Studs:
Adam Jones, BAL – Adrian Gonzalez had a great night, belting three home runs in one game, but Jones had a great week. Jones launched four home runs in the course of five days. He also tallied seven additional hits (.524 AVG). Jones is taking advantage of every lefty on the hill. In this short season, he is 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBI against southpaws.
Billy Hamilton, CIN – Sure, like Adam Jones, Hamilton is owned in every league, but it would be a crime not to mention his seven stolen base week. Last year, he stole 56 bases and was busted 23 times. This season, Hamilton is a perfect 8-for-8.
Mark Canha, OAK – Who? The Bull-Durham-quoting-machine recorded a hit in every game that he has played in this season, until April 14th. Last week, Canha was 11-33 (.333) with three doubles and a home run. He also tallied seven RBI.
DJ LeMahieu, COL – When you go 12-22 (.545), you automatically make this list. On the season, LeMahieu is batting .516 with six RBI. Not bad for someone who is only owned in 31.5 percent of FOX Sports fantasy baseball leagues.
Aaron Harang, PHI – The Phillies had to deal with injuries to their pitching staff, but have no fear Harang is here. In two starts last week, Harang pitched 12.1 innings, struck out nine batters, and only allowed one earned run (0.73 ERA). He will pitch against Washington next and then face his former team, Atlanta.
Duds:
Top Tier SPs – It was a bad week for pitchers who were drafted early in fantasy leagues. Clayton Kershaw compiled a 7.11 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in his start against the Diamondbacks. In his start against the A’s, Felix Hernandez allowed eight hits and produced a 5.40 ERA. Then, there were the Nats. Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg allowed eight earned runs apiece last week.
Robinson Cano, SEA – He finally hit his first home run of the year on Tuesday, but Cano is still making the list. Last week, he had three-straight games of oh-fers with a combined 0-13 in those contests. This year, Cano is batting .071 against lefties and .136 on the road. On Wednesday, his Mariners will face southpaw Brett Anderson, in Los Angeles.
Bryce Harper, WAS – While he did scatter two home runs last week, Harper still finished with a .179 AVG. He is finding most of his struggles on the road. Away from Nationals Park, Harper is 3-21 (.143) yet he’s 4-11 (.364) at home. After Wednesday’s game in Boston, the Nats return home for seven-straight games.
Jonathan Lucroy, MIL – Two hits in seven days. I wish I could just chalk it up to great pitching, but Lucroy’s 0-12 start to the season against the Rockies weak rotation isn’t helping his cause. All of the splits will be terrible when the batter is 2-23 (.087) with zero home runs and RBI on the year. His opponents only get tougher next week as Lance Lynn, Gerrit Cole, and Johnny Cueto are just a few of the arms that Lucroy will have to face.
Mark Melancon, PIT – Failing to notch a save in a week is rough. Adding a 9.00 ERA in three innings of work doesn’t help either. The Pirates find themselves fourth in the NL Central, but could get a boost. After the series finale against the Tigers on Wednesday, Pittsburgh will host the Brewers. They already took 2-of-3 against Milwaukee earlier in the year.
