As the baseball season moves into Monday, many MLB teams are approaching a noteworthy milestone: their 100th game of the season. Among the players who continue to draw attention is Cody Bellinger, who has hit nine home runs in 79 games so far this year. This comes after his performance last season, where he managed to hit 26 home runs over 130 games. While these numbers reflect a solid contribution, comparisons will inevitably be made as fans and analysts look for any signs of improvement or decline.
This season has been less kind to Nolan Arenado, who is experiencing the lowest OPS of his career at .702. Such a slump marks a stark contrast to his usual offensive prowess, raising questions about whether he can reclaim his form in the remaining games.
Bobby Witt Jr. has shown flashes of brilliance, exemplified by his 3-for-4 performance in a recent Saturday matchup, where he notched a double, an RBI, and scored a run. While individual games can often hide broader trends, showing up big in clutch moments can be a morale booster for both Witt and his team as the season progresses.
Fantasy Baseball Insights: Bregman and Crawford
Shifting focus to fantasy baseball, Alex Bregman emerges as a player to watch. Priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,200 on FanDuel, Bregman appears to be a wise investment. Since July 4, Bregman has been hitting .314, including three home runs, 10 RBIs, and 10 runs scored, across 13 games. His OPS of .885 during this stretch underscores his productive form. Additionally, his career performance against left-handed pitching boasts a .278 batting average and an .862 OPS, making him a reliable option as the Athletics prepare to start LHP Hogan Harris, who has a career 5.53 ERA, on Monday.
Similarly, J.P. Crawford is another player who has caught the attention of fantasy enthusiasts. Available at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,000 on FanDuel, Crawford's career numbers against Tyler Anderson reveal a 3-for-10 performance with two walks. This season, Crawford is batting .284 with an .805 OPS against southpaws and has recorded four home runs in 88 at-bats against left-handed pitchers. However, he appears to be struggling overall, experiencing the lowest batting average (.204) and OPS (.643) of his eight-year career.
Nevertheless, Crawford's potential isn't lost on everyone. Notably, McClure, who is recognized in the book "Fantasy Football (and Baseball) for Smart People: How to Turn Your Hobby into a Fortune," endorses rostering J.P. Crawford. This endorsement carries weight for many fantasy managers looking to gain an edge in their leagues.
Observations and Implications
The performances of these key players—Bellinger, Arenado, Witt Jr., Bregman, and Crawford—highlight the unpredictable and often fluctuating nature of a grueling baseball season. As the MLB campaign progresses, players must continually adapt and overcome challenges to maintain their form and deliver for their teams.
For Nolan Arenado, this season's struggles with his OPS are particularly noteworthy, given his established track record. A return to form would be crucial not only for his personal statistics but also for his team's aspirations. In contrast, Bellinger's steady power-hitting and Witt Jr.'s occasional bursts of excellence provide a blueprint for consistent contributions that can lift a team.
In the world of fantasy baseball, decisions about roster moves can hinge on such detailed statistical analyses and endorsements from experts like McClure. The performances of Bregman and Crawford in their respective platoon splits highlight the importance of matchups and recent form in driving those decisions.
As fans and analysts continue to dissect these performances, the evolving narratives of each player's season will undoubtedly shape both real-world outcomes and fantasy baseball strategies. Balanced assessments that recognize both past accomplishments and present challenges will be key to understanding and forecasting their future contributions.