Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Picks of the Week Volume 15

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Week 15 Pitcher-

Collin McHugh (Owned in 36.4% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)

Jul 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch (14) takes the ball from starting pitcher Collin McHugh (31) during a pitching change in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

As I wrote about in the Astros in Fantasy: First Half Recap, McHugh has been consistently better after the All-Star break in his Astros career. He couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to start off his second half.

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This season, McHugh has had two very good starts against the Mariners. In his two starts, he has given up three earned runs on ten hits in 12 innings. Winning both of those outings, McHugh walked only two and struck out eight in those two starts.

Those starts show that he can limit the number of runners he allows on base. With a very high 1.46 WHIP this season, that should be good news for fantasy owners. This start could start the trend for McHugh’s second half of 2016.

The only two problems in McHugh’s way are the Mariners’ best two hitters. In 28 at bats, star second baseman Robinson Cano is hitting .321 with two home runs and seven RBIs against him. Also, Cruz is hitting .308 with two home runs and three RBIs in 13 at-bats against the right-hander.

Next: Astros' Alex Bregman: The SEC Shortstop Rivalry Continues

To become the pitcher to watch out for in the second half as I predicted, McHugh has to come out to a stellar start against the Mariners. Fantasy owners should take a gamble on Sunday afternoon’s start by McHugh.

***Stats provided by MLB.com, Baseball Reference, and FanGraphs***

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