Which Houston Astros players had the biggest positive and negative impacts in fantasy baseball in Week 15?
This was a short week for fantasy owners thanks to the All-Star break, so fantasy impact was minimal. The Astros only played three games, but a few players still had big impacts. Here are the best and worst of the week.
Best Hitter: Jose Altuve
The beat goes on for Altuve. He went 5-for-12 in the three games against Minnesota with a homer and a stolen base. His batting average continues to climb as he remains one of the game’s hottest hitters. Reap the rewards, Altuve owners.
Best Pitcher: Mike Fiers
Seven innings, four hits, two runs, no walks, 14 strikeouts. That was Fiers’ line from Sunday as his incredible turnaround continues. Once an afterthought, Fiers is a legitimate fantasy asset as he’s been so valuable for the team in recent weeks.
Worst Hitter: Evan Gattis
This is somewhat unfair, as Gattis only played in one game of the three. But in that game, he failed to record a hit, so he didn’t help fantasy owners at all this week. It’s nothing to be concerned about, as he’s proven himself worthy of his share of at-bats.
Worst Pitcher: Charlie Morton
The Astros’ offense saved Morton’s fantasy week, as he earned the win despite a rough outing. He gave up five runs (four earned) in five innings, walking five and striking out 10. Morton needs to reestablish his fantasy value, and he’s not doing it with a game like this. Keep an eye on him going forward.
Next: Astros: McHugh starts in AA and will return this weekend
What to Watch For
The trade deadline is coming up, and the dominoes are starting to fall. The Astros are known to be in the market for pitching, either in the rotation or the bullpen. If the team does make an upgrade, it could come at the expense of another player. Stay tuned to Climbing Tal’s Hill for updates on any potential deals.
***Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference***