Fantasy sizzlers and fizzlers: Chris Tillman strong in his 2017 debut
As fantasy owners are well aware, injuries can open the door to playing time, but talent is what keeps it from slamming shut. Here are this week's players who've gained some additional fantasy value -- and some others who are costing their owners by remaining in the lineup.
Sizzlers
SP Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles: A month into the season it might be easy to forget about a pitcher who has averaged 22 starts, a 4.13 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP over his previous eight MLB seasons. Maybe his low strikeout rate (6.8 K/9) forces fantasy owners to be cautious, but fresh off the DL, Tillman pitched five shutout innings on Sunday for a win. There are a lot of injured arms out there, and Tillman makes for a timely replacement.
OF Aaron Hicks, New York Yankees: Jacoby Ellsbury's ailing elbow helped give Hicks a run of five consecutive starts last week -- and he took advantage, hitting .379 with a pair of homers, six RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases. On the season, he has an excellent .338/.459/.662 slash line. Just as impressive is the fact that he has walked (16 times) more than he's struck out (13).
1B Justin Bour, Miami Marlins: Bour is another of those big lefty-hitting corner guys who are streaky and have trouble playing regularly. Once again, injuries have provided an opportunity. Bour had a six-RBI game on April 30 and has at least one hit in six of his last eight starts. With Sunday’s injury to Martin Prado, the regular play should continue.
RP Justin Wilson, Detroit Tigers: Wilson earned his eighth consecutive hold on Sunday, but closer Francisco Rodriguez blew the save for the fourth time in 11 chances. Wilson is sitting on a stellar 1.32 ERA and 0.59 WHIP, while K-Rod has an ERA of 8.49 and 2.06 WHIP. How much longer will the Tigers maintain the status quo?
RP Joe Biagini, Toronto Blue Jays: A month ago we speculated Biagini would collect saves while Roberto Osuna was hurt, but now with Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez down, the right-hander has moved to the rotation. Biagini will be stretched out slowly, but Sunday he showed a solid 94 mph fastball setting up a wicked curve while going four frames, whiffing four and allowing a pair of hits.
Fizzlers
OF Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals: After re-signing with the Royals in the wake of a World Series high, Gordon was a major disappointment last year. But the results this year are even worse with a .171 average, no homers and six RBI. The Royals will continue to play him, but fantasy owners need not.
SP Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals: After a full year post-surgery, Wainwright figured to return to his old form, but so far he has been unable to go more than 6 1/3 innings in any start. He has an ERA of 6.30, a WHIP of 1.97, and is a scary prospect every time he takes the hill.
OF Curtis Granderson, New York Mets: Granderson has been such a fixture over the past decade, but is hitting a weak .133 with a pair of homers and a .200 OBP. With Juan Lagares on the bench, Michael Conforto on fire, and Lucas Duda and Yoenis Cespedes injured, someone will lose the numbers game pretty soon. Granderson’s totals suggest he will likely be on the short end of that stick.
1B Mike Napoli, Texas Rangers: The veteran has always been prone to the whiff along with his ability to crush the big fly, and though Napoli has five homers this season to go with 13 RBI, he is hitting .169 with a .567 OPS and striking out a little better than every third time at bat.
SP Brett Anderson, Chicago Cubs: Anderson started strong, but three of his last four starts have been awful, and over his last pair, he lasted just 1 2/3 innings and allowed 12 runs. The lefty is probably going to miss a few starts after going on the disabled list Sunday with a back injury.