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Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week – Week 23
A Look at Fantasy Baseball Through the Lens’ of an Houston Astros Fan
Week 22 Hitter:
Yulieski Gurriel– 4/12 H/AB, 0 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, .333 BA
After struggling through a right hamstring injury after he made his debut last Sunday, Gurriel has already become a fixture in this Astros lineup.
In the middle of a mini three-game hitting streak, he had four hits in 12 at bats this week, including two doubles. Gurriel was a very important factor in the August 27th win against the Tampa Bay Rays. In that game, he had two doubles in three at bats, driving in two runners.
In the Astros only big move near the trade deadline this season, the 32-year-old veteran has become a veteran presence behind Carlos Correa in the Astros order. As he becomes more comfortable at the major league level, he will get many more opportunities to drive in runs for a much deeper Astros offense.
In the next couple of weeks, the Astros offense is going to need to be red hot to sneak into the American League Wild Card game. Gurriel has proved in his first week in the big leagues that he could be a major factor.
Week 22 Pitcher:
Ken Giles– 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 W, 2 SV, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP
In a week where the Astros won four out of their six games, Giles was used pretty sparingly. In his three outings, he converted two saves in two opportunities while giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits. In those three innings of work, he struck out five.
What the Astros and fantasy owners alike should be happy about though is Giles’ consistency in the past month he has been the closer. He has converted all four save opportunities while giving up three earned runs in his 9.2 innings pitched. His strikeout ability has been on the uptick as well. In those 9.2 innings of work, he has 19 strikeouts.
If we learned anything this week from Giles, it’s that he is a strikeout machine in the back of the bullpen. Even though it was not always pretty this week, he will get the job done at the end of the game.
Next: Now on to Week 23
Week 23 Hitter:
Jose Altuve (Owned in 99.2% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)
What’s new? With an MVP caliber statistics and his team’s season on the line, whom else would you pick?
However, in Altuve’s last seven games, he really has been struggling. In 29 at bats, Altuve has a .172 batting average and an OPS of .477. This is particularly odd because usually when Altuve’s hot, so is the rest of the offense.
Just like every weekend in September, this is an important week for the Astros. All six games come against AL West opponents. Also, they are going to have to face Texas on the road.
Good thing that Altuve has put up good numbers against these teams. In 48 at bats against the Oakland A’s, Altuve has a .313 batting average and a .838 OPS. Three of his 15 hits this season against the A’s have gone for extra bases and he has driven in three runners and scored himself nine times.
Against the Rangers, Altuve has a bit more power. Seven of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases including two home runs off of Keone Kela and Colby Lewis. He has driven in 12 runners and scored himself six times.
He has been a different type of hitter against these two teams. Against the A’s, his numbers are more like a table setter near the top of the lineup. This brings high averages and high amounts of runs scored. Against the Rangers, he puts the offense on his shoulders, driving in runs and providing the power that a three-hole hitter should.
An MVP like player should take on whatever role the team needs him to. Altuve, this week, needs to be that complete player he has been in 2016. If so, wins will follow and fantasy elite status will come with it.
Next: Week 23 Pitcher
Week 23 Pitcher:
Mike Fiers (Owned in 34.8% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)
The only place where fantasy owners can trust Fiers to pitch decently is in a pitchers park. This is a pitcher who gives up an average of 1.5 home runs per nine innings, his highest total since a short-sampled 2013.
The soft-tossing right-hander has had some trouble in 2016. In 25 appearances, Fiers has a 4.40 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He is also at his lowest strikeout per nine innings average since 2013.
This is not a very good combination going into a very important week for the team as a whole. However, Fires has already had two starts at O.Co Coliseum this season. In his 10.2 innings of work, he gave up eight earned runs on 12 hits and three walks. Those are not good numbers, but what really stands out is that he only has given up one home run in those 10.2 innings. Also, his strikeout numbers are much higher, striking out 10.
In his last seven outings, Fiers has been much better. He has a 3-2 record with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 42.1 innings.
Next: Astros AM: Tony Sipp and his 2016 Struggles
Although he may still be on his way out, Fiers has time to prove to the front office that he deserves starting consideration. A stellar end to 2016 would warrant that. This is a perfect game for him to start that.
**Statistics provided by Baseball Reference and MLB.com**