Outlook Jake Mangum
Jake Mangum's red-hot average and elite speed make him a must-start fantasy asset.
Mangum has been blistering hot, batting .417 with five stolen bases over his last 14 days. With Oneil Cruz sidelined due to hand fractures, Mangum has taken over as the primary center fielder for the fourth-place Pirates, who currently carry a 36-36 record. His everyday role and elite contact tools make him a highly coveted asset.
While his current .358 average over the last month will likely regress toward our projected .272 season mark, his speed is entirely real. He stole 27 bases last year and already has 13 this season, showing that his category-winning speed is sustainable even if his batting average cools down slightly.
Pittsburgh has six road games on tap, including a highly anticipated three-game series at hitter-friendly Coors Field. He faces incredibly soft matchups against struggling starters like Jack Perkins (6.68 ERA), Kyle Freeland (8.31 ERA), and Michael Lorenzen (7.82 ERA). Our models project a highly productive week, making him an easy Start.
Updated 12 hrs ago
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Outlook Spencer Horwitz
Favorable Road Matchups Make Horwitz a Must-Start This Week
Spencer Horwitz has cooled down slightly over the last seven days with a .238 average, but he remains a crucial contributor for the 36-36 Pirates, who sit fourth in the NL Central. Serving as Pittsburgh's everyday first baseman, his strong .290 batting average and six home runs over the last 30 days have kept him highly relevant in fantasy circles. With key lineup pieces like Oneil Cruz currently sidelined, Horwitz's security in the heart of the order is highly stable.
On the year, Horwitz is slashing .281/.388/.452 with nine home runs, pacing well ahead of our season projection of a .256 average and nine total homers. His elite plate discipline and high on-base skills are backed by a strong career track record of drawing walks, proving his OBP floor is entirely sustainable. While his recent power surge might experience minor regression, he remains an excellent asset for managers needing batting average and run production.
The Pirates embark on a highly favorable six-game road trip this week, starting with three games in Oakland before heading to hitter-friendly Coors Field to face Colorado. Horwitz will face several vulnerable pitchers, including Jack Perkins and Kyle Freeland, who both carry ERAs well over 6.00. Our weekly models project him to hit near .300 with multiple runs and runs batted in, making him an easy lineup choice. Verdict: Start.
Updated 12 hrs ago
