As Major League Baseball teams approach their 100th game of the season, milestones and crucial performance metrics are beginning to solidify. Several players are standing out, making notable impacts on their teams and their stats sheets. Here’s a deep dive into some of the key players and their recent performances.
Cody Bellinger's Power Struggles
Cody Bellinger is a player who has often been under the spotlight. This season, he has managed to hit nine home runs in 79 games. For comparison, last season saw Bellinger hit 26 home runs over 130 games. While his power at the plate may not be as prolific as last year, Bellinger remains a significant offensive threat, always capable of turning the tide of a game.
Nolan Arenado's Career-Low OPS
Turning to Nolan Arenado, this season has been a tough one for the star third baseman. His OPS sits at .702, marking the lowest OPS of his stellar career. This is a concerning stat for the player who has been a consistent power hitter and integral part of his team's lineup. The drop in his OPS is an unexpected development that fans and analysts are keeping a close eye on.
Bobby Witt Jr.'s Standout Game
Bobby Witt Jr. made headlines with his impressive performance in the recent Saturday matchup. Witt went 3-for-4, showcasing his batting prowess, with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Such performances underline Witt's potential and the critical role he plays in his team's offensive lineup.
Alex Bregman Heating Up
Alex Bregman has been a key player to watch since July 4. During this period, he has been hitting an outstanding .314, accompanied by three home runs, 10 RBIs, and 10 runs scored over 13 games. This uptick in performance is highlighted by his .885 OPS, showcasing his offensive consistency. Bregman’s historical performance against left-handed pitching adds another layer to his value, boasting a .278 batting average and an .862 OPS.
Bregman is slated to face the Athletics, who will start LHP Hogan Harris on Monday. Harris carries a career 5.53 ERA, potentially setting the stage for Bregman to continue his hot streak. Daily fantasy managers might also note Bregman’s pricing, available at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,200 on FanDuel.
J.P. Crawford's Mixed Season
J.P. Crawford is another player drawing significant interest, particularly from fantasy managers. Despite experiencing the lowest batting average (.204) and OPS (.643) of his eight-year career, experts like McClure—recognized in “Fantasy Football (and Baseball) for Smart People: How to Turn Your Hobby into a Fortune”—endorse rostering Crawford.
Crawford's season numbers reveal an interesting split. He is batting .284 with an .805 OPS against left-handed pitchers and has hit four home runs in 88 at-bats against southpaws. Against right-handed pitchers, however, Crawford has hit five home runs in 206 at-bats. Notably, Crawford's career performance against Tyler Anderson stands at 3-for-10 with two walks, another statistic that fantasy players might find useful. Crawford’s pricing on daily fantasy platforms is $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,000 on FanDuel, which could make him a valuable pick for astute managers.
Conclusion
As we near the 100th game mark of the MLB season, these performances will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the remaining games. Players like Bellinger, Arenado, Witt Jr., Bregman, and Crawford are not only critical to their respective teams but also present numerous opportunities for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. The next few weeks will be pivotal, and their performances could determine both the outcomes for their teams and the fortunes of many fantasy rosters.