Sizzlers/fizzlers: Royals flush with hot players

The defending World Series champions are on a roll, riding an eight-game winning streak. Of course, to do that requires players producing at high levels.

Sizzlers

SP Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals: Kennedy has won his last two outings and has allowed three earned runs through 34 innings with 28 strikeouts in his last five games. He looks the part of a mid-rotation arm for your virtual staff going forward.

OF Alex Gordon, Royals: While his 11-game hitting streak was snapped Sunday, Gordon had 13 runs, five home runs and eight RBI through his past 12 games with a .386 batting average. He’s worth adding in the majority of leagues.

OF Yasmany Tomas, Arizona Diamondbacks: Tomas has posted eight home runs and 13 RBI through 15 August games with a .724 slugging percentage. He’s up to 58 runs, 25 homers and 57 RBI for the season.

OF J.D. Martinez, Detroit Tigers: Since returning from his elbow injury earlier this month, Martinez has 14 runs, six home runs and 11 RBI over 18 games with a .469 batting average View him as a high-end outfielder going forward.

Fizzlers

SP Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays: After his shortest outing of the season (four innings) Saturday, Sanchez was optioned to high Class A Dunedin (Fla.) and will have his next start skipped. His 156 1/3 innings are a career high, and Sanchez’s workload will be monitored closely down the stretch.

OF Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins: The second-year player, who missed half a week with an elbow injury, is on a 0-for-16 run. The power is legit (20 home runs in 376 plate appearances), but Sano’s inconsistency makes him a frustrating own. He is batting .241 this year.

OF Jason Heyward, Chicago Cubs: The veteran outfielder was rested for a four-game stretch with the hope he breaks out of his season-long funk. In August, Heyward had gone just 9-for-48 (.188 batting average) with two runs, one RBI and a .229 slugging percentage. He’s not startable in most settings.

SP Danny Salazar, Cleveland Indians: In his first start back from the disabled list, Salazar lasted an inning and was pulled after allowing three walks and three runs. He had allowed 25 runs — 24 earned — over 25 innings through his past six outings. While Salazar had 27 strikeouts during the stretch, it’s tough to start him confidently given his recent run on the bump.