Outlook Austin Riley
Austin Riley seeks to bust out of a deep slump amid favorable weekly matchups
The everyday third baseman has hit a major rough patch, batting just .132 over his last 12 games with zero home runs and only three RBIs. Despite his individual struggles, Riley remains secure in his primary lineup role for the first-place Braves, who boast an excellent 45-21 record and are currently riding a three-game win streak.
While his current .208 mark on the year is highly disappointing, his proven track record and our long-term projections suggest a major positive regression is imminent. We project a healthy .260 average with 22 home runs by season's end, meaning his power stroke is bound to return. Fantasy managers must preach patience with an elite corner infielder who has multiple 30-homer campaigns on his resume.
Atlanta plays six games on the road this week, featuring highly exploitable matchups against the White Sox and Mets pitching staffs. Riley will face several vulnerable starters, including Erick Fedde with his 4.94 ERA and Sean Manaea with his 5.02 ERA, before a tougher weekend test against Freddy Peralta. This soft stretch of opposing pitching makes him an easy choice to break out of his slump. Verdict: Start.
Updated 2 days 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 2 days ago
