Outlook Ildemaro Vargas
Fading After Historic Start, Vargas is an Easy Sit This Week
The third-place Diamondbacks (39-38) continue to lean on Vargas as their primary first baseman with Carlos Santana sidelined. However, Vargas has hit a massive wall, batting just .104 over the last 30 days and an ice-cold .077 over the last two weeks. Despite a secure everyday role, his early-season award-winning form has completely vanished.
Earlier this year, Vargas was the talk of baseball with a historic 27-game hitting streak, but our models project heavy regression toward his modest career baselines. With our projection expecting him to hover around a .246 average and offer minimal power rest-of-season, his current slump appears to be a harsh correction. Fantasy managers must accept that his historic spring was indeed a fluke.
The week ahead features seven road games, starting with four in St. Louis before heading to Tampa Bay to face stingy arms like Drew Rasmussen (2.59 ERA) and Shane McClanahan. Our weekly projection expects a meager .174 batting average across these matchups. Given his lack of production, fantasy managers should Sit Vargas for this stretch.
Updated 10 hrs ago
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Outlook Blaze Jordan
Blaze Jordan locks down the hot corner in St. Louis and offers immediate fantasy intrigue.
Since his promotion on June 12, Blaze Jordan has quickly stepped in as the primary everyday starter at third base for the second-place Cardinals (41-34). The 23-year-old was recalled following a 60-day injured list placement for Ramon Urias. Over his first nine big-league games, Jordan has hit .286 with one home run and seven RBI, establishing immediate security in the lineup.
While his last seven days have cooled to a .217 average, Jordan's raw power is legitimate, highlighted by his 110.2 mph debut home run. Prior to his call-up, he dominated Triple-A with a .313/.373/.548 line and 11 homers. While some rookie regression is expected, his elite minor-league baseline suggests his power stroke is highly sustainable.
The Cardinals have a seven-game home stretch ahead, featuring matchups against Arizona and Miami. Jordan draws several favorable matchups against high-ERA starters like Merrill Kelly (5.81) and Zac Gallen (6.44), though Eduardo Rodriguez (2.45) presents a tougher challenge. Our models project Jordan to hit .305 with nearly a home run and six RBI. Stream him this week.
Updated 10 hrs ago
