Carlos Santana's Power Surge
The past week has been a show of sheer hitting prowess for Carlos Santana. The seasoned slugger belted three home runs, bringing his season total to a commendable 18, as of Sunday’s game. This home run spree underscores Santana's consistency over the years, with the 37-year-old having hit at least 19 home runs in each of the last 10 seasons, excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
Michael Taylor's Track Record Against Urena
Michael Taylor also made headlines with his performance against the Rangers' probable starter, Jose Urena. In just 14 career at-bats against Urena, Taylor has hit two home runs, indicating a favorable matchup that could prove pivotal in upcoming games.
Altuve Shines in DFS
Shifting focus to daily fantasy sports (DFS), Jose Altuve was a standout pick on August 9. The versatile second baseman went 1-for-4 with a two-home run, a walk, and two runs scored. This remarkable outing earned Altuve 28.4 points on FanDuel and 20 points on DraftKings, making him a top-tier choice for fantasy enthusiasts.
Bobby Witt Jr.'s Dominance
Bobby Witt Jr. continues to be a dominant force. Extending his hitting streak to seven games as of Sunday, Witt is priced at $6,600 on DraftKings and $4,700 on FanDuel, reflecting his immense value in DFS lineups. Witt is not just a DFS asset; he leads baseball with a stellar .350 batting average and ranks third in OPS (1.018). Since June 30, Witt has been on an extraordinary tear, leading in batting average (.445), slugging percentage (.819), and OPS (1.308) over 39 games. Adding to these impressive stats, Witt has amassed over 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases this season, along with league-leading runs scored (107) and a fifth-place ranking in RBI (91). Witt's consistency is further highlighted by having at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games.
Michael Massey's Rising Star
Another player drawing attention is Michael Massey. Priced at $3,900 on DraftKings and $2,800 on FanDuel, Massey went 3-for-4 on Sunday and has managed multiple hits in three of his last five outings. Since August 3, Massey boasts the 16th-best batting average in baseball, hitting .343 over eight games. This kind of performance underlines his potential value as a rising star, garnering respect from fans and analysts alike.
Pitching Challenges for Angels' Fulmer
On the pitching front, Carson Fulmer is slated to start for the Angels on Monday. In his recent outing against the Blue Jays, Fulmer struggled, allowing five runs over three innings. This season, left-handed hitters have found success against him, posting a .759 OPS. Fulmer will need to regroup and find his rhythm if he hopes to turn things around against a formidable lineup.
Royals Riding a Winning Wave
The Kansas City Royals are riding high on a four-game winning streak, averaging an impressive eight runs per game during this stretch. This offensive surge has provided a much-needed boost for the team, fueling their recent successes and building momentum as they look to extend their streak.
As the season progresses, these players and their performances will undoubtedly continue to be pivotal. Carlos Santana's home run efficiency, Bobby Witt Jr.'s consistency, and Michael Massey's rising star power, combined with strategic DFS plays and pitching dynamics, paint a vivid picture of the current MLB landscape. Sports enthusiasts and DFS players alike should keep a close watch on these evolving narratives.