Saturday, August 19, 2017

Nelson Cruz continues homer run binge

Nelson Cruz belted an opposite field two-run homer Saturday in Seattle's 7-6 win over the Rays. He finished the evening going 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Fantasy Implications: Cruz is absolutely red-hot. The homer, his 31st on the year, was originally ruled a double, but after official review, the call on the field was overturned. The replay clearly shows the ball hit a seat in the right-center field bleachers, and not the wall, when it caromed back onto the field.      
In addition to his American League leading 100 RBIs, Cruz now has an eleven-game hitting streak, and has hit safely in 18 of his last 19 games. With his excellent .295/.377/.571 slash line, fantasy owners should know what to do. Capish?

James Pazos keeps Rays at bay

James Pazos pitched 2.1 innings in relief yielding no runs, one hit and walking one in Seattle's win over the Rays Friday night. He also struck out five.

Fantasy Implications: Pazos relieved Erasmo Ramirez to start the seventh inning, allowing only two of the nine men he faced to reach base. He threw 25 of his 34 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old portsider was in position to pick up his first big-league career save, but manager Scott Servais chose to use Emilio Pagan to get the final two outs of the game. The 2.1 innings is the longest outing of the season for Pazos, matched only by his appearance against the Indians on April 28. Pazos is pitching well since the start of August, allowing only one unearned run, four hits, and zero home runs in six appearances, while logging a 1.05 WHIP. Thus far this season, he has been used exclusively in low-leverage situations. He is one to watch however, with his proclivity to miss bats as illustrated by his impressive 10.8 K/9 and 0.78 HR/9 for the year.