As the Major League Baseball season rolls on towards the 100-game mark, several storylines have emerged that warrant closer inspection, particularly those involving standout players like Cody Bellinger, Nolan Arenado, Alex Bregman, and J.P. Crawford.
Cody Bellinger's Performance
At the center of the narrative is Cody Bellinger, who has been delivering mixed results this season. In 79 games, Bellinger has managed to hit nine home runs. This isn't quite up to par with his performance last season, where he knocked out 26 home runs across 130 games. The difference in performance could be attributing to multiple factors, ranging from minor injuries to the natural ebb and flow of a long season. Regardless, Bellinger remains a pivotal player to watch as the season progresses.
Nolan Arenado's Career-Low OPS
Another intriguing storyline involves Nolan Arenado, who currently has an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .702. For Arenado, a player renowned for his offensive prowess, this represents the lowest OPS of his illustrious career. The decline in Arenado's offensive numbers adds an element of unpredictability to how his team might adjust their strategy moving forward.
Alex Bregman's Surge
Alex Bregman has been a standout performer since early July. Over a 13-game span, Bregman has posted an impressive .314 batting average, along with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and 10 runs scored, culminating in an OPS of .885. His recent form is particularly compelling given his career stats against left-handed pitching, boasting a .278 batting average and an .862 OPS. With the Athletics set to start LHP Hogan Harris, who carries a career ERA of 5.53, Bregman could be in line for a fruitful outing. Fantasy managers will note that Bregman is priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,200 on FanDuel, making him a viable option for daily fantasy sports.
J.P. Crawford: A Mixed Bag
J.P. Crawford represents a more complex case. This season, he has been batting .284 with an .805 OPS against left-handed pitchers, despite experiencing the lowest batting average (.204) and OPS (.643) of his eight-year career. When facing LHP, Crawford has hit four home runs in 88 at-bats, while against right-handed pitchers, he has five home runs in 206 at-bats. His career performance against Tyler Anderson stands at 3-for-10 with two walks. Priced comparably to Bregman at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,000 on FanDuel, Crawford also offers considerable potential for those in the fantasy sports realm.
The Case for Crawford
Notably, J.P. Crawford has received an endorsement from the respected authority, McClure, who is featured in "Fantasy Football (and Baseball) for Smart People: How to Turn Your Hobby into a Fortune." McClure's endorsement of rostering Crawford could provide additional motivation for fantasy owners to take a closer look at him as they set their lineups. The calculated gamble might just pay off, especially given Crawford's proclivity to rise to the occasion against left-handed pitchers.
As these various narratives unfold, baseball fans and fantasy league participants alike have much to look forward to. With milestones approaching and individual performances fluctuating, the remainder of this MLB season promises to deliver both excitement and intrigue. Whether it's Bellinger's search for form, Arenado's struggle with career-low stats, or the potential exploits of Bregman and Crawford, each story adds another layer of depth to the tapestry of the 2023 MLB season.