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 1 day ago
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Outlook Sam Antonacci
Sam Antonacci's elite on-base skills and speed make him a viable fantasy starter despite a challenging upcoming road trip.
The rookie has been a spark plug for the second-place White Sox, batting .289 with a stellar .413 on-base percentage over his last 14 days. With Austin Hays sidelined on the injured list, Antonacci has fully secured his role as the team's everyday starting left fielder. His high-energy play has helped keep Chicago (38-32) hot on the heels of the division-leading Guardians.
While his power is minimal—our models project just four home runs this year—his elite plate discipline and speed are entirely legitimate. Over his first 52 major league games, Antonacci has hit .278 with nine stolen bases, which aligns perfectly with our rest-of-season expectations. He should continue to be an excellent source of runs, batting average, and stolen bases, even if his slugging remains limited.
This week, the White Sox embark on a six-game road trip, starting with three games against the Yankees followed by three in Detroit. Antonacci faces a gauntlet of tough starting pitchers, including aces Gerrit Cole and Tarik Skubal, though he gets a favorable matchup against Ryan Weathers. Despite the difficult pitching matchups, his secure everyday playing time and active speed make him a recommended weekly Start.
Updated 1 day ago
