gregerson blew his fifth save of the season Saturday night. Although the Astros are 4-1 in those games, according to a tweet by Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart, A.J. Hinch, and the Astros are looking for other options in the ninth inning.

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The clear option is Will Harris, the waiver wire pickup to bullpen juggernaut. In his 26 games this season, Harris has a 0.34 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP with 29 strikeouts in 26.2 innings of work.

His stuff does not blow hitters away by any means, only averaging 92 miles per hour on a cutter that he throws 62% of the time. However, like Keuchel did in his 2015 Cy Young Award campaign, Harris is making his ground ball specialty a huge success. Opposing hitters have a ground ball percentage at a whopping 68.7% against Harris.

Another key part of Harris’ game is his control. He has only walked four batters in his 26.2 innings this season.

One worry that fantasy owners should have is the unstable nature of a closer by committee. Owners don’t know how often Harris will be used as the closer. He has been successful in the setup eighth inning role, recording 15 holds so far this season.

However, after Hinch made those comments, Harris came out and pitched a scoreless ninth for his third career save Sunday afternoon.

Next: Astros: Do We Have a New Closer in Will Harris?

If you have a league that has extended categories, such as holds, you should have picked up Harris a long time ago. However, Harris is a riskier option in a standard league. If he starts getting save opportunities, Harris is a great option as a second or third closer on your fantasy team.

***Statistics provided by Fangraphs, Baseball-Reference, and MLB.com***

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