Outlook Jake Mangum
Jake Mangum offers elite contact and speed as he stabilizes the Pirates outfield
Mangum has been a vital spark plug for the fourth-place Pirates, hitting .292 over his last seven days and maintaining a blistering .337 average over the past month. After returning from a hamstring strain earlier this season, he has solidified his role as an everyday starter, currently serving as the primary center fielder while the team navigates injuries to key players like Oneil Cruz. His recent defensive highlights, including a spectacular catch against the fence on Wednesday, underscore his locked-in status for a Pittsburgh club that currently sits at 43-44.
While his current .306 season average is excellent, our data suggests he may see some regression toward his .272 projection as his high BABIP levels off. Mangum offers virtually zero power, with only one home run on the season, but his speed remains a legitimate fantasy asset. With 14 stolen bases already in the books, he is well on his way to surpassing our 10-steal season projection, making him a specialized asset for managers needing help in the stolen base and runs categories.
The Pirates close out their road trip with a final game in Philadelphia against Alan Rangel before a three-game set in Washington. While Foster Griffin and his 2.93 ERA present a tough matchup on Friday, Mangum draws favorable matchups against Zack Littell and Miles Mikolas, both of whom have ERAs over 5.20 and high WHIPs. Given his recent hot streak and the high-volume seven-game week, he should be active in most deep league formats. Start.
Updated 23 hrs ago
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Outlook Justin Crawford
Justin Crawford fuels the Phillies' lineup with an elite mid-season heater
Crawford is in the midst of a spectacular breakout, batting .400 over the last seven days and raising his season average to .256. The second-place Phillies are 49-38 and riding a two-game win streak as the rookie has fully cemented himself as the everyday center fielder. With Johan Rojas on the 60-day injured list, Crawford's elite sprint speed has become a permanent fixture in the lineup for a club chasing the division lead.
Under the hood, the 22-year-old is significantly outperforming his .268 season projection during this hot stretch, though his high-contact approach and speed suggest the gains are rooted in his athleticism. While he has only two home runs through 81 games, his 10 stolen bases align with our data and confirm his status as a premium speed asset. Fantasy managers should expect some regression in the batting average, but his everyday role and base-running aggression provide a safe floor.
The Phillies conclude their home set against Pittsburgh tonight before heading to Kansas City for the weekend. Today’s matchup against Jared Jones and his 5.76 ERA is highly favorable for a hitter of Crawford's profile. While Michael Wacha presents a stiffer challenge on Saturday, Sunday's finale against Luinder Avila and his 1.67 WHIP offers another prime opportunity for the rookie to wreak havoc on the basepaths. Start.
Updated 23 hrs ago
