Outlook Zach McKinstry
McKinstry carving out utility role amidst Tigers infield injuries
McKinstry has shown signs of life recently, batting .263 over his last seven games, highlighted by a clutch two-out RBI single on June 24. The fourth-place Tigers are currently enduring a three-game losing streak and navigating significant infield injuries to Gleyber Torres and Javier Baez. These absences have cleared the way for McKinstry to serve as a primary utility starter across the middle infield and outfield.
Under the hood, his .185 season average is a far cry from our projection of .235 and his .254 average from last season. With only two home runs and one stolen base through 162 at-bats, the power-speed profile that made him a late-round target has largely evaporated. Unless he can significantly improve his .544 OPS and return to his career norms, he remains a high-risk option once the roster gets healthier.
Detroit finishes the week with three home games against Houston. The remaining schedule is daunting, featuring matchups against the tough Spencer Arrighetti (3.13 ERA) and a locked-in Hunter Brown (1.40 ERA). Only Saturday’s tilt against Kai-Wei Teng (4.19 ERA) offers a reprieve from top-tier pitching. Given the low-volume counting stats and difficult matchups for the rest of the week, he is best left on fantasy benches. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 2 days ago
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Outlook Blaze Alexander
Alexander's historic hot streak continues as he stabilizes a depleted Orioles infield.
State of the Union: Alexander is currently on an incredible heater, batting .417 with a 1.170 OPS over his last 22 games. While the fourth-place Orioles (38-44) are struggling with a two-game losing streak and injuries to stars like Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday, Alexander has stepped up as the everyday starter at third base. A minor knee scare earlier this week proved to be just a bruise, and he has already returned to the heart of the Baltimore lineup.
Under the Hood (ROS): While his recent performance suggests he is one of the best hitters in the league, our models anticipate a significant regression toward his .231 season projection. His current .417 mark over the last 30 days is well above his career averages, though his improved plate discipline and line-drive approach are encouraging signs. Fantasy managers should ride this wave of production while it lasts, but understand that his power ceiling remains modest based on his underlying career metrics.
The Week Ahead & Verdict: Baltimore finishes the week at home with three games against the Nationals. Alexander faces a mix of challenges, starting with Andrew Alvarez (3.34 ERA) and Foster Griffin (3.15 ERA), both of whom have shown strong command this year. The week concludes with a favorable matchup against Zack Littell, who carries a 5.40 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. Given his current form and guaranteed playing time due to team injuries, he is a must-start in all formats. Verdict: Start.
Updated 2 days ago
