As the MLB season approaches a significant milestone with many teams hitting their 100th game, several players are earning attention for their performances. Cody Bellinger, Nolan Arenado, Bobby Witt Jr., Alex Bregman, and J.P. Crawford are making headlines for a variety of reasons, from power hitting to standout moments in recent games.
Cody Bellinger's Performance
Cody Bellinger has showcased his power this season, hitting nine home runs in 79 games. This comes after a season where he tallied 26 home runs over 130 games. While Bellinger's production this year might seem slightly off his previous pace, his capability to deliver in key moments remains a significant asset for his team.
Nolan Arenado's Career-Low Season
Nolan Arenado, typically known for his offensive prowess, is experiencing the lowest OPS of his career at .702. This mark is quite a drop for a player of his caliber, indicating a season that hasn’t met his usual standards. Observers and analysts alike will be keen to see if Arenado can turn things around as the season progresses, or if this will be a year to forget for the standout third baseman.
Bobby Witt Jr.'s Impressive Performance
In recent action, Bobby Witt Jr. went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored in a Saturday matchup, reinforcing his role as a critical player for his team. Moments like these are crucial for any team striving for consistency in performance, especially in a long and grueling season like Major League Baseball.
Alex Bregman's Hot Streak
Alex Bregman is another player drawing attention, particularly from fantasy league owners. Priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,200 on FanDuel, Bregman has been hitting phenomenally since July 4. He boasts a .314 average with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and 10 runs scored over 13 games, translating to an impressive .885 OPS. His career performance against left-handed pitching, with a .278 batting average and an .862 OPS, makes him a valuable asset.
With the Athletics scheduled to start LHP Hogan Harris on Monday, who has a career 5.53 ERA, betting on Bregman to continue his hot streak seems like a wise move for fantasy players and Houston Astros fans alike.
J.P. Crawford: A Complex Season
J.P. Crawford's season has been a mixed bag. Priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,000 on FanDuel, Crawford has shown some strengths and weaknesses. His career performance against Tyler Anderson is a decent 3-for-10 with two walks, and he’s batting .284 with an .805 OPS against southpaws this season. However, he hit just four home runs in 88 at-bats against left-handed pitchers and five home runs in 206 at-bats against right-handers this season.
Currently, Crawford is experiencing the lowest batting average (.204) and OPS (.643) of his eight-year career, a stark contrast to his earlier performances. Despite this slump, McClure—recognized in the book "Fantasy Football (and Baseball) for Smart People: How to Turn Your Hobby into a Fortune"—endorses rostering J.P. Crawford, suggesting a potential turnaround or undervalued strength in his gameplay that might come to the fore in the following weeks.
With many teams hitting their 100th game, the season is at a crossroads where players' performances could make or break their team’s fates. will Bellinger’s consistency, Arenado’s recovery, Witt Jr.’s continued contribution, Bregman’s potential against a struggling pitcher, or Crawford’s complex season turn the tide? The upcoming games promise to have answers and more excitement for baseball fans and analysts alike.