Outlook Carter Jensen
Jensen Mired in Deep June Slump as Royals Prepare for Six-Game Homestand
The fourth-place Royals are riding a two-game win streak but find themselves at 27-39 on the year. Their young catcher, Carter Jensen, is currently mired in a deep slump, batting just .115 with 12 strikeouts over his last seven days, though he remains the team's primary starter behind the plate. With star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. currently questionable with knee soreness, the Kansas City lineup around Jensen is feeling the strain.
Jensen's recent cold spell has dragged his season average down to .213, a far cry from the .300 mark he teased in a brief 20-game sample last season. However, our models suggest patience is warranted; his overall season projection of a .242 batting average and 14 home runs aligns with his strong walk rate and raw power, indicating his current .152 clip over the last fortnight is a temporary rookie wall rather than a permanent regression.
Kansas City hosts a six-game homestand starting Tuesday with matchups against Texas and Houston. Jensen will face a mixed bag of arms, including manageable matchups against Tatsuya Imai (5.24 ERA) and Mike Burrows (5.77 ERA), though Spencer Arrighetti (1.94 ERA) looms on Sunday. Given his current contact issues and a projected .205 average for the week, it is best to leave him on the bench. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Matt McLain
Matt McLain's recent power surge makes him a must-start middle infield option
McLain has been absolutely sizzling over the last seven days, batting .333 with three home runs and a massive 1.000 slugging percentage. His power surge is a vital lift for the fifth-place Reds (31-33), who are looking to break out of a four-game losing streak. With fellow infielder Elly De La Cruz sidelined on the injured list with a hamstring strain, McLain's role as the everyday second baseman is locked down and more critical than ever.
While McLain's season-long batting average sits at a cold .201, his recent tear shows flashes of his high-upside career baseline. Our models project him to finish with a .239 average, 12 home runs, and 12 stolen bases over 485 at-bats. While his current 1.412 weekly OPS will inevitably regress, his combination of pop and speed is highly sustainable as his overall ratios normalize.
The Reds have a six-game slate this week, starting on the road against San Diego where McLain gets look at Walker Buehler (4.53 ERA) and Lucas Giolito (4.86 ERA), followed by a home series against Arizona featuring a highly favorable matchup against Zac Gallen (5.74 ERA). Driven by his elite current form and secure volume, our model projects him for nearly 20 fantasy points this week. Start him.
Updated 1 day ago
