Outlook Alec Burleson
Alec Burleson's red-hot bat makes him a must-start corner infielder
State of the Union: Burleson has been on a tear over the last 14 days, batting .333 with three home runs and 12 RBIs to help propel the second-place Cardinals (37-28) during their current six-game winning streak. Firmly established as St. Louis's everyday starter at first base, he has avoided the team's minor injury bug and continues to secure high-quality plate appearances daily.
Under the Hood: While Burleson's current .330 average over his last 30 days is an exceptional hot streak, his .291 mark across 64 games this year closely mirrors his elite .290 average from last season. Our models project him to settle around a .268 average with 16 home runs on the year, suggesting some minor power regression is coming, but his excellent contact skills make his high batting average floor incredibly safe.
The Week Ahead & Verdict: With four games remaining on the road trip, Burleson faces a mixed bag of matchups. He will clash with tough righty Christian Scott (2.50 ERA) and Minnesota's Joe Ryan (3.07 ERA) before getting a highly favorable matchup against Connor Prielipp (5.15 ERA). Given his elite form and locked-in role, keep him active in all formats. Verdict: Start.
Updated 2 days ago
Latest News Alec Burleson
Outlook Dalton Rushing
Dalton Rushing steps into an everyday role and thrives during Will Smith's absence.
With primary catcher Will Smith sidelined on the injured list with a neck injury, Rushing has stepped up as a crucial piece for the first-place Dodgers (43-25). Over the last 14 days, the young backstop is swinging a hot bat, hitting .333 with a home run and five runs scored. His increased playing time makes him a highly active target in all fantasy formats.
Rushing's strong campaign of eight home runs and a .275 batting average across 37 games highlights his immense power potential. While our models project a rest-of-season correction toward a .227 average, his excellent plate discipline and strong lineup protection in Los Angeles support a solid fantasy floor. Expect the power output to continue as long as he commands daily at-bats.
The Dodgers finish their series in Pittsburgh against Mitch Keller (4.81 ERA) today before heading to Chicago for three games against the White Sox, facing vulnerable pitchers like Erick Fedde (4.69 ERA). Given his current starting role and highly favorable upcoming matchups, he is an excellent option at a scarce position. Start him with confidence in all leagues.
Updated 2 days ago
