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
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Second-Half Successes - Hot Performances to Buy

As we enter the final seven weeks of the season, we will look at our rosters to see which players are performing at their best.

With a look at the data since the All-Star break, there are several names to target.

We will look to roster the players that best fit our plans and categorical needs down the stretch. Since the break, Matt Carpenter, Rougned Odor, Christian Yelich, and Ronald Acuna are in the top ten in offensive WAR. Here are some other names to consider to help our fantasy teams move up categories in our fantasy baseball leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:

 

Hot Performances to Buy

Matt Chapman, Oakland Athletics

As part of a top-five offense since the All-Stark break, Matt Chapman (3B, OAK) joins Khris Davis in the top ten in offensive WAR. Since the break, Chapman is hitting .361 with 6 HR, 12 RBI, and 20 R.

Chapman's 95.9 MPH on FB/LD ranks 31st in MLB, and increasing his hard-contact rate from 36% in 2017 to 45% in 2018 is a positive sign. While he carried a 40.0 GB%  in the first half, he has a 52.0 FB% in 37 at-bats in August with a 48% hard-contact rate.

With his hard contact and exit velocity, he has the power to match Steamer's projection of seven home runs over the last seven weeks. Against southpaws, he's hitting more ground balls (43%) while taking fewer balls to the opposite field (19%). Chapman has four home runs and a .841 OPS vs. LHP in 114 at-bats.

He has hit the ball in the air more often (41.0 FB%) against RHP with fewer infield fly balls, and he uses more of the field (27.8 Oppo%). He has a .870 OPS with 12 home runs versus RHP.

Even though he has a .332 BABIP, his 22.3 LD% helps his cause. His 10.1 BB% has remained steady, and reducing his K% from 28.2 in 2017 to 23.1 in 2018. He has fewer swings and misses against sliders (10.5 SwStr%) in 2018, and he can finish with a batting average that won't damage a fantasy roster.

Chapman has the power for a home run per week to finish the season, and he could finish with even more if he can improve his 39.4 FB%. If our teams need some home runs and counting stats, Chapman can provide both.

 

Mallex Smith, Tampa Bay Rays

Don't look now, but Mallex Smith (OF, TAM) has improved his plate discipline in the second half. His 14.5 BB% and 14.5 K% have contributed to a .451 OBP since the All-Star break. Getting on base more often can give him more chances to steal bases.

As the season winds down, fantasy owners are targeting categories to gain ground in the standings. Mallex Smith has the speed to make up some ground in the stolen base category. In the second half, Smith has stolen nine bases with 15 R and 7 RBI while hitting .343. Not only has his plate discipline boosted his OBP, Smith has stolen seven bases in seven attempts in August.

While it's a small 33 at-bat sample, the outfielder has a 22.7 BB% and 11.4 K% in August. His owns a .512 OBP for the month, and his .974 OPS in the second half is worth a look.

With Tommy Pham's injury, Mallex Smith should continue to receive consistent playing time. Hitting more line drives 35% of the time has contributed to his 37% hard-contact rate and .343 batting average in the second half. Smith's 29.6 ft/sec is the twelfth-fastest in baseball, and his speed is worth targeting for making up ground in SB.

 

Nick Markakis, Atlanta Braves

After making his first All-Star Game, Nick Markakis (OF, ATL) hasn't slowed down in the second half. While some owners may have looked to move him during July, Markakis' across-the-board production places in the top-20 of offensive WAR since the break.

Hitting .342 with 4 HR, 15 RBI, and 13 R has provided good fantasy value. In CBS NL-Only leagues, the outfielder is the 18th ranked player in 2018 and the 16th ranked player over the last 21 days.

He has backed his 14 HR with a 90.8 MPH exit velocity, 10.5° launch angle, and 41% hard-contact rate. He's using all fields with a 38.6 Cent% and a 28.9 Oppo%, and his 27.4 LD% is the ninth-best in the majors. Continue to monitor his power in August, as he has a 43.6 Hard%, 43.6 FB%, and two HR in 42 at-bats. With a few more fly balls, the outfielder could surpass Steamer's projection of four home runs in his remaining games.

Although his .343 BABIP is higher than his .318 career-BABIP, his career-high hard-contact rate supports a batting average near .300 over the final seven weeks. Markakis has remained improved his plate discipline, as he has lowered his K% from 16.4% in 2017 to 10.8% in 2018. While he won't provide a big push in any specific category, Markakis has the profile to surpass Steamer's .279 batting average projection for the rest of the season.

With a spot in the middle of an above-average offense, Markakis can provide all-around production by adding some HR, a .300 batting average, 20+ RBI, and 20+ R the rest of the 2018 season.

 

More 2018 MLB Advice and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Donovan Clingan9 hours ago

Returning On Friday
Marquise Brown9 hours ago

Expected Back Before Postseason
Bradley Beal9 hours ago

Downgraded To Out
Jamal Murray9 hours ago

Upgraded To Available
Christian Braun9 hours ago

To Play On Friday
Aaron Gordon9 hours ago

Available On Friday
Joel Embiid9 hours ago

Won't Return On Friday
Bradley Beal10 hours ago

Now Questionable Versus Utah
LeBron James10 hours ago

JJ Reddick Doesn't Know When LeBron James Will Return
Anthony Davis10 hours ago

Available Against Minnesota
Austin Reaves10 hours ago

Upgraded To Available On Friday
Christian Walker10 hours ago

Seattle Would "Love" To Sign Christian Walker
Nikola Vucevic10 hours ago

Out Against The Hornets
Carson Kelly11 hours ago

Agrees To Two-Year Contract With Cubs
Houston Astros11 hours ago

Cam Smith Traded To Houston
Josh Giddey11 hours ago

Will Play On Friday Evening
Zach LaVine11 hours ago

Cleared To Face The Hornets
Hayden Wesneski11 hours ago

Shipped To Houston
Patrick Williams11 hours ago

Says He'll Suit Up Versus Charlotte
Evan Mobley11 hours ago

Won't Play On Friday Night
Alec Martinez11 hours ago

Added To Injured Reserve
Anthony Stolarz11 hours ago

Day-To-Day With A Lower-Body Injury
K'Andre Miller11 hours ago

Placed On Injured Reserve
Thomas Bryant11 hours ago

Traded To Indiana
Dan Vladar11 hours ago

Considered Day-To-Day
Ladd McConkey12 hours ago

Officially Questionable For Week 15
Cam Talbot12 hours ago

Re-Aggravates Lower-Body Injury
Austin Reaves12 hours ago

Now Probable For Friday Night
Matt Dumba12 hours ago

To Remain Out On Saturday
Linus Ullmark12 hours ago

Seeks Fourth Straight Win Friday
Bub Means13 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 15
Derek Carr13 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful, Not Starting
Josh Downs13 hours ago

Questionable For Week 15
Kenneth Walker III14 hours ago

Listed As Doubtful For Week 15
Tyler Higbee14 hours ago

Expected To Make Season Debut In Week 16
D'Andre Swift14 hours ago

Roschon Johnson Miss Another Practice
Trey McBride14 hours ago

Good To Go, Remains A Must-Start In Fantasy
Tidjane Salaun14 hours ago

Tagged As Questionable Against Bulls
Tony Pollard14 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Week 15
George Pickens14 hours ago

Steelers Officially Rule Out George Pickens
Zach Edey14 hours ago

Considered Doubtful On Friday
Alvin Kamara14 hours ago

Will Play In Week 15 Against The Commanders
David Njoku14 hours ago

Hopes To Play In Week 15
Keon Coleman15 hours ago

Returning From Four-Game Absence In Week 15
Breece Hall15 hours ago

Now Expected To Play In Week 15
Kyle Kuzma15 hours ago

Out Again Friday Against Cavaliers
Romeo Doubs15 hours ago

Clears Concussion Protocol
Isaac Paredes15 hours ago

Shipped To Houston
Evan Mobley15 hours ago

Considered Questionable Against Wizards
Kyle Tucker15 hours ago

Cubs Acquire Kyle Tucker From The Astros
Kyle Tucker15 hours ago

Cubs Close To Acquiring Kyle Tucker From The Astros
Aidan O'Connell15 hours ago

Won't Practice On Friday
Breece Hall15 hours ago

Questionable For Week 15 But Expected To Play
Nestor Cortes16 hours ago

Traded To The Brewers
David Njoku16 hours ago

Questionable For Week 15
Cedric Tillman16 hours ago

Ruled Out For Week 15
Tony Pollard16 hours ago

Should Play This Weekend
Adrian Yanez17 hours ago

An Underdog At UFC Tampa
Daniel Marcos17 hours ago

Looks To Remain Undefeated At UFC Tampa
Vitor Petrino17 hours ago

Looks To Return To Win Column At UFC Tampa
Dustin Jacoby17 hours ago

A Big Underdog At UFC Tampa
Cub Swanson17 hours ago

Searching For 30th Career Win At UFC Tampa
Billy Quarantillo17 hours ago

Faces A Legend At UFC Tampa
Devin Williams17 hours ago

Traded To The Yankees
Joaquin Buckley19 hours ago

Looks For His Sixth Win In A Row
Colby Covington20 hours ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Bruno Silva20 hours ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Manel Kape20 hours ago

A Favorite At UFC Tampa
Tuco Tokkos20 hours ago

Looks For His First UFC Win
Navajo Stirling20 hours ago

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Kevin Lankinen20 hours ago

Frustrates Panthers With Shutout Performance
Nikita Kucherov20 hours ago

Racks Up Six Points Against Flames
Leon Draisaitl21 hours ago

Continues Multi-Point Streak Versus Wild
Bryan Rust21 hours ago

Tallies Four Points In Big Win
Scott Laughton21 hours ago

Ties Flyers Record With Four-Goal Performance
Ryan O'Reilly21 hours ago

Returns With Three-Point Effort
Victor Hedman21 hours ago

Day-To-Day With A Lower-Body Injury
Kyle Bradish1 day ago

Begins Throwing Program
Nolan Arenado1 day ago

Would Approve Of Trade To The Bronx
Jake McCabe1 day ago

Available On Thursday
Scott Mayfield1 day ago

Rejoins Islanders Lineup
Yanni Gourde1 day ago

Absent Against Bruins
Jack Drury2 days ago

Set For Hand Surgery
Trevor Zegras2 days ago

To Miss Six Weeks Following Knee Surgery
Roman Josi2 days ago

Out On Thursday
J.T. Miller2 days ago

Returns To Action Thursday
Francisco Lindor2 days ago

Back Injury In The Rearview Mirror
Rafael Devers2 days ago

Red Sox Prepared To Keep Rafael Devers At Third Base
Cody Bellinger2 days ago

Yankees Targeting Cody Bellinger
Pete Alonso2 days ago

Mets Still Trying To Bring Back Pete Alonso
Corbin Burnes2 days ago

Giants The Favorites To Land Corbin Burnes
Brenton Doyle2 days ago

Rockies Plan To Hit Brenton Doyle At Leadoff
Mitch Keller2 days ago

Jared Jones, Mitch Keller Available For Trade
Shane Bieber2 days ago

Throwing From 90 Feet
Chicago White Sox3 days ago

Braden Montgomery Traded To White Sox
Kyle Teel3 days ago

White Sox Land Catching Prospect Kyle Teel
Alexandre Pantoja5 days ago

Gets Second-Round Win At UFC 310
Kai Asakura5 days ago

Submitted At UFC 310
Alexander Volkov5 days ago

Takes Split-Decision Loss
Ciryl Gane5 days ago

Edges Out Split Decision At UFC 310
MMA5 days ago

Doo Ho Choi Scores TKO Win At UFC 310
Nate Landwehr5 days ago

Gets TKO'd At UFC 310
Kron Gracie5 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC 310
Bryce Mitchell5 days ago

Scores Knockout Win At UFC 310
Ian Machado Garry5 days ago

Suffers First Defeat At UFC 310

RANKINGS

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