30 Fantasy baseball thoughts from Week 8 of MLB action

AL East

Baltimore Orioles: Andrew Cashner 12 Ks in his last 12 IP as well as a 2.25 ERA
Boston Red Sox: Chris Sale throws his slider 41.7% of the time, most among any pitcher in MLB with at least 50 IP.
New York Yankees: Meanwhile Domingo German throws his curveball 36.6% of the time, most among any MLB pitcher with at least 50 IP.
Tampa Bay Rays: Courtesy of Tim Kurkjian “ The Rays’ Brandon Lowe recently struck out in eight consecutive plate appearances, joining Chris Iannetta on that list this season”
Toronto Blue Jays: Randal Grichuk (30% owned) with 4 runs, 2 HR and 5 RBI over the last two weeks as well as a .267 avg. He ebbs and flows and appears to be doing well now

AL Central

Chicago White Sox: White Sox outfielders have a higher strikeout rate than any other team (29.6%)
Cleveland Indians: Most consecutive games without a triple to start the season since 1908. San Francisco Giants went 41 games in 1982, the Indians are currently at 40 games
Detroit Tigers: Ronny Rodriguez is on a hot streak with six runs, four home runs and 12 RBIs over the last two weeks.
Kansas City Royals: The run-happy Royals’ Terrence Gore has been caught on four of his last five steals attempts; Billy Hamilton has been caught in three of his last 10.
Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton is 2nd in the league with a SPD of 8.3 behind Adalberto Mondesi

AL West

Houston Astros: Gerrit Cole has a 64% LOB rate, the 2nd-worst in the league among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. He also has a K%-BB % of 33%, highest among the same group.
Los Angeles Angels: The 2nd-fewest Save Opportunities of any team in MLB.
Oakland Athletics: Chris Bassitt (46% owned) has 22 Ks and a 2.62 ERA over his last 20 IP.
Seattle Mariners: More total strikeouts from Mariners outfielders than any other team (195)
Texas Rangers: The Rangers first basemen have more strikeouts than any other team (thanks a lot, Joey).

NL East

Atlanta Braves: Nick Markakis with an outside contact % of 87.8% is the 2nd-highest in the league and a point of nervousness from me.
Miami Marlins: Most consecutive games without a triple to start the season since 1908. San Francisco Giants went 41 games in 1982, The Marlins are at 39 games
New York Mets: .284 avg, 8 HR and 19 SB over the last 395 AB for Amed Rosario
https://www.amazinavenue.com/2019/5/15/18623548/mets-amed-rosario-shortstop-hitting-new-york-analysis

Philadelphia Phillies: Courtesy of ESPN’s Dave Shoenfield, “Bryce Harper now has 19 games with multiple strikeouts this season, most in the majors. It’s his fourth game with three Ks. He’s on pace for 212 strikeouts. Did the Phillies give $330 million to Mark Reynolds?”
Washington Nationals: Kurt Suzuki (7% owned) with a .333 avg and 7 RBI over the last two weeks.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs: Javier Baez’s 22 hits in May are the 2nd-most of any MLB player (George Springer in 1st). The 22 include eight doubles and two home runs.
Cincinnati Reds: (PROSPECT UPDATE) Josh VanMeter was batting .336 with 5 SB, 13 HR, 27 runs and 31 RBIs across 30 games before they promoted him to the big leagues.
Milwaukee Brewers: (PROSPECT UPDATE) with Keston Kiura now up, here are a few more Brewers prospects to watch: Weston Wilson has 28 runs and 23 RBI with 9 HR through 38 games for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Trevor Williams is 18th in Command+ and his velocity in his Changeup and Slider are up almost 6 MPH over his last two starts

St. Louis Cardinals: More SB among their catchers than any other team.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks: Jarrod Dyson (8% owned) with eight stolen bases over the last two weeks. That is impressive.
Colorado Rockies: Five players struck out three times in the Rockies 11th inning 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox
Los Angeles Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu rocking an amazing 18 K/BB rate, highest among any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched!!! He has a 1.6% walk rate.
San Diego Padres: Eric Hosmer has 18 hits and a .346 batting average in May. I want to unload him much like everyone else but I would exercise patience.
San Francisco Giants: Sam Dyson has 5 IP, 9 Ks, 1 ER in May.