Outlook Brooks Lee
Brooks Lee seeks to bust out of an average slump as a defensive shift to third base keeps his bat in the daily lineup.
Lee is in a deep funk at the plate, batting just .107 over the last seven days and .176 over the last 14 days. Despite his struggles, he remains a fixture in the lineup for the third-place Twins (30-37) while transitioning defensively from shortstop to third base.
While his recent .186 batting average over the last 30 days is discouraging, his power has spiked with four home runs over his last 14 games. Our models project him to settle near a .245 batting average with 10 home runs by season's end, suggesting his current contact issues are a temporary slump rather than a permanent regression.
Minnesota has six games scheduled, including matchups against Detroit's Troy Melton (1.74 ERA) and St. Louis's Kyle Leahy (4.42 ERA). Because of his current cold streak and a mix of difficult matchups, he is best left on fantasy benches this week. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Brandon Valenzuela
Brandon Valenzuela is catching fire as Toronto's everyday starter, making him a highly coveted catcher option.
Valenzuela has been tearing the cover off the ball, hitting .400 with three home runs over his last seven days for the third-place Blue Jays, who are currently on a two-game winning streak. With Alejandro Kirk still sidelined on the injured list with a thumb fracture, Valenzuela has firmly secured his role as Toronto's everyday catcher.
While his 1.604 OPS over the last week is unsustainable, his overall season growth is highly encouraging. He is currently outperforming his career .256 batting average, but his excellent contact skills and strong underlying hard-hit data suggest he will remain a highly productive fantasy asset even when his hot streak cools down.
The Blue Jays have a six-game home stretch this week, though they face tough matchups against the Phillies and Yankees. While squaring off against elite arms like Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez caps his upside, Valenzuela's volume and red-hot bat make him a viable option. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
