- A quick glimpse at Hunter Greene of the Cincinnati Reds reveals a 5.49 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP across eight starts, which helps explain why he's rostered in just 32% of ESPN leagues. However, a closer look shows that the former No. 2 overall pick is showing promise since getting tagged by the Milwaukee Brewers in early May (8 ER in 2⅔ IP). Since then, Greene has a 1.93 ERA over his past three outings with a 10.1 K/9 and a .123 batting average against. Perhaps most importantly, the 22-year-old averaged 100.1 mph on his four-seamer in his past start, which is notable because he was sitting "just" 98 mph with the pitch earlier this month. Walks continue to be an issue, but his minor league track record suggests there's reason for optimism in that department. Even with all of the warts, Greene carries sky-high upside, and he makes for a very appealing streamer against a Chicago Cubs team sporting a 26.8% K-rate and a bottom-three wRC+ (83) over the last 30 days.
- Opposing Greene and the Reds on Thursday is Justin Steele (5% rostered), who is coming off two dominant outings. In 11 combined frames against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he gave up just one earned run while fanning 19 batters. Of course, it's hard to trust that Steele has suddenly turned a corner when he has been picking on one of baseball's worst lineups. Then again, he gets another tasty matchup on Thursday, squaring off against the Reds, who sport the worst wOBA (.289) and wRC+ (80) in the National League. In other words, Steele might be pitching over his head right now, but feel free to roll with him in another prime matchup.
- It has understandably taken some time, but fantasy managers are finally starting to buy in on Martin Perez, whose roster percentage has spiked to 34% over the past week. The veteran left-hander holds a 1.64 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP over eight starts, and he's now gone six straight outings without allowing more than one earned run. Based on Perez's lengthy track record (which includes a career 4.58 ERA over 199 starts), it's easy to be skeptical. For now, though, Perez is showing pinpoint command, keeping the ball in the park, and limiting hard contact. Even with some regression inevitably coming, he gets a great draw on Thursday against an Oakland Athletics offense that's been brutal in May (.256 wOBA, 71 wRC+).
- A pair of underrated Arizona hitters deserve some attention. Both Christian Walker(21%) and Pavin Smith (5%) have been scalding the ball. Walker has 11 home runs on the season, and his Statcast page is a sea of red, as he sports a Barrel rate (16.5%) and xwOBA (.412) that both rank in the 94th percentile. Smith, meanwhile, has been more inconsistent because of his swing-and-miss tendencies, but he still has an elite 15.5% Barrel rate. Regardless of who the Dodgers throw out there, at least one of Walker and Smith is assured to get the platoon edge in Thursday's matchup against Mitch White and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
What you need to know for Thursday's MLB games
- Thread starter biggins
- Start date
olanco will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game due to some slight soreness in his right ankle, but manager Rocco Baldelli is optimistic that the second baseman could return as soon as Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. The 28-year-old had been playing through the issue recently, but the team wants to give him some time to rest while receiving treatment. Luis Arraez will shift to the keystone while Jose Miranda starts at first base.
