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Carlos Correa Is the Most Important Part of the Houston Astros Offense in 2017
After ending their excruciating rebuilding process a year earlier than many expected with a playoff appearance in 2015, the Houston Astros were supposed to take another step forward in 2016, but it didn’t happen.
Jose Altuve put together an MVP-caliber performance, but Houston experienced regression from some of its young core and ultimately couldn’t overcome a 7-17 start. Their 4-15 record against the Texas Rangers didn’t help, either.
One of those young players who experienced a bumpy year was shortstop Carlos Correa.
Now, it’s tough to say a player who posted a 122 wRC+ and a 4.9 fWAR had a bad year, and Correa didn’t have a bad year – it just wasn’t what the organization was likely hoping for.
After an active offseason (which still may not be finished), expectations are high for the Astros to return to October. There are plenty of important offensive contributors on the roster, but Correa just may be the most important of all.
Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For DraftKings 5/10/16
If you have any questions or comments about this article or fantasy baseball, please Tweet me @dynasty_digest. I post daily DFS lineups for Draft Kings everyday, so please make sure to follow my blog (dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) and my Twitter for updates.
P- Kevin Gausman (vs. Minnesota Twins): $8,200. Gausman has proven he is a great play in daily fantasy over his first few starts in 2016. He is currently averaging 18.8 points per game on DraftKings this season. He will be facing the 26th ranked offense on Tuesday, whom ranks as the 4th worst in the MLB when it comes to striking out. To top it all off, there is an 11 MPH wind blowing towards home plate, so the baseball should stay in the ballpark on Tuesday.
P- Derek Holland (vs. Chicago White Sox): $6,200. Holland hasn’t been spectacular in 2016, but Tuesday could be the day to turn it around. He is facing the Chicago White Sox, whom are ranked as the 18th overall offense in the MLB. When it comes to facing left-handed pitching, the White Sox are hitting a mediocre .237. There will also be some very favorable weather for Mr. Holland on Tuesday. In Texas, it is expected to see winds upwards of 20 MPH towards home plate, which means there is a very slim chance of any power production.
To see the rest of the picks, click the link below:
Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For Draft Kings 5/8/16
If you have any questions or comments about this article or fantasy baseball, please Tweet me @dynasty_digest. I post daily DFS lineups for Draft Kings everyday, so please make sure to follow my blog (dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) and my Twitter for updates. For those of you who follow my lineups daily, you are used to my explanations on each player. I apologize, but I can’t do that today or tomorrow. My girlfriend is graduating college this weekend and I’m right in the middle of finals week, so it’s a pretty hectic time period. My Draft Kings lineups will be back to normal on Sunday!
P- Jose Quintana (vs. Minnesota Twins): $10,600
P- Justin Nicolino (vs. Philadelphia Phillies): $5,300
To see the rest of the picks, click the link below:
Who Owned Baseball April 12, 2016 (Daily MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
Matt Slocum / AP
Charlie Morton pitched shutout ball into the 7th, finishing 6 2/3 innings, 3 hits and 7 strikeouts, getting the 3-0 decision for Philadelphia over San Diego.
Trevor Brown continued his surprising power surge with a pair of homers and 4 RBI to lead the Giants to a 7-2 victory in Colorado.
Derek Holland gave the Rangers 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and striking out 4 in the 8-0 blowout in Seattle.
Justin Upton went 4 for 5 with a homer, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored in the Tigers 8-2 win over Pittsburgh.
They all owned baseball on April 12, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
MLB Power Rankings: Week 1 Results – April 2016
Hunter Stokes (BBBA Featured Writer) Follow @stokes_Hunter21
Follow The BBBA On Twitter Follow @baseballblogs
Disclaimer: We based these rankings on best strength to win the World Series. Therefore some teams that have an easier division to play in, with the least path of resistance to the postseason overall may be ranked a lot higher than a club who is equally talented, yet may play in a juggernaut of a division.
Team – Rank (W – L Record) (Last week ranking in parenthesis)
(1) Chicago Cubs (5 – 1) (1): The Cubs weathered the loss of their slugging OF Kyle Schwarber this week – by taking 5 of the 1st 6 games played, and all on the road. After these 6 contests – the squad is outscoring their opponents 42 – 15.
Love the idea of setting the table with Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist 1-2-3 prior to the boppers coming after in Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.
Having the 2015 NL ROY may help Rizzo win the NL MVP this season. He had 10 RBI this week – including a 6 RBI effort.
Jake Arrieta is already 2 – 0, and this team shows no signs of slowing down.
(2) KC Royals (4 – 1) (2): This club just knows how to win with the dominant Bullpen and clutch hitting. They have only yielded 11 runs thus far, and this team has not even hit huge strides on offense yet.
The AL Central is better in 2016 there is no question, however KC will be ready to take them on. There may not be a more filthy Late Inning Reliever right now than Wade Davis. Edinson Volquez has picked up right where he left off in 2015 as well. Read the rest of this entry
Carlos Correa’s Big Opening Day Is The Start Of Something Special
Carlos Correa has lived up to all of his hype since his arrival to the big leagues in 2015. Yesterday the hype increased even more. In the sixth inning, Correa hit an opposite field home run to tie the game against the New York Yankees. He finished the day with one home run, two runs, two RBIs, and two stolen bases on the way to a 5-3 victory for the Houston Astros. It is very apparent that he is one of the best in the game and the sky is the limit for Correa. Time will only tell how good he will be, but in his short time in the big leagues, this 21 year old has proved that he is here to shatter expectations. To read the rest of the article, click the link below:
Odds To Win The 2016 AL MVP In The MLB: Best And Worst Bets
Miguel Cabrera won this award back in 2012 and 2013 – and is fully healthy this upcoming campaign, on a club that is much improved and will be in contention for a playoff spot all year. His +700 odd is a great value bet. We are picking the man to win the American League MVP this year. Mike Trout will likely finish 2nd again, and that is based solely on his team probably not vying for a playoff position this year in my view. Trout should still win the AP Player of the Year and Sporting News player of the year as well..
Hunter Stokes (BBBA Featured Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The BBBA On Twitter Follow @baseballblogs
There is no doubt in the world that Mike Trout is the best overall player in the American League, and he is still the best player in the Majors (at least for now – until Bryce Harper has a better 2016 than him again in 2015), but his team is going to make it tough for him to win the MVP over the next few years.
The 2014 winner, and 3 time runner-up in 2012, 2013 and 2015 has to be wondering what his franchise is doing wasting his talent – by surrounding a mediocre supporting cast?
Having said this, the +175 odd is still about where it should be. If the Angels are in the race down the stretch, and he has better number than the field, Trout will take his 2nd trophy this season.
Honestly the odd that surprised me the most was the Manny Machado odd at +500. I am not questioning his talent, or the fact he should be a top 5 player for years in the AL; I am questioning the website for having the O’s ranked 14th out of 15 AL Clubs! Read the rest of this entry
Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Others Could be Ushering in the Next Golden Age at Shortstop
What’s the most important position on a baseball diamond? The answer you get will likely depend on whom you ask.
It’s no secret that championship-caliber teams must be strong up the middle – catcher, pitcher, center field, shortstop and second base – to be successful. While I think having a quality catcher is a team’s most important asset, it’s tough to argue against shortstop being next in line.
As many people in fantasy baseball circles know, finding a player that can be an elite hitter without being a defensive liability at this position is difficult to find. Over the past few years, it’s basically been Troy Tulowitzki and then everyone else. Tulo is still around and will be a great option with the Toronto Blue Jays, but there are already some young big-league shortstops – along with others on the cusp of getting promoted – that will make this position deep with elite options.
Bat Flips, Pumped Fists, and a Change In Baseball Culture
Earlier this week, some of the league’s biggest superstars spoke out on how the culture of baseball needs to change. This charge was lead by players such as Bryce Harper, Jose Bautista, Jose Fernandez, Chris Archer, Carlos Correa, and Yoenis Cespedes. All of these players have one thing in common, they love to show emotion on the field. Unfortunately, the culture of baseball frowns upon those who celebrate too much following a home run or pumping their fist after a big strikeout. Perhaps the game would be even more exciting if there was more emotion on the field by other players, but as for now, this is not the norm. To hear more about the analysis from the players, please click the link below:
2016 Houston Astros Farm System Handbook
Jayne Hansen (Featured BBBA Baseball Writer/Owner – www.whattheheckbobby.blogspot.ca ) Follow @JayneWTHB
Follow The BBBA On Twitter Follow @baseballblogs
The 2016 Houston Farm System Handbook is now available for purchase and is already drawing great reviews! When I introduced the Houston Farm System Handbook in 2015, almost all of the reviews were of the 5-star variety (one person raved that they loved it but only gave it 4 stars).
Astros Announcer Bill Brown complimented me on doing “a masterful job cataloging tons of information on the Astros prospects” and really liked the portability of an e-book.
As good as that 2015 Handbook was, the 2016 version should prove to be even more valuable to prospect fans everywhere with the addition of a “Beyond the Top Prospects” depth chart.
Before last season I was touting prospects such as Matt Duffy, Tyler White, Jon Kemmer and Albert Abreu, all of whom landed in Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook for the first time recently.
In my depth charts, I have identified a number of players who may very well debut in that publication next year, including RHP Dean Deetz, 1B Chase McDonald and many others.
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