🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Yesterday's Studs and Duds: Fantasy Baseball Recap from 5/22/16

Parkerjh at the English language Wikipedia [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Tom Bellucco takes a look around MLB, and analyzes yesterday's fantasy baseball studs and duds for 5/22/16. These players can be sleepers and busts for fantasy baseball owners.

There were some rainy games on Sunday, but all but one game in Pittsburgh finished without issue. There were some dominant pitching performances alongside some impressive hitting numbers. All in all, it was a great Sunday of baseball, and we're left wondering if David Ortiz is playing the best baseball of his life.

Here's a quick look at those who impressed on Sunday, and those who... well, did not.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily. Prefer using your phone? Our free waiver wire app is available for download in the Apple Store.

 

Fantasy Baseball Studs

Noah Syndergaard (SP, NYM): Update: Thor is still good. The Mets' stud pitcher threw seven innings Sunday and completely shut down the Brewers. Syndergaard let up six hits with one unearned run on the day and struck out 11. The most encouraging part of the predictable outing was Thor's ability to avoid walks and stolen bases. If he can do that all year, opposing teams will have no answer for him.

Cole Hamels (SP, TEX): Hamels still has it. The veteran lefty cruised through eight innings against the Astros, matching Thor's 11 strikeouts. Just one of the two runs off of Hamels were earned, and he limited a solid offense to five hits and two walks. The Rangers' pitcher will soon have to make room for Yu Darvish in the Texas ace conversation, but he's earned his the title for the first portion of the season.

Evan Gattis (DH/OF, HOU): Gattis went 2-for-4 on Sunday against Hamels, and he accounted for the earned run with a solo shot. However, the most exciting news to remember is that Gattis will soon be catcher eligible. Depending on the rules of your fantasy baseball website, the Astros slugger will fit nicely into the likely dismal catcher position, further upping his value this year. Gattis' power will instantly make him a top 5 option at the position.

David Ortiz (DH, BOS): Ortiz had another fantastic day at the dish, causing Red Sox fans to further wonder why he's retiring at the end of this year. The big DH went 4-for-4 with a single, two doubles, a home run, and a walk. Papi is locked in through the first quarter of the 2016 season, and it's going to be fun watching him go out in style on a great Boston team.

Jose Bautista (OF, TOR): The right hook that Joey Bats took last weekend must have woken him up, because he's now homered in three straight games after Sunday's leadoff bomb. The real question, however, becomes this: Why in the world is he still hitting leadoff? You'd hate to keep having Bautista hit balls over the fence in the game's first at bat instead of with runners on base. Still, this is a great sign for a slugger who started relatively slow.

Detroit Tigers middle of the order: J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and Nick Castellanos collected a combined nine hits Sunday. Miggy was the lone three-hit Tiger. The two old guys homered (Cabrera and V. Martinez), and J.D. Martinez and Castellanos combined for three doubles. This is the type of production we expected to see from the Tigers in the first month of the season. Just imagine what would happen if Justin Upton learned to hit.

 

Fantasy Baseball Duds

Chris Archer (SP, TB): Well I hope you can make the connection between the final stud above and this first dud. Archer got rocked by the middle of the Tigers order. He lasted just three innings Sunday, allowing eight hits, a walk, and six earned runs. Until he completely figures out what's going wrong with his pitches, we will continue to see some shaky outings from the Rays' ace. Still, I would chalk some of this outing up to a Tigers lineup that was due for a big day.

Dallas Keuchel (SP, HOU): Keuchel had similar troubles with the Rangers' lineup on Sunday, but he was able to get through six innings despite the rough start. The lefty allowed nine hits and a walk which led to seven earned runs. The good came from his ability to last six innings and still strikeout a batter per inning. Keuchel's struggles have been a little harder to specify, but my bet is still on him turning this around sooner rather than later.

Joey Votto (1B, CIN): I really, really want to stop putting Votto in this section of these pieces. He did get a hit on Sunday, but he's leaving runners on base like it's his job this season. His hard hit average says this will change eventually, but the Reds can't afford to leave anymore base runners stranded due to a Votto ground out.

Carlos Correa (SS, HOU): After a nice hot streak, Correa now has just one hit in his past 16 at bats (four games). He is striking out more often than we thought he would in 2016, so let's hope that doesn't become a pattern for his career. Correa seems like a nice consistent hitter with great power for a shortstop, but these mini hot and cold spells are going to start giving him a Justin Upton-like reputation soon if he can't balance out his good and bad performances.

Baltimore Orioles big hitters: Manny Machado, Adam Jones, Chris Davis, and Mark Trumbo combined for one single and seven strikeouts on Sunday. That's bad. No need to panic here. It's more interesting than anything else. However, Baltimore will have some of these games, and Jones, Davis, and Trumbo have all proven to be streaky hitters. Orioles fans do not want their bad streaks syncing up for any period of time.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaxson Dart

Clears Concussion Protocol, Set to Return vs. the Patriots
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Downgraded to Out, Won't Return on Thursday
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Questionable to Return in Thanksgiving Game
Daniel Jones

Dealing With Fractured Fibula, Will Play Through it
Jonathan Kuminga

Hoping to Return on Saturday Versus Pelicans
Stephen Curry

to Undergo an MRI
Josh Jacobs

Feels Close to 100%
Brady Tkachuk

Aims to Return Friday
Matthew Tkachuk

Resumes Skating
Jakob Chychrun

Stretches Point Streak to Nine Games
Matej Blumel

Expected to Miss Some Time
Marcus Foligno

Exits With Injury Wednesday
Jaden Schwartz

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Wednesday
Trendon Watford

to Sit Out at Least Two Weeks
Gradey Dick

Injured on Wednesday
RJ Barrett

to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Anthony Davis

on the Cusp of Returning
Gary Payton II

Hurt in Wednesday's Loss
Stephen Curry

Diagnosed With Quadriceps Contusion
Alvin Kamara

Doesn't Practice on Wednesday
Lukas Dostal

Out Wednesday Night
Sean Durzi

Available Against Canadiens
Thomas Chabot

to Remain Out Wednesday
Jared McCann

Expected to Rejoin Kraken Lineup Wednesday
Andre Burakovsky

a Game-Time Decision Wednesday
Zach Edey

Good to Go Versus New Orleans
Mikko Rantanen

Returns to Stars Lineup Wednesday
J.K. Dobbins

Could Return Later This Season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Available on Wednesday
Mark Stone

Ready to Return Wednesday
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Good to go on Wednesday
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal
Norman Powell

Back in Action Wednesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ruled Out on Wednesday Evening
Andrew Wiggins

Will Suit Up Against Milwaukee
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

a Game-Time Decision on Wednesday
Terry McLaurin

Plans to Play on Sunday Night
Dru Smith

Available Versus Bucks
Miami Heat

Jamie Jaquez Jr. Available for Wednesday's Matchup With Milwaukee
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Upgraded to Probable Against Bucks
Pat Connaughton

Sidelined on Wednesday
Dylan Harper

Set to Suit Up Wednesday
Jonathan Kuminga

Sent to G League on Wednesday
Anthony Rendon

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Won't Open Brandon Aiyuk's Practice Window This Week
Joe Burrow

Bengals Officially Activate Joe Burrow for a Return on Thanksgiving
C.J. Stroud

Practicing Wednesday
Trey Benson

Spotted at Practice on Wednesday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Back at Practice Wednesday
DeVonta Smith

Missing From Practice Again on Wednesday
Josh Hader

Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks "Actively Listening" on Ketel Marte
Jaxson Dart

to be a Full Participant at Wednesday's Practice
Dalton Kincaid

has "a Chance" to Play in Week 13
Drake London

"Doubtful" to Return from Knee Injury in Week 13
Jayden Daniels

Could Return in Week 14
Aaron Rodgers

Slated to Return in Week 13
Baker Mayfield

Could Play This Week
Josh Jacobs

"Good to Go" in Pivotal NFC North Matchup on Thanksgiving
Josh Norris

Nearing Return
Kevin Lankinen

Not Traveling With Canucks
Zach Werenski

Escapes Serious Injury, May Play Wednesday
Auston Matthews

Could Be an Option Wednesday
Jason Robertson

Scores in Seventh Consecutive Game
Wyatt Johnston

Ends Dry Spell With Four-Point Performance
Vinnie Hinostroza

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Pyotr Kochetkov

Dealing With Undisclosed Injury
J.T. Realmuto

Red Sox Showing Interest in J.T. Realmuto
Sonny Gray

Red Sox Acquire Sonny Gray From the Cardinals
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Makai Lemon, Skyler Bell Named Biletnikoff Award Finalists
Shohei Ohtani

to Play for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Colorado Rockies

Warren Schaeffer to Stick Around as Rockies Manager in 2026
CFB

Chris Bell Out for Rivalry Matchup Against Kentucky
Ryan Helsley

Tigers Eyeing Ryan Helsley as a Starter
Dan Hooker

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Marcus Semien

Shipped to the Mets on Sunday
Arman Tsarukyan

Gets Submission Win
Brandon Nimmo

Traded to Texas
Belal Muhammad

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Belal Muhammad

Ian Machado Garry Outpoints Belal Muhammad
Alonzo Menifield

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Volkan Oezdemir

Gets Back In The Win Column
Jack Hermansson

Gets Knocked Out
Jack Hermansson

Myktybek Orolbai Knocks Out Jack Hermansson
Shamil Gaziev

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Shines At UFC Qatar
Tagir Ulanbekov

Suffers Third-Round Submission Loss
Kyoji Horiguchi

Makes Triumphant UFC Return
Adolis García

Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP