Outlook Spencer Horwitz
Spencer Horwitz's elite OBP makes him an attractive option for a Coors Field series
The fourth-place Pirates (38-37) are currently riding a two-game winning streak. Spencer Horwitz has cooled down slightly over the last 14 days, batting .239, but his elite plate discipline remains on full display with a stellar .386 OBP and nine walks. He remains locked in as Pittsburgh's everyday starting first baseman, a role that is highly secure with teammate Oneil Cruz sidelined with a hand injury.
Under the hood, Horwitz's current season-long .281 batting average and .395 OBP are significantly outperforming our rest-of-season projection of a .256 average. While his nine home runs already equal his projected season total, suggesting his home run rate could regress, his incredible eye and career-best plate approach make his elite on-base status completely sustainable.
For the remainder of the week, the Pirates head to Coors Field for three games against the Rockies. Horwitz faces a highly favorable trio of opposing starters in Kyle Freeland (8.31 ERA), Tomoyuki Sugano (4.94 ERA), and Michael Lorenzen (7.38 ERA). In this elite hitting environment, he is primed for a massive weekend. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Royce Lewis
Royce Lewis is sizzling since his major-league return, making him an immediate must-start.
Since returning to the big leagues, Lewis has been absolutely on fire, batting .324 with three home runs and seven RBIs over his last 10 games. His hot bat is providing a massive spark for the third-place Twins (35-40), who enter today on a three-game winning streak. While the team depth chart lists him in a utility role across multiple infield positions, his current production guarantees him everyday at-bats.
This recent tear is a massive relief after he hit just .206 prior to his demotion. Our models project him to finish with a .246 average, 12 home runs, and 10 steals over 459 at-bats, though his elite career track record—such as his .301 average and 19 homers in 2023—suggests there is room for much higher rest-of-season production if he remains healthy.
Looking ahead at the remaining weekly matchups, Minnesota finishes a series in Texas before heading to Arizona. Lewis will face highly favorable pitching, including Jack Leiter (5.13 ERA), Zac Gallen (5.71 ERA), and Ryne Nelson (5.11 ERA). Only Michael Soroka (3.11 ERA) presents a tough challenge, making Lewis an incredibly strong option. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
