Outlook Chandler Simpson
Chandler Simpson’s elite speed and recent contact surge keep him atop the Rays' lineup
Simpson has been a spark plug for the first-place Rays lately, batting .375 with a 1.000 OPS over the last seven days. Despite dealing with minor finger soreness earlier in the month, he has solidified his role as the everyday left fielder for a Tampa Bay squad that leads the American League with a 56-38 record. His recent performance has been highlighted by his elite speed, including two triples over his last four games, proving he has moved past his early July injury concerns.
While his .276 season average is respectable, his .305 mark over the last month aligns more closely with our projection of a .282 average. He currently has 22 stolen bases on the year, which is behind the pace of our 45-steal season projection, but his high-contact approach remains elite. With only three strikeouts in his last 82 at-bats, his ability to avoid empty trips to the plate makes him a high-floor asset for batting average and runs regardless of his lack of home run power.
The week concludes with a challenging road series against the division-rival Red Sox. Simpson is scheduled to face a gauntlet of effective starters, including Jake Bennett and his 2.64 ERA, followed by Sonny Gray, who carries 11 wins and a 1.10 WHIP into the matchup. While these pitchers are efficient, Simpson’s elite ability to put the ball in play and disrupt the rhythm of opposing rotations makes him a mandatory play for managers hunting for stolen bases and hits. Start.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Ryan Jeffers
Ryan Jeffers returns to the heart of the lineup following hamate bone surgery
Jeffers has finally returned to the Twins' active roster after missing nearly two months following surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone. In his first two games back, he immediately showcased his value by recording two doubles and two RBIs while slotting in as the everyday catcher and often batting second in the order. He rejoins a Minnesota squad that currently sits at 48-49 and remains in the thick of the division race, though the team is currently navigating the loss of Byron Buxton to a hip strain.
Prior to the injury, Jeffers was authored a career-best breakout, slashing .277/.394/.523 with seven home runs in just 39 games. While this pace is significantly higher than our season projection of a .247 batting average, the underlying metrics suggest his improved plate discipline is legitimate. However, hamate injuries are notorious for sapping raw power in the immediate weeks following a return, so fantasy managers should prepare for a slight dip in home run frequency as he regains his full grip strength.
The Twins conclude the week with a three-game road series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Jeffers catches a break with the matchups, as he is scheduled to face Colin Rea and his 4.87 ERA on Friday, followed by Matthew Boyd, who enters with a 4.50 ERA. The series finale against Shota Imanaga and his 4.25 ERA is the toughest draw of the week, but Jeffers' high-leverage spot in the batting order makes him an elite option at a shallow position. Start.
Updated 1 day ago
