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Astros in Fantasy: Fantasy Players of the Week – Week 23

ByColin Gay|
Aug 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (L) and third baseman Yulieski Gurriel (R) on the field for practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (L) and third baseman Yulieski Gurriel (R) on the field for practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Week 23 Pitcher:

Mike Fiers (Owned in 34.8% of ESPN Fantasy leagues)

Aug 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Fiers (54) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Fiers (54) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

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**

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