Shane Baz's shaky outing raises questions about his future as a consistent pitcher. Tanner Houck adjusts his strategy, while Zac Gallen thrives on the New York stage. The discussion includes whether to buy low or sell high on players like Geraldo Perdomo and Casey Mize. Key waiver wire options are explored, with Gleyber Torres versus Maikel Garcia taking center stage. As they dive into Week 7 matchups, insights on two-start pitchers and sleeper hitters offer valuable tips for fantasy managers looking to optimize their rosters.
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Quick takeaways
Shane Baz's recent struggles raise questions about his control and long-term fantasy viability after a promising start to the season.
Tanner Houck's improved performance suggests potential but requires consistency to be fully trusted as a reliable fantasy option.
The Week 7 preview emphasizes the importance of matchups and streaming strategy for maximizing fantasy baseball success with emerging players.
Deep dives
Shane Boz's Struggles
Shane Boz faced significant challenges in his recent start against the Royals, allowing seven runs over five and two-thirds innings with poor control, exemplified by three walks and only one strikeout. This outing raised concerns about his command and ability to miss bats, as he generated just six swinging strikes in the game. Despite this rough patch, Boz still displayed potential earlier in the season, ranking inside the top 20 starters after a dominant performance against the Red Sox. The discussion among analysts centered on whether they had overvalued Boz as a pitcher and the likelihood of his future performance following the inconsistency observed so far.
Analysis of Tanner Houck
Tanner Houck delivered one of his better performances of the season with seven innings of one-run ball, showcasing greater reliance on his sinker with minimal usage of his splitter. While his control seemed improved with zero walks allowed, doubts remain regarding his long-term reliability as a fantasy option, especially considering his previous erratic performances. Despite the encouraging outing, analysts expressed skepticism about whether this performance marks a true turnaround for Houck or if he will revert to being a marginal pitcher. Further, they emphasized needing multiple consecutive solid starts from him before fully trusting his capabilities in fantasy leagues.
Tanner Bybee's Rise
Tanner Bybee's impressive start against the Orioles contributed to growing optimism about his potential, showcasing a strong strikeout rate and command on the mound. Analysts noted that his performance, including an effective use of his breaking pitches, could solidify his status as a reliable option for fantasy teams as the season progresses. Bybee’s rising stock was contrasted with concerns regarding other pitchers in the same range, highlighting a trend of disappointment among various options. The sustained success of Bybee could mark him as a breakout candidate, allowing fantasy managers to capitalize on his potential.
Zach Gallin's Inconsistency
Zach Gallin delivered a standout performance against the Mets, emphasizing his tendency to excel in certain matchups despite an overall uneven season. Analysts pointed out that Gallin's success is often intertwined with the effectiveness of his curveball, which can significantly influence his performance on the mound. While he did achieve a great outing, concerns lingered about his ability to maintain consistency, particularly with control issues evidenced by past starts. The discussion around Gallin highlighted the necessity of monitoring matchups closely while deciding on starting him in fantasy leagues moving forward.
Fantasy Takeaways from Weekly Preview
The weekly preview outlined important matchups and streaming options for the upcoming week, particularly focusing on players with favorable situations for fantasy managers. With multiple teams set to play seven games, there were opportunities to capitalize on hitters like Jonathan India and pitchers like Tony Gonsolin, who appear poised for solid performances. However, there were also cautionary tales about players like Sandy Alcantara, generating uncertainty over whether to hold or drop certain roster members. The dynamic nature of matchups and performances highlighted the strategic considerations necessary for fantasy success as the season continues.
Did we get duped by Shane Baz (2:30)? ... Tanner Houck changed some things up (8:13). ... Zac Gallen likes pitching in New York, apparently (10:20). ... News (15:33): Jake Burger was demoted to Triple-A. ... Buy low or heck no (23:37)!? ... Should you sell high on Geraldo Perdomo and/or Casey Mize (31:08)? ... Gleyber Torres or Maikel Garcia (38:46)? ... We need to see more from these waiver wire pitchers (44:07). ... Let's preview Week 7 with the schedule, two-start pitchers and sleeper hitters (47:13). ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpen updates and streamers (1:00:20).
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